Communications

Dear CSCU Community,

Today marks the start of the 2024 legislative session. Every day from now until midnight on May 8, we will be fighting to ensure CSCU receives the funding it needs to continue to foster the next generation of teachers, nurses, manufacturers, and corporate leaders.

This year, state lawmakers are faced with a simple question: are the next generation of teachers, nurses and healthcare professionals, and manufacturers worth investing in; or will we stifle the growth of Connecticut’s workforce and economic future?  

Our faculty are second to none and are committed to doing everything they can to help our students succeed. But we can’t do this alone. It is critical for the Governor’s Office, state lawmakers, key stakeholders and advocates to all work together to implement a solution that puts our students first.

Over the coming weeks and months, we will advocate for the additional funding we need to address the $47.6 million shortfall in fiscal year 2025.

Our universities and colleges have an $11 billion annual impact on the state’s economy and play an integral role in the state’s success and ability to balance its operating budget. Now it is time for the state to help further support our students and their futures.

Our colleges and universities are key economic drivers, helping to meet the state’s needs. In spring 2023, we graduated more than 8,700 students, many with degrees in high demand fields such as health care, education, manufacturing, and business. In addition, an estimated total of more than 12,000 credentials were conferred during the spring 2023 semester.

In spring 2023, CSCU graduated 1,721 students in health professions and related clinical sciences; 1,648 students in business, management, marketing, and related support services; 946 students in education; 670 students in psychology; 568 students in advanced manufacturing; 384 students in public administration and social service professions; and 299 students in engineering technologies/technicians.

Through additional funding, this number will only grow, and we can continue to increase the number of workers we educate, train and graduate to meet Connecticut’s workforce shortage.

Our students have gone on to achieve remarkable milestones and accomplishments: Rhode Scholars, Fulbright Scholars, state legislators, members of Congress, professional athletes, governors, writers, teachers and school administrators, corporate leaders, and leading healthcare providers and manufacturers.

If we fail to invest in our students, we may miss out on an opportunity to be a main chapter in Connecticut’s growth story.

Governor Lamont has challenged businesses and aspiring leaders to “Make It Here.” Let’s help our students do just that by making critical investments in their education and career.

Sincerely,   
Chancellor Terrence Cheng

Academic and Student Affairs Update

Dear CSCU Colleagues,

I am writing to provide you with important updates and organizational changes within the Office of Academic and Student Affairs at the system office.

We have recently realigned our leadership reporting structure in the following areas:

• Dr. Nancy Becerra-Cordoba, our Associate Vice President for Decision Support and Institutional Research, will now report to Dr. Lloyd Blanchard, who is serving as the Interim Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer.
   
• Dr. Aynsley Diamond, the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Lesley Mara, J.D., the Associate Vice President for Systemwide Initiatives and Sponsored Programs, will now report directly to me.

Dr. Diamond will take on additional responsibilities in overseeing day-to-day academic operations. Similarly, Lesley Mara will be expanding her role to further enhance and develop strategic partnerships for the CSCU system. With these changes, and an even closer alignment to the Chancellor’s office, we further strengthen our commitment to elevating academic parity and excellence across the system.

In addition, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Tamara O'Day-Stevens has joined the Academic and Student Affairs team as the Interim Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success. Previously serving at CT State Community College as the Associate Vice President of Teaching and Learning, Dr. O'Day-Stevens brings extensive experience and innovative approaches to student support and engagement, which are set to significantly enrich our academic community.

I appreciate your attention to these important updates and am excited about the positive impact these changes will have on our CSCU community. These adjustments reflect our ongoing dedication to advancing systemwide effectiveness and CSCU’s mission of delivering transformative educational opportunities throughout the state.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
Chancellor, CSCU

Dear CSCU Community,

Today, we gave testimony before the legislature’s Appropriations Committee to underscore why our colleges and universities are the best investment the state can make.

VIDEO: Chancellor Terrence Cheng Provides Update on Appropriations Committee Hearing

Many members of the CSCU community joined us at the Legislative Office Building as we advocated for the additional funding needed to address the $47.6 million shortfall in fiscal year 2025.

