Center for Hartford Engagement and Research at Trinity College

Our Public Humanities Collaborative summer projects are officially underway! ☀️📚

PHC students visited the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History last week, where they explored exhibits and artwork highlighting Hartford’s rich history, culture, and community stories. We’re excited to see how these experiences shape their work throughout the summer!

Stay connected with everything happening at CHER! 🌆📚
From Community Learning and Trinfo to the Liberal Arts Action Lab, Civic Engagement, and the HMTCA Partnership, our newsletter keeps you updated on community events, student initiatives, research, and opportunities to get involved.

Sign up today! Link in the bio!

This past week at Trinfo, we were able to give away computer monitors to community patrons. A couple of weeks ago, in collaboration with South Park Inn, we also distributed care packages at Trinfo. 💙

Trinfo continues to grow as a community-centered third space, offering support and resources through partnerships with Hartford organizations, Trinity College, and community partners. Thank you to everyone who helps make this work possible!

HMTCA mentors sharing what mentorship, community, and growth have meant to them 💙✨

From building confidence and meaningful relationships to supporting students through their academic journeys, these reflections highlight the impact of the HMTCA Mentor Program on both mentors and mentees alike.

Thank you to our incredible mentors for the care, guidance, and encouragement you continue to bring to the HMTCA and Trinity community each week. 🌟

🎓 Congratulations to the CHER Class of 2026! 🎓

We are incredibly proud of our graduating seniors and all they have accomplished during their time at Trinity College and through their work with the Center for Hartford Engagement and Research. Your dedication to community engagement, research, advocacy, and leadership has made a lasting impact both on campus and throughout Hartford. 💙

Read more about our graduating seniors in our highlight blog post: https://www.trincoll.edu/cher/blog/congratulations-to-our-cher-seniors/

The Liberal Arts Action Lab wrapped up the semester with its Spring 2026 Digital Poster Fair! 💙 Trinity College and CT State Capital students presented collaborative, community-based research projects focused on Islamophobia and belonging, climate and environmental justice, and access to abortion care.

Thank you to all of the students, faculty, staff, and community partners who made this semester’s projects possible and continue to support community-driven research in Hartford.

Thanks to everyone who came along to CHER’s final programming event of the semester! We wrapped things up with a Jazz Wednesday Night at Black Eyed Sally’s!

We had a blast savoring southern food and soaking in a live jazz performance, all while chatting about jazz.

✨ YOU’RE INVITED! ✨

Join us for the Liberal Arts Action Lab’s Digital Poster Presentations on Thursday, April 30, 4–6 PM 🎉

Come explore exciting Hartford-based community research projects completed by Trinity College and CT State Community College students during the Spring 2026 semester.

Hear directly from our incredibly engaged students, connect with community partners, and enjoy plenty of food in a welcoming drop-in setting.

📍 Where: Trinity’s Innovation Hub, Liberal Arts Action Lab
1 Constitution Plaza, 3rd Floor, Hartford (If you park in the building’s garage, please remember to bring your parking ticket with you so we can validate it.)

👥 Who: Students, faculty, families, and especially our Hartford community members — all are welcome!

We’d love to see you there 💙

TrinityCollege CTState

Spring 2026 Projects:

Islamophobia, Lived Experience, and Community Space Project with Muslim Justice Center

In this project, students researched how Muslims across Greater Hartford and Connecticut experience Islamophobia, belonging, and the possibilities of welcoming community (“third”) spaces.

Hartford Climate and Environmental Justice with Sierra Club Connecticut and NAG

Students investigated pollution burdens, air quality, and resident-centered climate advocacy strategies in Frog Hollow and Hartford.

Access to Abortion Care Project The REACH Fund of Connecticut

Students researched how abortion funding support reduces barriers to care and informs statewide advocacy efforts.

Check out these events happening this weekend in Hartford!!

Join us for Jazz Night and dinner in Black Eyed Sally’s on April 15th! Spots are limited, so make sure to RSVP by Monday (04/13).