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State and Campus ODEI Points of Contact

Posted in CT State.

  • Temp Last Modified: 2025-04-16

State and Campus
ODEI Points of Contact

Visual Description and Transcript

Video Title:

Dr. John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Welcome Message 2024

Visual Description:

Dr. John-paul Chaisson-Cardenas speaks directly to camera. He is wearing glasses and has a navy blue shirt on. The background is light blue.

Transcript:

Greetings faculty, staff, students of CT State. Welcome back.

Over the last year,the staff within the office of DEI at CT State, we have adopted an informal model. We are now the founders of an institution that will outlive us. Let us make it something special. A place where students, faculty and staff feel like they belong.

It is in that vein that the inaugural year of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion at CT State has been one of growth and one of connection. It was this year that we have partnered
with so many staff, faculty and administrators across our 12 campuses in order to come together
and lay the foundation for a meaningful, innovative DEI program at our institution.

In this way, we truly are founders of this new community college, CT State, with all the responsibilities and opportunities this role engenders.

I can assure you that we at the DEI office took this work seriously, and we have been thoughtful and deliberate about each step and layer of the work that we will be doing henceforth.

For example, throughout this year we set up and staffed this distinct office's focus on equity and civil rights, disability and accessibility services and campus climate.

It was important to me and to the rest of our team that we start with compliance. We want to start with deep compliance with the State and Federal law, as well as CSCU policy, because these laws and policies help us as a community delineate the minimum, acceptable behavior at our institution by placing behaviors such as bullying, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation outside of the acceptable boundaries of our new organization.

These guardrails are now in place and are part of our ethical and structural foundation.
To reinforce these boundaries however, we have begun this year by retraining administrators and senior staff from across the system to ensure we are aligned and consistent throughout all our 12 campuses.

However, it is also important to note that while we never stop working on compliance for CT State, CT State DEI is much more than a compliance effort. To us, it is also a positive set of supports, a support system towards moving and engaging and implementing of support programs and practices that contribute to a sense of belonging for all our students and employees at CT State. Thus, we have embarked on a data informed process to understand where our systemic and cultural gaps are.

This process began in spring 2024 with the implementation of our first systemwide Campus Climate survey, which was designed to get feedback directly from our students, faculty and staff on their perceptions and experiences related to their sense of belonging at and inclusion at CT State. This participatory effort will continue to grow this fall, when each campus will digest, analyze and work from this and other sets of data, including the achievement gap
and what I like to call the opportunity gap data and civil rights investigation data.

To think broadly and creatively about how we will respond to the equity gaps, the cultural gaps
that we have at CT State. We want to work on these things systemically and deliberately.

I want to thank all of you staff, faculty, administrators and students who continue and continue to work with us to contribute to these programs and practices, which we have now highlighted in the annual report that should be linked below this video.

This is because no one person or office owns the DEI work at CT State.

It is the responsibility of all of us from each of our organizational vantage points to do this work. It is not something different than our mission and our work. Overall DEI, it's not something you do in addition. It is really at the center of our work for our students.

And only together can we create the type of environment and institution we all want to learn at, we all want to teach at and we all want to work at.

I leave this past year energized and hopeful about the work ahead. I know that we have a caring, competent, and dedicated group of administrators, faculty and staff who each day dedicate their lives and work to serving our students. It is within that cultural context that we want to take the next step and really figure out how to support each one of the groups that we've mentioned before, to feel like they belong here. That CT State is their academic home.

And so have a wonderful year. I look forward to seeing you in the hallways of each one of our campuses. And don't forget, you are the center of DEI work at CT State.

ODEI Annual Report

Who We Are

John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, Ph.D., M.S.W.

Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Chief Diversity Officer, T-IX and Disability Coordinator)
Email: johnpaul.chaissoncardenas@ctstate.edu 
Phone: 860-612-7056

Vera Dimoplon

Director of Accessibility and Disability Services
Email: vera.dimoplon@ctstate.edu
Phone:860-612-7093

Nicholas D’Agostino, M.S.

Director of Equity and Civil Rights
Email: nicholas.dagostino@ctstate.edu
Phone: 860-612-7075

Rebecca Cannon-Klemenz, M.A.

