The Women’s Advancement Initiative (formerly WELFund) is a distinctive program at the University of Hartford that uniquely positions students, faculty, and staff for success through education and leadership programs, research and scholarship opportunities, and career connections and experiences.
Built on the heritage of Hartford College for Women, The Women’s Advancement Initiative challenges, encourages, and empowers all those served by its programs at the University of Hartford and beyond. The Women’s Advancement Initiative is supported and sustained by a community of women and men who believe that advancing an individual’s potential is a personal and collective priority.
Ninety Years of Empowering Students in Hartford
Hartford College for Women began as Mount Holyoke in Hartford, a “noble experiment” in 1933. It came at a time when many had limited access to higher education opportunities. Over the years, there have been notable celebrations honoring Hartford College for Women, some based on its founding in 1933 and others on its inception as an independent college in 1939. The College’s past and each celebration connect students across decades. The Hartford College for Women's legacy is rich with stories.
In 2023, we commemorated “90 Years of Empowering Students in Hartford ” with a special anniversary event and commemorative book.
Education, Opportunity, and Impact
The Women's Advancement Initiative is proud to continue the legacy of Hartford College for Women. In 2006, the organization was established to offer educational opportunities and celebrate the legacy of Hartford College for Women. Today, our organization offers leadership training, personal and professional development workshops, and resilience and opportunity coaching to students, faculty, and staff.
The design of our signature program, LEAD (Leadership Education and Development), was inspired by the way students at Hartford College for Women were supported and challenged. We proudly continue to provide education, create opportunities, and impact the lives of those served through our programs.
W Magazine
Are you interested in reading about our heritage, success stories, and programming? Read our annual W magazine.
Upcoming Events
Annual Symposium
March 26, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. | UHart campus
We invite you to join us for an evening of creativity, community building, and collaboration. Experience The Women’s Advancement Initiative through the eyes of students, faculty, and staff who benefit from our programs. Discover innovative research and creative projects from Dorothy Goodwin grantees and their faculty and staff mentors, celebrate this year’s recipients of the Debbie Javit ’83 (HCW) “Javy” Resilience Awards, meet Laura Johnson Leaders, and participate in live leadership lessons presented by today’s LEAD students.
LEAD Alumnae 10th Anniversary Reunion
April 25, 2026, | UHart campus
Mark your calendars! We're celebrating our LEAD alumnae at a spring 2026 reunion. Reconnect with your cohort members, share stories, and make new memories. Stay tuned for more details!
- The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s Annual Symposium: March 27, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
- The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s Annual Symposium: March 28, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
- The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s Annual Symposium: March 30, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
- Classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972 50th Reunion: October 15, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.
- The Women's Advancement Initiative's Annual Symposium: March 31, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
- The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s Virtual Annual Symposium: April 1, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
- The Women's Advancement Initiative's 15th Anniversary Celebration: November 30, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
- Hartford College for Women Milestone Reunion: October 6, 2024 at 12:30 pm.
Support The Women's Advancement Initiative
Your gifts to The Women's Advancement Initiative help us to:
- Build on the values instilled at Hartford College for Women
- Provide students with opportunities for leadership training, personal development, career connections, and mentoring
- Bring lessons to life with fun, fast-paced, interactive activities that promote teamwork, problem-solving, and clear communication
- Support scholarly and innovative research projects by students with faculty and staff mentors
- Send students to national conferences
- Inspire the next generation to be leaders