Resolution to Restore Student-Facing Services

Executive Summary Plan to Restore Student Facing Services

Detail on Requests to Restore Student Facing Services

Resolution Regarding Student Services at CT State

Joint Letter from President Maduko and Senate President Van Dermark

Progress Report to the Board Finance Committee

Appendix A Holistic Student Support (HSS) Survey AY 22-23

Appendix B Holistic Student Support (HSS) Survey AY 23-24

Appendix C Local Stakeholder Engagement

Appendix D Functional Areas of Operation by Campus Satellite

Appendix E Joint letter from CT State Unions

Appendix F Instructions to Cabinet to Develop Requests

Appendix G Final Report to Board Finance Committee

• Executive Summary
• Appendix A: Midyear Resource Reallocation Request Detail

100 Day Report

View the President's 100 Day Report

How We Engaged

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• 600+

  Faculty & Staff Met

• 2585+

  Miles Traveled

• 12

  Foundations Addressed

• 800+

  Students Engaged

• 200+

  Community Stakeholders Consulted

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2025

• April 3 2025

  Dear CT State Colleagues and Friends,
  
  As we enter the final stretch of the academic year, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for the energy, focus, and perseverance you bring to our work every day. Whether in the classroom or behind the scenes, your efforts are what make CT State a place of purpose and progress. Together, we’ve achieved so much this year, and it’s because of your continued commitment that we keep moving forward. As we approach the final weeks of the semester, let’s continue to support one another and finish with our best foot forward.
  
  Before going any further, I’m thrilled to share exciting news: Governor Ned Lamont has officially proclaimed April 2025 as Community College Month in the State of Connecticut!
  
  This statewide recognition is a powerful testament to the vital role CT State plays in transforming lives, advancing equity, and fueling Connecticut’s future. As the largest public higher education institution in the state — and the largest community college in New England — we continue to provide affordable, high-quality education and workforce readiness programs to more than 65,000 students each year.
  
  CT State is proud to be part of the national network of community colleges whose open admissions mission enrolls nearly half of the country’s undergraduates and serves the most underrepresented student populations in the United States. We remain responsive to the local needs of communities, ensuring that our programs and partnerships directly reflect and support the aspirations of those we serve.
  
  Our proud institution remains resolute when it comes to serving our students, employees, and communities. The continued onslaught of developments at the federal level has left many of our students and employees concerned, fearful and unsure about what lies ahead. As one college and a community of people, we will rally, remain steadfast with our values and overcome these challenges together.
  
  April will be a time to shine a light on the strength and impact of our community —and especially the collective contributions of our CT State campuses across Connecticut. I invite you to take pride in this moment and join me in celebrating the work we do together to uplift students, communities, and our state. As we mark this moment, I’m also pleased to share some additional updates and announcements that reflect the momentum we’re building together.
  

  Annual Report
  I am proud to share our 2023–2024 Annual Report, marking a historic first year as a unified institution. As our first full academic year as a statewide college, it represents not only important milestones but also the collective commitment, innovation, and resilience of our students, faculty, and staff. This report offers a snapshot of the impact we are making across the state as we work to expand access, foster student success, and build a stronger future for all. I encourage you to give our inaugural report a read as we are preparing to strengthen its content for year two.
  
  

  Advanced Manufacturing
  Last week, we officially opened the new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center at CT State Tunxis with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Governor Ned Lamont, legislators, college leaders, Regents, and regional manufacturing partners.

  The opening of this center marks the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration. I commend our dedicated employees who saw this project through to completion despite the challenges along the way.

  This newly renovated facility — now the second largest among CT State’s manufacturing centers — adds more than 14,000 square feet of space dedicated to advanced manufacturing machine technology and customized workforce training. CT State is Connecticut’s leader in advanced manufacturing training and access. This milestone reflects our college’s unwavering commitment to preparing students for rewarding careers while fueling economic growth across Connecticut. Congratulations to all who helped bring this vision to life!

  April 2025 NECHE Focused Visit
  We continue to make important progress toward securing full accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) by 2028. The next step in this process is a NECHE Focused Visit across our college, taking place April 6–9.

  The Focused Evaluation Report that we submitted to NECHE serves as a comprehensive update on the institution’s progress since its initial accreditation in June 2023. This report addresses specific areas highlighted by NECHE for the Spring 2025 focused evaluation, marking the first formal review since CT State’s formation.

