UConn announced October 7 that it was selected for $5 million in federal funding over five years to develop ASCEND, a coordinated pathway from college into employment. The initiative brings together its Storrs and Hartford campuses.
The university says existing services can feel disconnected to students. ASCEND is intended to link peer mentoring and professional networks with AI literacy, community-engaged coursework and a career accelerator offering more internships, employer partnerships and career mentoring.
Jason Chang will lead the project with Fany DeJesús Hannon, Angela Rola and Katherine Martin. UConn reports planned involvement from local businesses and nonprofit organizations, connecting academic work with practical experience.
For Storrs students, the announcement points to broader access to coordinated support and employer connections. The university plans to embed the work in its existing academic and student-life structures after the grant period.
An information session is planned for later in October. The announcement does not give its date or establish that expanded internship opportunities are already available. This report is based on UConn’s account of the award and planned program.