CT Board of Regents for Higher Education Appoints Dr. O. John Maduko as Interim Chancellor of CSCU

The Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) today announced the appointment of Dr. O. John Maduko as interim chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Maduko currently serves as president of Connecticut State Community College (CT State), the largest community college in New England.  

Dr. Maduko’s appointment as interim chancellor will span one year. At the conclusion of his term, Dr. Maduko will return to CT State. An interim CT State leader will be appointed during this transitional period. 

CSCU will launch a national search for a permanent system leader in Fall 2025. Additional details about the CSCU Chancellor Search will be provided as Fall 2025 approaches. 

As interim chancellor, Dr. Maduko will provide strategic leadership for the CSCU system, which includes six public institutions: Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University, Charter Oak State College, and CT State. 

“President Maduko has a proven record of accomplishment of leading institutions through periods of change. As CT State’s inaugural president, he led a team that built one, unified community college that is rooted in access, opportunity, and community,” said Marty Guay, BOR Chair. “As the system’s next interim leader, he will provide the steady leadership and vision needed to position students, faculty and staff, and administrators for success during this time of transition.” 

“CSCU’s public colleges and universities stand at a pivotal moment — one filled with both challenge and tremendous opportunity. Over the past three years, it has been a privilege to serve as President of CT State, working alongside dedicated and world class colleagues to center our mission on student success and community impact. I am deeply committed to collaborating with the Board of Regents, our institutional presidents, faculty and staff, the system office, state and municipal government officials, and our communities to chart a bold and unified path forward — one that places our students, and the communities we serve at the heart of every decision. Higher education must be a bridge to opportunity, equity, and lifelong transformation — and together, we must ensure those doors remain wide open to all,” said Dr. Maduko.  

Under Dr. Maduko’s leadership, CT State achieved significant milestones that reflect student success, institutional progress, and workforce development: 

• CT State earned accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), establishing a unified, statewide community college with 12 main campuses and multiple satellite locations across Connecticut, becoming the largest institution in Connecticut, serving 25% of all college students. 

• Enrollment at CT State continued to grow, with total student enrollment increasing by 3.8% in Fall 2024 compared to the previous year, and by 6% in Spring 2025 over the Spring 2024 semester. Student success also improved with CT State’s retention rate increasing from 65% to 68%, the highest among two-year public colleges in New England. 

• More than 5,200 graduates from 165 Connecticut towns received 6,084 associate degrees and certificates during the 2024-2025 academic year. Additionally, over 3,000 non-credit and workforce development awards were granted with 60% of awards in healthcare careers, 20% of awards in advanced manufacturing, and the remaining 20% of awards spanning IT, business and hospitality, and engineering technology pathways.  

• Nearly 20,000 students received debt-free tuition during the 2024-2025 academic year through the Mary Ann Handley Award, advancing CT State’s mission of accessibility and affordability. 

• CT State expanded its advanced manufacturing training footprint statewide, including the recent opening of CT State Tunxis’ new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. 

• CT State was named the 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award winner for its demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion through initiatives, programs, and outreach to improve student success and hiring practices for faculty and staff. 

• In 2024, CT State added $3 billion in income to Connecticut’s economy and in terms of jobs, CT State’s impact supported 30,000 jobs.  

• CT State leads Connecticut in workforce development, producing more trained registered nurses, allied health professionals, and skilled professionals in advanced manufacturing and IT.  

“Under Dr. Maduko’s leadership, CT State has become an engine of opportunity,” said Juanita James, Vice Chair of the BOR. “He brings that same transformational leadership to CSCU, along with the experience, collaboration, and vision needed to address systemic challenges and position CSCU’s six public institutions for growth and impact.” 

Prior to 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 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (Minnesota State) that includes 33 institutions and 380,000 students. Dr. Maduko has served as faculty, dean, vice president and vice chancellor for four-year and two-year institutions.  

Dr. Maduko earned his M.D. in allopathic medicine from St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine and a bachelor’s degree in biology from California State Polytechnic University Pomona, one of only three polytechnic universities in California. He is a fellow of the Aspen Institute and Thomas Lakin Institute.  

Dr. Maduko serves on state and national nonprofit boards including the Greater Hartford Urban League, MetroHartford Alliance, the Presidents Forum, the College Board Community College Advisory Panel, and the Association of Community College Trustees Advisory Committee of Presidents. In 2024, he was named one of the 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut by the NAACP and the Hartford Business Journal’s Power 50 Class.