By Christopher Todd
Partnering with school districts, to meet the needs of educators and students across the state, continues to be a founding tenant of all programming within the Office of Early College Programs. The UConn Early College Experience (ECE) program continues to broaden access to rigorous, college coursework, strengthening pathways into meaningful careers and expanding opportunities in key academic and professional fields.
New offerings such as ARE 1110E: Population, Food, and the Environment introduces students to real-world economic and environmental challenges related to food systems and resource use, supporting career interests in sustainability, agribusiness, and public policy. In the sciences, CHEM 1124Q & CHEM 1125Q: Fundamentals of General Chemistry I & II provide foundational chemistry knowledge essential for advanced study in health sciences, engineering, and research-based careers. These courses support students preparing for majors in chemistry, pharmacy, biology, and related STEM areas by delivering college-level laboratory and quantitative experience while still in high school.
The arts, engineering, and professional skill development are further enriched through courses like DRAM 1101: Introduction to Theatre and DRAM 3141: Playwriting and Workshop, which nurture creativity, communication, and critical thinking—skills valuable across creative industries and collaborative work environments. On the engineering front, ENGR 1195: Special Topics in Engineering: AI Literacy (AI for All) immerses students in contemporary technological literacy, preparing them for careers at the intersection of computing, design, and innovation, while ME 2140: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing offers hands-on experience with SolidWorks/CAD and design tools relevant to manufacturing and product development. In the health professions, PHAR 1002: Fundamentals of Pharmacology and PHRX 3057: Discovering the Leader Within build foundational scientific understanding and professional leadership skills, supporting future pathways in pharmacy, medicine, and allied health.
Complementing these discipline-specific offerings, UNIV 1820: First Year Seminar – Intro to Making engages students in creative problem solving foundational to maker and design thinking, supporting a successful transition to college-level learning while encouraging innovation across academic and career interests. Together, these courses reflect UConn ECE’s continued commitment to broadening access, expanding opportunity, and preparing students for future success in high-demand fields.
As a result, the program continues to expand access to high-quality, college coursework that strengthens career pathways and supports student exploration across multiple career pathways including but not limited to education, health sciences, engineering, and STEM fields.