UConn CAPS has been supporting students who are first-generation to college and/or from underresourced households in fulfilling their dream of earning a college degree for nearly 60 years. Our alumni have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, educators, business owners, television actors, puppeteers, community leaders, and we even have an alumnus who was an astronaut! Your donation supports current CAPS pre-college and college students in having life-transforming experiences such as study abroad, exposure to arts and culture, and leadership and professional development opportunities. You may search the various CAPS funds here or click on a specific link below.

Center for Academic Programs

• Gifts to this fund support the Center for Academic Programs, which increases access to higher education for high-potential students who are first generation to college, from low-socioeconomic backgrounds and/or from populations underrepresented in higher education. CAP prepares students for successful entry into, retention in, and graduation from a post-secondary institution. Its various programs serve students at both the high school and college levels. 

CAP Education Abroad Scholarship

• Gifts to this fund assist UConn’s Student Support Services (SSS) program in helping more students gain international exposure, awareness and appreciation of diverse populations and cultures, and become inspired to make an impact on and off campus. UConn CAPS is a national leader in providing international educational opportunities for first-generation college students from underresourced households. 

First Generation Pre-Doctoral Scholars Fund

• Gifts to this fund support programming and events associated with the McNair Scholars Program. The UConn McNair Scholars Program is a federally-funded TRIO program designed to prepare students who are from low-income backgrounds, the first in their families to attend college, and/or from underrepresented groups in higher education for doctoral studies. McNair Scholars are offered a comprehensive suite of experiences designed to equip them with skills needed for graduate study. Participants receive critical support from the McNair Scholars Program staff and their faculty and graduate student mentors while they gain the competitive edge that earns them admission to PhD programs of study.

Bidya Ranjeet Experiential Global Learning Fund

• Gifts to this fund provide support, without limitations, to participants in various programs within the Center for Academic Programs (CAP) for expenses related to international and domestic educational and cultural programming, including study abroad and study away. Dr. Ranjeet began with CAPS as a Student Support Services graduate assistant, then counselor, then SSS director, and finally served as CAPS Executive Director. She was the driving force in developing the CAPS Summer Abroad Programs. 

Maria D. Martinez Scholarship

• Gifts to this fund support scholarships awarded to students for professional development (e.g. professional conference attendance), education abroad, research opportunities, alternative spring break and other service-based trips, as well as for books and UConn fee bill expenses. Maria worked in the Center for Academic Programs for over 30 years, starting as an SSS Counselor and ultimately becoming the Assistant Vice-Provost of UConn’s Institute for Student Success. She leaves a legacy of providing access to students who are first-generation, have limited income, and are underserved.

Robert L. Brown Fund

• Gifts to this fund help provide programmatic support including, without limitation, student support, travel, conferences, recognition, and expenses related to UCAP. Bob worked with high school students in the Connecticut Precollegiate Enrichment Program (CONNPEP)/Upward Bound Program. UCAP has built on his legacy that expands for over 50 years of up lighting the community through education, service, and educational opportunity.

Alma E. Maldonado-Cordner Fund

• Gifts to this fund help provide programmatic support for students including, without limitation, student support, travel, conferences, recognition and expenses related to the Center for Academic Programs/Student Support Services. Alma is an education pioneer whose efforts to provide first-generation, low-income students with access to UConn and educational opportunities played an integral role in shaping the UConn Student Support Services (SSS) program. Her passion for developing programming to support SSS students’ academic success at UConn remains one of her greatest contributions to the University.