I want to thank our college and university presidents – Ed Klonoski (Charter Oak State College); John Maduko (CT State); Elsa Núñez (Eastern Connecticut State University); Manohar Singh (Western Connecticut State University); Dwayne Smith (Southern Connecticut State University); and Zulma Toro (Central Connecticut State University) – and countless students, faculty, and staff who showed their support for our institutions at today’s hearing by highlighting how this funding can make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

While our system makes an $11 billion annual impact on the state’s local economy, the real value lies in the significant and positive effect our institutions, faculty, and staff have on the lives of our students. For so many, our colleges and universities represent a vital gateway to social mobility, opportunity, and success.

With 78 days left in the 2024 legislative session, let's unite to secure the additional funding our system needs. Please consider reaching out to your legislators through calls, emails, testimony at public hearings, or personal meetings. Our dedicated faculty and staff, who interact with our students daily, play a critical role. Sharing personal stories about how your work has positively influenced students' lives and strengthened our communities is one of the most effective advocacy tools available.

• Call, meet, or email your legislator.
  • Find Your Legislators (cga.ct.gov)
• Submit testimony for a public hearing.
  • A Guide for Testifying at Public Hearings and Reaching State Legislators (cga.ct.gov)
  • Appropriations Committee Written Testimony Submission (cga.ct.gov)   
    
     

Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll continue to work closely with Governor Lamont’s office and state lawmakers to ensure higher education funding remains a top priority for the state this year.

Sincerely,   
Terrence Cheng   
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Community,

I wanted to express my deep gratitude to all of the students, faculty, and staff who testified before the legislature’s Appropriations Committee earlier this week. Thank you for sharing how higher education has opened doors to academic, cultural, professional, and financial opportunities that have allowed you to grow, thrive, and achieve remarkable success.

VIDEO: Student Testimonies

So many of our students shared how at their respective college or university they found their purpose. This is in part to the dedicated faculty and staff who work tirelessly to support our students and help them unlock their full potential. You give our students a safe place to learn, grow, and make their dreams a reality.

I am so proud to be a part of the CSCU community.

In case you missed our students, faculty, and staff testifying before the Appropriations Committee:

• CSCU students testify during Appropriations Committee
• Chancellor Terrence Cheng and CFO Lloyd Blanchard testify during Appropriations Committee
• Terrence Cheng: Will we stifle growth of Connecticut’s workforce and economic future?

We will continue to work to ensure that our students are able to receive the highest quality and most affordable education in Connecticut by fighting for the funding and resources they deserve.

Sincerely, 
Terrence Cheng 
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Colleagues,

I am writing to inform you that Dr. Hitesh Rai Kathuria, Ph.D. will join Empire State University as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs on Monday, April 15, 2024. Dr. Kathuria has been an important member of our community, serving as CSCU's Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs for nearly two years. His dedication and contributions have been invaluable, and we wish him the best in his new professional endeavor.

The previously announced organizational changes within the Office of Academic and Student Affairs at the system office remain in effect and enhance our ongoing dedication to advancing systemwide effectiveness and CSCU’s mission of delivering transformative educational opportunities throughout the state.

Sincerely,
Terrence Cheng 

Dear CSCU Community,

I am pleased to inform you that Dr. William Salka, Eastern Connecticut State University’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, has been appointed Interim President for Eastern. Dr. Salka will serve as Interim President of Eastern beginning June 1 until July 4, following the retirement of Dr. Elsa Núñez on May 31.

As Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Salka has worked with academic departments to ensure that Eastern’s curriculum remains relevant to the evolving needs of its students and economy, leveraging market data to identify key skills and career paths for graduates. He played a pivotal role in shaping Eastern’s new liberal arts core, which prioritizes critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication, creativity, and quantitative literacy. Dr. Salka also provided leadership during Eastern’s rigorous 10-year accreditation process by the New England Commission or Higher Education, ensuring that Eastern met and exceeded accreditation standards.

Following the duration of Dr. Salka’s appointment as Interim President, Dr. LaMar Coleman, Vice President for Equity & Diversity at Eastern, will take over as Interim President from July 5 to July 30. In his current role, Dr. Coleman supports Eastern’s longstanding commitment to equity and diversity and oversees the university’s compliance with all state and federal laws pertaining to equity, diversity, and civil rights. Dr. Coleman played a pivotal role in enhancing Eastern’s Title IX processes and has revamped the Affirmative Action search procedures while also providing diversity awareness trainings and programs. Dr. Coleman has positioned Eastern to be a model for its Title IX incident-response by the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) and he has been called upon to assist other institutions throughout the CSCU System with Title IX and other civil rights investigations. Prior to serving as the Vice President for Equity & Diversity, Dr. Coleman led the largest department within the Division of Student Affairs as Eastern’s Director of Housing and Residential Life. In this role he developed numerous initiatives to enhance student success and the overall collegiate experience for all residential students. 

