About UConn Waterbury
About UConn Waterbury
Golden Opportunities in the Brass City
At UConn Waterbury, you’ll get all the benefits of a prestigious public research university in a small college setting. For more than 70 years, UConn Waterbury has opened the doors to educational access and excellence for thousands of Connecticut residents. Today, the campus is located in a leading-edge facility in the heart of Waterbury's revitalized downtown.
UConn Waterbury is proud to be federally designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), both as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
Campus Leadership
Fumiko Hoeft, MD, Ph.D.
Campus Dean & Chief Administrative Officer
Dr. Fumiko Hoeft is the dean & chief administrative officer of UConn Waterbury. She is deeply involved in mentoring students, community outreach, promoting diversity and inclusion, and service to the University. She views the strong sense of community and diversity at UConn Waterbury, and within the city of Waterbury itself, as a great opportunity for partnerships, economic growth, and social entrepreneurship.
Dr. Hoeft is among the nation’s top researchers in studying the brain’s function to better understand the neural mechanisms of brain development, literacy, dyslexia, and related issues. She is a neurophysiologist, as well as a systems and developmental cognitive neuroscientist. Dr. Hoeft is director of the Brain Imaging Research Center (BIRC) and a professor of psychological sciences. She earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience and neurophysiology from the Keio University School of Medicine and her MD from the Keio University School of Medicine.
Our campus administration is made up of a dedicated team of leaders and staff who support UConn Waterbury and our students, faculty, and staff.
Inspire Growth. Nurture Changemakers. Transform Communities.
UConn Waterbury provides accessible, high-quality education to our vibrant community of learners, and fosters a transformative learning environment that cultivates their potential. As an integral part of Connecticut’s flagship university, we focus on local and global engagement, workforce development, and lifelong learning, preparing students to lead meaningful lives and drive positive change.
Our Vision
To be a dynamic center of educational excellence and innovation, preparing lifelong learners to drive positive change locally and globally through access to high-quality education, impactful research, and strong community partnerships.
Our Mission
We deliver accessible, high-quality education in a supportive, tight-knit community that fosters intellectual growth, career readiness, and holistic student development. Through innovative programs, personalized support, and meaningful community engagement, we prepare our students to address regional and global challenges, achieve economic mobility, and lead with purpose in a rapidly changing world.
Our Values
- Student-Centered: We place students at the center of all we do, fostering their academic, personal, and professional growth.
- Excellence: We strive for organizational and academic excellence in teaching, research, and community partnerships, helping students realize their full potential.
- Innovation: We embrace creativity, problem-solving, and new ideas to address contemporary challenges.
- Integrity and Accountability: We act with transparency, honesty, and responsibility to build trust within our campus and community. We are committed to fiscal responsibility by operating efficiently, using resources creatively, and ensuring we remain a valuable asset to the state and community.
- Belonging and Respect: We create an environment where every individual feels valued, heard, and supported, fostering a true sense of belonging.
- Community: We collaborate with local and global partners to strengthen our community and drive meaningful impact.
- Sustainability: We commit to responsible stewardship of resources to ensure a brighter future for generations to come.
History
In 1942, the University of Connecticut was invited to Waterbury at the request of a group of citizens, headed by the Waterbury YMCA. Named the Waterbury Extension Center, it offered primarily certificate-granting technical courses taught at the YMCA for 253 students comprised mostly of returning veterans looking for an affordable and easily accessible means of earning an education.
In August 2003, the Waterbury campus moved to a new 95,000 square foot downtown campus. The U shaped, three story building at the intersection of East Main Street and Phoenix Avenue was designed to serve more than 1,200 students, faculty and staff, replacing the collection of buildings and houses that has served the Waterbury campus for decades. The new facility was dedicated on October 9, 2003.
In 2016, UConn Waterbury opened the newly renovated Rectory Building. The building, located directly across the street from the main campus building, is home to classrooms, meeting and study rooms, as well as the Spirit Café.
UConn Waterbury sits on traditional, ancestral, and occupied Native American land. The campus’ location and history require that we critically reflect on the ongoing effects of settler colonialism and structural racism and question what it means to teach, learn, and conduct research on occupied lands.
History
In 1942, the University of Connecticut was invited to Waterbury at the request of a group of citizens, headed by the Waterbury YMCA. Named the Waterbury Extension Center, it offered primarily certificate-granting technical courses taught at the YMCA for 253 students comprised mostly of returning veterans looking for an affordable and easily accessible means of earning an education.
In August 2003, the Waterbury campus moved to a new 95,000 square foot downtown campus. The U shaped, three story building at the intersection of East Main Street and Phoenix Avenue was designed to serve more than 1,200 students, faculty and staff, replacing the collection of buildings and houses that has served the Waterbury campus for decades. The new facility was dedicated on October 9, 2003.
In 2016, UConn Waterbury opened the newly renovated Rectory Building. The building, located directly across the street from the main campus building, is home to classrooms, meeting and study rooms, as well as the Spirit Café.
UConn Hartford sits on traditional, ancestral, and occupied Native American land. The campus’ location and history require that we critically reflect on the ongoing effects of settler colonialism and structural racism and question what it means to teach, learn, and conduct research on occupied lands.