  The primary objectives of the report are to provide detailed insights into the following areas:

  • Alignment & Completion of Math and English (ACME)
  • Assessment of Teaching and Learning
  • Dual Enrollment Plans and Strategy
  • Deficit Mitigation Plans and Enrollment Goals
  • Strategic Plan Implementation
  • Governance Processes and Procedures
  • Student Success Metrics

  This evaluation is a critical self-assessment tool for CT State, facilitating the identification of achievements and areas requiring attention as the college continues to evolve as a unified institution. The report underscores CT State’s commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and responsiveness to NECHE’s accreditation standards.

  Each campus will host evaluators for a half-day visit, during which they will meet with faculty, staff, students, and leadership. Your Presidents/CEOs have been working on the specific schedule for your campuses, and I appreciate their partnership and leadership in helping us organize a complex visit. Thank you all for your support, engagement, and professionalism as we welcome the NECHE visiting team.

  Retention and Graduation Rates
  CT State students are persisting at higher rates than most two-year, open-enrollment public colleges in the region. One-year retention is at a five-year high — 65% for full-time, 46% for part-time, and 57% overall — leading New England’s community college systems and matching or exceeding peers in the Mid-Atlantic. Fall 2023–24 persistence surpassed last year’s record, and the most recent fall-to-spring retention rose to 76% overall and 87% for first-time, full-time students — both one point higher than the previous year.

  CT State’s IPEDS 3-year graduation rate reached 25% this year — the highest ever recorded for Connecticut’s combined legacy community colleges since IPEDS data collection began in 1997. This marks a 10-point increase and a 67% jump over the past two years.

  These outcomes reflect the dedication of our students, faculty and staff — and affirm CT State’s growing impact in transforming lives through education. Many thanks to our Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, led by Dr. J.D. Mathewson, and our Directors of Institutional Research for enabling us to better tell our story. Additionally, we recognize the litany of diverse methods we must adopt to demonstrate student success and will continue to identify those quantitative and qualitative methods.

  Even amid internal and external challenges — and a national landscape that remains unclear in several respects — you have continued to advance our important mission. Let’s keep lifting one another up and finish the semester with the same spirit and commitment that have brought us this far.

  Soon, the most powerful reminder of our work will come as we watch our talented graduates cross the stage at commencement.

  In partnership,

  O. John Maduko, M.D. 
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• February 27, 2025

  Dear CT State Colleagues, 

  Thank you for your thoughtful feedback on the Accessibility, Completion, and Talent (ACT) Framework — the Board of Regents’ three priority areas designed to drive student success. Your insights have been invaluable in refining this tool to better support our collective efforts to enhance student outcomes and institutional effectiveness.

  You can review our community’s input on the framework (attribution has been removed). The feedback provided valuable insights, particularly in areas where new policies — such as ACME and flexible pathways — are still in development. In these cases, measurement will become possible once policies are fully implemented and approved, as their adoption is the primary indicator of success.

  In response to your feedback, we have updated the student outcomes to include an assessment of tutoring services, recognizing their essential role in academic support, as well as other modifications that were made by community input. Your valuable suggestions will also inform our upcoming strategic planning process, ensuring alignment with CT State’s long-term vision. While the ACT Framework is developed separately from the strategic plan, both will complement one another. Strategic planning will also provide opportunities for further discussion on data stewardship, quality, and governance.

  Our Institutional Effectiveness and Planning team continues to play a critical role in collecting, analyzing, and applying data to guide our institutional strategy. While some recommendations were not incorporated at this stage, this was primarily due to considerations of feasibility and strategic alignment. Should you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact Institutional Effectiveness and Planning.  

  Your engagement underscores our shared commitment to accountability, collaboration, transparency, and — most importantly — student success. Read the updated student outcomes, which will be proposed to the Board of Regents.

  A special thank you to Provost Karen Hynick, Associate Vice President JD Mathewson, Professor Elle Van Dermark, and Professor Jason Seabury for their leadership in guiding this project on behalf of the college. I also want to acknowledge the continued work of shared governance, which allows us to review and refine our work for the better.

  My continued appreciation for your ongoing dedication to our students and institution.

