Centers and Institutes

The Rell Center for Public Service prepares students to engage meaningfully in civic life—through internships, community partnerships, and hands-on projects that address real needs in the Greater Hartford region. It connects UHart’s academic community with local government, nonprofits, and public institutions.

The Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies hosts public lectures, community events, and interfaith dialogue rooted in scholarship—bringing the university into conversation with Hartford’s broader Jewish community and the public at large.

The Humanities Center brings together faculty and students across literary, cultural, historical, and philosophical disciplines to ask meaningful questions about human experience. It supports research, public programming, and interdisciplinary work that connects the liberal arts to life beyond the classroom.

The Van Rooy Center for Complexity explores how complex systems—from ecosystems to economies to social networks—behave, adapt, and evolve. Faculty and students apply interdisciplinary methods to problems that resist simple answers and don’t fit neatly inside a single discipline.

The Hydration Health Center conducts nationally recognized research on how hydration affects human health, performance, and well-being. Faculty and students work alongside clinicians and industry partners to translate findings into practical guidance for individuals and institutions.

The Risk and Disruptive Technology Institute brings together students and faculty from Barney, A&S, CETA, and ENHP to study emerging risk at the intersection of technology and business. Projects address real-world challenges in cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, finance, and health—with opportunities for research, internships, and industry collaboration.

The Center for Montessori Studies is one of the leading hubs for Montessori research and teacher preparation in the country. It supports educators, researchers, and families working to understand and advance Montessori pedagogy from early childhood onward.

The Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation (CTEI) supports UHart faculty in developing effective, innovative, and inclusive teaching practices. It offers workshops, coaching, and resources on course design, pedagogy, and the thoughtful use of technology in the classroom.

The Engineering Application Center (EAC) connects CETA faculty and students with companies tackling real engineering challenges—from product design to process improvement. It serves as a bridge between UHart’s engineering programs and the regional partners who put that expertise to work.

The R.C. Knox Center has advanced the study of insurance and risk management for more than three decades. It supports undergraduate and graduate students through funding, faculty-supervised research, and the annual Risk Manager in Residence program, which connects students directly with industry professionals.

The Center for Student Success (CSS) is UHart’s central hub for academic advising, tutoring, and student support services. It connects students with the resources, coaching, and tools they need to stay on track and make the most of their time at UHart.

The Center for Adult Academic Services supports adult learners returning to or starting higher education—with flexible advising, credit for prior learning, and pathways designed around the realities of working and family life.

The International Center serves UHart’s international student community from arrival through graduation—providing visa advising, immigration support, cultural programming, and resources that help students feel at home and succeed academically.

Zachs Hillel House is UHart’s home for Jewish student life—a welcoming space for holiday celebrations, social events, service projects, and conversations about identity and community. It connects Jewish students with each other and with the broader Hartford Jewish community.