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Office of the Chancellor | Jan 09, 2026

System Update

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to share that Michael Moriarty, Vice President of Administration & Chief Financial Officer at Charter Oak State College, has agreed to provide temporary, part-time support to the Chancellor’s Office beginning next week.

In this additional capacity, Michael will serve as an institutional financial advisor helping to bring an institutional perspective to system-level financial discussions. His role is intended to support alignment and coordination across the system, help surface institution-level considerations, and assist in building shared understanding among our member institutions.

This work is advisory and collaborative in nature and is designed to complement, not duplicate or replace, the responsibilities of the System Office Finance team. Michael will continue to serve in his primary role at Charter Oak State College and will coordinate closely with System Office leadership to ensure consistency and clarity.

We appreciate Michael’s willingness to take on these additional responsibilities, and we are grateful to our finance colleagues across the institutions and the System Office for their continued engagement and collaboration.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

In partnership,

O. John Maduko, M.D.
CSCU Interim Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Aug 02, 2025

Welcome Back Students, Faculty, and Staff!

Dear CSCU Colleagues and Friends,

As we welcome students, faculty, and staff back for the Fall 2025 semester, our campuses across the CSCU system are once again alive with energy, curiosity, and purpose. This is when our mission – access, affordability, excellence, and service – comes to life in real time. You see it in every lecture, every advising session, every lab discovery, and every interaction with our students.

This new academic year marks an exciting chapter for CSCU, one shaped by both continuity and innovative leadership. We welcome Dr. Jesse Bernal at Western Connecticut State University, Dr. Sandra Bulmer at Southern Connecticut State University, and Dr. Christina Royal at CT State Community College.

At CT State, we are also proud to welcome a strong cohort of campus presidents who bring diverse experience and a deep commitment to student success: Dr. Shiang-Kwei Wang, Dr. Mike Rooke, Dr. Mary Ellen Jukoski, Dr. Kamari Collins, Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson, Dr. Sharale Mathis, and Cheryl De Vonish.

Leadership transitions offer a unique opportunity to plant new seeds while continuing to nurture what is already strong – to carry forward what works and embrace fresh ideas to meet the demands of a changing world.

At the same time, we find ourselves navigating a rapidly shifting policy and funding environment that will test our adaptability. Changes to student financial aid at the federal level, evolving requirements for grants, and new mandates here in Connecticut are reshaping the higher education landscape. We remain in regular communication with state and federal officials along with national higher education associations to assess the impacts of policy and funding changes for the many members of our CSCU community.

Yet amid this uncertainty, our commitment to access, affordability, and academic excellence remains unwavering.

I want to thank our incredible colleagues in Financial Aid, Enrollment Management, Sponsored Programs, and Research for maximizing financial resources to support the cost of attendance, housing, support services, academic enrichment, innovation, and experiential learning amid unprecedented federal changes. Your resilience in the face of complexity ensures students remain at the center of every decision and drives our institutions forward in service of their missions.

As your new interim chancellor, I am honored to serve during this time of growth and renewal. I look forward to partnering with our dedicated leaders, students, faculty, and staff as we continue to transform lives, families, and communities through the power of higher education.

I wish everyone a strong start to the 2025-2026 academic year. I look forward to seeing you on campus and celebrating your many accomplishments ahead.

In partnership,

O. John Maduko, M.D.
CSCU Interim Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Jul 25, 2025

Understanding H.R.1’s Impact on Students and Their Futures

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed H.R.1 into law, a sweeping federal budget and policy package that reshapes financial aid, student loan programs, and institutional accountability across higher education.

This legislation marks a shift from decades of incremental policy changes by expanding access to short-term, workforce-focused programs while introducing new borrowing limits, repayment structures, and accountability measures that could affect student access and introduce additional institutional burdens.

We are actively engaging with internal and external experts, national associations, and our federal and state partners to assess the law’s implications and help shape our response.

As this work unfolds, our collective focus remains on strong advocacy for our students and institutions throughout this process.

Our colleges and universities are united by a shared commitment to access, affordability, and academic excellence. Our institutions meet the diverse needs of Connecticut’s learners by offering dual enrollment, workforce credentials, fully online degrees, and academic pathways from the associate to the doctoral level. As federal policy shifts, our commitment to this shared mission and student success remains unchanged.

We want to thank our community of faculty, staff, and administrators, especially our financial aid professionals, as they work to understand the implications of this bill. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students and your dedication to academic excellence.

We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates to you as additional federal guidance becomes available.

In partnership,

Dr. O. John Maduko,
Interim CSCU Chancellor

Dr. Zulma Toro,
President of Central Connecticut State University

Ed Klonoski,
President of Charter Oak State College

Kerry A. Kelley,
Interim President of CT State Community College

Dr. Karim Ismaili,
President of Eastern Connecticut State University

Dr. Sandra Bulmer,
Interim President of Southern Connecticut State University

Dr. Jesse Bernal,
President of Western Connecticut State University

Additional resources

Office of the Chancellor | Jul 21, 2025

CSCU Appoints Dr. Christina Royal as Interim President of Connecticut State Community College

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Christina Royal, Ph.D., as interim president of Connecticut State Community College (CT State), the largest community college in New England. Dr. Royal will begin her term on August 1, 2025, and serve through June 30, 2026.

Dr. Royal previously served as president of Holyoke Community College and was selected as a 2024-2025 Judith Block McLaughlin President-in-Residence in the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Christina Royal

During her presidency at Holyoke Community College, Dr. Royal championed initiatives to break cycles of generational poverty; secured one of the largest individual philanthropic gifts to a U.S. community college; led the development of the college’s first strategic plan; oversaw the creation of a new Life Sciences Center to enhance academic and workforce programs; and launched a childcare program to support student-parents.

She brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in higher education to her new role at CT State.

As CT State’s next interim president, Dr. Royal will build on the college’s ongoing progress in student access and success, workforce development, and economic impact. In fiscal year 2023, CT State contributed $3 billion to Connecticut’s economy and supported 30,000 jobs across the state. During the 2024-2025 academic year, nearly 20,000 CT State students benefited from debt-free tuition through the Mary Ann Handley Award. The college also awarded 6,084 associate degrees and certificates to more than 5,200 graduates.

Dr. Royal embodies CT State’s values: she is mission-driven, leads with a deep commitment to equity and inclusiveness, and places student success and access at the heart of her work. She is well positioned to build on CT State’s momentum by guiding the development of the college’s first strategic plan and advancing its vision to become one of the nation’s leading community colleges.

We recognize that this has been a time of transition, and I would like to thank Kerry A. Kelley for serving as Interim CT State President over the past few weeks. Her steady leadership has played a key role in maintaining continuity and institutional stability and will be vital in supporting a smooth transition as Dr. Royal steps into her role.

CSCU will remain actively engaged with CT State's new campus presidents and the broader college community as we ensure a successful start to the Fall 2025 semester.

In partnership,

Dr. O. John Maduko
Interim CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Jul 14, 2025

Introducing WestConn's New President

Dr. Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D., was appointed as the 10th president of Western Connecticut State University (WestConn), stepping into the role during the university’s more than 120-year legacy of empowering learners and communities through education.

A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Bernal brings a deep belief in the transformative power of public higher education. For more than two decades, he has led efforts in strategy, innovation, and equity across higher education and public charter systems in Michigan and California — building partnerships that align academics with workforce and community needs, investing in student and employee success, and creating more inclusive, student-centered institutions.

In this Q&A, we sit down with President Bernal to discuss how his leadership will guide WestConn into a new era of renewal, impact, and regional engagement.

What about WestConn resonated with you the most when you initially explored being its next president?

What drew me most to WestConn was the sense of possibility. It has deep roots in the community, a legacy of access and service, and a bold spirit ready to lead. When I learned we’re now Connecticut’s largest Hispanic-Serving Institution, I saw a reflection of my own journey — and an opportunity to lift up others through education. WestConn’s commitment to transformation, inclusion, and impact mirrors my own values. That alignment made the opportunity deeply personal.

What is your vision for WestConn during your period of leadership?

My vision is for WestConn to become the region’s most impactful, community-engaged university — a place that welcomes every learner, weaves together systems to ensure they thrive, and widens pathways to opportunity. We’ll do this while strengthening our academic distinction and all that is central to our mission. Our future will be co-created — built on shared leadership, mutual trust, and a culture of care. We won’t just continue to recover; we will renew. I see us not just reclaiming momentum but reimagining what it means to be a regional public institution: innovative, inclusive, and relentless in our focus on student success and community vitality.

How do you plan to support students, faculty, and staff during your tenure?

My role is to listen deeply, act with integrity, and create the conditions where everyone at WestConn can do their best work. This is a time to strengthen relationships, restore trust, and elevate voices — especially of those who have felt unheard. That means honoring academic freedom, supporting faculty-led innovation, and building the conditions where teaching, creative activity, and student learning and engagement thrive. It also means aligning resources with what matters most — student and employee success, high-impact education, wellness, and belonging. I will work shoulder-to-shoulder with faculty, staff, and students, uphold shared governance, and ensure transparency and trust in how we move forward together.

Can you tell us a little about your family and how they’ve supported you on your journey in higher education?

I come from a close-knit Mexican American family in South Texas. My mom and grandparents were migrant farm workers, people of deep faith, hard work, and sacrifice. I’m the first in my family to graduate from college. We didn’t have much, but we believed in the power of education to change lives. Their support has been a constant compass for me. I carry them with me in every decision I make.

As a first-generation college graduate and the son of migrant farm workers, what does a college degree mean to you?

It means everything. A college degree opened the door to every opportunity I’ve had as it has done for so many who have received a WestConn education. But more than a credential, it gives each of us a voice, a purpose, and the ability to give back. That’s why I believe so strongly in our work — because I’ve lived the power of education to transform not just individuals, but families and communities.

How do you think your background as a first-gen student will influence your role as college president?

I’ll always lead with empathy. I know what it’s like to feel unsure if you belong, and I know the resilience it takes to keep going anyway. That lived experience drives my deep commitment to equity and inclusion. It shapes how I listen, how I work to build systems of support, and how I advocate for students — especially those who haven’t yet seen themselves reflected in higher education. I know my path hasn’t followed a traditional mold, and I have deep respect for the scholarly excellence and disciplinary rigor that define our faculty leaders. I see my role as complementary — to clear barriers, align resources, and tell our story. It’s precisely this nontraditional journey — across diverse systems, communities, and institutions — that informs my leadership and sharpens my purpose. I’ve come to understand that while credentials matter, so do the courage to challenge expectations and the conviction to expand who gets to lead.

Throughout your career in higher education, you have championed equity and inclusivity. Why is this mission important to you?

Equity isn’t just a value — it’s a shared responsibility. At its core, it’s about making sure every learner — with all their diverse backgrounds and beliefs — has a fair shot at success. Our institutions must reflect and serve the full diversity of our communities. I believe deeply that excellence and equity go hand-in-hand. Inclusive environments foster the kind of dialogue, innovation, and critical thinking that prepare students for real-world leadership.

My commitment to this work is both personal and professional. It’s about honoring all students’ identities, removing unnecessary barriers, and building systems that enable everyone to thrive — not through ideology, but through compassion, evidence, and a belief in human potential. This doesn’t mean we will always agree. But it does mean we create space for respectful debate, mutual learning, and principled disagreement. That’s the mark of a healthy academic community — and the kind of university I want us to be: bold, welcoming, and united in purpose.

What do you hope for the future and legacy of WestConn?

I hope people say we are brave. That we didn’t just weather challenges but turned them into opportunities. That WestConn is a place of purpose and possibility, where students are challenged, supported, and prepared to live meaningful lives.

I want us to be known not just for what we offer, but for how we show up — for leading with courage, collaboration, and care. For building trust, not just programs. And for standing together — faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners — as one WestConn Wolves community, rising as a pack.

If our graduates leave here ready to lead, serve, and build a more hopeful world — in whatever ways are most meaningful to them — then we’ll know we’ve done our job. That’s the legacy I’m working toward.

Office of the Chancellor | Jul 02, 2025

Introducing Southern's New Interim President

Dr. Sandra Minor Bulmer, Ph.D. was appointed Interim President of Southern Connecticut State University and began her new role on July 1, 2025.

Dr. Bulmer has spent 26 years at Southern and considers the institution her home. She has extensive experience in higher education and was most currently the Dean of the university’s College of Health and Human Services and served as a professor in Southern’s Department of Public Health.

In this Q&A, we sit down with Interim President Bulmer, to discuss her vision for Southern Connecticut State University, and how she plans to build on its legacy.

What is your vision for Southern Connecticut State University during your interim period of leadership?
Southern is on an upward trajectory with enrollment, student success, and research productivity. One of my primary responsibilities will be to sustain and accelerate this success despite our increased budgetary, policy, and funding pressures. As a long-term employee of this institution, I look forward to sharing insights and collaborating with our division leaders to implement administrative processes that enhance efficiency and alleviate employee and student burdens. Ultimately, I will bring my community-centered values and experience to my new role, ensuring that Southern continues to serve our neighborhoods, region, and state in ways that build and sustain healthy communities.

How do you plan to support students, faculty and staff during your tenure?
As I transition into the role of president, I will need to rely more heavily on our campus leaders to provide direct support to our students, faculty, and staff. I am fortunate to have a talented and dedicated team in place. I have been part of Southern’s community for 26 years, but with a focus on the needs of students, employees, and community partners in the College of Health and Human Services. To fully support our students, faculty, and staff I will need to “go back to school.” I look forward to gaining a deep understanding of the needs of our entire campus, including our other colleges, divisions, departments, and service units. I am committed to being a supportive leader for the entire Southern community.

How would you describe your leadership style?
I often describe myself as an “accidental leader” partly because, over my 40-year career, I have rarely pursued specific titles. Instead, I accept invitations to serve in areas where I feel passion, have talent, and can dedicate the necessary time and effort for success. Through that work, I've taken on many servant leader roles and found leadership to be immensely rewarding, especially when I have opportunities to mentor others. As a leader, I try to stay grounded in the true purpose of the organization, my potential for impact, and the privileges my position affords. I see myself as inclusive, collaborative, strategic, and transparent, and I sincerely hope that those who have worked with me would describe my leadership in the same way.

Southern impacts the wider community in many ways. How has the College of Health and Human Services enhanced community wellness and healthcare during your tenure as Dean?
Without question, the key to our success has been having strong department chairs and division leaders. Examples of their substantial community impact include the Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE), which has secured over $13 million in external grants and contracts to partner with other local organizations and improve health in our communities. Also, in partnership with Yale New Haven Health System, our School of Nursing has addressed critical workforce shortages in our state by developing new degree pathways and doubling the number of nurses it graduates annually.

