Charter Oak State College Reports 17% Enrollment Increase

Charter Oak State College, Connecticut’s only public online college, announced a 17.3% increase in total student enrollment for the Fall 2025 semester. This significant growth builds on the strong momentum across the CSCU system, where the four Connecticut State Universities and CT State Community College together reported a 6.7% increase in total enrollment for the 2025-2026 academic year – bringing the system-wide increase to 7%.

Central Stuns Boston College on Last-Second Shot for Win

A shot by sophomore Darin Smith, Jr. with three seconds to play, lifted the Central Connecticut State men's basketball team past Boston College, 60-59, in Chestnut Hill, MA. It's the school's first-ever victory over Boston College and its first win over a power conference opponent since moving to Division I in 1986-87.

Interim CSCU Chancellor John Maduko Joins CSDE Roundtable Discussion Announcing 2024–25 Accountability Results and Highlighting Dual Credit Expansion

Interim CSCU Chancellor John Maduko joined Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker and other officials in a statewide briefing and roundtable discussion at the Legislative Office Building on Oct. 30, announcing the results of the 2024–25 Next Generation Accountability System and highlighting Connecticut’s significant progress in expanding dual credit opportunities for high school students.

The accountability results showed that state investments in dual credit expansion yield dramatic growth, and the Connecticut State Universities have experienced the most rapid growth, expanding sixfold since 2018–19. The college-level courses are taught on high school campuses, making higher education more affordable and attainable while helping students build confidence and momentum toward degrees or workforce credentials.

Celebrating Service at Central

Central Connecticut State University Office of Veterans Affairs hosted its annual Veterans Day commemoration and awards ceremony, and two students received awards for public service and academic excellence. U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Andrew J. Willard (right) received the President’s Student Veteran Award for Excellence, and U.S. Army National Guard Specialist Alexa M. Duran received the Great Elm VFW Post 9945 Wethersfield Veterans Scholarship.  The Office of Veterans Affairs also presented Navy Reserve Commander John R. Buckley, who serves as chairman of the New Britain Veterans Commission, its Veterans Public Service Award for Excellence to U.S.

Eastern Receives $2.25M Federal Grant to Strengthen Student Success Efforts

Eastern Connecticut State University was awarded a $2.25 million, five-year Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant titled “Modeling Student Success – Supporting Our Students and Strengthening Our Institution.” Funded through the U.S. Department of Education, the grant is among the largest in Eastern’s history. It aims to enhance Eastern’s capacity to support student achievement through predictive analytics, holistic advising, and the establishment of an endowed equity fund. Eastern’s President Karim Ismaili is pictured introducing the new grant.

Southern Faculty and Students Join COP30 Global Climate Summit in Brazil

Southern Connecticut State University students and faculty are attending the COP [Conference of Parties] global climate change conference, serving as official observers of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Belém, Brazil. Attending the conference is Miriah Kelly (middle), associate professor of environmental science and lead faculty member in Southern’s COP contingent; Aaron Radulski (left), an environmental systems and sustainability major who was awarded the Undergraduate Research Award; and graduate student Daisy Everingham (right), who is working towards a master’s degree in coastal resilience and was awarded a Graduate Research Grant.

WCSU Community Celebrates Jane Goodall’s life

Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) celebrated the life and legacy of conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall on Nov. 12. The event, “Honoring Dr. Jane Goodall: Her Vision, Her Voice, Our Future,” highlighted WCSU’s nearly 30-year partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, a global nonprofit dedicated to wildlife research, education, and conservation. Through the Jane Goodall Center for Excellence in Environmental Education, founded at WCSU in 1995, the university has become a hub for environmental learning, community engagement, and youth empowerment.

Middletown Community Gathers to Celebrate Newly Recognized Diwali Holiday at CT State Middlesex

Connecticut State Community College (CT State) Middlesex hosted a Diwali holiday celebration on Nov. 7 in collaboration with the Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple and the city of Middletown. CT State Middlesex Professor Nutan Mishra was coordinator of the event.  In June 2025, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed SB 1519 into law, making Connecticut only the second state, after Pennsylvania, to include Diwali in statute.

CT State Gateway Professor Awarded GM ASEP Academic Instructor of Merit Award

Professor Amanda Sweeney, of the CT State Gateway Automotive department, was awarded the GM ASEP Academic Instructor of Merit Award at the GM national conference in Detroit.  During the CT State merger and curriculum realignment, she identified a critical gap in the availability of Math 115 course essential for GM ASEP and general automotive students. Professor Sweeney then dedicated three years to developing a new math course tailored specifically to the needs of automotive students. This award celebrates her innovation, dedication and impact on student achievement.

Southern’s Department of Communication, Media, and Screen Studies receives National Award for Program Excellence

Southern Connecticut State University’s Department of Communication, Media, and Screen Studies (CMS) was awarded the prestigious Rex Mix Program of Excellence Award, the top honor presented annually by the Undergraduate College and University Section of the National Communication Association. This accolade, which recognizes outstanding undergraduate communication programs in the United States, acknowledges excellence in curriculum, program quality, course design, and special projects.

Eastern’s Department of ComEastern Launches New Cybersecurity Minor

Eastern Connecticut State University launched a new cybersecurity minor this semester. The 15-credit minor is available to students of all majors, and was developed in response to projected growth in jobs in the cybersecurity industry, as well as high base salaries and interest in the field among prospective students.

CT State Announces New Practical Nursing Certificate Program

Connecticut State Community College (CT State) announced the launch of a second practical nursing certificate program, now offered at CT State Norwalk. The program aims to address the critical shortage of nurses in Connecticut and expand access to careers in health care.  

Audio- and E-Books Through the Palace App

The CSCU Library Consortium and the Connecticut State Library have partnered to provide CSCU students, faculty, and staff with direct access to over 8,000 audiobooks and 45,000 e-books through The Palace App.

The perfect resource for holiday travels, the Palace App offers a growing collection of fiction, non-fiction, banned books, diverse authors and experiences, award winners, All CT Reads titles, and more!