Last week, I announced that I will appoint Dr. Karim Ismaili as the next president of Eastern Connecticut State University. He begins his new role on July 31. Dr. Ismaili is currently Executive Vice President and Provost at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, where he advanced new degree programs based on workforce needs; guided successful interim and comprehensive regional (NECHE) accreditation reviews; and deepened relationships with public and private higher educational institutions to build academic pathways.

We are so grateful for Dr. Núñez's leadership at Eastern over the past 18 years. She has given so much to Eastern and has contributed greatly to the university’s culture of academic excellence and student success. Under her steadfast leadership, the university has cemented itself as the state's public liberal arts institution. This is an exciting time for Dr. Ismaili and Eastern’s incredible students, faculty, and staff to write the next chapter.

CSCU will continue to work closely with Eastern leadership and community stakeholders throughout this transition to ensure a successful start to the Fall 2024 semester.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Community,

As we kick off Pride Month, we are reminded how diversity is one of CSCU’s greatest strengths – diversity of our faculty and staff, diversity of thought, and the diversity of our students.

• CCSU LGBT Center (ccsu.edu)
• ECSU Pride Center (easternct.edu)
• Sexuality and Gender Equality (SAGE) Center (southernct.edu)
• WCSU Pride Center Home Page (wcsu.edu)
   

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Community,

Today, Governor Ned Lamont announced that he is appointing Martin Guay to serve as chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents. In assuming the leadership role, Marty will succeed current chair, JoAnn Ryan, who announced that she will not seek reappointment to the board when her term as a member expires on June 30, 2024.

Pictured above from left to right: CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng; JoAnn Ryan, Board of Regents; Governor Ned Lamont; and Marty Guay, Board of Regents.

We are so thankful and appreciative of JoAnn’s tireless work on behalf of the board and the entire CSCU system. She has been a guiding light during a period of transition, helping to provide a strategic vision for how our newly merged community college, Connecticut State Community College, would create more opportunity for students and be more responsive to the state’s workforce needs. 

JoAnn also helped the Board of Regents leverage the power of the CSCU system to create more efficiencies and drive innovation and has always put the needs of our students first. We will miss her greatly.

Marty will be an exceptional leader for the board and will continue to build on the progress we have made by ensuring our universities and colleges provide our students with the high-quality skills, training, and resources they need to succeed. His experience working on workforce development, economic development, and advanced manufacturing strategies in Connecticut and across the country will play a significant role in shaping the future of the CSCU system. 

Marty brings a keen understanding of how to strengthen partnerships between our institutions of higher education and the private sector. We are excited to work with him on developing overarching workforce development goals that are aligned with Connecticut’s growth strategy.

Marty will begin his term as chair of the Board of Regents on July 1, 2024.

Please join me in congratulating Marty on his appointment and in thanking JoAnn for her service.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Community,

On Wednesday, we recognize Juneteenth, a day when the last enslaved people in the United States, in Galveston, Texas, were proclaimed free on June 19, 1865. This day of jubilation and liberation marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s fight for freedom and equality.

While we take a moment to reflect on how far the nation has come, we must also acknowledge how much further there is to go.

In higher education, we have a responsibility to recognize and confront the injustices that stem from the painful history of inequality in our nation. Thank you for taking on the challenge to work together to confront these systemic inequities and empower today’s students and future generations to effect change that builds a more just and inclusive society.

By doing so, we foster inclusive environments where every member feels valued, respected, and empowered. We ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their backgrounds. And we lift up the voices of those around us and make sure they are heard.

CSCU students come from every corner of our state and our largest cities and towns. They proudly represent every one of Connecticut’s 169 municipalities, and I thank all of our faculty, staff, and administrators for standing by and exercising our system-wide values of inclusivity. I deeply appreciate the work you all do to make sure our students receive everything they need and deserve inside and outside the classroom.

Today, and every day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to building partnerships and fostering collaborations that continue to drive our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts forward.

All state offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. 

