|
| | Championing Student Access and Opportunity Initiatives with Governor Lamont |
|
|
| Governor Ned Lamont, CT State Tunxis students Liliana Kendrick and Genesis Sanders, and CSCU Interim Chancellor O. John Maduko |
|
|
| Dr. Zulma Toro, President of Central Connecticut State University |
|
|
| CT State Tunxis student Genesis Sanders speaks during the press conference |
|
|
|
| Dr. Sandra Bulmer, Interim President of Southern Connecticut State University |
|
|
| |
| CT State Tunxis Campus President Dr. Sharale Mathis (left), CSCU Interim Chancellor O. John Maduko (center), and CT State Community College Interim President Dr. Christina Royal (right) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CSCU Interim Chancellor O. John Maduko, CT State Community College Interim President Dr. Christina Royal, Central Connecticut State University President Dr. Zulma Toro, Southern Connecticut State University Interim President Dr. Sandra Bulmer, and CT State Tunxis Campus President Dr. Sharale Mathis were proud to join Governor Ned Lamont at a press conference to spotlight how we are expanding access and opportunity for students across the CSCU system. During the press conference, institutional leaders highlighted the success of the Mary Ann Handley Award, the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program, and efforts to scale dual credit programs. CT State Tunxis students, Genesis Sanders and Liliana Kendrick, also underscored how the Mary Ann Handley Award was integral to pursuing a higher education. State Senator Derek Slap, chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee; and Keith Norton, chief strategic planning officer, State Department of Education on behalf of Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, also spoke about expanding opportunities for Connecticut’s students. |
|
| |
| Western Connecticut State University (WestConn) President Dr. Jesse Bernal wrote an opinion piece highlighting how important Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) funding is for the university. In 2023, WestConn earned the HSI designation, but because of timing, WestConn has not been able to access the federal HSI funding that makes such a difference for students. Bernal writes that 27% of the university’s students identify as Hispanic, and WestConn is ready to put HSI funding to work in helping more students graduate and fuel the workforce. He also writes that policymakers, business leaders, nonprofits, and neighbors across Connecticut are needed to defend and expand the HSI program for a stronger, fairer, and more vibrant Connecticut.
Photo Credit: HBJ Photo, Steve Laschever |
|
| |
| On September 24, Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) is hosting Southern Hoops Tip-Off Talk to launch SCSU Men’s and Women’s Basketball season and to raise vital funds for both programs.
The event at the Aira in Prospect, will feature Geno Auriemma, UConn 12 time National Champion Coach; Scott Burrell, SCSU Head Men’s Basketball Coach, former NBA player, and UConn star; Kate Lynch, SCSU Head Women’s Basketball Coach and former Division II National Champion player; Donny Marshall, former UConn star, NBA player and broadcaster at FOX Sports, Men’s College Basketball; Maria Conlon, Western Connecticut State University Head Women’s Basketball Coach, three-time UConn National Champion player, and CT Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame member; Bill Raftery, Fox College Basketball “Voice of the Final Four” broadcaster and former college coach; and legendry broadcaster George Grande will emcee. Ray Reid of SCSU’s Institutional Advancement department and former SCSU and UConn national championship winning soccer coach, organized the event.
|
|
| | Eastern Connecticut State University recently launched its Career Pathways Program, starting with a co-op program in emergency services and public safety (ESPS). The first three years of the co-op program, which is geared primarily for criminology and sociology majors, include short and long-term experiential projects. In year four, students take a two-semester internship with a related agency, providing them more intensive experience than a traditional, one-semester internship. Among the participating organizations are several Connecticut state departments, including the Connecticut State Police, State Fire Administration, Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Forensic Science Laboratory, and Environmental Conservation Police. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also participating, among other agencies. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CT State Asnuntuck was selected as one of the community colleges invited to join Year 7 of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) that is supported by a $50,000 grant aimed at enhancing the student experience and career readiness within its advanced manufacturing technology programs. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| In continuing a Central Connecticut State University Blue Devil tradition, the 600 student-athletes of the Central Connecticut State Department of Athletics supported Maria's Place, the on-campus food pantry that supports the Central community. This year the Blue Devils donated more than 2,000 needed food items to help stock the pantry for the coming year. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Physics major Sebastian Lucero, ’25, transferred to Southern Connecticut State University from the University of Connecticut seeking more hands-on experience. Ana Baculima, ’25, transferred to Southern from CT State Naugatuck. Both of their capstone projects supported the astronomy lab’s primary work: a prototype telescope system capable of producing ultra-high-resolution images of stars through stellar interferometry — a cutting-edge technique in observational astronomy.
