PAID ADVERTISEMENT New London full of opportunities for students to learn and serve New London is a hub of social London, Pequot War, USS Nautilus and the activity for Mitchell College stu- landmark Kelo vs. New London Supreme dents, with its eclectic collection Court decision." of food, drink, music and arts in a lively waterfront downtown. In addition to the active social scene, the city pro- vides many opportunities for students to learn, work and serve. Mitchell's partner- The course includes visits to sites learned about in class, which "offers students a firsthand glimpse of history in the region," Samul said. SERVING This fall's first-year class can connect with its college town in an impactful way at orientation: assembling hygiene bags for New London's Homeless Hospitality Center. The bags will be filled with soap, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes and other hygiene supplies. Antaya Lee, accessibility services coordi- nator and staff member overseeing this proj- ect, said, "This is a project that can be done with a large group of students and will have a great impact on the community. We are aiming to put together at least 100 bags." Growing service learning opportunities for its students is a priority at Mitchell Col- lege, and they will soon have an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer on campus dedicated to that effort. ships with area organizations strengthen its community connections throughout southeastern Connecticut. LEARNING It starts with understanding the commu- nity. Thames at Mitchell-a holistic college transition program for students with learn- ing differences who are college-able but not college-ready-includes an "Introduction to New London" class every semester. Ron Samul, assistant director of Thames at Mitchell, said, "The course explores the rich history of southeastern Connecticut through project-based learning. Students learn research practice, find and read local artifacts, and write about the impact of local history. The project moves from research ba- sics into writing, with the possibility of the being published in the newspaper or local historical websites. Topics covered might include colonial living, the burning of New C learning is an integral part of the student experience and important in character de velopment. Life lessons learned out of the classroom through these opportunities are just as important as knowledge gained in the classroom, especially in developing aware- ness, empathy and compassion." Awareness of people in need in the com- munity was the impetus when students in Mitchell's Honors Program organized a pie-throwing contest on National Pi Day last spring, raising money for New London's Immigration Advocacy and Support Center (IASC). Dr. Nancy Parent, associate professor and Honors Program director, said, "The stu- dents raised more than $400 for the center. National Pi Day coincided with the kick-off of Mitchell's Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Social Justice Week, and this was fun way to raise awareness of the important work being done at IASC." EXPLORING AND FULFILLING Creating opportunities for hands-on work experience is a key component of Mitchell's curriculum. Every student participates in an Dr. Alicia Martinez, dean of student ex- internship or practicum before they grad- perience and belonging, said, "Engage- uate. Built on partnerships with more than ment with the community through service 50 area worksites, including New London, these internships turn into jobs after students graduate. "Students have been hired by several in- ternship sites, including Electric Boat and Veolia Water. New London is a compact area, dense with opportunity for our students." said Paul Dunn, integrative career develop- ment coordinator. SUPPORTING Just like they support and guide students to help them find their purpose, Mitchell College also supports local organizations. As the hospitality sponsor for the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, Mitchell College. provides housing to the theater center's summer interns. It also works with Mystic Aquarium, offering its facilities for off-site aquarium programs. Mitchell also has a spe- cial connection with the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, which houses the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany, whose sister Annie, with her husband Alfred Mitchell, owned the property where Mitchell College sits today. New London and Mitchell College both benefit from these strong connections, crit- ical to creating the vibrant, caring communi- ty that college students call home. PAID ADVERTISEMENT New London full of opportunities for students to learn and serve New London is a hub of social London , Pequot War , USS Nautilus and the activity for Mitchell College stu- landmark Kelo vs. New London Supreme dents , with its eclectic collection Court decision . " of food , drink , music and arts in a lively waterfront downtown . In addition to the active social scene , the city pro vides many opportunities for students to learn , work and serve . Mitchell's partner The course includes visits to sites learned about in class , which " offers students a firsthand glimpse of history in the region , " Samul said . SERVING This fall's first - year class can connect with its college town in an impactful way at orientation : assembling hygiene bags for New London's Homeless Hospitality Center . The bags will be filled with soap , shampoo and conditioner , toothbrushes and other hygiene supplies . Antaya Lee , accessibility services coordi nator and staff member overseeing this proj ect , said , " This is a project that can be done with a large group of students and will have a great impact on the community . We are aiming to put together at least 100 bags . " Growing service learning opportunities for its students is a priority at Mitchell Col lege , and they will soon have an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer on campus dedicated to that effort . ships with area organizations strengthen its community connections throughout southeastern Connecticut . LEARNING It starts with understanding the commu nity . Thames at Mitchell - a holistic college transition program for students with learn ing differences who are college - able but not college - ready - includes an " Introduction to New London " class every semester . Ron Samul , assistant director of Thames at Mitchell , said , " The course explores the rich history of southeastern Connecticut through project - based learning . Students learn research practice , find and read local artifacts , and write about the impact of local history . The project moves from research ba sics into writing , with the possibility of the being published in the newspaper or local historical websites . Topics covered might include colonial living , the burning of New C learning is an integral part of the student experience and important in character de velopment . Life lessons learned out of the classroom through these opportunities are just as important as knowledge gained in the classroom , especially in developing aware ness , empathy and compassion . " Awareness of people in need in the com munity was the impetus when students in Mitchell's Honors Program organized a pie - throwing contest on National Pi Day last spring , raising money for New London's Immigration Advocacy and Support Center ( IASC ) . Dr. Nancy Parent , associate professor and Honors Program director , said , " The stu dents raised more than $ 400 for the center . National Pi Day coincided with the kick - off of Mitchell's Diversity , Inclusion , Belonging and Social Justice Week , and this was fun way to raise awareness of the important work being done at IASC . " EXPLORING AND FULFILLING Creating opportunities for hands - on work experience is a key component of Mitchell's curriculum . Every student participates in an Dr. Alicia Martinez , dean of student ex- internship or practicum before they grad perience and belonging , said , " Engage- uate . Built on partnerships with more than ment with the community through service 50 area worksites , including New London , these internships turn into jobs after students graduate . " Students have been hired by several in ternship sites , including Electric Boat and Veolia Water . New London is a compact area , dense with opportunity for our students . " said Paul Dunn , integrative career develop ment coordinator . SUPPORTING Just like they support and guide students to help them find their purpose , Mitchell College also supports local organizations . As the hospitality sponsor for the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center , Mitchell College . provides housing to the theater center's summer interns . It also works with Mystic Aquarium , offering its facilities for off - site aquarium programs . Mitchell also has a spe cial connection with the Lyman Allyn Art Museum , which houses the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany , whose sister Annie , with her husband Alfred Mitchell , owned the property where Mitchell College sits today . New London and Mitchell College both benefit from these strong connections , crit ical to creating the vibrant , caring communi ty that college students call home .