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Colleagues, 

I am pleased to announce that Molly Newberry has joined the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Office of General Counsel as an Associate General Counsel where her focus will be administrative law, contracts, due diligence related to mergers, partnerships, and alliances, intellectual property, and other transactional work.

Molly spent the last five years serving as a general counsel in the scholarly publishing industry with GeoScienceWorld, a nonprofit collaborative organization providing sustainable information and service solutions for the global research community. Previously, she practiced administrative law and public policy with Hogan Lovells and Squire Patton Boggs, both in Washington D.C.

Molly is an alumna of Smith College, where she received her B.A. cum laude, and the University of Virginia School of Law. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside, especially in the water or on her mountain bike.

I am confident that Molly will be an asset to CSCU as she collaborates with stakeholders to delineate streamlined contracting processes, updates key BOR policies, and takes on additional responsibilities.

Please join me in welcoming Molly to CSCU. You can reach her by email at Molly.Newbewrry@ct.edu and by phone at 860-723-0275.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Colleagues,

After receiving emails and other forms of communication regarding Connecticut State Colleges and Universities' (CSCU) allocation of ARPA funds, we wanted to provide you with an update on our spending proposal.

CSCU system office leaders recently presented to the Board of Regents' Finance and Infrastructure Committee a spending plan for fiscal year 2025 as well as a proposal for how the $80 million in additional American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding awarded to CSCU would be allocated.

Throughout the legislative session, CSCU system office leaders and members of the Board of Regents advocated for additional ARPA funding in order to address existing budget shortfalls, cover SEBAC-related wage increases, expand Connecticut's free-tuition program, and provide tuition-relief for students. We also want to thank administrators, faculty, staff, and students for their efforts in advocating for further investment in CSCU's colleges and universities.

Section 7 of Public Act 24-81 also potentially provides for an additional $20 million in ARPA funding at the end of the year, which the Board of Regents and CSCU intend to use for tuition-relief for students.

These proposals will be discussed further during tomorrow's Board of Regents meeting.

The Board of Regents and the CSCU system office are committed to fiscal responsibility and further investing in its higher education institutions to ensure an affordable, high-quality education is provided to all students.

If you have any further questions about the fiscal year 2025 spending plan or ARPA allocation proposals, please contact your institutional representatives.

Thank you,

CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng and
Board of Regents Chair-Designee Marty Guay

Dear CSCU Community,

I am excited to officially welcome Dr. Karim Ismaili as the next president of Eastern Connecticut State University! Dr. Ismaili begins his new role as Eastern’s President today, July 31 after serving as Executive Vice President and Provost at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts.

Dr. Ismaili brings to Eastern extensive leadership and administrative experience, having worked in higher education for close to three decades. Throughout his career in postsecondary education, Dr. Ismaili has advanced new degree programs based on workforce needs; guided successful interim and comprehensive regional (NECHE) accreditation reviews; and deepened relationships with public and private higher educational institutions to build academic pathways, with a particular focus on low income, first generation, and students from systemically minoritized groups.

Not only will he help us reimagine a liberal arts university for the 21st century, but Dr. Ismaili will also build on Eastern’s success and chart a path forward with energy and optimism. Please join me in welcoming him to the Eastern community.

I also want to thank Dr. William Salka and Dr. LaMar Coleman for serving as Interim Presidents during this time of transition. Due to Dr. Salka’s and Dr. Coleman’s efforts, Eastern is on track for a successful start to the Fall 2024 semester.

CSCU will continue to work closely with Dr. Ismaili, Eastern leadership, and community stakeholders during this period of transition to ensure Eastern’s continued culture of academic excellence and student success.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Colleagues,

As we kick off the fall 2024 academic year, I want to wish all our students, faculty, staff, and administrators the very best as the semester begins. This time of year brings many opportunities to grow, learn, and make meaningful strides together.

With that in mind, I want to provide an update on the search for the next President of Western Connecticut State University. As highlighted in the recent NECHE report, the university requires stability and consistent, steady leadership to move forward effectively. The need for a permanent president who can provide a long-term vision and direction has been strongly emphasized, and we are committed to addressing this crucial need.

To that end, we will begin the search for WestConn’s next leader this fall. Our focus is not only on finding a leader who embodies stability but also someone who can enhance communication, foster shared governance, and bring innovative approaches to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our goal is to build a strong foundation that will support WestConn’s continued success for years to come.

