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Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Interim Chancellor Dr. O. John Maduko today announced 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. She brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in higher education to her new role at CT State.

“Dr. Royal embodies CT State’s values: she is mission-driven, leads with a deep commitment to equity and inclusivity, and places student success and access at the heart of her work,” said Dr. Maduko. “As a collaborative changemaker and innovator, 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.”

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.

“CT State has made significant strides in its first two years as one, unified institution. Together with the college’s faculty, staff, administrators, and students, the college has opened new doors, expanded access, and transformed lives and communities. I am honored to join this talented community and am committed to collaborating with our campus presidents, external partners, and state, municipal, and community leaders to chart a path forward that is rooted in student success and equity. The future is bright for CT State, and this is just the beginning,” said Dr. 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.  

“Dr. Royal has a proven ability to create a clear roadmap for institutional success. At Holyoke Community College, she developed a strong strategic direction, aligning the college’s vision and goals to drive meaningful outcomes. She will bring that same focus and expertise to CT State, helping to position the college for growth while building on its legacy as a student-centered institution,” said Marty Guay, chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Royal as CT State's Interim College President. Her exceptional leadership in both higher education and the corporate sector, combined with her collaborative spirit and enthusiasm, make her a great addition to lead CT State during the 2025-26 academic year. I look forward to working alongside Dr. Royal and Dr. Maduko as we continue to strategically advance CT State's mission in the year ahead,” said Kerry A. Kelley, Interim President of CT State and Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer.

Dr. Royal holds a Ph.D. in Education from Capella University, an M.A. in Educational Psychology, and a B.A. in Mathematics from Marist University.