You have been at Southern for 26 years, first as a professor, then as a dean, and now interim president. What has kept you here at Southern?
Our mission, my colleagues, and our students have been the source of my job satisfaction and joy. Uniquely, the academic calendar affords annual opportunities to pause, reflect, and celebrate our students’ accomplishments. Southern has a deep commitment to teaching and student support. It has been wonderful to work in an environment where I share these values with my colleagues. Finally, state universities were my pathway, so I believe in the mission of public education and understand the transformative impact in can have on individuals, families, and communities. Southern is a special place that provides access to excellent academic programs and opportunities for social mobility.

Can you tell us a little about your family and how they’ve supported you on your journey in higher education?
My parents were unable to attend college, but my sister, Linda, was the first in our family to do so. She finished high school one year early and received a scholarship to attend Syracuse University. She showed me the way, along with many coaches and teachers who had gone to college and encouraged me to follow that path.

As a cyclist, do you think that this sport has shaped your leadership style? Any bucket list cycling trips you’d like to complete?
I’m not sure that I would describe myself as a “cyclist”, but I do enjoy bike touring for my vacations, especially with my husband. My first major cycling trip, at the age of 19, was a self-supported biking trip from Mexico to Canada along Highway 1. I also completed a self-supported bike tour across the U.S. from Seattle, WA, to Bar Harbor, ME. Bike touring from place to place, along with my years of training for swimming, running, and triathlons, has taught me patience, persistence, and discipline and exposed me to the many physical and emotional benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle.

What do you hope for the future and legacy of Southern Connecticut State University?
As a regional comprehensive public university, Southern must continue to thrive as an accessible educational resource for residents in Connecticut. We also need to provide academic programs that meet or exceed the quality of private universities in our region. I hope that Southern’s legacy will be its reputation as a university of choice for Connecticut residents who wish to pursue education, enrich their cultural knowledge and experiences, and hire employees to live, work, and positively contribute to our communities.

Office of the Chancellor | Jun 30, 2025

Thank You from Chancellor Cheng

Dear CSCU Community,

Please allow me a few moments to say thank you. What an honor it has been to serve as your Chancellor these past four years.

First, I want to thank the team in the system office that I have had the pleasure and honor of working with. They are some of the most committed, dedicated, hard-working, experienced and intelligent people that I’ve had the privilege of serving with in my career. They are remarkable colleagues and friends, and I am fortunate to have them in my sphere.

I want to thank our institutional presidents and their leadership teams, those who have served during my time and moved on, and those who remain. Our presidents have hard jobs, and you only know how hard if you have sat in those seats and shouldered those burdens. They work 24/7; they make difficult, almost impossible decisions; and more than anything else, they care deeply and give of themselves in ways that go beyond selfless.

Both our system leaders and our institutional leaders don’t hear “thank you” enough. So, when I say, “thank you,” I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

The same goes for our faculty and staff. You work with and for our students each and every day, and in those moments, you create magic. You drive careers; you change lives. You serve to the utmost those that need to be served. You not only teach and support our students — as advisors and mentors, you give them advice, guidance and direction. You instill confidence and strength. You believe in them at times when it might seem no one else does. Don’t ever forget how important every moment is with our students, for those moments are certainly not lost on them.

Without a doubt, getting to know our students has been the most gratifying part of these last four years. As individuals, as clubs, as student government associations and more, I am inspired by your work ethic and hunger for knowledge, and your grit and determination to succeed. The students who work multiple jobs to fund their educations; the students who overcome social and economic barriers to pursue their goals and dreams regardless of obstacle. The students who have every reason to feel down or give up but never do. Because they are too busy working hard and making progress every day: becoming teachers and healthcare and business professionals, becoming scholars and athletes and innovators, and proving they are second class to no one. You choose to see the positives in your journey, and you do not succumb to the negativity. You teach us lessons and set the bar high by reminding us of who we serve and why.

Thank you for trusting in us with your educations and thank you for believing in and knowing that higher education is still the most powerful force for making people and communities and society better. We need that hope and belief now more than ever.

As a system, we have made significant strides these past four years. Together, we’ve reached new heights and achieved new milestones, including:

Receiving initial accreditation for CT State Community College;
Individual institution achievements such as Southern Connecticut State University being recognized as an R2 institution; and Western Connecticut State University being recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution;
Stabilizing system-wide enrollment in Fall 2024, and heading into Fall 2025;
Creating policies to enhance enrollment, and increase support and protection for our students and employees;
Securing millions of dollars through state and federal grants;
Establishing scholarships and student support through philanthropy;
Opening multiple new healthcare and manufacturing sites;
Creating more system-wide multi-institution partnerships and initiatives;
Increasing transfer student enrollment and student success;
Quadrupling the impact of our auto admissions program;
And prioritizing workforce development, as well as dual and concurrent enrollment.

We did all of this while standing by our values, striving to serve as many students as possible, from all walks of life at the highest level. Ultimately, what I am most proud of is that fact that even in the face of adversity, we still found a way to move forward, increasing access and opportunities for our students no matter what.

Change is never easy, and we never have as much time as we might wish and hope for. But as 21st century leaders, we must continue to be bold in our vision, strategic and responsible in our planning, and balanced but progressive in approach. As researchers, scholars, and administrators, we are built to investigate and solve problems. I have always believed in creating and leaning into a positive, ambitious culture that positions people to succeed and be a part of the solution. Heightening the intensity and stakes in this work is the fact that many of our students come from minoritized or marginalized backgrounds and may not have a chance to elevate their lives without us. We did not achieve everything I had hoped we would in my time, but I know the system is poised to continue making the kind of progress our students and employees deserve.

Yes, many challenges lie before us; but I know that higher education is the engine that can power us to prosperity. Personally, it has been a blessing to lead this system these last four years. As Special Advisor to the Board, I remain deeply committed and look forward to continuing our work as we look to build upon the successes of CSCU.

I hope you all have a healthy, restful summer and I look forward to seeing so many of you next year.

With gratitude,

Terrence Cheng

Office of the Chancellor | Jun 26, 2025

Board of Regents Appoints Dr. O. John Maduko as Interim Chancellor of CSCU

Dear CSCU Community,

Today, the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) 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.

Dr. 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.

As the system's 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.

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.

Sincerely,

Marty Guay
Chair of the Board of Regents

Office of the Chancellor | Jun 06, 2025

Dr. Sandra Bulmer Appointed as Interim President of Southern Connecticut State University

Dear CSCU Community,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sandra Minor Bulmer, Ph.D., as interim president of Southern Connecticut State University.

Dr. Bulmer has extensive experience in higher education, including 26 years at Southern, and currently serves as the Dean of the university’s College of Health and Human Services. Previously, Dr. Bulmer served as a professor in Southern’s Department of Public Health. She begins her new role on July 1, 2025.

Southern has been Dr. Bulmer's home for 26 years, and her experience aligning academic programs with workforce demands paired with her deep ties to the Southern community will allow her to position the university for growth and impact.

Southern is on the rise with increased student enrollment, national recognition of its degree programs, and its designation as Connecticut's only Research 2 University, placing it among an elite group of universities nationwide. As Southern's interim president, Dr. Bulmer will work together with faculty, students, staff, community members, and other key stakeholders to continue Southern's great work and build on its legacy, while providing steady leadership and stability during this time of transition.

In November 2024, CSCU commenced a search for a permanent president of Southern. This process, which incorporated input from campus stakeholders and representatives across the CSCU system, concluded without a permanent appointment. A new presidential search for Southern is scheduled to be launched in Fall 2026, following the completion of the search for a permanent CSCU system leader. Further information regarding the renewed Southern Presidential Search will be provided as Fall 2026 approaches.

Dr. Dwayne Smith, who has served as the interim president of Southern since June 2023, will continue to serve as interim president until June 30, 2025. He will begin a new role with the CSCU system office serving as the Executive Director of Systemwide Advancement.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Smith for his unwavering commitment to Southern's mission as a social justice institution. His contributions to the university's culture of academic excellence will have a lasting impact on the Southern community.

An interim Dean of Southern’s College of Health and Human Services will be announced in the coming weeks.

CSCU will work closely with Southern leadership and community stakeholders on transitional plans to ensure a successful start to the Fall 2025 semester.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | May 06, 2025

Dr. Jesse M. Bernal Appointed as President of Western Connecticut State University

Dear CSCU Community,

I am pleased to announce that I will appoint Dr. Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D., as President of Western Connecticut State University. Dr. Bernal currently serves as the Vice President for Strategy and University Initiatives, Chief of Staff to the President, and Chief Executive of Public Charter Schools at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. Dr. Bernal begins his new role on July 11, 2025.

Dr. Bernal brings 25 years of experience leading institutional transformation, championing equity-centered student success, and forging innovative community and industry partnerships.

During his tenure at Grand Valley State University, Dr. Bernal oversaw the development of comprehensive strategic plans and supported the integration of parallel efforts in inclusion and equity, enrollment, digital transformation, and academic planning — collaborative work that contributed to a 28% increase in new student enrollment between 2020 and 2023. He also led the implementation of the university’s first performance dashboard and supported systems that advanced data-informed capacity analysis and market-responsive academic planning.

As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Bernal understands the transformative power of education. He has experienced firsthand how higher education serves as a vital gateway to social mobility, opportunity, and life-long success.

As the next President of Western Connecticut State University, he will work tirelessly to extend that same opportunity to WCSU’s students. Dr. Bernal will position Western Connecticut State University for a brighter future – one that is marked by growth, prominence, and impact.

I want to express my gratitude to WCSU Interim President Manohar Singh for serving as a dedicated and collaborative leader over the past two years. Dr. Singh has made significant contributions to the university’s culture of academic excellence and success and has built a strong foundation for Dr. Bernal to expand on. I also want to express my appreciation for Dr. Zulma Toro, President of Central Connecticut State University and chair of the Western Presidential Search Committee, as well as representatives of the Search and Search Advisory Committees for ensuring this was a successful process and that the priorities of the WCSU community were well-represented.

CSCU will work closely with WCSU leadership and community stakeholders on transitional plans to ensure a successful start to the Fall 2025 semester.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Feb 24, 2025

CSCU Community Message from Chancellor Cheng

Dear CSCU Community,

No matter where you are in your journey, whether you’re teaching in our classrooms, supporting student success behind the scenes, pursuing your education online at Charter Oak, cheering for the Blue Devils at Central, the Owls at Southern, the Warriors at Eastern, the Wolves at WestConn, or bringing your unique talents to one of our vibrant CT State community college campuses, you are an essential part of the CSCU family.

Our community thrives on the dedication, dreams, and achievements of our students, faculty, and staff from every corner of Connecticut and beyond. Together, we share a powerful mission: to provide accessible, innovative, and high-quality education that transforms lives and strengthens our communities.

As part of our commitment to this mission, our leadership team is closely monitoring recent federal directives issued by the new presidential administration. The Department of Education recently published a “Dear Colleague” letter addressed to all K-12 schools, colleges, and universities nationwide. This letter outlines how the administration interprets Supreme Court case law on race conscious admissions and its intention to enforce federal nondiscrimination laws in educational settings based upon a very broad application of that decision, emphasizing that compliance is essential to maintaining federal funding.

It is important to communicate that the “Dear Colleague” letter (DCL) is information as to the direction we can expect the federal government and the education department to move, but what the communication does not do is change the law. Our federal civil rights law and the statutory framework that governs non-discrimination (Title IX, Title VII, Title VI and ADA) have not been repealed and are still enforceable. In addition, we are also governed by state law which still provides robust protections here in Connecticut. Further, we do not interpret the DCL to require policy changes because CSCU institutions already have strong policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

At CSCU, we are firmly committed to upholding all state and federal law and are sensitive to the fact that federal funding plays a crucial role in supporting the success and well-being of all our students, faculty, and staff. We will continue to take necessary steps to ensure that we are following the law. We understand that these outlined changes may bring uncertainty and concern for some members of our community. Many of you may be looking for immediate answers to your questions, and while we are actively seeking clarity, it is important to remain patient and calm as the situation unfolds. We will do our due diligence, conduct necessary reviews to ensure continued compliance and best practices, and assess what if any potential impacts there are to our institutions and those we serve. Rest assured, we are dedicated to supporting you and keeping you informed as more information becomes available.

To foster open dialogue and support our community, the System Office’s Legal and Compliance team will be hosting six virtual town halls (one for each institution) in the coming weeks. These forums will provide faculty and staff with the opportunity to ask questions and receive updates directly from System Office leadership, including General Counsel Karen Buffkin and Chief Compliance Officer Cameron Liston. To ensure all questions are addressed, we will provide a form where questions can be submitted in advance. Additional details, including dates, times, and participation instructions, will be shared soon.

We are all in this together, and our strength as a community lies in our support for one another. If you need assistance or someone to talk to, please take advantage of the many resources available on your campus. During this time, it is more important than ever to support one another with compassion, respect, and understanding.

As we navigate this unprecedented environment together, remember that the strength of CSCU lies in our shared purpose and our commitment to lifting each other up. You are part of a community that values your contributions, supports your growth, and stands united in its mission to create opportunities and inspire success for everyone.

Together, we will continue to thrive, no matter the challenges or changes we face.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Jan 08, 2025

Start of the 2025 Legislative Session

With the 2025 legislative session underway, the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system office and the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education will be working tirelessly to strengthen our institutions across three key areas to drive student success: Accessibility, Completion, and Talent.

These efforts will help to increase student success in and out of the classroom, steady our financial footing, and ensure we continue to provide our students with the resources and services they need to thrive.

Accessibility: This year, we will have a robust conversation with lawmakers and stakeholders about ways to strengthen dual and concurrent enrollment programs. Further partnering with K-12 institutions will allow us to serve more students in high school (as early as 9th grade), which will help jumpstart their higher education journey and, ultimately, lead them to enroll in the CSCU system.

Completion: Our students face so many challenges. Some are juggling school and full-time or part-time work, others care for loved ones and family members, and some need access to critical resources such as our on-campus food pantries. In order to ensure student success, we need to take care of the whole student. By scaling our wraparound services, we can help more students access critical supports such as tutoring, mental health services, career development, and counseling.

Talent: It’s important that we provide our students with the pathway to further cultivate talent and connect them to mentors who will give them the hands-on experience they need to succeed after graduation. By strengthening our partnerships with industry and community leaders, we can better understand their hiring needs and connect them to the incredible talent pipeline we have across CSCU.

We are incredibly proud of all the work we have done together to move our state colleges and universities forward. We’ve diversified course offerings, made it easier for students to apply to our institutions, and expanded access to Connecticut’s debt free tuition program, all while reigning in costs. These efforts have resulted in an enrollment increase of 4.4% across the entire system.

This year, we are excited to build on this momentum by further investing in the future of our students, institutions, and system. I look forward to working with you all – institutional leaders, students, faculty, staff, and the members of the Board of Regents – to ensure we continue to be a part of Connecticut’s growth strategy.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Dec 23, 2024

CSCU Affirmative Action Plan and Policy Statement Annual Notice to Employees

Dear System Office Staff,

The CSCU System Office Affirmative Action Plan and Policy Statement have been approved by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). The Affirmative Action Plan is available to review in the Human Resources Office through the end of March 31, 2026. This Affirmative Action Plan covers the reporting period of March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2024.