We are dedicated to conducting a thorough and inclusive search process that engages the entire WestConn community. Together, we will identify a president who can lead WestConn into a future marked by growth, collaboration, excellence, and innovation.

I want to express my gratitude to Western Connecticut State University Interim President Singh for serving as a dedicated and collaborative leader over the past year. Dr. Singh has made significant contributions to the university’s culture of academic excellence and student success by introducing innovative programs and helping to improve WestConn’s approach to recruitment and retention. There is no doubt that Dr. Singh’s contributions will have a lasting impact, and I am deeply appreciative of his commitment to WestConn’s continued success.

The search committee will be chaired by Central Connecticut State University President Dr. Zulma Toro, with the executive search firm WittKieffer facilitating the process. WittKieffer will begin their work in September with a campus listening tour to gather WestConn’s insights on the qualities and experiences the university needs in its next President. The resulting leadership profile will be essential in recruiting the most qualified and innovative candidates.

In the coming weeks, I will appoint representatives to the Search Committee, which will include key members from the WestConn community. Additionally, a Search Advisory Committee will be established, bringing together a diverse group of individuals from across the university. This committee will include representatives from various constituencies such as students, staff, faculty, community members, and other stakeholders, and their input will ensure that the needs and priorities of the entire WestConn community are well-represented throughout this process.

I look forward to the work ahead, and to the ultimate outcome: a President who will position Western Connecticut State University for growth, prominence, and impact.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Community,

From celebrating new milestones to achieving new successes, we have so much to look forward to this upcoming year. 

VIDEO: Welcome Back 2024

Central Connecticut State University is marking its 175th anniversary as the state’s oldest publicly funded institution of higher education. Eastern Connecticut State University welcomed its seventh president, Dr. Karim Ismaili, who will build on the university’s success as the state’s liberal arts college. Southern Connecticut State University began enrolling students into its new STEM Doctorate in Business Administration, the only such degree program currently offered in the CSCU system. Western Connecticut State University has introduced several new degree programs in emerging areas, including a master’s program in Artificial Intelligence. 

Connecticut State Community College (CT State) recently marked its one-year anniversary as the Northeast’s largest community college and will build on the strong foundation it has created in the year ahead. Charter Oak State College has also launched three Fast Track options, which are great for working adults who want to complete their bachelor’s degree online, and immediately earn their master’s within one year of graduating with a bachelor’s degree.

With such great work happening across Connecticut State Colleges and Universities’ campuses, I cannot wait to see what this academic year holds for students, faculty, and staff. 

Wherever your higher education journey takes you, know that our faculty, staff, and administrators are there to support you every step of the way.

I wish you all the best in the months ahead and look forward to seeing you on campus this semester!

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Community,

I am pleased to share an update following the October 24th Board of Regents meeting, during which President Zulma Toro presented the progress of the Presidents’ Council’s work on developing goals for the ACT framework.

• Accessibility | Expanding Talent Pipelines
• Completion | Cultivating & Developing Talent
• Talent | Activating Talent for Future Success

As a reminder, the BOR tasked the system office with working alongside each institution to establish systemwide goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each ACT pillar, with a target completion date in November. The Presidents' Council reviewed a preliminary analysis of each institution’s strategic plans, identifying common themes aligned with the ACT framework. These strategic plans, which ensure compliance with accrediting bodies and governance structures, served as the foundation for developing systemwide goals focused on enhancing student success — a core mission of all CSCU institutions.

Our six presidents have identified the following shared goals under the ACT Framework, which can be found on the ACT website, created to keep all stakeholders informed of the initiative's progress.

Next Steps:

• Our presidents will begin engaging with each institution’s shared governance structures to review the identified goals. Together, they will develop the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) needed to track and measure progress on these goals at the institutional level.
• The system office team will also meet with the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC) to ensure input and representation from across the system.
• Once this process is complete, the Presidents' Council, in collaboration with the system office team, will review each institution’s KPIs and determine a consolidated KPI for each systemwide goal under the ACT Framework. This will result in a total of 9 systemwide goals and 9 corresponding KPIs.
• Our objective is to finalize the systemwide goals and their associated systemwide KPIs in November for review by the Board of Regents.

This initiative represents an exciting opportunity for us to collaborate in defining and measuring student success across the CSCU system. We look forward to your active engagement and feedback as we move forward with this important work.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Community,

After a national search launched in July, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Buffkin as the new General Counsel for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system, effective November 29, 2024.  With more than 30 years of experience in public service at both the municipal and state levels, Karen brings a wealth of knowledge in legal affairs and labor relations that will greatly benefit the CSCU system.