Senior ECR Investigator and Compliance Specialist
Email: rebecca.cannonklemenz@ctstate.edu
Phone: 860-612-7082

Luciano Mastrangeli, M.Ed., MPPA, PHR

ECR Investigator and Compliance Specialist
Email: Luciano.Mastrangeli@ctstate.edu
Phone: 860-612-7084

Kailey Baker

Equity and Civil Rights Assistant/Data Specialist
Email: Kailey.Baker@ctstate.edu
Phone: 860-612-7080

Ken Callahan

ECR Investigator and Compliance Specialist
Email: kenneth.callahan@ctstate.edu
Phone: 860-612-7094

Campus DEI Programs and Staff

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    Joseph Berenguel

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Jillian Sullivan, M.Ed., B.C.S.E.

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    Dawn Bryden, Ed.D.

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    Carl Guerriere

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Helena Carrasquillo, M.S.

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    Kelly K. Hope

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    Licella Arboleda, Ed.D., LPC, NCC

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Ron Chomicz

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    LaRue Pierce

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    Alison Williams, Ph.D.

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Marilyn Wehr, M.S., LPC

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    Joshua Williams

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    K. Umesh Vig

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Joseph Navarra

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    Trent J. Barber

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    Nutan Mishra, Ph.D., M.S.W.

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Hilary Phelps, M.A.

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    Sara Hanson

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    Antonio Santiago, Ed.D.

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Vincent McCann

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    Sarah E Gager, M.B.A.

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    Megan Vo, M.F.A., M.S.

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Daneen Huddart, M.A.

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    Megan Vo, M.F.A., M.S.

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    Pracilya A. Titus

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Fran Apfel, Ph.D.

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    George (Tony) Peffer, D.A.

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    Tanaya M. Walters, Ed.D.

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Morgan Conway, M.A., G.Cert.P.D.S.

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    Tanaya M. Walters, Ed.D.

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    Kem Barfield, Ed.D.

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Matthew Liscum, M.S.

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    Rebecca A Kitchell, Ed.D.

  • Campus DEI/Equity Coordinator

    Sydney Lake/Jordan Long

    Campus Accessibility/504 Coordinator

    Debbie Kosior, M.S.

    Campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    Sydney Lake

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Campus Climate Unit

Posted in CT State.

  • Temp Last Modified: 2024-09-16

The Campus Climate Unit (CCU) provides strategic advice, guidance, direction and local campus representation in areas related to diversity, equity and civil rights. The CCU creates a positive climate within and across our campuses and ensures two-way communication between the CT State administrative offices and the twelve campuses. The CCU also works with the Human Resources department and the Professional Development unit to develop and launch diversity, equity, and inclusion orientations, trainings and conferences. Finally, the CCU leads the biennial campus climate survey and subsequent CT State and campus action plans resulting in the formulation of diversity, equity and civil rights goals and objectives for CT State.

The Work

Chart shows the campus climate cycle-see further description of cycle in text below

The chart above shows the development of the Campus Climate Cycle, which repeats every two years and begins with the launch of the Campus Climate Survey in March of even-numbered years. Work is broken into four segments: climate survey, assessment, goal setting and development of campus plan and action/plan implementation.

What is Campus Climate?

At CT State, we define “campus climate” as the current attitudes, behaviors and standards of faculty, staff, administrators and students concerning the level of respect for individual needs, abilities and potential. In this context, respect for human diversity is a crucial aspect of campus climate and includes both to the individual experiences of our multiple stakeholders and the quality and interactions between groups on our campuses.

What Does a Climate Survey Assessment Measure?

Campus climate assessments in higher education measure the extent to which all students, faculty, staff and visitors—regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability—feel welcomed, valued and supported in their work, studies or research.

What Will Happen Once the Climate Study Occurs?

Every two years, CT State will conduct a systemwide campus climate study, which will serve as the starting point for campus-based diversity and inclusion plans.

How Do We Measure Campus Climate?

Male student and librarian talk at information desk in Gateway campus libraryThis project will comprise unique surveys for three different populations: staff, faculty and students. 

The undergraduate student survey assesses the institutional diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) climate, campus practices, learning outcomes and the prevalence of sexual assault.

