Board of Regents Appoint John Maduko as CT State President
John Maduko will assume a role leading the state’s single, merged community college with 12 campuses and more than 32,000 students.
The Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) today appointed Dr. John Maduko to serve as president of Connecticut State Community College (CT State). Maduko, a medical doctor who currently serves as vice president of academic and student affairs for Minnesota State Community and Technical College, a member of the 37 institution Minnesota State Colleges and University system, will assume a role leading the state’s single, merged community college with 12 campuses and more than 32,000 students.
“I have come to Connecticut because I believe that CT State has a mission that is meaningful and authentic,” Maduko said. “We are establishing a ‘new normal’ of higher education. The impact of the pandemic over the last two and a half years has been enormous and will have long-lasting effects. But there is an even stronger history here of success in academics and career programs, student affairs and wrap-around student services that we will leverage.”
Maduko has served in his position since 2019. Previously, he has held administrative leadership and faculty roles at North Central Texas College District, Rasmussen University, EDMC, National Paralegal College, Mountain State University, and Hillsborough Community College.
“John Maduko approaches this position as an experienced and talented educator, with significant teaching experience,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “We are now about a year away from the official opening of CT State as our single community college with all current locations continuing to stay open and remaining fully operational. I am confident that, with John Maduko in charge of the college and Terrence Cheng leading the CSCU system, we are in good hands to improve student success and provide workforce opportunities for all Connecticut residents.”
“John is someone who understands the need to change and innovate based on data and the needs of the students we serve – but he also understands the importance of community buy-in, for a constructive working relationship with all employees within the college,” CSCU President Terrence Cheng said. “In short, he knows how to work together and get tough things done. I am confident that, thanks in large part to his experience as an educator and his laser focus on student success and equity, that John will be a tremendous leader for CT State.”
“On behalf of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, it is my pleasure to welcome Dr. John Maduko as president-designate of Connecticut State Community College,” BOR Chair Matt Fleury said. “Dr. Maduko is eminently qualified for this position as an experienced educator and administrator. Perhaps most importantly, he is guided by a set of principles that are reflective of the mission, vision, and values or the Board of Regents, CSCU, and CT State – putting access, equity, and student success at the forefront of everything he does.”
The BOR conducted a national search for the system president, which was chaired by Regent Aviva Budd. A search advisory committee, consisting of more than 40 students, faculty, professional staff, administrators, foundation leaders, union representatives, and external partners, was involved in interviewing candidates and putting forward recommendations.
“The Board of Regents’ search committee and the search advisory committee do a tremendous amount of work in exploring candidates’ qualifications,” said Budd. “John emerged from a field of immensely talented candidates, and we are confident that he has the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to be a successful CT State president.”
“I would like to thank every member of the search advisory committee for participating in the process and adding your perspective,” said Norwalk Community College CEO Cheryl DeVonish, who chaired the search advisory committee. “The committee worked very hard and gave a lot of time in screening applications, interviewing candidates, and offering recommendations to the BOR. Dr. Maduko is a strong leader who will be a tremendous asset to CT State. I congratulate him on this appointment, and I look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Maduko received his B.S. in biology from California State Polytechnic University Pomona and his M.D. from St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine. He will begin his new role on June 3, and he will earn $300,000 annually.