Karen currently serves as the Executive Director of Employee Relations at the University of Connecticut, where she oversees the Office of Faculty and Staff Labor Relations. In addition, she is a trustee of the State Employees Retirement Commission, contributing her expertise to managing statewide employee benefit programs.

Throughout her distinguished career, Karen has held several key leadership roles, including General Counsel to the Governor, Undersecretary for Legal Affairs, and Deputy Secretary at the Office of Policy and Management. She has also served as General Counsel to the State Board of Labor Relations and the State Comptroller, along with her earlier work in the Corporation Counsel’s Office for the City of Hartford.

We are thrilled to welcome Karen to the CSCU team and look forward to her leadership and contributions as General Counsel.

Please join us in welcoming Karen Buffkin to her new role.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Community, 

We are pleased to announce the appointments of Michael Mundrane as the (Interim) Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Cameron Liston as Chief Compliance Officer for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system.

With over 28 years of extensive experience in IT leadership and a proven track record of driving technology innovation at both campus and state levels, Michael will lead CSCU's Office of Information Technology (OIT) to ensure alignment with the diverse needs of our institutions and communities.

Under the direction of the Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Michael will oversee the coordination, development, and improvement of IT systems, services, and policies across the CSCU system. His immediate focus will be assessing the unique IT needs of CT State as a newly consolidated institution, working closely with President Maduko and his team to provide tailored support. Additionally, Michael will collaborate with institutional technology leaders to align shared IT initiatives and implement policies and solutions that enhance IT services, driving operational efficiency and advancing the strategic goals of the entire CSCU system.

At the University of Connecticut, Michael spearheaded numerous major initiatives, including the development and execution of a five-year strategic plan for Information Technology Services, which guided the institution's IT evolution to better support its mission and constituents. His dedication to creating robust and forward-thinking systems has earned him recognition as a leader in advancing technology in higher education.

Michael’s expertise and vision will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our IT infrastructure, expand capabilities, and provide the tools necessary for student success and institutional growth.

Cameron Liston brings extensive experience in compliance, investigations, and legal affairs to this important role. He most recently served as the Title IX Coordinator at the University of Connecticut, where he coordinated the university’s system-wide response, prevention, and education initiatives related to Title IX and other relevant federal, state, and local laws. His work focused on ensuring compliance for UConn's Title IX program, specifically in student-involved matters.

Before his time at UConn, Cameron held the position of Associate Director of Investigations in UConn's Office of Institutional Equity. He also served as Assistant Director in the Office of University Rights and Responsibilities at Arizona State University, where he investigated discrimination and harassment allegations and developed procedures to ensure compliance with institutional policies.

Cameron is admitted to practice law in Arizona and earned his law degree from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Linguistics from Arizona State University, where he was recognized as a First Team Pac-12 Conference All-Academic honoree as a member of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams.

We are excited to have Michael and Cameron join the CSCU team, and we look forward to their leadership, expertise, and commitment they will bring to their new roles.
Michael and Cameron will begin their roles on November 29th.

Best regards,
Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Community:

As we approach the end of the fall semester, I want to take a moment to thank our students, faculty, staff, and administrators for their hard work and dedication. This time of year is an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made together and to look ahead with optimism and purpose.

As mentioned in my remarks at last week’s Board of Regents meeting, I am pleased to announce the launch of a search for the next President of Southern Connecticut State University. Following extensive conversations with the Southern community, it is clear that establishing permanent leadership is a top priority. A permanent President will provide the stability and long-term vision needed to build on Southern’s strengths and chart a path forward for continued success in academic excellence, access, social justice, and service to the public good.

The search process will be inclusive and transparent, ensuring that the voices of Southern’s faculty, staff, students, alumni, and broader community are heard. We will begin with a campus listening tour in December to gather input on the qualities and experiences the university needs in its next leader. This feedback will shape a leadership profile that will guide the search and recruitment effort.

The Search Committee will be co-chaired by President John Maduko of CT State Community College and Jes Kraus, Southern's Chief Human Resources Officer, with the executive search firm WittKieffer facilitating the process. In the coming weeks, I will appoint representatives to the Search Committee, which will include key members of the Southern community.