  In Partnership,

  O. John Maduko, M.D. 
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• Dear CT State Colleagues, 

  Today, I write with an important system-wide update. To support long-term financial sustainability, the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) system has implemented a strategic hiring freeze, effective immediately. This decision is a necessary response to reductions in state funding, the expiration of ARPA funds, and ongoing financial uncertainties. Through this hiring freeze, our commitment to academic excellence and student success remains unchanged. All current searches will proceed as planned. 
  
  The hiring freeze applies to all full-time and part-time faculty and staff positions across Charter Oak State College, CT State Community College, Connecticut State Universities, and the CSCU System Office. Student labor and work-study positions are not affected.
  
  CT State will implement this hiring freeze by maintaining its rigorous Request to Fill (RTF) process for reviewing all positions. This process involves Human Resources; Finance; and Social Justice, Equity and Belonging, in collaboration with cabinet leadership, to evaluate all full-time hiring requests. The goal is to ensure that hiring decisions align with the college’s mission, strategic direction, and budget while upholding its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Until the hiring freeze is lifted, all RTF submissions must clearly explain how the position qualifies as an exception under the hiring freeze, which are:

  • Positions essential to maintaining institutional safety, community security, or reputation management;
  • Positions necessary for accreditation or legal requirements;
  • Vacancies that would significantly disrupt student support or essential operations;
  • Positions that demonstrably enhance financial sustainability through a return on investment; or
  • Roles that align with strategic priorities.

  As President, I have the ability to approve critical hires that meet the exception criteria. Please know that I am committed to advocating for positions that support our campuses, faculty, and staff while ensuring that CT State continues to advance its mission. 
  
  Should you have any specific questions about this development, please reach out to Human Resources.
  
  In Partnership,
  
  O. John Maduko, MD

  President

• Dear CT State Colleagues and Friends,

  As we launch a nationwide search for seven Campus Presidents, I am pleased to share that CT State has engaged RH Perry & Associates, a leading executive search firm specializing in higher education, to guide this critical process. Their expertise will help us select dynamic, mission-driven leaders who will advance our students, campuses, and communities. Current Campus CEOs, who have played a key role in CT State’s transformation, are encouraged to apply for these new positions.

  To support this effort, we invite faculty and staff to express interest in serving on the college-wide Campus President search committee. This committee will help identify and recommend candidates who embody CT State’s values and vision. If you are interested, please submit your interest via the form provided, which will close at the end of business on Monday, February 17.

  
  The search committee will be co-chaired by two experienced leaders: 

  • Duncan Harris, Ed.D., Chief Executive Officer, CT State Capital
  • Ed Klonoski, President, Charter Oak State College

  
  We also seek your input on the qualities and priorities that should define our Campus Presidents. Please share your thoughts through the survey provided, which also closes at the end of business on Monday, February 17. Your feedback will be shared with the search firm to help guide the process. RH Perry & Associates also welcomes Campus President nominations. Each campus will also have the opportunity to participate in a virtual open forum with the search firm to share local perspectives and aspirations.

  
  To ensure broad engagement and transparency, we will establish seven advisory committees, each aligned with a Campus President role. These committees will act as liaisons between the search committee and campuses, providing updates, outlining next steps, and gathering feedback.

  
  The search committee, in partnership with RH Perry, will lead a transparent, inclusive, and rigorous selection process by defining criteria, conducting a national search, reviewing applications, and assessing candidates based on experience, leadership, and alignment with CT State’s values—ultimately making final recommendations to the College President. Dr. John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas will serve as the committee’s diversity advocate. Advisory committees, composed of campus stakeholders, will help ensure transparency and amplify local perspectives. They may also support the search committee in review of candidate credentials, provide feedback, and recommend top candidates to the search committee for their respective campus president position. Additionally, they will engage in structured discussions with semi-finalists to further assess their suitability. Over the next two weeks, members of the administration will collaborate with local campus governance groups to discuss this process in greater detail before finalizing the advisory committee’s structures.

  
  Thank you for your continued engagement and commitment to our students and our college. We’ll have more information on the search process as we move forward, but we remain committed to a transparent and inclusive process.

  
  In Partnership,

  John Maduko, M.D.

  President

• Dear CT State Colleagues and Friends,

  Since its official launch in 2023, CT State Community College has navigated significant challenges, including post-pandemic demands, merger complexities, budget constraints, and shifting student demographics. At the same time, we have achieved enrollment growth, enhanced student success, and expanded high-demand programs such as healthcare and manufacturing.
  
