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November 2021

From the President

Dear CSCU Community,

This past month, we have seen some exciting developments on our CSCU campuses – from partnerships with Amazon and Google that will help prepare our students and people all across the state to be the next generation of tech workers, to SCSU’s participation in COP26, to the conversion of a new student center at WCSU. All of these stories are great examples of the work we do to make our institutions better places for our students to learn and thrive.

I will send a more comprehensive recap of my campus visits to the community colleges in coming days, but I would like to thank all of you who have attended, asked great questions, and shared your honest feedback. The passion and dedication each of you have for your work and for the students we all serve is inspiring.

Let’s keep up the good work and finish the semester strong.

Sincerely,
Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

In the News

Gov. Lamont, CSCU, & Google Announce Google Career Certificates Now Available Across CSCU System

Governor Ned Lamont, CSCU President Terrence Cheng, and Alphabet’s Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat announced that Connecticut became the first state in the nation to offer the full suite of Google Career Certificates across the CSCU system. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal also helped announce the partnership at Middlesex Community College.

Gov. Lamont Announces Collaboration Between CT and Amazon Web Services to Train over 2000 Residents

At Gateway Community College, Governor Ned Lamont announced a collaboration between CSCU, the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, and Amazon Web Services to provide technical skills training and education to more than 2,000 Connecticut residents by 2024.

COSC Foundation and BOR Announce Naomi K. Cohen Public Service Scholarship

The Charter Oak State College Foundation and Board of Regents have partnered to honor retiring Regent and Charter Oak alum Naomi K. Cohen in the establishment of a public service scholarship.

CCC Recognizes Four Alumni at Virtual Changing Lives Celebration

Four inductees of Capital Community College’s Alumni Wall of Fame were recognized at CCC’s virtual Changing Lives Celebration, and are from the fields of nursing, education and literacy, cybersecurity and insurance. They are (clockwise from left): Carol Johnson (’71), Ed.D., Stephanie Knutson (95), RN; Rupesh Parajuli (’11) and Blerina (Bela) Pina (’12).

SCSU’s Dilger Named PRSA Greater Connecticut's 2021 Practitioner of the Year

Patrick Dilger, director of Integrated Marketing & Communications at Southern Connecticut State University, was named the 2021 Practitioner of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America Greater Connecticut Chapter. (PRSA CT)

CCSU Hosted 10th Annual National Drive Electric Week Event

The Central Connecticut State University Geography Department and Global Environmental Sustainability Action Coalition hosted a National Drive Electric Week event at CCSU on Sept. 30. CCSU Professor Charles Button noted that Consumer Reports and the Union of Concerned Scientists report that over 60 percent of prospective car buyers in America are considering an electric car.

Prospanica CT Awards ECSU’s Walter Diaz for Education Leadership

Walter Diaz, vice president of student affairs at Eastern Connecticut State University, was awarded the Education Leadership Award by the Prospanica Connecticut Chapter Board of Directors.

NCC and NVCC Students Complete NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars
On-Campus Experience

Norwalk Community College students Zusi Ramirez, Stanislav Reymer and Naugatuck Community College student Jonathan Escobar participated in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars online course and NASA Career Simulation experience. The initiative is part of the NASA CT Space Grant Consortium led by NCC faulty members Professor Mobin Rastgar Agah and Professor Jonathan McMenamin-Belano.

NCCC Professor Recognized by Connecticut Science Center

The Connecticut Science Center honored Tara Jo Holmberg, Northwestern Connecticut Community College professor of environmental science and biology, as the 2021 STEM Achievement Award Individual Honoree at its virtual gala.

SCSU Taps Global Commitment to Climate Change

Southern Connecticut State University faculty members Miriah Kelly (left), assistant professor of Environmental Science; Stephen Axon (right), assistant professor of Sustainability Science; and Sustainability Coordinator Suzanne Huminski (center); traveled to the United Nations International Conference on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, to observe deliberations to avert an environmental crisis.

WCSU Begins Conversion of Berkshire Hall to New Student Center

Western Connecticut State University is beginning construction on a new Student Center for its Midtown campus projected to be completed in mid-to-late 2023. It will be located on the footprint of Berkshire Hall.

Please submit story ideas for CSCU Buzz to cscu-newsletter@ct.edu.