Additionally, a Search Advisory Committee will be formed, bringing together a diverse group of individuals from across the university. This committee will include representatives from constituencies such as students, faculty, staff, community members, and other stakeholders. Their insights and input will ensure that the needs and priorities of the entire Southern community are well-represented throughout the search process.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Southern’s Interim President, Dr. Dwayne Smith, for his dedicated and collaborative leadership over the past year. Dr. Smith has shown an unwavering commitment to Southern’s mission as a social justice institution and a deep understanding of the transformative impact of public higher education. His contributions have been instrumental in advancing the university’s growth, and I am truly appreciative of his steadfast dedication to Southern’s ongoing success.

At the heart of this process is our unwavering commitment to students, ensuring they have access to equitable opportunities, a supportive environment, and the resources they need to succeed. Together, we will identify a leader who will continue to guide Southern into its next chapter, ensuring the university continues to be a vital part of our system’s impact and legacy.

Thank you for your dedication and support as we move forward in this important process. I look forward to the work ahead and the opportunities it will bring for Southern and the entire CSCU system.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Community:

It is with mixed emotions that I share the news that Lori Lamb, Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources & Labor Relations, will be stepping down from her position, with her last day being December 6th. Lori joined us in January and, though her time here has been short, she has made a tremendous impact on CSCU. Her decision to step away is a personal one, and while we are sad to see her go, we are deeply grateful for all she has accomplished during her tenure.

As Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor of Human Resources & Labor Relations, Lori provided vision and strategic leadership for systemwide human resources, labor relations, and employee relations policies and programs. She oversaw critical functions such as HR operations, HR strategy, labor relations, payroll, and talent acquisition, while focusing on building stronger relationships with our bargaining units, and enhancing organizational effectiveness.

Lori brought a wealth of experience to CSCU, drawing from her impressive career as a consultant and her 16 years of leadership in higher education human resources at both the institution and system levels, including her roles at California State University and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Her knowledge, dedication, and thoughtful leadership have left a lasting mark on our system.

Even with Lori's departure, we remain optimistic about the foundation she has built and the bright future ahead. Lori has helped us to continue strengthening our HR & LR operations and fostering a more effective and inclusive organization.

We are committed to ensuring a seamless transition as we carry forward the important work Lori began, and we will be in touch soon with additional updates.

Sincerely,
Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear WestConn Community,

Following the special meeting of the Board of Regents (BOR) last week, significant attention has been directed toward Western Connecticut State University (WestConn). With the challenges and opportunities highlighted, it is now more important than ever to focus on and enhance the transformative work already underway to ensure WestConn’s long-term success and sustainability.

I am pleased to share that Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU), in collaboration with Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), is launching a three-year initiative aimed at achieving financial sustainability, academic excellence, and operational improvements for WestConn. Leadership from the System Office and CCSU will collaborate closely with WestConn’s leadership to provide critical guidance and strategies to support these goals.

This initiative leverages and compliments ongoing efforts at WestConn, including the newly- released strategic plan, which incorporates working groups tasked with addressing concerns raised by NECHE. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen the institution’s foundation and position it to thrive in an evolving higher education landscape.

This work will focus on the following key areas:

• Operational Excellence (Dec 2024 – Jun 2025): Enhancing budgeting, academic program strategies, student services, and technology to create a more efficient and supportive environment for students.
  
   
• Accreditation (Dec 2024 – Aug 2025 & Beyond): Building on existing work to meet NECHE’s recommendations by highlighting the progress, sharpening focus on key action areas, and demonstrating the ongoing commitment to providing a high-quality, student-centered education.
  
   
• Five-Year Sustainability Plan (Dec 2024 – Dec 2027): Optimizing academic strengths, campus infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and enrollment strategies to secure WestConn’s long-term financial and operational health.

A cornerstone of this initiative is shared governance and broad stakeholder engagement. Faculty, staff, and students will play an integral role in shaping and implementing this work. We are committed to creating opportunities for collaboration and open dialogue to ensure this work reflects the collective voice of the WestConn community.

As we move forward, CSCU System Office and CCSU leadership will work closely with Interim President Singh and his leadership team, whose guidance and expertise will be instrumental in ensuring the success of this initiative and supporting the WestConn community.

I extend my deepest thanks to President Zulma Toro and her team at CCSU for their leadership and partnership in this effort. Together, we will ensure that WestConn remains a vibrant institution that continues to serve its students and the greater Danbury community with excellence.