As Chancellor, I am strongly committed to promoting the principles of affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. The Affirmative Action Plan guides us in our efforts to comply with state laws and regulations. Specifically, to identify strengths and weaknesses in our employment system, resolve problems and concerns as they appear, help prepare our current employees for advancement through training programs and affirmatively recruit new employees.

The CSCU System Office Affirmative Action Plan, Affirmative Action Policy Statement, and CSCU Affirmative Action Plan Executive Summary have been added to the CSCU website along with the Discrimination Complaint Procedure and BOR Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Please take a few minutes to review these documents:

Affirmative Action Plan
Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement
Affirmative Action Plan Executive Summary
Discrimination Complaint Process
BOR Interim Discriminatory Harassment, Nondiscrimination, and Title IX Policy

All employees shall conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner consistent with the various elements of the Affirmative Action Plan and supervisors will be held accountable for the day-to-day oversight and compliance of staff and related programs. Information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity can also be found on the CSCU website: https://www.ct.edu/hr/diversity

If you have any questions or comments about any aspect of the Affirmative Action Plan, Policy Statement, Summary of Objectives, or the Discrimination Complaint Process including suggestions for future enhancements, please contact Cameron Liston, Chief Compliance Officer at Cameron.liston@ct.edu. Any and all comments and questions on the Affirmative Action Plan will receive a response and will be accounted for in the next submission.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Dec 10, 2024

Updated Communication

Dear WestConn Community,

Following the special meeting of the Board of Regents (BOR) last week, significant attention has been directed toward Western Connecticut State University (WestConn). With the challenges and opportunities highlighted, it is now more important than ever to focus on and enhance the transformative work already underway to ensure WestConn’s long-term success and sustainability.

I am pleased to share that Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU), in collaboration with Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), is launching a three-year initiative aimed at achieving financial sustainability, academic excellence, and operational improvements for WestConn. Leadership from the System Office and CCSU will collaborate closely with WestConn’s leadership to provide critical guidance and strategies to support these goals.

This initiative leverages and compliments ongoing efforts at WestConn, including the newly- released strategic plan, which incorporates working groups tasked with addressing concerns raised by NECHE. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen the institution’s foundation and position it to thrive in an evolving higher education landscape.

This work will focus on the following key areas:

Operational Excellence (Dec 2024 – Jun 2025): Enhancing budgeting, academic program strategies, student services, and technology to create a more efficient and supportive environment for students.
Accreditation (Dec 2024 – Aug 2025 & Beyond): Building on existing work to meet NECHE’s recommendations by highlighting the progress, sharpening focus on key action areas, and demonstrating the ongoing commitment to providing a high-quality, student-centered education.
Five-Year Sustainability Plan (Dec 2024 – Dec 2027): Optimizing academic strengths, campus infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and enrollment strategies to secure WestConn’s long-term financial and operational health.

A cornerstone of this initiative is shared governance and broad stakeholder engagement. Faculty, staff, and students will play an integral role in shaping and implementing this work. We are committed to creating opportunities for collaboration and open dialogue to ensure this work reflects the collective voice of the WestConn community.

As we move forward, CSCU System Office and CCSU leadership will work closely with Interim President Singh and his leadership team, whose guidance and expertise will be instrumental in ensuring the success of this initiative and supporting the WestConn community.

I extend my deepest thanks to President Zulma Toro and her team at CCSU for their leadership and partnership in this effort. Together, we will ensure that WestConn remains a vibrant institution that continues to serve its students and the greater Danbury community with excellence.

We look forward to updating you as this work progresses. Your collaboration and engagement are vital to the success of this initiative.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
Chancellor, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Nov 25, 2024

CSCU Launches Search for the Next President of Southern Connecticut State University

Dear CSCU Community:

As we approach the end of the fall semester, I want to take a moment to thank our students, faculty, staff, and administrators for their hard work and dedication. This time of year is an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made together and to look ahead with optimism and purpose.

As mentioned in my remarks at last week’s Board of Regents meeting, I am pleased to announce the launch of a search for the next President of Southern Connecticut State University. Following extensive conversations with the Southern community, it is clear that establishing permanent leadership is a top priority. A permanent President will provide the stability and long-term vision needed to build on Southern’s strengths and chart a path forward for continued success in academic excellence, access, social justice, and service to the public good.

The search process will be inclusive and transparent, ensuring that the voices of Southern’s faculty, staff, students, alumni, and broader community are heard. We will begin with a campus listening tour in December to gather input on the qualities and experiences the university needs in its next leader. This feedback will shape a leadership profile that will guide the search and recruitment effort.

The Search Committee will be co-chaired by President John Maduko of CT State Community College and Jes Kraus, Southern's Chief Human Resources Officer, with the executive search firm WittKieffer facilitating the process. In the coming weeks, I will appoint representatives to the Search Committee, which will include key members of the Southern community.

Additionally, a Search Advisory Committee will be formed, bringing together a diverse group of individuals from across the university. This committee will include representatives from constituencies such as students, faculty, staff, community members, and other stakeholders. Their insights and input will ensure that the needs and priorities of the entire Southern community are well-represented throughout the search process.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Southern’s Interim President, Dr. Dwayne Smith, for his dedicated and collaborative leadership over the past year. Dr. Smith has shown an unwavering commitment to Southern’s mission as a social justice institution and a deep understanding of the transformative impact of public higher education. His contributions have been instrumental in advancing the university’s growth, and I am truly appreciative of his steadfast dedication to Southern’s ongoing success.

At the heart of this process is our unwavering commitment to students, ensuring they have access to equitable opportunities, a supportive environment, and the resources they need to succeed. Together, we will identify a leader who will continue to guide Southern into its next chapter, ensuring the university continues to be a vital part of our system’s impact and legacy.

Thank you for your dedication and support as we move forward in this important process. I look forward to the work ahead and the opportunities it will bring for Southern and the entire CSCU system.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Nov 21, 2024

CSCU Welcomes Michael Mundrane as Interim Chief Information Officer and Cameron Liston as Chief Compliance Officer

Dear CSCU Community,

We are pleased to announce the appointments of Michael Mundrane as the (Interim) Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Cameron Liston as Chief Compliance Officer for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system.

With over 28 years of extensive experience in IT leadership and a proven track record of driving technology innovation at both campus and state levels, Michael will lead CSCU's Office of Information Technology (OIT) to ensure alignment with the diverse needs of our institutions and communities.

Under the direction of the Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Michael will oversee the coordination, development, and improvement of IT systems, services, and policies across the CSCU system. His immediate focus will be assessing the unique IT needs of CT State as a newly consolidated institution, working closely with President Maduko and his team to provide tailored support. Additionally, Michael will collaborate with institutional technology leaders to align shared IT initiatives and implement policies and solutions that enhance IT services, driving operational efficiency and advancing the strategic goals of the entire CSCU system.

At the University of Connecticut, Michael spearheaded numerous major initiatives, including the development and execution of a five-year strategic plan for Information Technology Services, which guided the institution's IT evolution to better support its mission and constituents. His dedication to creating robust and forward-thinking systems has earned him recognition as a leader in advancing technology in higher education.

Michael’s expertise and vision will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our IT infrastructure, expand capabilities, and provide the tools necessary for student success and institutional growth.

Cameron Liston brings extensive experience in compliance, investigations, and legal affairs to this important role. He most recently served as the Title IX Coordinator at the University of Connecticut, where he coordinated the university’s system-wide response, prevention, and education initiatives related to Title IX and other relevant federal, state, and local laws. His work focused on ensuring compliance for UConn's Title IX program, specifically in student-involved matters.

Before his time at UConn, Cameron held the position of Associate Director of Investigations in UConn's Office of Institutional Equity. He also served as Assistant Director in the Office of University Rights and Responsibilities at Arizona State University, where he investigated discrimination and harassment allegations and developed procedures to ensure compliance with institutional policies.

Cameron is admitted to practice law in Arizona and earned his law degree from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Linguistics from Arizona State University, where he was recognized as a First Team Pac-12 Conference All-Academic honoree as a member of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams.

We are excited to have Michael and Cameron join the CSCU team, and we look forward to their leadership, expertise, and commitment they will bring to their new roles.
Michael and Cameron will begin their roles on November 29th.

Best regards,
Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Oct 29, 2024

Update on the Development of the ACT Framework

Dear CSCU Community,

I am pleased to share an update following the October 24th Board of Regents meeting, during which President Zulma Toro presented the progress of the Presidents’ Council’s work on developing goals for the ACT framework.

Accessibility | Expanding Talent Pipelines
Completion | Cultivating & Developing Talent
Talent | Activating Talent for Future Success

As a reminder, the BOR tasked the system office with working alongside each institution to establish systemwide goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each ACT pillar, with a target completion date in November. The Presidents' Council reviewed a preliminary analysis of each institution’s strategic plans, identifying common themes aligned with the ACT framework. These strategic plans, which ensure compliance with accrediting bodies and governance structures, served as the foundation for developing systemwide goals focused on enhancing student success — a core mission of all CSCU institutions.

Our six presidents have identified the following shared goals under the ACT Framework, which can be found on the ACT website, created to keep all stakeholders informed of the initiative's progress.

Next Steps:

Our presidents will begin engaging with each institution’s shared governance structures to review the identified goals. Together, they will develop the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) needed to track and measure progress on these goals at the institutional level.
The system office team will also meet with the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC) to ensure input and representation from across the system.
Once this process is complete, the Presidents' Council, in collaboration with the system office team, will review each institution’s KPIs and determine a consolidated KPI for each systemwide goal under the ACT Framework. This will result in a total of 9 systemwide goals and 9 corresponding KPIs.
Our objective is to finalize the systemwide goals and their associated systemwide KPIs in November for review by the Board of Regents.

This initiative represents an exciting opportunity for us to collaborate in defining and measuring student success across the CSCU system. We look forward to your active engagement and feedback as we move forward with this important work.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Aug 26, 2024

CSCU Launches Search for the Next President of Western Connecticut State University

Dear CSCU Colleagues,

As we kick off the fall 2024 academic year, I want to wish all our students, faculty, staff, and administrators the very best as the semester begins. This time of year brings many opportunities to grow, learn, and make meaningful strides together.

With that in mind, I want to provide an update on the search for the next President of Western Connecticut State University. As highlighted in the recent NECHE report, the university requires stability and consistent, steady leadership to move forward effectively. The need for a permanent president who can provide a long-term vision and direction has been strongly emphasized, and we are committed to addressing this crucial need.

To that end, we will begin the search for WestConn’s next leader this fall. Our focus is not only on finding a leader who embodies stability but also someone who can enhance communication, foster shared governance, and bring innovative approaches to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our goal is to build a strong foundation that will support WestConn’s continued success for years to come.

We are dedicated to conducting a thorough and inclusive search process that engages the entire WestConn community. Together, we will identify a president who can lead WestConn into a future marked by growth, collaboration, excellence, and innovation.

I want to express my gratitude to Western Connecticut State University Interim President Singh for serving as a dedicated and collaborative leader over the past year. Dr. Singh has made significant contributions to the university’s culture of academic excellence and student success by introducing innovative programs and helping to improve WestConn’s approach to recruitment and retention. There is no doubt that Dr. Singh’s contributions will have a lasting impact, and I am deeply appreciative of his commitment to WestConn’s continued success.

The search committee will be chaired by Central Connecticut State University President Dr. Zulma Toro, with the executive search firm WittKieffer facilitating the process. WittKieffer will begin their work in September with a campus listening tour to gather WestConn’s insights on the qualities and experiences the university needs in its next President. The resulting leadership profile will be essential in recruiting the most qualified and innovative candidates.

In the coming weeks, I will appoint representatives to the Search Committee, which will include key members from the WestConn community. Additionally, a Search Advisory Committee will be established, bringing together a diverse group of individuals from across the university. This committee will include representatives from various constituencies such as students, staff, faculty, community members, and other stakeholders, and their input will ensure that the needs and priorities of the entire WestConn community are well-represented throughout this process.

I look forward to the work ahead, and to the ultimate outcome: a President who will position Western Connecticut State University for growth, prominence, and impact.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | May 16, 2024

Appointment of Eastern Connecticut State University Interim President

Dear CSCU Community,

I am pleased to inform you that Dr. William Salka, Eastern Connecticut State University’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, has been appointed Interim President for Eastern. Dr. Salka will serve as Interim President of Eastern beginning June 1 until July 4, following the retirement of Dr. Elsa Núñez on May 31.

As Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Salka has worked with academic departments to ensure that Eastern’s curriculum remains relevant to the evolving needs of its students and economy, leveraging market data to identify key skills and career paths for graduates. He played a pivotal role in shaping Eastern’s new liberal arts core, which prioritizes critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication, creativity, and quantitative literacy. Dr. Salka also provided leadership during Eastern’s rigorous 10-year accreditation process by the New England Commission or Higher Education, ensuring that Eastern met and exceeded accreditation standards.

Following the duration of Dr. Salka’s appointment as Interim President, Dr. LaMar Coleman, Vice President for Equity & Diversity at Eastern, will take over as Interim President from July 5 to July 30. In his current role, Dr. Coleman supports Eastern’s longstanding commitment to equity and diversity and oversees the university’s compliance with all state and federal laws pertaining to equity, diversity, and civil rights. Dr. Coleman played a pivotal role in enhancing Eastern’s Title IX processes and has revamped the Affirmative Action search procedures while also providing diversity awareness trainings and programs. Dr. Coleman has positioned Eastern to be a model for its Title IX incident-response by the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) and he has been called upon to assist other institutions throughout the CSCU System with Title IX and other civil rights investigations. Prior to serving as the Vice President for Equity & Diversity, Dr. Coleman led the largest department within the Division of Student Affairs as Eastern’s Director of Housing and Residential Life. In this role he developed numerous initiatives to enhance student success and the overall collegiate experience for all residential students.

Last week, I announced that I will appoint Dr. Karim Ismaili as the next president of Eastern Connecticut State University. He begins his new role on July 31. Dr. Ismaili is currently Executive Vice President and Provost at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, where he advanced new degree programs based on workforce needs; guided successful interim and comprehensive regional (NECHE) accreditation reviews; and deepened relationships with public and private higher educational institutions to build academic pathways.

We are so grateful for Dr. Núñez's leadership at Eastern over the past 18 years. She has given so much to Eastern and has contributed greatly to the university’s culture of academic excellence and student success. Under her steadfast leadership, the university has cemented itself as the state's public liberal arts institution. This is an exciting time for Dr. Ismaili and Eastern’s incredible students, faculty, and staff to write the next chapter.

CSCU will continue to work closely with Eastern leadership and community stakeholders throughout this transition to ensure a successful start to the Fall 2024 semester.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Feb 20, 2024

Update on Today's Appropriation

Dear CSCU Community,

Today, we gave testimony before the legislature’s Appropriations Committee to underscore why our colleges and universities are the best investment the state can make.