The staff survey focuses on DEI perceptions and experiences of college and university staff and the faculty survey assesses different dimensions of faculty’s personal and professional lives as a means to understand their experience and unique perspectives of campus climate.

Download and review previous versions of the instruments used for each survey on the HERI website. 

Campus Climate Survey FAQs

Volunteer to Serve on DEI Committee

 Must be completed by October 1, 2024

Access to Campus
Climate HUB

Campus Climate Process Resources

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CARE Teams

Posted in CT State.

  • Temp Last Modified: 2025-03-09

CT State works to create a community of care to support students to reach their academic goals.

Submit a CARE Referral

Information About Submitting a Referral

If this is an emergency that requires medical, psychological, or police services, call 911. Do not use this reporting form if an immediate response is required.

  • Complete this form if you believe that you or a CT State student would benefit from a connection to support services. Find more student services.
  • Also, if you are concerned about a member of the college community or observe any behavior that may involve risks to the safety and security of the college community, complete a CARE Referral online (see below for links to campus CARE Referral submission).
  • Submitting this CARE Referral does not result in an immediate response. Once a form is submitted it will be reviewed by the College CARE Team for appropriate action.

  • What is a CARE Team?

    A CARE Team is a multidisciplinary team of campus partners who work collaboratively to support students’ needs and keep the campus community safe. CARE Teams address a continuum of concerns from basic needs to behavioral intervention and threat assessment. The CARE Team assists with any situation that could threaten a student’s well-being or others in the CT State community. The CARE team uses a proactive and educational approach to develop appropriate support and interventions for individuals of concern. The team will also be reactive when necessary to respond to concerns for safety and perceived threats by implementing appropriate resources to address the issue.

    Each CT State campus has a CARE Team with key campus stakeholders. Each CARE Team works to ensure that campuses are provided with the training and resources to respond to student and community safety concerns.

  • What the CARE Team does

    The CARE Team meets throughout the academic year to review the incoming CARE Referrals to assess the situations with a standard rubric and coordinate appropriate action plans. The CARE Team aims to intervene early to help students who are showing signs of distress, in addition to those engaging in more unhealthy or disruptive behaviors. The CT State CARE Team provides a centralized resource for bringing concerns about students to the attention of the people on campus who can best assist these students.

    Purpose of the Campus CARE Team

    • Coordinate a structured method for addressing student behaviors that cause distress in the CT State campus community, including mental health and/or safety issues
    • Assess the whole situation, combining information from various areas across campus
    • Respond by balancing the individual needs of the student and those of the greater campus community
    • Educate the CT State Campus community by creating awareness and providing access to resources for student support

    Campus CARE Teams

    • Comprised of 5 - 10 members including:
      • Chair and Co-Chairs: (depending on the campus title) usually are chaired by the Dean of Students and Faculty, Associate Dean of Student Development or Dean of Students.
      • Core Members include: Campus Safety/Police or Assistant Dean of Campus Operations, Wellness Counselor, Conduct Officer, Guided Pathways Staff member, Members of the Faculty and Accessibility/Disability Coordinator.
        • Wellness Counselor is a member of the CARE Team and attends these meetings to serve as a resource, and in accordance with professional and legal standards, does not share confidential information unless it is a life-threatening situation.
      • They may also include Student Activities, Title IX Coordinator and Veteran Affairs
    • The team meets on a cadence appropriate to their size of campus and number of referrals.

    Asnuntuck Campus Chair
    Tim St. James and Dawn Bryden

    Capital Campus Chair
    Kelly Hope

    Gateway Campus Chair
    LaRue Pierce

    Housatonic Campus Chair
    Josh Williams

    Manchester Campus Chair
    TJ Barber

    Middlesex Campus Chair
    Sara Hanson

    Naugatuck Valley Campus Chair
    Sarah Gager

    Northwestern Campus Chair
    Megan Vo

    Norwalk Campus Chair
    Ruben Barato

    Quinebaug Valley Campus Chair
    Tanaya Walters

    Three Rivers Campus Chair
    Rebecca Kitchell

    Tunxis Campus Chair
    Sydney Lake

  • CARE Referrals

    If this is an emergency that requires medical, psychological, or police services, call 911. Do not use this reporting form if an immediate response is required.