  To build on these successes and ensure long-term sustainability and operational efficiency as we continue to advance our important mission, CT State will be implementing a Campus President Model, to take effect next fiscal year. Under this model, each campus—or strategic campus pairing—will be led by a dedicated Campus President reporting to the College President.

  This transition reflects CT State’s broader efforts to enhance the student, employee, campus, and community experience while maintaining fiscal and operational responsibility. By streamlining and empowering leadership roles, we will improve decision-making and better align local leadership with college-wide policies and priorities that will help further stabilize the enterprise. While leadership structures evolve, each campus will maintain its local identity, foundation, presence, and community focus. No bargained-level employees or campus-level deans will be affected by this move, and we are certainly not closing any campuses or satellite locations.

  
  Campus Leadership Structure

  Under this new model, leadership will be structured as follows:

  • CT State Gateway – One Campus President
  • CT State Norwalk – One Campus President
  • CT State Three Rivers and CT State Quinebaug Valley – One Campus President
  • CT State Capital and CT State Tunxis – One Campus President
  • CT State Housatonic and Danbury (satellite campus) – One Campus President
  • CT State Naugatuck Valley and CT State Northwestern – One Campus President
  • CT State Manchester, CT State Middlesex and CT State Asnuntuck – One Campus President

  Additional satellite locations are unaffected. 
  
  To support this transition, a nationwide search will be conducted for seven Campus Presidents. These leaders will oversee academics, student services, finances, and community relations, advancing CT State’s mission and reputation while driving innovation and fostering partnerships that enhance student success. Additionally, I will empower Campus Presidents to advance our unified college through institutional advocacy, philanthropy, brand building, academic and cultural stewardship, and developing new, strategic industry partnerships.

  This is another key step in securing CT State’s long-term viability. Alongside initiatives such as reducing central office executive leadership positions, transitioning to a four-school academic model, and developing of a Five-Year Fiscal Sustainability Plan, this approach ensures that we remain agile and adaptable in the face of shifting enrollment trends, workforce demands and an evolving higher education landscape, as we prepare to launch our first official strategic planning process. For more information, please visit the FAQ, which addresses how we are advancing our work and stabilizing our future as an institution.

  We appreciate the dedication of our current Campus CEOs, who have played a critical role in guiding CT State through its transformation. I have highly encouraged each of them to apply for these new Campus President positions as we seek experienced, committed leaders to guide our campuses forward.

  I also appreciate the contributions of our faculty and staff in supporting this next evolution of our college’s vision.

  Tomorrow, I will share more details on the search process, including a call for members of a single search committee. Additionally, a college-wide survey will be issued to gather your valuable input on the values and vision you believe should shape the role of Campus President.

  In Partnership,

  O. John Maduko, M.D. 
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• CT State Colleagues and Friends,

  As we begin the Spring 2025 semester, I want to warmly welcome each of you back for what promises to be another impactful semester. While we embrace the opportunities that lie ahead to advance our student- and equity-centered mission, I believe this moment in time requires that I acknowledge the challenges, concerns, and uncertainties we face together. 
  
  With the transition to a new presidential administration, I recognize the significant shifts in federal priorities and policies that are, or have the likelihood of, directly affecting our work and the communities we serve, with the potential for further changes ahead. I understand the uncertainty these shifts may cause, and I want to assure you that we are carefully monitoring these developments at the federal level. Our focus remains on responding decisively, working collaboratively, and staying true to our mission. 
  
  It is important that I update you on the steps we are taking to support our students, faculty, and staff during this period of uncertainty. We are actively collaborating with the CSCU System Office and the Office of General Counsel, as well as engaging with national organizations such as the American Association of Community Colleges, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators: Association of International Educators, and the Association of Community College Trustees to remain informed and advocate effectively for our community. 
  
  Currently, we know that the recent White House Office of Management and Budget memo calling for a freeze on federal grants and loans, set to take effect today, has created significant concern and uncertainty across our community.  At this moment, the scope of the impact of this memo on higher education remains unclear; however, the indication is that the temporary pause does not impact assistance received directly by individuals. As such, funds that are provided to individual students, such as Federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans, are not believed to be impacted. Please know that the CSCU System Office is closely monitoring the situation and collaborating with state and federal leaders, as well as other higher education institutions, to navigate this challenging and frustrating time.
  
