John Lewis Institute Scholar Program

About the John Lewis Institute at Central

On February 25, 2021, Central Connecticut State University (Central) announced that the John Lewis Institute for Social Justice was established to empower a new generation to follow in the footsteps of the civil rights leader in building a better and more just world.

The Institute seeks to inspire students to not only recognize inequality, but to help eliminate injustice by fostering a deeper understanding of its roots. Through its mission, the Institute hopes to develop students who become social justice advocates and leaders inspired to pursue careers in public service.

“An important component of our mission is to prepare students to be thoughtful, responsible and successful citizens. As our society continues to struggle with the persistence of inequality, many of our students have proactively sought out ways to become more informed and involved in social justice initiatives,” said Dr. Zulma Toro, president of Central.

Scott Piolli '88

“The founding of this Institute is yet another example of how we are creating innovative opportunities to help our students excel by providing them with learning experiences both in and out of the classroom.” Scott Pioli ‘88, a longtime supporter of social justice initiatives, is the Institute’s founding donor.

He will also serve as founding chair to guide the direction, curriculum, experiences and outcomes for the Institute’s student scholars. “Throughout my career I have worked to champion equal rights for underserved and minority populations, so when President Toro approached me with this opportunity, I knew I wanted to be involved,” said Mr. Pioli, an NFL Network and CBS Sports analyst and five-time NFL executive of the year. “I am incredibly proud of CCSU for taking the initiative to launch this Institute, and I am honored to have the opportunity to partner with the University and its student scholars to continue working towards social justice.”

Social justice is a communal effort dedicated to creating and sustaining a fair and equal society in which each person and all groups are valued and affirmed. It encompasses efforts to end systemic violence, racism and all systems that devalue the dignity and humanity of any person.

Inspiring Students to Seek “Good Trouble” Through the Institute, student scholars will explore social justice in deeper context by delving into topics including public service, civil rights, environmental racism, food insecurity, social justice, mass incarceration and under-represented populations. They will also create, lead and participate in social justice initiatives both on campus and in the surrounding communities.