We look forward to updating you as this work progresses. Your collaboration and engagement are vital to the success of this initiative.

Sincerely,

 

Terrence Cheng
Chancellor, CSCU

Dear CSCU Community,

We are pleased to share that Dr. O. John Maduko has been reappointed as President of Connecticut State Community College (CT State) for a four-year term beginning June 3, 2025. Dr. Maduko has served as the inaugral president since June 2022 following the merger of the state's 12 community colleges.

Under Dr. Maduko’s leadership, CT State earned accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), establishing a comprehensive and statewide community college with 12 campuses and multiple satellite locations across Connecticut.

In its inaugural year, CT State served more than 64,000 students in credit and non-degree workforce programs, making it the Northeast’s largest community college and the sixth-largest nationwide. CT State also held its first series of commencement ceremonies in May and conferred 5,844 credit degrees and certificates alongside 2,516 workforce development credentials.

During his tenure, Dr. Maduko has expanded access to Connecticut’s free tuition program, continued to offer innovative and rigorous courses that prepare students for rewarding careers in high-demand sectors, and established new partnerships with leading businesses and organizations.

Dr. Maduko has built a strong foundation for CT State's continued success and we are excited to further partner with him on identifying ways to increase enrollment, connect students to new opportunities, and enhance CT State's program offerings.

Before his appointment at CT State, Dr. Maduko was the vice president for academic and student affairs at Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State), Minnesota's fifth-largest community college, and a member of the 33 institutions and 380,000 students Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (Minnesota State). He has served in various leadership roles, from chief academic officer to vice president to vice chancellor to dean to professor, for two-year and four-year institutions in Minnesota, Texas, Florida, and Georgia.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Maduko on his reappointment.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Dear CSCU Community:

Yesterday, the Office of the State Comptroller released its findings of its audit of the CSCU system. I want to thank the Office of the State Comptroller for their thorough review of CSCU’s policies and p-card and travel records, and for their recommendations for applying tighter controls and improved processes across the entire system.

We are reviewing the recommendations and findings from the Comptroller’s Office and are committed to implementing stronger controls, policies, and comprehensive training in pursuit of our collective goals of accountability and transparency across the system and to protect taxpayer dollars and student funds.

The system has begun to take steps in this direction and, over the next 100 days, we will be implementing policies, procedures, and training to improve compliance and reporting.

I look forward to working closely with the Board of Regents to not only adopt these policies but put them into action.

We can and will do better. I will collaborate with our presidents and leadership across the system to model and unify higher standards.

The resulting work will make our system stronger.

Sincerely,
Chancellor Terrence Cheng

Dear System Office Staff,

The CSCU System Office Affirmative Action Plan and Policy Statement have been approved by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). The Affirmative Action Plan is available to review in the Human Resources Office through the end of March 31, 2026. This Affirmative Action Plan covers the reporting period of March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2024.

As Chancellor, I am strongly committed to promoting the principles of affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. The Affirmative Action Plan guides us in our efforts to comply with state laws and regulations. Specifically, to identify strengths and weaknesses in our employment system, resolve problems and concerns as they appear, help prepare our current employees for advancement through training programs and affirmatively recruit new employees.

The CSCU System Office Affirmative Action Plan, Affirmative Action Policy Statement, and CSCU Affirmative Action Plan Executive Summary have been added to the CSCU website along with the Discrimination Complaint Procedure and BOR Sexual Misconduct Policy. 

Please take a few minutes to review these documents:

• Affirmative Action Plan
• Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement
• Affirmative Action Plan Executive Summary
• Discrimination Complaint Process
• BOR Interim Discriminatory Harassment, Nondiscrimination, and Title IX Policy

All employees shall conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner consistent with the various elements of the Affirmative Action Plan and supervisors will be held accountable for the day-to-day oversight and compliance of staff and related programs. Information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity can also be found on the CSCU website: https://www.ct.edu/hr/diversity

If you have any questions or comments about any aspect of the Affirmative Action Plan, Policy Statement, Summary of Objectives, or the Discrimination Complaint Process including suggestions for future enhancements, please contact Cameron Liston, Chief Compliance Officer at Cameron.liston@ct.edu. Any and all comments and questions on the Affirmative Action Plan will receive a response and will be accounted for in the next submission.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor