Blog

The semester-long Liberal Arts Action Lab project was particularly exciting because it launched the three-year Urban Environmental Justice in Greater Hartford grant funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a collaboration between Trinity College's Center for Hartford Engagement & Research, Center for Caribbean Studies, and Center for Urban and Global Studies, with community partners at the Center for Leadership & Justice and the Stowe Center for Literary Activism.  In the Action Lab project, students and faculty from Trinity and CT State Community College partnered with the Center for Leadership and Justice (CLJ) to understand how residents in Hartford’s South End, a predominantly low-income community of color, were impacted by the waste incinerator. In collaboration with CLJ, our research aimed to center Hartford residents’ voices specifically by highlighting their recommendations and calls for change. 

Each year, the Hartford Environmental Justice Research Partnership will award several mini-grants for curricular development, community co-instruction, and community-engaged research. We are pleased to announce the 2025-26 recipients.

The Environmental Justice Liberal Arts Action Lab project is a component of the Hartford Environmental Justice Research Partnership grant funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a research collaboration between Trinity College's Center for Hartford Engagement & Research, Center for Caribbean Studies, and Center for Urban and Global Studies, with community partners at the Center for Leadership & Justice and the Stowe Center for Literary Activism. List image taken by Sarah McCoy.

As we celebrate the Class of 2025, we want to give a special shout-out to some of our incredible CHER seniors! From leading community-engaged research to building deep partnerships across Hartford, these students have embodied the spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and civic impact. Their work has strengthened the bridge between Trinity and the wider community, and we’re so proud of everything they’ve accomplished during their time with the Center for Hartford Engagement and Research.

Trinity College hosted the 19th Annual Trinity International Hip Hop Festival, organized by students and the faculty advisor of the Trinity Chapter of the Temple of Hip Hop, in collaboration with five dedicated community partners: Khaiim the RapOet, Hydro8sixty, Poptart, G-Whiz, and Jasmin Agosto ’10. This year’s theme, Hip Hop Saved My Life, guided the curation of a deeply immersive experience that brought together the Trinity and Greater Hartford communities.

Educational Programs Expanding at HMTCA, The Liberal Arts Action Lab receives Campus Compact Award, Exploring Hartford Through Videos with CACT 101 and more!

During the Spring of 2022, Jake Loor ‘25, Reese San Diego ‘25, Luka de Faria e Castro ‘25, and Anna Grant-Bolton '25 founded Students Against Mass Incarceration (SAMI) to address a critical gap at Trinity College, the gap between academic learning about mass incarceration and taking action.

Meet Jess Cruz '26! She is not only a part of the Trinity College Garden Groupies but also supports and tutors HMTCA students. Jess involvement in CHER involves community service from working with SINA on Frog Hollow clean ups to tutoring HMTCA students taking Trinity College courses.

Last fall semester, students enrolled in the first year Community Action Gateway 101 (CACT 101) course worked on a semester-long project to support CHER’s Exploring Hartford page by creating interactive videos showcasing key spots students can find in the city.

CHER Leadership Transition Announcement, Fall 2024 Semester in Review, CHER Community Engagement Fellows Strength CHER Partnerships and more!