VIDEO: Chancellor Terrence Cheng Provides Update on Appropriations Committee Hearing

Many members of the CSCU community joined us at the Legislative Office Building as we advocated for the additional funding needed to address the $47.6 million shortfall in fiscal year 2025.

I want to thank our college and university presidents – Ed Klonoski (Charter Oak State College); John Maduko (CT State); Elsa Núñez (Eastern Connecticut State University); Manohar Singh (Western Connecticut State University); Dwayne Smith (Southern Connecticut State University); and Zulma Toro (Central Connecticut State University) – and countless students, faculty, and staff who showed their support for our institutions at today’s hearing by highlighting how this funding can make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

While our system makes an $11 billion annual impact on the state’s local economy, the real value lies in the significant and positive effect our institutions, faculty, and staff have on the lives of our students. For so many, our colleges and universities represent a vital gateway to social mobility, opportunity, and success.

With 78 days left in the 2024 legislative session, let's unite to secure the additional funding our system needs. Please consider reaching out to your legislators through calls, emails, testimony at public hearings, or personal meetings. Our dedicated faculty and staff, who interact with our students daily, play a critical role. Sharing personal stories about how your work has positively influenced students' lives and strengthened our communities is one of the most effective advocacy tools available.

Call, meet, or email your legislator.
- Find Your Legislators (cga.ct.gov)
Submit testimony for a public hearing.
- A Guide for Testifying at Public Hearings and Reaching State Legislators (cga.ct.gov)
- Appropriations Committee Written Testimony Submission (cga.ct.gov)

Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll continue to work closely with Governor Lamont’s office and state lawmakers to ensure higher education funding remains a top priority for the state this year.

Sincerely,
Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Office of the Chancellor | Feb 07, 2024

2024 Legislative Session

Dear CSCU Community,

Today marks the start of the 2024 legislative session. Every day from now until midnight on May 8, we will be fighting to ensure CSCU receives the funding it needs to continue to foster the next generation of teachers, nurses, manufacturers, and corporate leaders.

This year, state lawmakers are faced with a simple question: are the next generation of teachers, nurses and healthcare professionals, and manufacturers worth investing in; or will we stifle the growth of Connecticut’s workforce and economic future?

VIDEO: Watch Chancellor Terrence Cheng's Remarks

Our faculty are second to none and are committed to doing everything they can to help our students succeed. But we can’t do this alone. It is critical for the Governor’s Office, state lawmakers, key stakeholders and advocates to all work together to implement a solution that puts our students first.

Over the coming weeks and months, we will advocate for the additional funding we need to address the $47.6 million shortfall in fiscal year 2025.

Our universities and colleges have an $11 billion annual impact on the state’s economy and play an integral role in the state’s success and ability to balance its operating budget. Now it is time for the state to help further support our students and their futures.

Our colleges and universities are key economic drivers, helping to meet the state’s needs. In spring 2023, we graduated more than 8,700 students, many with degrees in high demand fields such as health care, education, manufacturing, and business. In addition, an estimated total of more than 12,000 credentials were conferred during the spring 2023 semester.

In spring 2023, CSCU graduated 1,721 students in health professions and related clinical sciences; 1,648 students in business, management, marketing, and related support services; 946 students in education; 670 students in psychology; 568 students in advanced manufacturing; 384 students in public administration and social service professions; and 299 students in engineering technologies/technicians.

Through additional funding, this number will only grow, and we can continue to increase the number of workers we educate, train and graduate to meet Connecticut’s workforce shortage.

Our students have gone on to achieve remarkable milestones and accomplishments: Rhode Scholars, Fulbright Scholars, state legislators, members of Congress, professional athletes, governors, writers, teachers and school administrators, corporate leaders, and leading healthcare providers and manufacturers.

If we fail to invest in our students, we may miss out on an opportunity to be a main chapter in Connecticut’s growth story.

Governor Lamont has challenged businesses and aspiring leaders to “Make It Here.” Let’s help our students do just that by making critical investments in their education and career.

Sincerely,
Chancellor Terrence Cheng

Office of the Chancellor | Sep 11, 2023

Welcoming Adam Joseph

Dear CSCU Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce that Adam Joseph, who currently serves as director of communications for the Office of Governor Ned Lamont, has agreed to join the CSCU system as our Vice Chancellor of External Affairs.

Adam brings valuable experience in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and crisis management, having worked in multiple levels of state and local government. As director of communications for Governor Lamont, Adam leads a diverse team of communications specialists and is the administration’s lead communications strategist and primary on-the-record spokesperson.

He also works closely with legislative and policy departments to craft multi-audience communications plans and advocacy strategies to build support from the public and from within the Connecticut General Assembly for the governor’s legislative priorities. Adam manages the governor’s and state’s brand through strategic media relations, social media and advertising to shape media coverage and positive public perception of the administration.

Adam previously served as chief of staff for the Office of Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz throughout the duration of the Lamont administration’s first four-year term. In that role, Adam oversaw the office’s strategic planning, policy, communications, legislative matters, and operations. From 2011 to 2019, he served as communications director for Senate President Pro Tempores Don Williams, Jr., and Martin M. Looney, and the Connecticut Senate Democratic Caucus. Before that, he was communications director for then Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz. He began his career working in the New York State Senate. Adam is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

I look forward to working with Adam as he brings his extensive communications and external relations experience in state government to the CSCU system. I am confident that Adam’s commitment to shared collaboration and fostering strategic partnerships will be an asset to our colleges and universities.

Adam will officially begin on October 6, 2023, and with his hiring, the Chancellor’s executive team is complete. Team members include:

Dr. Rai Kathuria
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
Dr. Lloyd Blanchard
Interim Vice President for Administration and CFO
Jessica Paquette
Vice Chancellor for System Affairs and Chief of Staff
Adam Joseph
Vice Chancellor of External Affairs
Vita Litvin
Interim General Counsel
Daniel Aniello
Executive Director for System Project Management
Dr. Paul Beran
Senior Advisor for System Innovation

In the meanwhile, I ask you to join me in welcoming Adam to CSCU.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
Chancellor, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Aug 16, 2023

Thanking Dr. Beran and Introducing Dr. Singh

Dear CSCU Colleagues:

I am announcing this morning that Interim President Paul Beran will step back into an advisory role before the beginning of the fall semester. Over the past academic year, Dr. Beran has brought decisive leadership to WCSU, and I look forward to working with him as a contributor in the CSCU leadership team going forward.

“It has been my privilege to complete my higher education leadership and teaching career spanning forty-four years at Western Connecticut State University as the interim president this past year,” Beran said. “We have made significant changes in university leadership, institutional organization, and fiscal management strategies. Faculty, staff, and administration have worked together collaboratively to shape WCSU into the 21st century institution it must be to serve our students and the communities that depend on our university for an educated workforce. WCSU is now poised to re-emerge as a strong engine of innovation, inclusiveness, social awareness, and career readiness, led by a gifted faculty and dedicated administration.”

We will continue to build upon WCSU’s accomplishments under Dr. Beran’s leadership. To that end, it is my pleasure to announce that I am appointing Dr. Manohar Singh, who currently serves as dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Southern Connecticut State University, to succeed Dr. Beran as interim president at WCSU. For the past 11 months, Dr. Singh has been working closely with me as part of his American Council on Education fellowship and has gained invaluable insight, knowledge, and perspective about the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. He has significant academic experience and is an expert in both the practice and theory of public finance, having served in faculty positions at Penn State University, Willamette University, University of Nevada-Reno, Long Island University (LIU), University of New Hampshire-Durham, and University of New South Wales (Australia). Coming from a faculty position, he has a deep understanding and commitment to the principles of shared governance; indeed, he served as both chair and vice chair of the faculty senate for the Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies during his time at Penn State.

In addition, Dr. Singh – who is the first generation in his family to go to college – served as an academic administrator as dean of the College of Professional Studies at Humboldt State University, as division head for business and social sciences at Penn State Abington, and as interim chair of the Department of Finance at LIU – in addition to his current role at Southern Connecticut State University. He has also held governmental positions in India as a member of the Indian Civil Services.

I invite you to take a moment to learn more about Dr. Singh’s background. His experience will serve him well as he seeks to build a strong, cooperative, and productive relationship with WCSU’s faculty and staff.

About Dean Singh (southernct.edu)

Dr. Singh will begin his role on August 25, and while his title may be “interim president,” I expect him to be here for the long haul. I have the greatest confidence that he will build on Dr. Beran’s successes and rise to the challenge as an effective, collaborative, and stable leader for Western Connecticut State University.

“Higher education is about access and opportunity,” Dr. Singh added. “Western Connecticut State University has incredible assets, from a world-class faculty dedicated to academic excellence, to a committed and talented staff, to an intelligent, diverse and driven student body. Significant budgetary and demographic challenges of course remain. Yet, I am confident that the future of WCSU is bright. I intend to bring a collaborative approach to the interim presidency. I believe that it is only through adhering to the principles of shared governance that the university can live up to its full potential.”

Finally, in close consultation with the Board of Regents, after listening very carefully to the community’s concerns during WittKieffer’s listening tour in early May and during our many discussions with campus leadership groups, we will be suspending the WCSU presidential search. We heard in no uncertain terms that, given our current budget challenges, WCSU cannot wait a year and a half for a new president to get acclimated, and that we should focus our time and attention on the issues most pressing to WCSU’s students and the Danbury community. I hear those concerns; I agree, and I believe that the best path forward is to appoint an interim leader with significant experience in all aspects of higher education to guide the activities for the next few years.

I believe that Dr. Singh will be that leader, and I ask you to give him a warm welcome to Western Connecticut State University.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
Chancellor, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Aug 02, 2023

Fiscal Update

Dear CSCU Colleagues,

I hope your summer is going well. I am writing today with an update on the system’s current financial situation, and the direction of activities that will take place this coming year.

Over the course of this past year’s legislative session, so many of us worked hard to advocate for resources. Together we successfully made a case for and secured greater state funding for FY 2024. Still, some of our institutions face significant shortfalls in FY 2024, and, as a system, we are confronted with a projected deficit of $147 million for CSCU in FY 2025.

We do indeed plan on significant advocacy efforts during the upcoming legislative session. Our situation requires no less. It is tempting to rely solely on the hope that our state partners will find additional funding. But expecting and relying on additional funds from the next legislative session, or depleting reserves to address the FY 2025 deficit and beyond, is not a viable strategic approach. The reality is that we must live within the budget as appropriated, and fully engage in the challenging work of aligning our operational expenditures within the available financial framework.

In the coming months, we will announce system-wide initiatives aimed at bolstering enrollment and generating additional revenue. In the meantime, to ensure that our students continue to experience quality and academic excellence, system office and institutional leaders are working together to develop budget deficit mitigation strategies that ensure the long-term fiscal health of our system and institutions. I have tasked our presidents with taking the lead on these inclusive efforts to find solutions that meet the needs of their campuses and communities. This will be a collaborative effort, and I, as well as your campus leadership team, will be in regular contact throughout the process to keep you updated on the progress and seek your guidance.

I have full confidence in our system office and institutional leaders who are diligently working to develop short- and long-term strategies to improve our system’s outlook. We are committed to keeping you informed and engaged throughout this collaborative process, and to adhering to shared governance principles and processes. I am confident that we will navigate this together and emerge stronger than ever, moving beyond short-term mitigation and toward a sustained long-term trajectory that puts us on firm financial footing, as we continue to proudly serve the residents and communities of Connecticut.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
Chancellor, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Jun 28, 2023

BOR Budget Actions

Dear CSCU Community:

Earlier this year, the Board of Regents (BOR) deferred action on several important items, including tuition and fees at CT State and Charter Oak, pending the resolution of the state budget. Today, the BOR adopted a spending plan for FY2024 that takes several important steps to solidify CSCU’s position for FY2024 and begins to make preparations for the $116 million cut in overall state funding expected in FY2025, the second year of biennial state budget.

Some important action items include:

A 5 percent increase in tuition and mandatory fees at CT State; this represents a $266 annual increase for full-time community college students.
A 3 percent increase in undergraduate tuition and fees at Charter Oak and a 2 percent increase in graduate-level tuition and fees.
Requiring the system office to develop and administer procedures for all CSCU institutions to undertake a systemic review of academic offerings to ensure they are meeting student needs and workforce demands and are financially sustainable within anticipated state subsidy levels.
Charging CSCU leadership to conduct a thorough, data-driven analysis of the CSCU system organization, structures, policies, and practices and to make recommendations for the future of CSCU.
And requiring all CSCU institutions to develop and submit FY25 deficit mitigation plans to the Board of Regents by November 1, 2023 for their consideration and approval.

These are difficult decisions. The board and the system office understand the struggles our students face and see tuition increases as a last resort. At the same time, the financial reality driven by significant projected declines in state support are such that action is needed now.

Over the coming year, we will continue to work in a collaborative manner, allowing institutional presidents and their leadership teams to take the lead on developing mitigation strategies for FY2025 that meet campus and community needs. They will approach this process with open ears and open minds, but with the understanding that we must do everything in our power to ensure the long-term viability of our colleges and universities. Our students deserve nothing less.

This represents a first step in that work, and as always, your institutional leaders and I will continue to keep you updated.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
Chancellor, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Jun 21, 2023

CT State Receives NECHE Accreditation

Dear CSCU Community,

I am pleased to share with you a message that Dr. John Maduko sent yesterday to our community college colleagues announcing that CT State Community College has officially received accreditation from the New England Commission for Higher Education (NECHE).

After several years of hard work and preparation, NECHE’s accreditation of CT State is a monumental milestone. From the Board of Regents who provided vision and guidance, to system, institutional and campus leaders who created and executed strategies, to the faculty and staff who worked so hard to merge curricula and processes, this has been a collaborative effort.

Since its inception, this merger has been about ensuring we meet the needs of the students we serve. I am more confident than ever, after this vote of confidence from our accreditor, that we will be in a position to provide better, more accessible educational options and improved services.

This has not always been easy, but if we are ultimately able to better serve our students, our communities, and our state, it will have been more than worthwhile.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Greetings, Colleagues and Friends,

The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), at its June 16 meeting held in York Harbor, Maine, voted to grant initial accreditation to Connecticut State Community College effective July 1, 2023.

For over seven years, thousands of stakeholders and tens of thousands of hours have made this momentous plan a reality.

We are very pleased with the commission’s decision to approve our candidacy, which officially allows for the consolidation of our 12 legacy community colleges and the launch of Connecticut State Community College as a singly accredited multi-campus institution.

While there is still much work to be done through a continuous improvement process, this announcement marks a pivotal milestone in our college’s early history in establishing our mission of transforming lives and communities here in the great state of Connecticut through higher education.

We are thankful and humbled for the commission’s acknowledgment that CT State clearly complies with all nine of NECHE’s Standards of Accreditation, signifying a quality institution.