  I’ve attached to this communication the updated CSCU Protocol: U.S. Immigration and Customs Actions on Campuses, prepared by the CSCU Office of General Counsel. This document outlines critical guidance for handling and responding to potential actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on any of our campuses.
  
  At CT State, our commitment to preparedness and the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remains steadfast. Below is a series of updates for your awareness.

  Financial Aid
  CT State and the Division of Enrollment Management are closely monitoring federal updates to ensure our ability to issue Title IV and other financial aid to students for the Spring 2025 semester. At this time, no directives to restrict funding have been issued to the college. Vice President Troy Miller and AVP Steve McDowell are maintaining active communication with federal officials to provide guidance and timely updates. Additionally, the spring financial aid disbursement is scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2025. This post-census timeline aligns with established practices followed consistently over the past 25 years.
  
  Campus Safety and Law Enforcement
  The safety of our campuses remains a top priority. Chief Chute and the CT State Police Department have updated training and protocols for all sworn officers and public safety leads. Officers will act as the primary point of contact for immigration or external law enforcement agencies on campus. Chief Chute will oversee all communications with these agencies, ensuring a coordinated and informed response.
  
  Campus Leadership
  Our campus CEOs have been fully briefed and instructed to immediately notify campus police/public safety officers, Chief Chute, and my office of any incidents requiring support or guidance, especially as it pertains to public, student, and employee well-being. This ensures a swift and unified approach to addressing any concerns. I appreciate the leadership of our campus CEO’s as we continue to assess new federal directives without compromising the well-being and safety of our classrooms.
  
  Student and Employee Wellness
  We recognize the importance of mental health and well-being during challenging times.

  • Students: Wellness counselors will be available to support students experiencing stress or anxiety.
  • Employees: The Division of Human Resources will provide access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other wellness resources.

  
  The campus climate and mental health teams are researching and compiling a list of partners and community resources to assist students and employees and will provide those soon.
  
  Faculty and Staff Support
  The Office of the President and the Office of the Provost, in collaboration with the CSCU System Office and General Counsel, CT State Public Safety and the CT State Compliance Office, will begin to develop a comprehensive set of FAQs to provide faculty and staff with the resources and guidance needed to effectively assist students.

   

  Community Communication

  Transparent and effective communication is vital. We are committed to keeping our community informed through regular updates, ensuring everyone is aware of the resources, support, and guidance available as we continue to respond to and assess current and future changes at the federal level. We will also host an all-college virtual meeting to share updates, address questions, and listen to concerns from the CT State community soon.
  
  This is a challenging moment for our college and the broader higher education sector. We recognize the alarm and uncertainty many of our students and employees are experiencing. Please know that the well-being, education, and success of our students are at the heart of everything we do.
  
  We encourage all members of the CT State community to continue sharing concerns with college and campus leadership and to let us know how we can better serve our students and community. I’ve asked Tom Yelich, Chief of Staff, to help keep me informed of any concerns and to maintain close collaboration with the CSCU System Office on matters directly impacting CT State.
  
  Thank you for your resilience, compassion, and dedication. As we navigate the current challenges, I am confident that we will continue to advance our mission—supporting our students, empowering our employees, and contributing to the overall well-being of our Connecticut communities.

  In partnership,
  
  O. John Maduko, M.D.
  President
  Connecticut State Community College

• Dear CT State Community,

  It is with great excitement that I announce the launch of the formal beginning of the Presidential AI Fellowship, a program that underscores CT State's commitment to embracing the rapidly evolving AI landscape and investing in our employees. This initiative is designed to equip our faculty and staff with the skills necessary to adopt, navigate, and ethically incorporate AI into learning environments and across the institution.
  
  The inaugural Presidental AI Fellows represent a cohort of our colleagues who are embarking on an inclusive journey to expand their skill sets and position CT State as a leader in AI innovation within the community college sector. Their participation reflects our shared commitment to fostering growth and staying at the forefront of educational and technological advancements.
  
  To deliver this transformative experience, CT State has partnered with national thought leaders, including Strategic by Design and the League for Innovation in the Community College, both of which are renowned for their dedication to the advancement of community colleges. These partnerships reflect our strategic approach to leveraging resources and expertise to benefit our students and workforce.
  