    Complete this form after the situation is over to document the interaction.

    Complete a CARE Referral

    Completing a CARE referral is an essential first step in supporting students in distress on your campus. Complete a referral when you have any concerning observations or interactions with a student or think they need more coordinated support. Referring a student to available resources is a good first step, but many students often need more support to make connections, coordinate appointments and complete needed paperwork. CARE referrals help connect students with support services including basic needs on and off-campus. Basic Needs can include those with housing and food insecurity, transportation, childcare, mental health and disability services. Completing a CARE referral will inform the CARE Team to reach out and offer further assistance in the areas needed.

    Your one piece of information is important to contribute to building the community of support many students need to succeed. The CARE teams connect different pieces of information about students experiencing difficulties to have a larger context for what is happening in students’ lives. This, in turn, allows for better consultation with students to refer them to the most appropriate resources. Maximizing student success and student persistence to graduation are among the goals of our collaboration.

  • How to Respond to Students in Distress

    CT State's CARE Team is sharing a quick reference guide for responding to students in distress.

    Two Page Resource (Download/Print)

    • Download this two-page resource of “How to Respond to a Student in Distress” (We recommend that you print and have this resource available when working with students-print double-sided on one page).

    Instructional Video (View)

    View a brief 4-minute instructional video overview of “How to Respond to a Student in Distress.”

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Marketing Tools

Posted in CT State.

  • Temp Last Modified: 2024-11-27
The marketing tools on this page should be used by CT State employees wishing to represent the college through print or digital communications.

Quick Links

Templates

Letterhead

Letterhead Templates

Please note: The letterhead template may render differently on a mobile device than on a desktop.

Powerpoint template

Powerpoint Template

The CT State PowerPoint template can be used by employees to create branded presentations.

Agenda

Agenda Templates

The CT State agenda templates can be used by employees within Canva.

Please note: you will need to create a free personal Canva account to utilize these templates.

phone with social media template on it

Social Media Templates

Promote events or activities on your campus with social media templates created in Canva. Please note: you will need to create a free personal Canva account to utilize these templates.

Flyer template

Flyer Templates

Promote events on your campus with customizable flyer templates created in PowerPoint. Download the PowerPoint file to view all 14 designs.

Newsroom Template

Newsroom Templates

Templates for news releases in Microsoft Word format.

Internal Campaign Assets

Visit our campaign asset library for downloadable print and digital ready files to promote current campaigns on your campus.

Guidelines

Brand Guidelines

Brand Guidelines

CT State Brand Guidelines must be followed when designing materials that will represent the college. This document provides detailed information about how to use the college and campus names, logos, emblems, colors, fonts, and more.

Typographic Standards

Typographic Standards

CT State Typographic Standards provides designers with guidelines for working with our brand typography to help achieve the most legible, professional and impactful results.

Color Palette

CT State’s colors are associated with feelings of trust, dependability, and balance — representing a new unified chapter for education in the Nutmeg State. CT State’s colors should be balanced according to the proportions in the below diagram. CT State's blue and black are primary, teal is the main accent color with yellow as a secondary accent color. Pantone or CMYK colors should be used for print materials, with RGB used for digital.

 

 

 

 

            
BLUE
PMS: 2746
CMYK: 100, 98, 9, 4
RGB: 45, 49, 133
HEX: #1e059e		 BLACK
PMS: BLACK C
CMYK: 67, 64, 67, 67
RGB: 45, 42, 38
HEX: #2D2A26		 TEAL
PMS: 3275
CMYK: 80, 0, 50, 0
RGB: 0, 171 , 154
HEX: #00AB9A		 YELLOW
PMS: 123
CMYK: 0, 20, 100, 0
RGB: 255, 204, 0
HEX: #FFCC00 		WHITE

CMYK: 0, 0, 0, 0
RGB: 255, 255, 255
HEX: #FFFFFF

Logos

Main Logo

To download a logo, click on the desired image to open it in a new tab and save it to your computer.

CT State Community College color logo CT State white on blue logo CT State black and white logo

Download Color Vector Version of CT State Logo

Campus Logos

Ordering

Apparel Vendor

Order Envelopes

Order Name Badges

  • Hits: 30463

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