We now await the official letter from NECHE at the beginning of next month that will outline a series of steps to ensure we maintain our progress and prepare for a site visit on our campuses in the Spring of 2025, followed by a focus evaluation in the Fall of 2027.

Our next steps will be to continue finalizing the technical and regulatory aspects of the merger, prepare to welcome CT State’s inaugural class this fall semester, address the concerns around the logistics of the merger, and work in partnership with our faculty and staff to stabilize the initial aspects of our new college.

Many thanks to the faculty, staff, and administrators from across our campuses and in New Britain who tirelessly worked to help CT State satisfy and comply with NECHE’s standards, our colleagues in the CSCU shared services departments of finance, IT, general counsel, human resources, and facilities for their support and involvement throughout the process, our Board of Regents and President Cheng’s office, and last, but not least Drs. Michael Rooke and Mary Ellen Jukoski for their leadership in managing the progress report process.

Please click the link below to view NECHE’s public statement on CT State’s approval for initial accreditation.

Public Statement on Connecticut State Community College

In Partnership,

John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)
President
Connecticut State Community College

Office of the Chancellor | May 01, 2023

Asian/Pacific Heritage Month

Dear CSCU Community:

In recognition of Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I would like to recognize the contributions that AAPI students, faculty, staff, and administrators make daily to the broader CSCU community. From academic achievements to artistic and cultural insights, the talents and expertise of our AAPI colleagues and friends strengthen our institutions and campuses and help to create a vibrant and inclusive community. We honor their talent, perseverance, and dedication, and acknowledge the challenges they have faced and continue to face, particularly as vitriol and outright violence against Asians in the U.S. have increased in recent years.

In particular, I want to lift up the scholarly work of those colleagues who have devoted their professional careers to Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander studies. The institutions across our system are fortunate to have outstanding faculty and staff supporting academic programs and courses, as well as student groups, cultural centers and more. Our faculty members have conducted important research in a multitude of academic arenas: Asian and Asian-American history and diaspora studies, language and anthropology, intercultural communication, economics, life sciences, computer science and engineering, business, management, and more. Their work, the creation of new knowledge, combined with pedagogical prowess only helps to enrich our students’ educations.

In that vein, I was asked by Dr. Karen Ritzenhoff, Professor of Communication at Central Connecticut State University, to give a talk last month at "Squid Game & Beyond: Utopia and Dystopia in Contemporary Asian Popular Culture,” a conference hosted at CCSU that examined the evolution and influence of Asian popular culture. It was an honor to be included amongst a cast of esteemed scholars from Connecticut, and from around the world. The link to the recorded talk is here, and the transcript is also included at the end of this message.

President Cheng "Squid Game" Talk (YouTube)

Lastly, I must confess, I am conflicted writing these messages that celebrate the contributions and achievements of certain ethnic and cultural groups. On the one hand, it is necessary and important to shine light on the work of those who are part of minoritized groups. On the other hand, I fear we only strengthen historically inequitable structures that compartmentalize people as “the other” when we lean into such traditions that reinforce separation.

I would argue that every month is and should be Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Native American Heritage Month, Pride Month, Disability Awareness Month, AAPI Heritage Month, and so on. The mosaic of this nation’s history, and future, is built on the blood, muscle, and bone of all our people. But until we can recognize that, without it having to be highlighted; until every thread of the American tapestry is accepted for its full value and contributions, we will take the opportunity to celebrate everyone who makes CSCU, Connecticut, and our nation strong.

I hope you all have a great end to the semester. Thank you for your hard work.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Pres. Terrence Cheng: Squid Game and Beyond Talk Transcript

Good morning everyone! I’m sorry I can’t be with you in person today. I had been planning on being there, but state business has pulled me away. But I know this entire conference is going to be amazing.

I want to thank Karen Ritzenhoff and all of the conference organizers for the hard work they have put in to make this happen. Dr. Ritzenhoff saw me walking around campus last fall and asked me if I’d like to speak. Of course, I said yes—what an honor to be among so many distinguished critics and scholars from Connecticut, the U.S., and around the world!

I’ll admit, I don’t believe I was invited to give a talk because of my scholarly expertise in this area. I was invited because I’m the chancellor of our system, and because I’m Asian.

And you know what? That’s ok! But I hope to contribute to this conference with some perspective, and my personal story.

Because the fact that you are having this conference is important. It’s important to research, and critical to the academic lens and rising trajectory of several fields.

It’s also important to people like me, who decades ago never would have dreamed of a conference like this. Finally, it’s important to our students, who will normalize these next few days and expect such dialogue, investigation, and focus to be the baseline as they continue in their own journeys.

So: who am I? I was born in Taipei, Taiwan in 1972 and moved to the U.S. with my parents in 1973. My parents both had good jobs in Taiwan but came to the U.S. for a better life—for me. But life at first was not necessarily better.

My mother spoke some English, so she waited tables. My father did not speak good English, so he pumped gas and stocked grocery shelves. We didn’t have a lot of money—and somehow they made it work. This is not an uncommon story, but to me, back then, it felt uncommon.

We lived in Levittown, NY, the only non-white family in our neighborhood. At school, I was teased and bullied. I didn’t understand anything about anything, except that I was different. I didn’t learn about Levittown’s racist past until I was maybe in my 30s, and frankly I didn’t think about or understand anything about structural or systemic racism until I was well into my 40s. As a kid growing up, I just knew I was an outsider.

But growing up wasn’t all horrible. There were a lot of things I loved and looked forward to: like Kung Fu Theater.

Some of you may remember if you grew up in the 80s—every Saturday afternoon, there was a kung fu movie, and you scrambled to make sure you were in front of that TV to watch.

These were mostly Hong Kong films made in the 70s, poorly dubbed and 100% scintillating. “The Five Deadly Venoms,” and “Five Fingers of Death,” or “Unbeatable Dragon”…you see my point. For a 10 year old Chinese kid in New York, those two hours every Saturday were an important escape.

What would it be like to be a chiseled, fearless warrior, the slayer of evil, or savior of a land? What would it be like to be able to use your fists and feet, not to mention swords and spears and num-chuks like that—to be superhuman and fly through the air with kicks and twists and spins?

Because growing up in the 80s, day to day, I had no such heroes. I already worshipped Bruce Lee even though he died just one year after I was born. But his myth, his legacy, had already somehow permeated my sensibilities and I knew that he was the ultimate.

The flying kicks, the 12-pack abs, the one-inch punch, the speed and grace of a killer angel and the facial expressions to make sure we all knew that if he was killing someone, or just kicking their ass, he truly, truly meant it!

Later this conference you’ll hear from Charles Yu, and he will talk about his brilliant novel “Interior Chinatown.” Please don’t miss that talk. His book breaks down, better than I ever could, why Bruce Lee was—and still is—the ultimate.

We loved Bruce Lee so much that we even loved his impersonators—Bruce Li, or Bruce Le, and I’m sure there were at least one of two others.

It didn’t matter! Those folks looked like me and did things I wished I could do. They allowed a young Chinese boy in NY to dream.

Because when there wasn’t Kung Fu theatre or a Bruce Lee knock-off, there was no me, or fantasy me, on screen. Even the martial arts movies I grew up with—"Karate Kid” or “Bloodsport” or movies with Chuck Norris and eventually Steven Seagal—had white heroes.

Let’s meditate on that for a second—martial arts movies, with white heroes.

Don’t get me wrong—I enjoyed them. I will still sit down and watch “Karate Kid” from whichever point I pick it up when I’m flipping channels. But Asian faces were not present on big or small screens.

Even the television series “Kung Fu”—think about it, the show’s title is “KUNG FU”—starred a non-Asian actor playing a Shaolin monk. A role that Bruce Lee—the REAL Bruce Lee—was passed up for!

So: ages 12 through 18 were kind of a blur. I was one of 3 Asians in my high school. I couldn’t ignore it, but I did everything I could to not think about race. I was still an outsider, and nothing was going to change that. I just tried to blend in day-to-day and survive.

I do remember one moment during that time, and it would be a moment that would, eventually, change my life.

I was a senior in high school, and working at a nightclub—picking up garbage, stocking the bar. We were closing, but I saw on the television, images of smoke and fire, shadows and chaos. I saw Asian faces—Chinese faces. I saw soldiers with guns and tanks and people hurt and crying. I saw anguish, and I saw blood.

This was not a show, or a movie. I was watching coverage of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

I remember feeling numb, not sure what to think or what to do.

So I went back to work, and then I went home, and eventually I went to bed.

It wasn’t until I was in college that I distinctly remember Asian faces on screen again. It was the 90s, and there was talk of a new show. It was going to be groundbreaking. It was going to change things. It was going to give us Asians hope and a kind of representation in the mainstream that we’d never had before. Maybe it was the kind of show that would validate us, prove that we deserved respect—that we were not outsiders, but legitimate threads of the American tapestry like everyone else.

This is what we saw.

In college, I decided I was going to be a writer. So I studied and found my literary heroes: Cormac McCarthy, Don DeLillo, Philip Roth, William Faulkner.

See any similarities?

I didn’t study Chinese or Asian writers. I was too ignorant and too stubborn to explore, still pushing away my Chinese history and heritage. I didn’t listen to the advice of my professors. They told me that my writing was good, technical, but lacked heart and depth and passion.

I told them they were wrong; doesn’t that sound familiar?

It wasn’t until graduate school that I started to listen. My advisors, John Balaban and Lester Goran, pushed me. They both had incredible stories and work driven by their experiences, their passions, the disruptions and tragedies and joys that shaped their lives.

So I asked myself: what pushed me, what shaped me, what disrupted me? And it forced me to see and embrace who I was, and who my family was.

Imposter syndrome is real until you become comfortable with who you are. Then you are no longer an imposter.

I thought back to Tianamen Square, that night in the club watching destruction burn. Just a day later, there would be the man in front of the tank.

I wanted to know who he was.

Writing “Sons of Heaven” was cathartic. The novel imagines the life of “tank man.” It was a test. It was an obsession. And it is the one thing that has instrumentally and tangibly changed every aspect of my life.

“Sons of Heaven” to me was a reconciliation. I had to reconcile the fact that there was so much I didn’t know—about Chinese history, about my own family’s history, and about myself.

There was also the process of writing for validation—would the book be published? Would it be successful? Would it make a difference and matter in the world?

It was published, fortunately. But was it successful? Yes and no. Did it become a movie and make me filthy rich? No. Did I even earn out my advance? Not even close!

But did it help me in my life? Absolutely. So I’m going to call it a success.

Did it make a difference or matter in the world? I’ll say this: just a few years ago, I was on a panel with someone who said “Sons of Heaven” was the first book he had read where he felt he saw himself.

I was blown away. Because if you can create art that moves people, that makes them connect, makes them feel seen—then it matters. Maybe that is how we should calibrate success.

My second novel was a bit of a lark. My wife and I got married on a Saturday, and on Sunday our wedding announcement came out in the NY Times. On Monday I got a call from an editor, an Asian woman who had read “Sons of Heaven.” She asked me if I wanted to write a book.

“Deep in the Mountains” was published less than two years later, and it was another journey of reconciliation. It allowed me to delve further into art—the study of Zhu Qizhen and Chinese painting, and connecting that to my own grandmother, who was a politician but also a painter.

It allowed me to examine my own past, the complex relationship between immigrant parents and first-generation children, the balance between being seen and unseen, being young and finding yourself and coming to terms with who and what you are.

I don’t get a lot of fan-mail these days, which is the nice way of saying, I don’t get fan-mail. “Deep in the Mountains” certainly did not make the Amazon Top 100 list, much less the NY Times bestseller list. I don’t know if “Deep in the Mountains” has been read by some Chinese or Asian kid out there who might say, “Wow, I get that.” Or they might say, “This story is dumb.” I don’t know.

But if they read it, maybe they’ll see and feel even a small glimmer or twinge. Maybe it will make them feel comfortable and ok, just for a moment, like they belong on the page, or the screen, or in the classroom, or conference room, or just in life.

Maybe it will tell them that their challenge is a shared one, and that they are not alone. I hope this is the case, and if it is, then this book, too, I would call a success.

It wasn’t until after grad school, when I was working, that I remember a film with all-Asian characters and an Asian story in the mainstream.

I’d never seen anything like it—“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” directed by the great Ang Lee. It’s a martial arts film, but it’s also a drama, and a period piece; a sliver of Chinese history and mythological fiction, that’s well acted, beautifully produced, and ultimately groundbreaking.

I think it’s clear we’ve made even more progress in the last 23 years since “Crouching Tiger.”

So here I’m going to remind you—I’m just a guy, a writer. I’m not a filmmaker or historian. If I miss a title in this list, don’t get mad at me!

But what an abundance of talent and variety of stories and representation we have today. “Crazy Rich Asians,” and “Minari,” “Pachinko” and “Parasite,” “Shang Chi,” and animated films like “Turning Red” and “Bao” and so much more.

Of course there is the namesake of this conference, the indelible “Squid Game.” And now—maybe next year’s conference?—“Everything Everywhere All at Once”!

These are great works; some of them will become legend. They tell remarkable stories and they make us see and feel in ways we have not before, with characters we have historically never seen portrayed as anything but “the other.”

They show us what I had hoped All-American Girl might begin to show—that we are here, that we belong, that we are human and not “the other.”

We are not objects or punchlines or sideshows or affectations. We are indeed legitimate strands of America and the American story. The penetration and permeation of these great works drives home that message, charts that path, and paves the way.

But why is this so important to me personally?

Because the 10 year old kid in me, who wished he wasn’t Chinese, who just wanted to be like everyone else—that kid sees where we are now and knows the pain was worth it, and knows he is not alone.

The 30 year old me, the writer trying to find his way, looking for a path beyond tokenism, who was mystified by barriers he could not see and did not understand—wondering about white editors and why would they care, and white readers, why would they care?

That struggling upcoming writer and young man, knows that he wasn’t all wrong, and knows he is part of something that grew into something more, and that he was not, and is not alone.

The 50 year old me, the professor and administrator, the husband and father. He sees progress and knows that his children, and maybe someday his grandchildren, will find all this to be normal: Asians on TV, Asians in movies, Asians in books and in music. Maybe BTS won’t be a k-pop band anymore—they’ll just be a band.

This 50 year old (51 to be exact) can have more faith that the world will accept his daughters without thinking, and not find their pearl and golden skin and round faces and almond-shaped eyes to be of any note at all. They will just be, which is all any of us can truly want.

I said at the beginning that this conference is important—all of your work in this vein, in this arena, is important. The arc and trajectory that you are contributing to is important. It is important to me, it is important to us, and it is important to all who will come after.

So I thank you. With such events, they are suis generis and cannot be replicated. Please take all this in because it will not happen exactly this way, with anyone, ever again.

That is art, that is passion, and that is life. I’m grateful that you have spent this time with me, and thank you for continuing this important work.

