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

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system announced today that Ed Klonoski, President of Charter Oak State College, will retire in June 2026 after serving as the leader of Connecticut’s only public online college for 18 years.

President Klonoski began his tenure at Charter Oak State College in 1997 as the institution’s first Director of Technology and was appointed president in 2008. Under his leadership, Charter Oak grew from one academic major to 21 and launched its first four graduate programs. He also oversaw the creation of the Community College Tuition Match Scholarship Program, which enables CT State Community College (CT State) graduates to complete their bachelor’s degrees at Charter Oak at the same tuition rate they paid at CT State. Charter Oak awards approximately $1.4 million in institutional aid annually for this program.  

“Charter Oak State College has been my home for 28 years. Together with our dedicated faculty and staff, we have created real opportunities for students who might not have had access to higher education. I am proud of the partnerships we have forged with the private sector to strengthen our talent pipelines and the initiatives we have spearheaded with our sister institutions to help working adults complete their degrees,” said President Klonoski. “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Charter Oak’s incredible community of educators and administrators. Our success is a direct reflection of their commitment to academic excellence. I can’t wait to see what new milestones the college will achieve and the heights it will reach. One thing’s for certain – Charter Oak’s future holds so much promise.”

“President Klonoski has been a steadfast leader, guiding Charter Oak through a dynamic period of growth and innovation in online education,” said CSCU Interim Chancellor Dr. O. John Maduko. “Under his leadership, Charter Oak has expanded and diversified its course offerings, increased its enrollment and graduation rates, and prepared students for the jobs of tomorrow. He leaves a strong legacy and has positioned Charter Oak for further growth and impact. I thank him for his decades of leadership, dedication, and commitment to advancing student success and wish him the best in his retirement.”

Since its founding in 1973, Charter Oak has awarded more than 18,000 degrees and played a pivotal role in Connecticut’s workforce development. The college offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields such as business, health care, technology, nursing, social work, early childhood education, criminal justice and cybersecurity.  

In recent years, Charter Oak has launched innovative workforce programs, including the Good Jobs Challenge Grant Employment Training Program, a partnership with Trinity Health and Capital Workforce Partners to provide free training for entry-level healthcare jobs to unemployed and underemployed individuals. Charter Oak also opened the Connecticut Online AI Academy in collaboration with Google, a free fully online course accessible to all Connecticut residents 18 and older that introduces learners to the fundamentals of generative AI.

“As Charter Oak’s leader, President Klonoski has helped the college forge its own distinct path, establishing it as a leader among public online colleges nationwide,” said Marty Guay, chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. “He’s helped to drive innovation, align academic programs with evolving workforce needs, increase access by enhancing transfer pathways between our two- and four-year institutions, and open new doors for students. His leadership will have a lasting impact on Charter Oak, and I congratulate him on this well-earned retirement.”

President Klonoski also previously served as the first President of the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (CTDLC), a collaborative effort by 37 Connecticut institutions of learning to deliver high quality, web-based education.  

An announcement regarding a new presidential search for Charter Oak State College will be made at a future date.  

About Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College is Connecticut’s only dedicated, public, online college, offering associate and bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields including Business, Healthcare, Technology, Nursing, Social Work, Education, and Public Safety.  The College offers master’s degrees in organizational leadership, Health Data Analytics, Healthcare Administration, and Curriculum and Instruction.  Charter Oak is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and governed by Connecticut’s Board of Regents for Higher Education.