John Elliott


International Students: Inspiring Our Community, Our Culture, Our World View

As former interim Provost and current UConn School of Business Dean, I am very aware of the important role our international students play in the vibrant intellectual life of our community. Whether international students who learn here decide to stay in the United States, return to their country of origin, or become global citizens, we all learn and benefit from engaging with them. We are a country of immigrants and a deeply diverse student community enriches us all.

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Responding With Action: First Steps

As I wrote about George Floyd’s death last month, I asked that we focus on action, not just reiterating our decades of sadness. Indeed, the long-term shifts necessary to achieve true equality involve complex and substantive action, enlisting millions of citizens in a sustained effort to re-weave the fabric of our politics and culture. It is no small undertaking, yet absolutely necessary.

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Tale of a Fearless Newswoman

Screenshot from "The Post."
(Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

“The Post” Offers Glimpse into the Role of the ‘Fourth Estate,’ Keeping Government Accountable

On New Year’s Eve, we watched the new film: “The Post,” starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. The film traces the decision by Katharine Graham (Streep) and Ben Bradlee (Hanks) to publish Vietnam-era stories based on the Pentagon papers. Continue Reading


Michelle Obama: Authentic, Engaged, Funny and Inspiring

Former First Lady Michelle Obama at a special event presented by The Connecticut Forum and The Bushnell on November 16, 2017.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama at a special event presented by The Connecticut Forum and The Bushnell on November 16, 2017. (The Connecticut Forum)

More than 3,000 people packed The Bushnell in Hartford recently to hear former First Lady Michelle Obama in a moderated conversation. While the venue was large, the evening came across as an intimate conversation because she was “authentic,” funny, and told engaging stories. Continue Reading


Op-Ed: Higher Education Is Still the Most Sure-Footed Route to Employment, Career and Financial Success

Students throwing graduation caps in the air.

The Facts Don’t Lie

One of the pleasures of being part of a great educational institution is that I learn from colleagues. Professor Shaun Dougherty from UConn’s Neag School of Education recently published an article in The Conversation that was featured in UConn Today titled, “Want a Job? It’s Still about Education.” She reminds us of some glaring facts that have recently been lost in some of the debates about whether college is worth the investment. Continue Reading