Office of the Chancellor | Apr 24, 2023

Budget Update

Dear CSCU Community:

This morning, I will be joined by the leaders of our institutions, members of the Board of Regents, legislators, students, and other allies to host a news conference that gives me no joy whatsoever to hold. We will announce the actions we would be forced to consider should the state budget, as it is currently proposed, become law. To be blunt, it’s devastating.

We would be forced to issue 650 layoffs to full-time faculty and staff and eliminate nearly 3,000 part-time positions. The inadequate staffing will lead to diminished services for students at a time when greater investment is needed, just as it harms hundreds of valuable employees.

It would lead to program closures, shutting down high subsidy programs. Of course, our highest-cost programs that rely most on state support are those that meet the state’s greatest workforce needs.

And it would force the BOR to begin evaluating which of our institutions and campuses have the resources to sustain these cuts and which do not.

Put simply, the proposed budget would harm students, harm the state’s workforce, and harm communities.

But this is just the beginning. Over the coming weeks and months, we are preparing a full-court advocacy press, reminding lawmakers and other state partners of the invaluable, lifechanging services CSCU provides.

That starts on Thursday, April 27, with a CSCU day of action at the Capitol, where our students, faculty, staff, and administrators will join together to speak with legislators about the importance of the CSCU system and the how the budget proposal would harm institutions, students, employees, and the communities we serve.

Please note: Students who are not working or in class and employees are encouraged to participate. (Employees should discuss their plans with their supervisor to ensure that we can maintain department operations, adequate coverage, staffing, etc.)

We will meet in the atrium of the Legislative Office Building (LOB) at 10:30am and proceed to the Capitol where we will engage with members outside the House and Senate chambers, where they are expected to gavel in at 11am. We anticipate that the event will last 2 to 3 hours. Also, we encourage you to wear your institution's apparel/gear.

In the meantime, please call, email, or meet with your legislators. Sharing your personal stories about how your work helps change students’ lives and improve our communities is among the most powerful advocacy lawmakers receive. Your help can make a real difference.

Contact Your Legislators (cga.ct.gov)

As always, I will continue to keep you updated on ways we can work together to sustain our push for fair funding, but please know that this is far from over. Together, I am confident that we can ultimately come to a fair resolution.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Apr 14, 2023

Finance Committee Testimony

Dear CSCU Community,

Today at 10:00a.m., our team from CSCU will testify at a public hearing of the legislature’s Finance, Revenue, and Bonding committee in support of SB 1246, the bill containing the $2.1 billion request for physical and digital infrastructure projects outlined in the CSCU 2030 proposal. We will highlight the critical work CSCU does to provide education and workforce opportunities to Connecticut residents, while pointing out that the lack of sufficient state investment in our physical spaces in recent years sends a troubling message to our students and raises real equity concerns. In addition, eight panels of campus leaders, faculty members, staff, and students will share their perspective with the committee on the need for investment in our facilities.

As people who work and learn in our facilities every day, you don’t need to be told of the serious need for investment. One need look no further than Kinney Hall at Naugatuck Valley, the B-Wing at Norwalk, Wheaton and Snow Halls at Middlesex, Morrill Hall at Southern, or the needs identified on every campus in CSCU 2030 to come to that realization. But the fact of the matter is that of the more than 15 million square feet of space CSCU institutions occupy, the average age is more than 20 years old. In short, students, staff and faculty continue to rely on aging, outdated, and deteriorating facilities, and without a clear plan and dedicated, multi-year source of funding, those deficiencies will only be exacerbated.

In recent weeks and months, our campus leaders and their teams reached out to legislators and personally showed them the results of a lack of investment in our facilities. I want to thank everyone who has participated in that process. Allowing lawmakers to see where the need lies has helped to make a much more powerful case for necessary funding than our descriptions or pictures ever could.

I encourage you to tune in to our testimony via the committee's YouTube channel or CT-N, read the materials we are presenting, and to submit written testimony of your own in support of SB 1246. Your voice can make a real difference.

I will continue to keep you updated as the legislative session progresses.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Mar 31, 2023

Welcoming Southern’s Interim President

Dear CSCU Community,

As you may have heard, beginning June 1, Dr. Dwayne Smith will assume the role of interim president of Southern Connecticut State University. Since 2020, Dr. Smith has served as campus CEO of Housatonic Community College, where he has brought unparalleled energy and passion to the job, immersing himself in the Bridgeport community and tirelessly advocating for the campus and its students.

Dr. Smith has deep academic experience at the university level, both as a faculty member and an administrator. Before coming to Housatonic, he served as interim president Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, Missouri, following his successful 13-years as that institution’s provost. Previously, Dr. Smith served as an assistant vice president of academic affairs at Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri. He was also associate vice president for enrollment management and assistant professor of education at Park University in Parkville, Missouri, a faculty member in the graduate school of Education at the University of Missouri Columbia, and an associate dean of multicultural affairs, at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, where he created the university’s first diversity department.

Throughout his career, he has helped secure more than $16 million in external funding. He has received numerous awards and honors for his service to the community – including being recognized as one of the Connecticut NAACP’s 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut in 2021. He is a sought-after presenter at academic conferences. And he has been heavily involved in academic committee work. In short, he has the skill and experience to be a highly successful leader for the Southern community.

Perhaps most importantly, he is deeply committed to the university’s mission as a social justice institution. He understands the transformational power of public higher education and the awesome responsibility that comes with educating our students.

In coming to this decision, I spoke at length with President Joe Bertolino, who recommended Dr. Smith without hesitation. I am fully confident that Dr. Smith’s immense higher education skills, scholarship, and experience, as well as his infectious enthusiasm will serve Southern well, and I hope you will join me in giving him a warm welcome to campus.

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Mar 08, 2023

#EmbraceEquity

Dear CSCU Community:

I am writing to commemorate International Women's Day, which is celebrated annually on March 8, to recognize the contributions and achievements of women in all spheres of life. This year's theme, #EmbraceEquity, aligns with our organizational mission of opportunity and social mobility.

International Women's Day 2023 campaign theme: #EmbraceEquity (internationalwomensday.com)

Today, and every day, we should celebrate the hard work and dedication of all the women in our community who inspire us with their strength, resilience, and determination to succeed.

It is important to point out that International Women's Day is not just a recognition of cisgender women. Trans women are women. They are our friends, colleagues, students, and members of our community who have been traditionally left out and, sadly, continue to be attacked across the country, and even in our own state, by divisive agendas and harmful policies that are meant to marginalize and dehumanize.

The theme of #EmbraceEquity is a call to action for us all to strive for a more just and equal world, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, or any other aspect of their identity; a world where women, including trans women, can live without fear of discrimination or violence, where their voices are heard and their contributions are valued.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, let us reflect on the progress we have made in advancing gender equity and acknowledge that there is still work to be done. Women continue to face obstacles to accessing education, health care, and economic opportunities, and these disparities are even more pronounced for women of color, women with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ women.

Let us also pay tribute to the many women leaders who shape our system and state. More than half of our campus leaders are women, and nearly 60 percent of our overall employees identify as female. We are stronger because we endeavor to embrace diverse perspectives and learn from people's lived experiences.

Just one example of an inspirational woman whose strength and perspective adds much to our system's cultural fabric is Sara Niazai, a student at Gateway Community College who was recognized in Governor Lamont's State of the State address in January. Sara is originally from Afghanistan, where women and girls are excluded from educational opportunities under Taliban rule. We are so fortunate that people like Sara have chosen CSCU, and it is our duty and responsibility to support her, those like her, and all our students in their educational journeys.

Wishing all of you a meaningful International Women's Day.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Mar 06, 2023

Hartford Courant Op-Ed

Dear CSCU Community:

I am pleased to share with you a copy of my op-ed that appeared in Sunday’s Hartford Courant which shares my perspective on the importance of supporting public higher education and our CSCU 2030 proposal. My goal was to make the case for the importance of the CSCU system of affordable and inclusive institutions and the need for greater state investment.

Terrence Cheng: Don’t waste the chance to invest in what makes CT great: people (courant.com)

As I said in my email earlier this spring, many people within our system have reached out asking how they can help make CSCU 2030 a reality. I appreciate the enthusiasm to support this work and make a tangible impact.

If you are interested in sharing your support, call, meet, or email your legislator. At some point, every member of the General Assembly, whether they are on the committees of cognizance or not, will vote on the budget. Advocacy from constituents to ensure CSCU 2030 priorities are funded can make a real difference for legislators.

Find Your Legislators (cga.ct.gov)

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Terrence Cheng: Don’t waste the chance to invest in what makes CT great: people (courant.com)

I am an immigrant who came here as a toddler. My parents didn’t speak good English, and we didn’t have money. But because of public higher education, I was able to go to college, and it changed my life. My story is not unique, but it speaks to the transformational power of postsecondary education.

Public higher education is rooted in this concept: upward mobility, opportunities for people of all backgrounds to learn, think critically, and ultimately to be productive, contributing members of society.

In Connecticut, the CSCU, or Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, system shoulders this responsibility. Serving more than 85,000 students who come from every one of our 169 municipalities, we are a critical girder of Connecticut’s economy, with an $11 billion annual impact on the state.

Our students come from Connecticut, and an estimated 93 percent of our graduates stay to live and work in Connecticut. No other institution of higher education in our state can say this. Our alumni include the current United States Secretary of Education, two sitting members of Congress, dozens of state legislators and administration officials, and more importantly, tens of thousands of professionals serving every sector of the state’s economy. Without question, we are the state’s primary engine of economic opportunity and workforce development — a system of institutions that are affordable and inclusive, not exclusive — and we are proud of that.

We fear that the governor’s proposed budget does not rise to the level we need to create the nimble, affordable, efficient and effective 21st century system of public higher education that Connecticut truly deserves. If CSCU is to meet the needs of the state, the communities we serve and our students at the highest level, then greater state investment is required.

In January, we released CSCU 2030, a vision for generational investment in our faculty and academic innovation, in our students and how we support them and in the foundational infrastructure that delivers and houses this invaluable work.

Two things have led us to this point. First, our operating funding has been flat since 2007 almost exclusively due to the growth in the state’s fringe benefit costs. When factoring in 44 percent inflation over that period, our operating funding has been significantly compressed. Second, our capital funding program is exhausted, at a time when critical infrastructure related to health and safety, and our academic mission, is failing. For these reasons, we must act soon.

But CSCU 2030 is not just about addressing concerns: it is about taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reimagine and transform higher education for our state. CSCU 2030 will allow us to serve more students, be a better partner to the state, and an even stronger driver of economic opportunity.

Here is what will happen if CSCU 2030 is passed by the legislature and signed by the governor. It will expand the state’s highly successful free community college program, PACT, which currently serves more than 10,000 first-time students. CSCU 2030 will allow us to more than double that number and help improve the state’s pool of talented employees. We also will expand PACT to include state university students studying in fields such as education, nursing, allied health, computer science, engineering, and more. At the universities alone, more than 7,000 students per year will qualify for a tuition and fee-free education.

CSCU 2030 will also invest in student supports and wraparound services. COVID has hurt our students immeasurably, and we must do more to support their mental and emotional health. At the same time, housing insecurity, lack of childcare, transportation and food insecurity are regularly cited as impediments to college persistence. We will provide more resources to help in these critical areas, because all of this has a direct impact on academic achievement.

In New York, researchers found that providing these types of services leveled the playing field between lower-income students and their more affluent peers. We expect these investments to show almost immediate results, decreasing time to degree, while increasing persistence and graduation rates.

Finally, the CSCU 2030 capital project program includes a seven-year investment in our physical and digital infrastructure across all CSCU campuses. Studies show that learning infrastructure and environment have a direct correlation to enrollment, so it is imperative that we adapt state-of-the-art technology and transform the day-to-day world in which our faculty and staff work and our students learn.

One example is Capital Community College. Capital serves students from the most socioeconomically challenged communities in our state, but its campus is wedged into a former department store in a building that is breaking down. This is not right. If our campuses are not configured for optimal learning, then what are we saying to our students?

CSCU 2030 will ensure that key programs like nursing at Capital, already the largest such program in the CSCU system, will be able to consistently serve and stand with the best of its peers. Investing in all our campuses sends a message to our students that they are worthy and second-class to no one.

Without CSCU, thousands of students from backgrounds like mine would not have the chance to go to college and change their lives. Let us not waste this chance to invest in what truly makes Connecticut great: our people. Let us not suffer from a lack of imagination and a deficit mindset when talking about the future of our state; let us have the audacity to dream big and fight hard for what we believe is best and right. Let us back the message of our state leaders who believe in opportunity and access, in equity and inclusion as a strength. CSCU 2030 is a plan that will walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Our incredible faculty and staff are ready to go to the next level, but we can only do it with your support.

Office of the Chancellor | Mar 03, 2023

Thanking President Joe

Dear CSCU Community:

It is bittersweet for me to share President Joe Bertolino's announcement that, beginning July 1, he will become president of Stockton University in his home state of New Jersey.

In his seven years in New Haven, President Joe brought his passionate leadership style and trademark enthusiasm to campus every day. His commitment to social justice and equity have made SCSU, and the city of New Haven, a better, stronger community.

I will also miss his humor and personality. Being a university president is a serious job, but President Joe has always been humble and transparent in his work. He has been a model of integrity and empathy, offering nervous first year students a smile and a joke on move-in day, showing off his serious accordion skills, or busting out a song in a video message to the campus community. President Joe understands that good leaders embrace their humanity, and we have all benefited from that.

While we will certainly miss President Joe, I also recognize this move is best for him and Bil (and their adorable new puppy, Windsor). President Joe has always wanted the best for us, so we want the best for him and his.

I will reach out again in the near future with information on next steps for leadership at Southern. But today, let's celebrate President Joe and thank him for his service to the University and the state of Connecticut.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Dear Students and Colleagues,

In 2016, I arrived at Southern filled with excitement and hope for the future, and not a day has gone by since in which I haven’t felt enormous pride to serve as this university’s president.

During the past seven years, you have welcomed me and my family, and have helped me imbed myself at Southern and in New Haven. I have a sense of belonging here that exceeded my already optimistic expectations, and I’m proud of the ways in which we’ve worked together to reaffirm Southern’s strengths as an institution, both in and of the community. Southern is my home away from home.

It is for these reasons that my message today is especially difficult to deliver. But I write to inform you that at the conclusion of the spring 2023 semester, I will be stepping down from my role as Southern Connecticut State University’s 12th president.

As I addressed in February, I was selected as one of three candidates to interview for the presidency at Stockton University, a public institution near my family home in New Jersey. This morning, that discussion concluded with Stockton’s Board of Trustees electing me to serve as the university’s 6th president, effective July 1.

While the decision to leave Southern has been difficult to make, in particular as we continue to transition through these post-pandemic years, it is one that Bil and I believe is best for our family. We will return to the place where I grew up, and where my father and many of our shared loved ones still reside. Stockton is also my mother’s alma mater. Mom, like many of our graduates here at Southern, was a non-traditional student -- an RN who received her BSN in 1977. Though she is no longer here with us, it brings me and my family great joy to be able to honor her memory in this special way.