  Our institution is no stranger to AI innovation. In fact, our librarians and many faculty members have been engaged with AI for years, bringing invaluable insights and best practices that have paved the way for this initiative. Additionally, CT State proudly offers an associate degree in Technology Studies: Artificial Intelligence, further affirming our leadership in this field.
  
  This commitment extends beyond our campus, as CT State has recently joined the National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC), a national initiative led by Miami Dade College, Houston Community College, and the Maricopa Colleges District. This membership opens doors for collaboration, learning, and leadership at a national level.
  
  Last fall, two of our distinguished faculty members from Middlesex—Dr. Lin Lin, Professor and Program Coordinator for CIS/MIS/Computer Science/Engineering/Technology, and Kegan Samuel, Mathematics Department Chair—completed faculty AI training through the NAAIC. Their participation, made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation, exemplifies how our faculty continues to drive innovation and excellence.
  
  As we launch this exciting program, I invite you to celebrate this milestone and join me in recognizing the dedication and creativity of those who are shaping CT State’s role as a leader in AI education and application. Together, we are advancing the mission of our institution, fostering innovation, and building a brighter future for our students and our community.
  
  Finally, I want to express my gratitude to every applicant who demonstrated interest in the fellowship. The selection process was designed to ensure diverse representation across our campuses and disciplines, rather than serving as a measure of merit or employee standing. We have also maintained a roster of all applicants, ensuring we can involve these individuals in future AI-related initiatives and opportunities. 

  Sincerely,

  John Maduko, M.D.
  President

• Dear CT State Community Members,
  
  As part of our ongoing commitment to student success, I am writing to provide an update on the CSCU ACT Framework—an essential initiative developed by the Board of Regents to support student achievement, foster institutional excellence, and drive strategic alignment across the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system.
  
  The ACT Framework is built around three strategic pillars: Accessibility, Completion, and Talent. These pillars encompass nine overarching goals designed to enhance student outcomes and guide our collective efforts as a unified institution. As part of this initiative, we drafted proposed student outcomes and a series of metrics that align with the Board of Regents’ priorities that reflect our commitment to empowering students to succeed. We have been asked to present our proposed student outcomes for each goal of the ACT Framework to the Board of Regents at the end of February.
  
  Your input is critical to ensure these outcomes address the needs and aspirations of our students, faculty, staff, and communities. In the spirit of shared governance, we invite you to review and provide feedback on the proposed outcomes by completing a brief survey. These outcomes were developed in partnership with Institutional Research, members of the administration, and shared governance leaders, ensuring that our approach is grounded in robust data collection and strategic measurement. The survey will close at the end of business on Monday, February 10.
  
  Please take a few minutes to share your insights with us. We know these outcomes will be stronger with your input. Your feedback will help refine the development of these outcomes and shape the broader goals of the ACT Framework.
  
  Thank you for your engagement in this important initiative and for your unwavering commitment to the success of CT State and its students.
  
  In partnership, 
  
  O. John Maduko, M.D.
  President

2024

• December 20, 2024 Appreciation and Gratitude for Your Time, Talent and Energy

  Dear CT State Community,
  
  As 2024 ends, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you. Your dedication, resilience, and commitment have been the heart of CT State's progress this year. Together, we’ve faced challenges, celebrated milestones, and laid the foundation for a bright future.
  
  Our work is undoubtedly challenging, and, while much remains to be accomplished, I am deeply confident in our institution's ability to meet the moment and successfully navigate the important work ahead in 2025. Below, I share a few updates, reflections, and key items firmly on the horizon as we close the book on 2024.
  
  Leadership Transitions
  We congratulate Dr. Duncan Harris, CEO of CT State Capital, who has announced his intent to retire in September 2025 after 30 years of impactful service in higher education to the state of Connecticut. His leadership and steady guidance have been invaluable during this period of transition for CT State.
  
  I also want to thank Dr. Tom Coley for continuing as interim CEO of the Gateway campus through Spring 2025. After conducting a comprehensive search, we determined that the right candidate to succeed Dr. Coley has not yet been identified. His steady guidance remains critical as we search for a permanent successor.
  
  Plans for these two leadership searches will be determined in the new year.

