Gov. Lamont Appoints Professor Delwyn Cummings to the Board of Regents

Governor Ned Lamont announced the appointment of Delwyn F. Cummings, a former professor of science at Connecticut State (CT State) Naugatuck Valley, to serve as a member of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR). Cummings spent his career in higher education at CT State Naugatuck Valley teaching courses on chemistry, chemical engineering, materials, manufacturing management, mathematics, physics, environmental technology, and environmental business issues. He served as co-chair of the Faculty Advisory Committee from 2018 to 2019, where he served as the faculty representative on the BOR.

More than 525 Students Graduate from Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College presented its Class of 2025 on June 12, 2025, at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, where more than 525 students were awarded degrees. Merrill Gay, Executive Director, Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, in Hartford, was commencement speaker and Honorary Degree recipient. Under the leadership of Baindu Sudie Akinrotiba, PhD, LMSW, members of Charter Oak's first graduating class of B.S. Social Work students are pictured gathering to celebrate.

Forbes Ranks Two CSCU Institutions on List of America’s Top 500 Colleges

Central Connecticut State University and Charter Oak State College were included in the Forbes 2024-2025 Top 500 Colleges list. Charter Oak State College ranked 338 and Central Connecticut State University ranked 374 on the list. The America’s Top Colleges list is compiled annually by Forbes, highlighting colleges that produce successful and high-earning, graduates, while minimizing student debt.

CT State Middlesex Named Top 10 Military School

For the first time, CT State Middlesex earned the Military Friendly® School Gold Top 10 designation in the 2025–2026 small community college category, ranking No. 9 overall in the national survey. Air Force veteran Shayla Reyes, an early childhood education major at CT State Middlesex, has taken advantage of veterans’ services.

Southern’s First Cohort of New Haven Paraeducators is Ready to Lead in Special Education

Southern Connecticut State University’s College of Education recently celebrated its first graduating class from the Residency Educator Program in Special Education, with five students receiving their Master of Arts in Teaching degrees. This program creates a pathway for aspiring educators within New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) to earn both a master’s degree and state certification while continuing to work, addressing the local shortage of qualified special education teachers in schools.

Pictured left to right: Russhell McDuffies-Vines, Genith “Geri” Hemphill, and NHPS Superintendent Madeline Negrón.

WCSU Tickborne Disease Prevention Laboratory Advises vigilance due to rising tick levels

Researchers and Dr. Neeta Connally, Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) , professor of biology, and director of the Tickborne Disease Prevention Laboratory at WCSU are urging area residents to exercise vigilance during outdoor activities this summer due to evidence of increased tick populations in the region. Pictured is student research assistant Alyza Weisman holding a vial with field-collected ticks.

Southern Hosts Connecticut’s First College Symposium on Gambling Harm

Southern Connecticut State University recently hosted Connecticut’s first-ever College Symposium on Gambling Harm, drawing experts, counselors, and prevention professionals to address the growing impact of online gambling on college campuses. Dr. Sarah Keiser, coordinator of Addiction and Recovery Services within Southern’s Counseling Services, was instrumental in organizing the symposium in collaboration with the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling.

Eastern’s Research Institutes Delve into Data Analytics, DNA Sequencing, Picture Books

Eastern Connecticut State University began its summer session with three week-long summer research institutes, culminating in a final presentation on June 6. Students and faculty from the art, business, and biology departments collaborated on projects and showcased results to their peers. Pictured are Fatma Pakdil, professor of Business Administration and students in her institute: “Data Analytics-Oriented Undergraduate Research: Industry 4.0 and Big Data Analytics in Healthcare.”  

Central Journalism Students Earn ‘College Emmy’ for Piece on Climate Change in Brazil

Nine Central Connecticut State University journalism students and their advisor earned a Crystal Pillar Award, also known as the “College Emmy,” from the New England Emmy Division of the National Academy of Television Arts. Central won first place in the College/University-Magazine Program category for its digital news-magazine piece titled “Project Brazil: Reporting Climate Change” Darren Sweeney, associate professor of journalism, served as the team’s production advisor. Pictured from left to right: Maria Sola, Eary Banushi, Professor Sweeney, Madison Musco, Savanna Yelling and Jayen Klaus. Sola won first place for her feature on a Central student who left school due to ICE agents near campus.