I want to stress that my decision does not reflect a change in my affinity for this university. Southern is an extraordinary institution. Seven years ago when I first visited, I was enamored by the students, the community, the beautiful campus and this amazing city of New Haven. I vividly remember meeting with students, faculty, staff, alums, and friends of the university. I was told then that Southern was a special place where relationships and community mattered. That is no less true today.

I will always have a deep affection for all that is Southern: its historic mission of access and affordability, its unique ability to transform lives through the power of education and the caring compassion of its community – never more clearly evidenced than during the challenges of the pandemic.

I am particularly proud of the productive relationships that we have built with our neighbors in New Haven and beyond, the growing recognition of our distinctive excellence in a range of academic disciplines, and how we have extended a commitment to social justice and anti-racism throughout our institution, providing an example for our students to make positive change when they enter society.

This semester has been particularly eventful – a throwback to the pre-COVID years – and filled with notable achievements as a result. I will have more to share on this topic in my Spring Town Hall in April.

As you know, there are also hurdles to be overcome and I understand that for some, the news of my pending departure will bring uncertainty about what the immediate future may hold. But this remains a critical time for our university, with pressing challenges and new opportunities that demand our attention and action. Our community cannot hesitate to proceed in this important work together, and I urge all of you to contribute to the strategic planning process that will help define Southern for the next three to five years.

Soon, CSCU System President Cheng will announce the appointment of an Interim President for Southern. Know that I will work closely with whoever is appointed to ensure a smooth transition. I have the utmost confidence in those who will guide Southern in the coming months. We have talent and smarts in our leadership team, in the broader SCSU community, and throughout the CSCU system.

I will be here through the end of the semester, and so we will save goodbyes, thank yous and recognitions for a later date. But know that Bil and I will forever be grateful for the friends we have made, the relationships we have formed, and for the many students whose lives we had the honor to touch. Southern is and will remain strong – because of each and every one of you.

Thank you! And… GO OWLS!

Sincerely,

Joe Bertolino

President

Office of the Chancellor | Feb 15, 2023

Appropriations Testimony

Dear CSCU Community,

This morning, our CSCU team gave our budget presentation to the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee. While this is an annual occurrence, this year’s testimony took on additional significance due to the gap between our request and the Governor’s proposed budget, which, by our estimation, under-funds our system by $169.6 million in FY2024 and by $283.4 million in FY2025.

I especially want to thank our faculty, staff, and institutional leaders who took time out of their busy schedules to attend today’s hearing and show their support for appropriate levels of funding for public higher education. Your presence in the room made a much stronger case for our institutions than our presentation ever could have. I have included a link below should you wish to watch the testimony on-demand.

CGA - Appropriations Committee (YouTube)

More importantly, this evening, panels of our students will testify in front of the committee. They will share their compelling stories and highlight the fact that CSCU provides access to the highest quality education that is also the most affordable in the state. We pride ourselves on being a system that is inclusive, not exclusive; and it is because we have a place for everyone, we can make such a tremendous impact on the lives of the tens of thousands of students we serve. If you have a moment to tune in, student testimony begins at 5:00pm and is expected to finish at 7:30pm, when the committee will then hear from the public – including many members of our faculty and staff – on higher education matters.

CGA - Appropriations Committee (YouTube)

If you are so inclined, I encourage each of you to take a moment and provide written testimony to the committee. All you need to do is follow the link below, select "2/15/2023 5:00:00PM” under the “Hearing Date and Time” dropdown menu, and either upload or type in your testimony.

Appropriations Committee Written Testimony Submission (cga.ct.gov)

Thank you for your advocacy for our students and our system. I am confidents that if we work together, we can ultimately find a budgetary solution that not only puts us on a more stable fiscal trajectory, but also allows us to innovate and provide the services that our students need and deserve.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Feb 08, 2023

Gov. Lamont's Proposed Budget

Dear CSCU Community,

This afternoon, Governor Lamont issued his proposed FY2024-2025 biennial budget. Our finance team is carefully reviewing the proposed budget, and we are appreciative of Governor Lamont’s thoughtful engagement and continued intention to provide stability to CSCU.

Governor Lamont’s Proposed Biennial Budget (portal.ct.gov)

Still, in our estimation, the Governor’s proposed budget does not rise to the level we need to create the nimble, efficient, fluid and effective 21st century system of public higher education that Connecticut truly deserves. Specifically, when compared with our CSCU 2030 plan, the Governor’s proposal under-funds our system by $169.6 million in FY2024 and by $283.4 million in FY2025. This proposed budget, if implemented, would not only hinder us from supporting our students and communities; it would potentially create long-term harm to our system and our institutions.

Instead, we propose investing in the vision and goals outlined in CSCU 2030, which includes enhanced investment in our faculty and academic innovation; increased student supports and wrap-around services; upgrades and renovations to our physical and digital infrastructure; and the expansion of PACT. The hard work, commitment, and dedication of our faculty and staff, and the futures and well-being of our students and communities deserve such an investment.

CSCU 2030 Website (ct.edu)

I assure you that we will be very active in our advocacy for CSCU 2030 throughout the legislative session. While we have been engaged in conversation with legislators on this item, the formal process begins next Wednesday, February 15, with our hearing at the Appropriations Committee. Our team will give a presentation on the state budget and our request, followed by panels of students, who will explain in their own words the transformational power of public higher education. Our students are the soul of our institutions, the reason we do the hard and noble work that we do, and their stories are infinitely more effective than an agency budget presentation ever could be. In coming weeks, we will also testify at hearings with the Appropriations subcommittee on higher education and the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. All of this is in addition to more targeted conversations we are having with key lawmakers and leaders.

Many people within our system have reached out asking how they can help make CSCU 2030 a reality. I appreciate the enthusiasm to support this work and make a tangible impact. Our passionate and dedicated faculty and staff are face-to-face with our students every day. They know what we need and why, and because of that, they are often our strongest advocates. Here are my suggestions for making your voice heard during the legislative process.

Call, meet, or email your legislator. At some point, every member of the General Assembly, whether they are on the committees of cognizance or not, will vote on the budget. Advocacy from constituents to ensure CSCU 2030 priorities are funded can make a real difference for legislators.
Find Your Legislators (cga.ct.gov)
Submit testimony for a public hearing. Upcoming Appropriations and Finance meetings present an opportunity to publicly support CSCU 2030. Every member of the public has the right to testify in front of the committee – and I encourage you to do so if you are able. However, this is often a time-consuming process. Submitting written testimony is another great way to ensure your voice is heard.
A Guide for Testifying at Public Hearings and Reaching State Legislators (cga.ct.gov)
Appropriations Committee Written Testimony Submission (cga.ct.gov)
Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee Written Testimony Submission (cga.ct.gov)

Attend an event. In coming weeks, we will provide additional opportunities to advocate for our system, institutions, and students. I will be sure to share information as it becomes available.

Make no mistake: CSCU is Connecticut. Our students come from Connecticut, are educated in Connecticut, and stay in Connecticut. No other institution of higher education can say this the way we can. An investment in CSCU is an investment in equity, access, high-quality, and opportunity. But our system—each institution, and each campus—is at a cross-roads. If we don’t advocate together, now, we may not get another chance. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform public higher education for our state. This is our chance to prove that we are second-class to no one—because every year we change tens of thousands of lives and make every region of Connecticut better. This is our chance to prove that higher education is a public good that gives back exponentially in every layer and corner of society, not for years or decades, but for generations to come. We are the primary engine of social mobility and workforce development in Connecticut, and we should be supported as such.

By working together and braiding our collective voices and cumulative will, we can make a powerful case for this historic investment in CSCU, one that all of our students, employees, and communities deserve.

Thank you for doing what you do for our students and our system each and every day. Please feel free to reach out to me directly with ideas or if you would like to get involved.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Feb 01, 2023

Black History Month

Dear CSCU Community:

February 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black and African American people and communities. This year’s theme, “Black Resistance,” is an acknowledgement of hard-fought civil rights gains, of the history of Black Americans standing up to disrupt established power structures and demand basic human rights in housing, education, health care and in every facet of society. It is a reminder of the progress we have made, but it is also an acknowledgement that the fight for justice is far from over – and that all of us have a role to play in pursuit of a better, more equitable world.

As our system becomes more diverse every day, our role as the state’s primary driver of social mobility becomes ever-more important. Knowledge of Black and African American history is critical to our efforts in that space, and I encourage everyone to take some time this month to read and reflect.

To celebrate the work of our colleagues, I’m also happy to share with you the most recent edition of 1619: Journal of African American Studies, published by the African American Studies department at Central Connecticut State University. Included in the publication is a fascinating article by Dr. Gloria Brown about the late Dr. Jane Cooke Wright, a groundbreaking cancer researcher whose work in refining the use of chemotherapy has saved countless lives. Bolstering the legacies of people who have done great things to advance our society but are not properly recognized for their work is an important component of this month, and I thank Dr. Brown for sharing the story of an incredible person.

CCSU Journal of African American Studies (PDF)

It is not hyperbole to say that Black history is under attack in some parts of our country, with states and governors attempting to rewrite, and even erase, entire chapters of our past. I am proud to be in a state where diversity is considered a strength, where representation and inclusion are valued. We are not perfect, nor may we ever be. But we do the work and we try and get better. That work leads to progress, which leads to change.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Jan 24, 2023

Announcing CSCU 2030

Dear CSCU Community,

Today, I will present to the legislature and release to the public CSCU 2030, a vision for a generational state investment in our public institutions of higher education. CSCU is an incredible asset to the state. We serve 85,000 students and have an $11 billion annual impact on the state’s economy. We are the primary engine for social mobility and workforce development in the state, and we provide world class education to students from all backgrounds.

The state has been generous with its funding, yet because of skyrocketing fringe benefit costs coupled with significant inflation, our operating funds have been compressed for the past 15 years.

[Pres. Cheng: Introducing CSCU 2030 (YouTube)]

To meet these challenges and do the work of the state and its citizens at the highest and most effective level, CSCU 2030 contains two specific proposals.

First, it seeks to drive enrollment and meet state workforce goals through investments in affordability, student supports and wrap-around services, and innovative and expanded academic programs. CSCU is proposing state support increases of $54.3 and $127.8 million over FY2023 levels in the new biennium, with support sustained through FY2030.

PACT Expansion: Providing free college to all community college students and more than 7,000 university students per year, to matriculate in high-demand, state-priority programs and fields. 
Student Supports and Wrap-Around Services: Addressing the most prevalent barriers to student success with academic and professional support, and mental health, transportation, food, and housing services.
Workforce and Academic Innovation: Prepare students to help fill Connecticut’s 100,000 job vacancies by expanding existing programs and developing new credentials to match industry demands in key areas as outlined by the Governor’s Workforce Council report.

Second, it seeks to provide CSCU’s students with modern facilities and updated technology, laboratories and classrooms. The CSCU 2030 capital project program proposes $2.21 billion in investments over seven years to make all CSCU campuses safer, more accessible, and more sustainable.

Expanded Transportation Jobs Center at Gateway. 
Updated facility for Capital. 
Upgrades to buildings at Middlesex and Naugatuck Valley.
Improvements to academic and student support buildings at all state universities, including Welte Hall at Central, the health and wellness center at Eastern, Morill Hall at Southern, and the Berkshire Hall Innovation Center at Western. 
Technology upgrades to increase productivity, innovation and security.

This is a big, bold, and ambitious vision for the future of our system, one that will allow CSCU to innovate as we evolve, transform how we support our diverse and aspiring students and our talented faculty, staff and leadership. It rebuilds, updates, and refreshes our important but aging infrastructure. I am encouraged by the positive feedback we have received in preliminary conversations with our legislative and administration partners.

In coming months, I look forward to working with our institutional leaders, our collective bargaining units, and all of you to make CSCU 2030 a reality.

The detailed version of the CSCU 2030 proposal is available in its entirety at ct.edu/cscu2030. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read the document and reach out to me directly if you would like to get involved in our advocacy efforts.

Our students and employees are worthy of this investment.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | May 25, 2022

Responding to tragedy in our nation and communities

To the CSCU Community,

In the aftermath of yesterday’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and on the heels of the attacks in Buffalo, New York and Santa Ana, California, I want to say a few things.

First, in Connecticut, we know the pain and impact of these events all too well. Many folks are feeling the compounded effect of this trauma and I want to remind you that our campuses have resources for those who are seeking assistance and support. We are here to help and support those in need in any way we can. Please do not hesitate to reach out.

Community college and system office EAP (the-lexington-group.com)
- Your unique employee password is “cscuE”
Mental health services for student-workers (illumu.com)
CCSU Employee Assistance Program (ccsu.edu)
Charter Oak State College’s EAP is administered by UConn Health and can be reached at 860-679-2877.
ECSU Employee Assistance Program (solutions-eap.com)
- Maria Weinberger, Assoc VP,. Labor Relations, is the staff contact and can be reached at 860-465-0654
SCSU’s EAP program is administered by The Lexington Group. Employees are asked to contact human resources for long-in information (southernct.edu)
WCSU Employee Assistance Program (wcsu.edu)

Second, I want to assure you that each of our campuses have public safety and security teams, with plans for emergency situations such as active threat. We review these plans regularly, and such horrific events only remind us of how important it is to bolster our work in this area, which we will continue to do. Of course, while our public safety response plans and staff are ready for these situations, trying to stop an individual committed to doing harm is nearly impossible. It is up to all of us to remain vigilant.

Finally, as a system of public higher education, it is our responsibility to advocate for the health, safety, and viability of the institutions, employees, and students we serve. The epidemic of gun violence in the United States threatens our communities and our campuses. I look forward to working with our state and federal elected officials to advocate for policy changes that will make our institutions better, safer places to work and learn.

Words can do no justice in the face of such tragedy. We think of our own children, families, and communities. I am with you in this, no doubt. I hope we can show each other compassion and understanding, and help healing. In that process we will grow stronger each day, hopefully, together.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | May 06, 2022

An update on the legislative session

Dear CSCU Community,

On Wednesday night, the legislative session came to an end and I’m pleased to report that our systemwide advocacy efforts were successful in securing the funding needed to close our $274 million projected shortfall for FY23!

I want to thank each and every one of you who took the time out of your busy lives to reach out to your legislators and make the case for a much needed investment in our students and our institutions. This success belongs to all of you, from the amazing students who testified at our Appropriations Committee panels, to all the faculty, staff, administrators, campus leaders, and regents who helped legislators see the value in investing in CSCU. I would like to especially thank the bargaining units that supported our advocacy requesting state support. This united effort sent a powerful signal to our legislators, and I am convinced it was a big reason for our successful legislative session.

This is a huge win for our students, our employees, our institutions, our system, and the communities we serve. This infusion of one-time support provides a lifeline for FY23 while we fight to rebuild enrollment, address our budget challenges, and come back next legislative session to make as much of these one-time funds recurring as possible.