  
  Reflection and Achievement
  This fall, we embraced opportunities for connection and growth through campus town halls, fostering meaningful dialogue, with the New Britain Town Hall on the docket next. These gatherings have provided a platform to address our shared priorities and core challenges while fostering a sense of community and purpose. I appreciated the candor and heartfelt discussion that took place on each campus and the opportunity to hear from many of you. We’ll continue our conversations in 2025.
  
  We also celebrated a promising increase in enrollment for Fall 2024, reflecting the welcoming and transformative education we provide, and we remain cautiously optimistic about maintaining this momentum for Spring 2025. At the same time, we’ve made significant strides in strengthening statewide shared governance, highlighted by a successful statewide governance summit in October. This is a testament to our principal belief in collaboration and open communication, and our commitment to fostering trust among faculty, staff, students, and administrators. Progress was also made in restoring student services. While this process is ongoing and far from perfect, it reaffirms our belief that the student experience should remain central to our decision-making. This is only the beginning, with more enhancements that I hope to come.
  
  As we set our sights on the future, we have begun pre-work on strategic planning, focusing on campus DEI committees and the March 2024 campus climate survey results. This phase involves drafting the "core values" section, which defines the principles guiding our actions, culture, and decision-making. Starting with DEI committees ensures alignment with stakeholders addressing campus climate and leverages survey insights to highlight areas for growth. It’s great work underway.
  
  Importantly, we established two mission-critical departments within CT State. Launched in May 2024, our new Compliance office has already bolstered accountability and integrity throughout our organization, evidenced by state ethics training for over 500 staff and the disclosure of more than 10,000 records under the Freedom of Information Act, underscoring our dedication to transparency, ethical governance, and regulatory compliance across the institution. And most recently, the transition of HR Strategy and Recruitment and Talent Acquisition teams to CT State Human Resources represents a pivotal improvement, enhancing our ability to directly support and develop the exceptional talent driving our CT State mission forward.
  
  These institutional advancements, among many others, help to establish a strong foundation to support the work of our campuses and satellite locations, where faculty and staff continue to lead the all-important work that is fundamental and at the core of our organization’s success.
  
  Looking to 2025
  The coming year presents another opportunity to strengthen our mission and leave a lasting impact on our students, faculty, staff, campuses, and communities. It’ll be a highly consequential year for public higher education. Together, I’m confident that we will move forward with shared determination, regardless of any political headwinds or external challenges that may arise. Here are a few of the key events and initiatives we can expect as we enter 2025.
  
  A New Presidential Administration
  As the country prepares to navigate the transition to a new administration, I acknowledge the sense of uncertainty that often accompanies periods of change. While national leadership shifts bring questions about policies and priorities, our commitment to our mission, our people, and our values remain steadfast and unchanged.
  
  Biennial Legislative Session
  Public higher education will more than likely have its moment during Connecticut’s upcoming biennial legislative session, with critical decisions on funding, policy, and workforce alignment possibly on the agenda. As a collective, we’ll continue to advocate for the good of students and higher education in the state of Connecticut.
  
  CT State’s First Economic Impact Statement
  Early in the new year, we will formally release CT State’s inaugural economic impact statement. This report will highlight the profound contributions of our college to Connecticut’s economy, workforce development, and community well-being.
  
  ACT Framework Goals
  In January, we’ll collaboratively identify measurable outcomes for the Board of Regents' ACT Framework, advancing accessibility, student completion, and workforce talent development. This initiative will guide our efforts to improve student success in alignment with the Board’s vision. We’ll be asked to present our outcomes at a Board meeting in February.
  
  NECHE Accreditation Site Visit
  This April, we’ll welcome NECHE for a focused site visit. We’ll intensify our discussions and campus-wide education in the new year for what we should expect, but we’ve been actively planning for their visit, and further preparations will ramp up in the new year.
  
  Expenses and Academic Programs
  In 2025, we will launch an initiative to ensure academic programs have the instructional supplies that are needed to serve students. CFO Kerry Kelley and Provost Karen Hynick are leading efforts to assess current resource needs, develop stronger funding models, and explore cost savings through bulk purchasing, starting with the sciences and allied health programs. Feedback gathered from program coordinators and lab associates will inform improvements before expanding to other areas like manufacturing, studio arts, and culinary arts. This process has been shared with key campus and academic leaders, and your participation and feedback are vital for its success.
  