Pictured Left to right is: Ana Baculima, '25; Elliott Horch, Southern Connecticut State University Professor of Physics; and Sebastian Lucero, '25 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Western Connecticut State University Department of Music alumna Rosemary Minkler ’17, received the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Technical Team Studio for her audio work for USA/NBC-Peacock’s broadcast of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Minkler, who grew up in Waterbury, was accepted into WestConn’s Kathwari Honors Program, and received a Bachelor of Music degree in Audio & Music Production from the School of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| This fall, Central Connecticut State University will ensure the next generation of nurses will have topnotch instructors with the launch of a Nursing Education track within its Master of Science in Nursing program. The Nursing Education track blends advanced nursing practice with specialized coursework in curriculum development, instructional methods, and the educator’s role in clinical and academic environments. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Eastern Connecticut State University, Liberty Bank, and the Town of Windham formalized a partnership to establish a small business resource center (SBRC) in Willimantic. Liberty Bank presented a $25,000 check to Eastern for the development of the center to be located on Eastern’s campus. Liberty Bank will also provide educational resources for Eastern students to assist community members in developing business and financial plans.
Pictured (left to right): Windham Mayor Tom DeVivo; Pamela Days-Luketich, Liberty Bank Vice President of Community Development; Niti Pandey, Dean, Eastern’s School of Education and Professional Studies; Eastern’s Interim Chief Development Officer Philip Ellmore; Eastern President Karim Ismaili; Glenn Davis, Liberty Bank Vice President of Community Development; and Windham Town Manager Rob Zarnetske. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dr. Siamack Shojai was appointed Dean of Western Connecticut State University’s Ancell School of Business beginning July 14, 2025. Shojai served as dean at William Paterson University, Central Connecticut State University, and SUNY Plattsburgh, where he led successful efforts to secure initial AACSB accreditations and significantly expand student enrollment and program offerings. His administrative accomplishments include increasing enrollment, retention, and graduation rates through innovative summer boot camp, peer-mentoring programs and developing new graduate degree programs. Shojai holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Fordham University and an MBA from Iona College. He has served as a peer evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the New England Commission on Higher Education, and the AACSB. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| KeyBank Foundation Awards $225K Grant to Support CT State Housatonic Student-ParentsThe Housatonic Community College Foundation received a $225,000 grant from the KeyBank Foundation to support the Family Economic Security Program (FESP) over the next three years. The program provides comprehensive support for student-parents — most of them women balancing coursework, employment, and caregiving — to help them persist in college and build brighter futures for their families. The grant will sustain FESP’s proven model of student success and expand its impact as a pathway to economic mobility for HCC students and their families.
“This program is about breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and giving our students the tools and support they need to thrive in college and beyond,” said Alexis Salsedo-Surovov, Associate Dean of Institutional Advancement, CT State Housatonic. “We are deeply grateful to KeyBank Foundation for their continued commitment to economic opportunity and educational equity.” |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Fall 2025 First-Gen Advocacy Academy will be holding three sessions to address the unique challenges first generation students have that can impact academic readiness and personal well-being. The sessions will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25, Thursday, Oct. 23, and Thursday Nov. 20, in Barnard Hall, Community Room at Central Connecticut State University from 2 to 4 p.m. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
| |
|