Outside of the new funding, I’m pleased to report that working in collaboration with our partners in the legislature we were able to help secure the passage of new policy changes that will help our students and communities. This includes:

Expanding the PACT debt free college program to part time students earning between 6-12 credits.
New reporting and tools to address student food insecurity.
A new state initiative to support faculty positions and student financial aid in high demand nursing and mental health programs at the colleges and universities.
Increased funding and new policies to help expand child care options at our campuses.

These new state laws and much needed funding will go a long way toward helping our system to continue our mission to provide accessible, affordable, and excellent educational opportunities for all of Connecticut’s residents. Thank you again for all of your efforts and support in advocating on behalf of our students and our system this year. I look forward to working with all of you again next year to make these one-time funds recurring and convince legislators to make an even larger investment in CSCU!

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Office of the Chancellor | Apr 28, 2022

Announcing Our New Provost

Dear CSCU Community,

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Rai Kathuria has accepted the position of CSCU provost/senior vice president of academic and student affairs and will officially begin his tenure on June 3, 2022.

Dr. Kathuria will join the CSCU system with experience in system-wide collaborative efforts with faculty, staff and administrators, and a proven track record of success as an academic leader, scholar and administrator. He brings strategic, collaborative and innovative leadership during this critical time in the CSCU system, as we serve the educational needs of our students coming out of the pandemic.

He comes to us from Indiana University (IU) where he is currently assistant vice president in the office of the executive vice president for University Academic Affairs (UAA) and director of the Office of Collaborative Academic Programs (OCAP), IU Online. Dr. Kathuria has served in the Office of UAA since 2016, and has 16 years of higher education experience, serving the last 14 years as a faculty member and administrator at IU.

In these roles, he creates, implements and administers online and hybrid degrees over seven IU campuses, and has created 56 undergraduate and graduate programs targeting adult and continuing learners. As the director of OCAP, he leads a system-wide collaborative effort to build and implement collaborative degrees. Dr. Kathuria is a tenured associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Indiana University East, one of the seven campuses in the IU system.

He holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Delhi in New Delhi, an M.S. in biochemistry from Hamdard University in New Delhi, and a B.S. (honors) degree in biochemistry from the University of Delhi. He also completed the management development program at Harvard University and holds master reviewer certification from Quality Matters™ and is a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Kathuria to the CSCU system. His energy, enthusiasm, sophistication, presence, and ingenuity are going to be a vital piston in the engine of CSCU’s work in the years to come. I have no doubt his efforts will help to catapult our system to the next level.

I would also like to thank Dr. Ken Klucznik, who has served as interim provost since Dr. Jane Gates’s retirement in December. Ken has handled the role ably, and I greatly appreciate his leadership and partnership over these last few months. I am very pleased that he is returning to his position of vice president for academic affairs and will continue to contribute to the important work of the provost’s office.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities

Office of the Chancellor | Apr 20, 2022

Joint Advocacy for our System

Dear CSCU Community:

As we enter the final weeks of the 2022 legislative session, the CSCU team is working around the clock to ensure our system is fairly funded. To that end, I am happy to share with you a joint letter of advocacy signed by every institutional leader within the system and the presidents of the majority of the unions representing CSCU employees. I am proud that labor and management were able to come together to request the funding necessary to support the students and institutions we are entrusted to serve. I am optimistic that, thanks in large part to this show of unity in our advocacy efforts, we can come to a successful resolution this session.

Please take a moment to read the letter, which was sent late last week to all members of the General Assembly.

Sincerely,
Terrence Cheng

Joint Letter from CSCU Administrative and Union Leaders re: Midterm Budget Adjustments

To the Honorable Members of the Connecticut General Assembly,

We write today as leaders of our 17 CSCU institutions and the 6 unions representing more than 60,000 students and more than 15,000 faculty and staff with a joint request to help close our projected budget shortfall. This is the first time in the history of our system that CSCU labor and management have presented a united budget request to the Connecticut General Assembly, and our purpose is to underscore the seriousness of the financial challenge facing our system.

First, we deeply appreciate the additional funding for CSCU included in the Appropriations Committee proposal. This builds on the significant investments proposed by the Governor and goes a long way toward reducing the projected shortfall for the system for FY 2022 and FY 2023. However, this proposal still leaves more than $33 million in projected shortfalls across the system in FY 2023.

This shortfall reflects the decennial 27th payroll and associated fringe benefits required next year. While both the Governor and the Appropriations Committee proposed $10 million of carryforward funds to help CSCU cover this, it is projected to cost CSCU $40,785,409 in FY 2023. We are asking legislators to help us cover the remaining $30.8 million in 27th payroll and related fringe costs.

The pandemic and its related enrollment impacts have depleted our revenue by $84 million (compared to FY 2019) and left our institutions with severely limited reserve balances to cover this shortfall until we are able to rebuild our enrollment. CSCU is committed to preserving our capacity to serve students with a wide range of programs at our colleges and universities across the state. Providing the funding to continue these programs is critical to our ability to support our students and deliver pathways to economic and social mobility to countless Connecticut residents, particularly for our students hardest hit by the pandemic.

We are doing everything we can to address our financial shortfalls on our own, in addition to our request for more support from the legislature. The Board of Regents approved increasing tuition at the community colleges and the state universities by 5% next year, but we also believe that raising it any further to close this gap is not fair to our students and their families, will not serve our mission of excellence, affordability, and accessibility, and risks a further downward push on our enrollment.

It took nearly a year and half for us to come together and reach collective bargaining agreements which do right by our students that we all serve, our employees, and our institutions. Our negotiations were contentious, difficult, and labor and management disagreed strongly on various issues. And yet, we reached fair and equitable agreements, because we agree wholeheartedly on this: our institutions are critical to the lives of our students today and those that will come tomorrow. Connecticut cannot stand by and allow these vital institutions to falter or fail while the state has the funding to support them. We urge you to support our labor agreements, and the necessary funding that is needed for our colleges and universities to thrive.

We look forward to working with all of you and Governor Lamont to help close this funding gap to make sure we can continue to provide excellent, accessible, and affordable higher education to all of Connecticut’s residents across the colleges and universities of the CSCU system.

Sincerely,

President Joe Bertolino, Ph.D.
Southern Connecticut State University

CEO William (Terry) Brown, Ph.D.
Gateway Community College

President Terrence Cheng
Connecticut State Colleges & Universities

President John Clark, Ph.D.
Western Connecticut State University

CEO Michelle Coach, Ed.D.
Asnuntuck Community College

Regional President Tom Coley, Ph.D.
Shoreline West Region Community Colleges

President Gregg Crerar
State University Organization of Administrative Faculty (SUOAF)
Local 2836 of Council 4, AFSCME

CEO Cheryl DeVonish, JD
Norwalk Community College

CEO Lisa Dresdner, Ph.D.
Naugatuck Valley Community College

CEO Duncan Harris, Ed.D.
Capital Community College

Interim CEO Kimberly Hogan
Middlesex Community College

CEO Karen Hyneck, Ed.D.
Quinebaug Valley Community College

CEO Mary Ellen Jukoski, Ed.D.
Three Rivers Community College

President Ed Klonoski
Charter Oak State College

Regional President Jim Lombella, Ed.D.
North-West Region Community Colleges

President Paul Morganti
Charter Oak State College Professional Bargaining Unit
AFSCME Local 1214, Council, AFL-CIO

President Elsa Núñez, Ed.D.
Eastern Connecticut State University

President Patricia O’Neil, Ph.D.
Connecticut State University - American Association of University Professors (CSU-AAUP)

CEO Darryl Reome, Ed.D.
Tunxis Community College

President Mike Rooke, Ph.D.
Northwestern Connecticut Community College
Interim President, CT State

President Larry Salay
AFSCME, Local 2480 (Community Colleges)

CEO Dwayne Smith, Ph.D.
Housatonic Community College

Regional President Rob Steinmetz, Ed.D.
Capital-East Region Community Colleges

President Zulma Toro, Ph.D.
Central Connecticut State University

Office of the Chancellor | Mar 23, 2022

Middlesex Leadership Announcement

Dear CSCU community,

Today I share the bittersweet news that Dr. Steve Minkler will be moving on from his role as CEO of Middlesex Community College. His final day at MxCC is April 7. Fortunately, he’s not going far, as he has accepted the position of Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at Central Connecticut State University.

During Steve’s decade at Middlesex, he oversaw the creation of an Honors Program, credit-bearing programs in Computer Information Technology, Health Information Management, New Media Production, Veterinary Technology, and post-primary certifications in diagnostic imaging, and an expanded set of offerings for short-term workforce training. He helped secure over $13 million in federal, state, and private grants to enhance academic programs and student support services, to create a GEAR UP partnership serving over 650 high school students in the city of Meriden, and to build the state-of-the-art Center for New Media.

Dr. Minkler expanded partnerships with CCSU to bring university classes and a recruiting office to Middlesex’s campus. He worked closely with nearby Wesleyan University to build the Center for Prison Education partnership, jointly offer filmmaking classes, and allow Middlesex Honors students to take two classes at Wesleyan free of charge. And, he has nurtured close relationships with Middlesex Health and Pieper Veterinary, which serve as the clinical teaching locations for the Radiologic Technology and Veterinary Technology programs.

Steve also co-created the monthly "Courageous Conversations" series and developed the college's Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Both have fueled work on campus to create an inclusive, compassionate environment, address equity gaps, and strengthen a sense of community for all faculty, staff, and students.

I thank Steve for his great work at Middlesex and congratulate him on the new role at CCSU.

I am also very pleased to announce that Kim Hogan, MxCC’s current Dean of Administration, has agreed to assume the role of interim CEO. I am fully confident that Kim has the skills and experience to be a highly successful leader for the Middlesex campus.

Dean Hogan will provide leadership through June 2023, while we conduct a full national search for a permanent CEO. We look forward to engaging the campus community in the search as we’ve done in the past.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Rob Steinmetz
Regional President, Capital-East

Office of the Chancellor | Feb 01, 2022

Celebrating Black History

Dear CSCU Community,

Each February, we celebrate Black History Month in the United States and reflect on the rich economic, scientific, civic, cultural, and educational contributions of Black Americans to our society at large.

Appropriately, this year’s Black History Month theme is health and wellness. This highlights the difficult reality that the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated health disparities between white communities and communities of color – disparities that have, tragically, existed for generations. Of course, it also highlights the work Black Americans have done to build and strengthen the medical and public health fields, often finding innovative solutions in the face of discrimination. The creation of the Howard University College of Medicine and Meharry Medical College, for instance, was necessary because aspiring physicians who were Black were barred studying medicine at traditionally white institutions. Of course, it is not difficult to draw a direct line from this segregation in early medicine to disproportionate health outcomes, even generations later.

I also use Black History Month as the opportunity to ask myself and our institutions what we are doing to break cycles of discrimination that continue to exist today. How can we, as diverse institutions, better serve all of our students, and in particular our students of color? How can we do more to ensure our employee population more closely resemble the diverse communities and state we serve? I certainly don’t have all of the answers, but my commitment – and that of each of our extraordinary campus, system and BOR leaders – to diversity, equity and inclusion is steadfast. I am confident that by working together, defining shared goals for a stronger and more diverse community, and creating plans of action, we can better serve our students and do our small part in the effort to bring equity to our state.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

P.S. I am sharing some additional resources below.

CSCU Communications

Latest Communications

Terrence Cheng: Don’t waste the chance to invest in what makes CT great: people (courant.com)

Communication Archive

CSCU Communications

Latest Communications

System Update

In Memoriam: Dr. John B. Clark, Former President of Western Connecticut State University

Support CSCU’s On-Campus Food Pantries

Shaping CSCU's Response to H.R. 1

Update on Federal Government Shutdown and Impact on CSCU

Governor Lamont Appoints Former Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams Jr. to the Connecticut Board of Regents

CSCU System Begins an Online Subscription to The Wall Street Journal

Welcoming Alphonso Atkins as CSCU's Executive Director of Civil Rights Compliance

Welcome Back Students, Faculty, and Staff!

Understanding H.R.1’s Impact on Students and Their Futures

CSCU Appoints Dr. Christina Royal as Interim President of Connecticut State Community College

Introducing WestConn's New President

CSCU Announces the Retirement of Charter Oak State College President Ed Klonoski

Introducing Southern's New Interim President

Kerry A. Kelley Appointed as Acting President of CT State

Thank You from Chancellor Cheng

Board of Regents Appoints Dr. O. John Maduko as Interim Chancellor of CSCU

Dr. Sandra Bulmer Appointed as Interim President of Southern Connecticut State University

Dr. Jesse M. Bernal Appointed as President of Western Connecticut State University

CSCU System Office Leadership Update

Virtual Town Halls on Federal Directives – Dates & Details

Update Regarding New Federal Executive Order

CSCU Continues to Monitor New Federal Action

CSCU Community Message from Chancellor Cheng

Spring 2025

Community Message from CSCU Chancellor Cheng

Update on White House Decision to Rescind Pause on Federal Loans and Grants

Message Regarding Pause on Federal Grants and Loans

Update Regarding New Federal Executive Orders, Policies and Directives

Start of the 2025 Legislative Session

CSCU Affirmative Action Plan and Policy Statement Annual Notice to Employees

Reappointment of Dr. John Maduko as President of CT State

Updated Communication

CSCU System Update

CSCU Launches Search for the Next President of Southern Connecticut State University

CSCU Welcomes Michael Mundrane as Interim Chief Information Officer and Cameron Liston as Chief Compliance Officer

Karen Buffkin Appointed CSCU General Counsel

Update on the Development of the ACT Framework

Next Steps:

Welcome Back, CSCU!

CSCU Launches Search for the Next President of Western Connecticut State University

Welcoming President Dr. Karim Ismaili to Eastern Connecticut State University

Update on FY25 Spending Plan and ARPA Funding Allocation

Welcoming Molly Newberry

Celebrating Juneteenth

Marty Guay Appointed as Next Chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents

Celebrating Pride Month

Appointment of Eastern Connecticut State University Interim President

System Update

Thank You to CSCU Students, Faculty, and Staff

Update on Today's Appropriation

Academic and Student Affairs Update

Academic and Student Affairs Update

2024 Legislative Session

CSCU Retirement Incentive Program

Thanksgiving Holiday Message

Thanksgiving Holiday Message

Gratitude for our Veterans

Welcome Back

Welcoming Adam Joseph

Thanking Dr. Beran and Introducing Dr. Singh

Fiscal Update

Welcoming Lloyd Blanchard

Office of General Counsel Update

System Office Update

CSCU Digital Barriers Survey

Happy Independence Day

Race-Conscious Admissions Ruling

BOR Budget Actions

CT State Receives NECHE Accreditation

Celebrating Juneteenth

State Budget Update

Pride Month

Memorial Day

Thanking President Núñez