Civic Engagement
March 30
Trans Day of Visibility
Engagement
April 15 - 16
Uplifting Immigrant Community
Civic Engagement
April 20
Know Your Ballot
In Loving Memory of Jacob "Jake" Najarian
It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of our colleague and friend, Jacob "Jake" Najarian.
A proud UConn graduate from the Class of 2015, Jake served as Jumpstart Site Manager and Coordinator of One-Time Projects and Annual Events within the Office of Community Outreach. Through his kindness, compassion, and unwavering commitment to service, Jake touched countless lives across the University and the greater community.
Jake`s legacy lives on through the students he mentored, the graduate assistants and student leaders he helped shape, and the hundreds of volunteers he inspired to serve local children through early literacy and community engagement programs. His dedication to fostering leadership and meaningful connections was reflected in initiatives such as Community Service Days, Day of Caring, Alternative Break programs, and the Preschool Book Pals Program, bringing together his passion for learning, service, and giving back.
We extend our deepest condolences to Jake`s family, friends, colleagues, students, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His impact on the UConn community will not be forgotten, and his legacy of service will continue to inspire others for years to come.
Family, friends, colleagues, students, and community members are welcome to attend Jake`s services and celebrate his life. Service details can be found through the Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home obituary: https://www.holmeswatkins.com/obituaries/jacob-najarian
For those who may be grieving, processing this news, or seeking support, Student Health & Wellness (SHaW) Mental Health Services are available to students:
• SHaW Mental Health: 860-486-4700 (Press 1, then 2) to make an appointment or schedule a screening online.
• BeWell 24/7 support: 833-308-3040 (U.S., Canada & Caribbean) or 1-984-268-2016 (international).
• Let`s Talk Mental Health Office Hours.
• Grief and mental health resources are available through the SHaW website.
• Growth Through Grief support group.
More information is available at: studenthealth.uconn.edu/mental-health
Where did this year go?! Thank you to our amazing student leaders, GAs, and staff for another great year of work with our communities. Good luck this week with finals and, for our seniors, graduation!! 🫶
Need service hours before the end of the year? Volunteer for Give & Go, a campus-wide initiative aimed at reducing waste during move-out week by redirecting items to be donated! Sign up for a volunteer shift!
Give & Go is a collaboration between Community Outreach, @uconnos , @uconncampushousing , and @uconncahnr
The annual Husky Classic is next weekend! ⚽️📢Spectators are welcome and volunteers are needed — visit s.uconn.edu/huskyclassic2026 to sign up to volunteer for this Special Olympics event!
Our Big Brothers Big Sisters program had an exciting day last week, as the Littles visited campus for UConn Day to hang out with their Bigs!
I’m case you missed it… our Special Olympics Event Committee worked with Special Olympics CT and UConn Police to organize and volunteer for the annual Penguin Plunge at the end of March. We’re so proud of everyone who was brave enough to take the plunge, and grateful for those who volunteered at the event to help support Special Olympics athletes!
Our Special Olympics Events Committee is gearing up for the upcoming Husky Classic event at the end of April. Stay tuned for information to follow!
So much fun at last night’s office mini golf! ⛳️
Always good to see people stopping in for community-building events
Always love to see new faces at the involvement fair!
Looking for community service opportunities this semester? Volunteer at Juniper Hill Assisted Living just once a week to make meaningful connections with older adults ☀️ Sign up at s.uconn.edu/juniperhill
Puerto Rico alt break recap! For a week over winter break, our community sustainability alternative break team was given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Puerto Rican culture through various service projects with local non-profits and community members! We worked in the local beaches to clean up areas for the leatherback turtles to nest, helped replant in local gardens and orchards to keep up with community standards, and completed community initiative projects. Outside of our service, we got to experience and learn the culture firsthand by talking with locals and welcoming a vulnerable space for conversation.
Over winter break, a group of our students went on the Costa Rica community development alternative break. They stayed at the Los Jazmines school, working alongside community members on repairs, painting walls and murals, and helping to build a sidewalk. Participants and community members also connected despite some language barriers by playing soccer and drawing together.
More photos from the MLK Day of Service on Monday!
Thank you to all of our volunteers and community partners who came together for this day, including the Midwest Foodbank of New England, Covenant Soup Kitchen, Holy Family Hone, @macccharities, and @uconntfxc
