New Haven– Gateway Community College and GCC Foundation announced a $300,000 gift from Ruby Melton and Gail McAvay for expansion of the college’s Equity and Social Justice Center.

The funding will help the center provide ongoing curated programs and special events to promote anti-racism and gender, LGBTQ+, immigrant and refugee equity. It will also create student scholarships for Gateway students who demonstrate a commitment to social justice. Located on Gateway’s New Haven campus on College Street, the center will serve as a hub for Gateway students, faculty and staff, as well as for other higher education institutions, community organizations, and those engaged in work to build equitable campuses and communities.

“Equity in education is critical for equity in our communities and in our nation, and Gateway has a long history of education and service for our entire community,” said Gateway CEO, William “Terry” Brown, Ph.D. “We see the center becoming a focal point for our work of promoting equitable access, opportunity and empowerment for historically underrepresented and marginalized students. We appreciate this generous support, and look forward to expanding the scope of our work to realize our shared vision for greater equity.”

“We are thrilled to support the Center for Equity and Social Justice at Gateway and look forward to seeing the development of programs and services which will empower Gateway’s diverse population of students to affirm and celebrate their identities, allowing them to define success themselves,” said Melton and McAvay. “We are also excited about the center’s commitment to invite and engage community leaders and activists, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs, to participate in and curate programs for the center.”

Melton is a member of the GCC Foundation board and is co-chair of the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee. She also serves on the boards of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Long Wharf Theatre, and the Shubert Theatre-New Haven, where she is chair. McAvay is an epidemiologist by training and a senior research scientist on the faculty of Yale Medical School’s Program on Aging.

For more information, and to learn more about how to support Gateway’s Center for Equity and Social Justice, contact Heidi Green, associate dean of Institutional Advancement at Gateway Community College 203.285.2296 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Contacts: Heidi Green, Associate Dean of Institutional Advancement, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Office: 203-285-2296

Melissa Lamar, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Office: 860-773-1407