2023 – All Hands on Deck

In today’s social climate, we need “all hands on deck” to address the vast number of issues that have been exacerbated by the Pandemic, including racial injustice, climate change, socioeconomic inequalities, and more. In order to rebuild and make progress on these challenges, many of which have hit home at UConn, we need inspirational individuals from diverse backgrounds to synthesize their different skill sets. Substantial change doesn’t come from one individual, it comes from collective community engagement. Sharing insights regarding how individuals display leadership will provide context into how our community can make these changes and move forward – but it requires “all hands on deck.”

You have probably felt down or anxious at some point in your life and went for a walk to calm down. Whether you knew it or not, you felt better because you were outside interacting with the wonder that is nature. Here, Sam Kocurek discusses the intersections of mental health and nature since the pandemic. He highlights NatureRx, an organization that is teaching people about the benefits of being outdoors with regard to their mental wellbeing.

In this TEDx talk, Nicole Muthoni acknowledges that empowering young learners in underserved communities is the beginning of a remarkable step towards bridging the digital divide. She talks about the consequences of technological inequality in the 21st century classroom, by sharing her own story and what inspired her to be the founder of PazaTech.

There is a need for higher financial literacy in the US. By stepping up public investment in financial literacy at a high school and college level, building an interactive and collaborative curriculum, and sustaining evidence-based initiatives in schools, we can create a stronger generation of Americans, who are equipped to participate in a rapidly changing economy.