  Strategic Planning
  In 2025, we’ll embark on developing CT State’s first official strategic roadmap. This collaborative process will help chart a path for the college’s long-term success.
  
  Empowering Students, Faculty, and Staff
  Throughout it all, we’ll continue to focus on building initiatives that enhance student services, create equitable opportunities, and strengthen professional development for our faculty and staff within the resources available to us. Student success —inside and outside of the classroom — will always help to inform us of our forward-thinking approach to how we conduct our work. 
  
  As we close 2024, I offer my thanks and appreciation to each of you for your time, talent, and the energy that you offer to our proud institution and state as we solidify our footing as one of the country’s premier community college institutions. We continue to navigate unprecedented opportunities and challenges through our commitment to excellence, equity, and inclusion, as well as the many other values that we hold dear.
  
  I encourage you to take advantage of any moment to rest, unplug, and to enjoy the company of those around you during the holidays. Our collective efforts will continue in 2025. And as you can see, they’ll require our full focus.
  
  Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year.
  
  O. John Maduko, M.D.
  President

• November 6, 2024 Announcement – VP Enrollment Management

  Dear CT State Community,  
  
  I am pleased to announce that Troy A. Miller has been named CT State’s new Vice President of Enrollment Management and a member of the college’s Executive Leadership Team. His first day at CT State will be November 29, 2024. 
  
  Mr. Miller currently serves as Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management at the University of Southern Indiana, a public university in Evansville. Previously, he held the role of Vice President for Enrollment Management and Intercollegiate Athletics at Chestnut Hill College, a private Catholic college in Philadelphia. His extensive experience also includes admissions and enrollment leadership roles in the SUNY System with The University at Buffalo, and two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) within the University of Maryland system. 
  
  As Vice President of Enrollment Management, Mr. Miller will oversee enrollment and retention services, financial aid, selective admissions, orientation and student onboarding, international admissions, student success, and admissions operations. He will guide the development and application of enrollment management policies and lead, inspire, and motivate enrollment staff across our institution. His responsibilities also include implementing the college’s strategic enrollment management plan and advancing recruitment, retention, and completion initiatives. I am confident that Mr. Miller will bring a compelling vision to our student-centered institution that complements our mission of open access. 
  
  He brings to CT State a wealth of experience and a strong track record in meeting and exceeding enrollment goals. He has led data-driven strategic enrollment planning, engaged campus-wide collaboration, and aligned enrollment initiatives with ambitious institutional goals. 
  
  Throughout his career, Mr. Miller has been a collaborative leader, providing strategic direction and organization for the enrollment management divisions he’s been a part of. He has worked closely with academic and administrative leaders to develop institution-wide recruitment and retention initiatives. Additionally, he has facilitated partnerships through articulation agreements and memorandums of understanding with local community colleges and school districts. His experience includes overseeing admissions, registrar services, scholarships, financial aid, summer enrichment programs, and recruitment and communications teams for undergraduate, graduate, and international students. 
  
  Mr. Miller is an alumnus of Elizabeth City State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. He holds a master’s degree from the New York Institute of Technology and is currently pursuing his doctoral degree at Morgan State University. A United States Army combat veteran, Mr. Miller and his wife, Alla, both New York natives, are proud parents of four daughters. 
  
  Please join me in extending a warm CT State and Connecticut welcome to Mr. Miller and his family!

  O. John Maduko, M.D. 
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• November 4, 2024 Exciting Opportunity: Become a Presidential AI Fellow at CT State!

  Dear CT State Faculty and Staff,   
  
  We are thrilled to announce the launch of our inaugural cohort of the Presidential AI Fellows Program, a transformative five-month initiative designed to empower campus leaders with cutting-edge AI expertise across all CT State locations.   
  
  As artificial intelligence continues to reshape our world, CT State is committed to positioning itself at the forefront of this technological revolution. The Presidential AI Fellows Program, fully funded by the President’s office, begins in February 2025 and offers a unique opportunity for you to:   

  • Gain comprehensive understanding of AI technologies and their applications in higher education
  • Develop strategic AI implementation skills for college-wide improvements and explore ethical and legal implications of AI in academic settings
  • Collaborate with peers on innovative AI projects that address real college challenges
  • Participate in monthly focused workshops on various aspects of AI
  • Create a customized AI playbook tailored to CT State's needs  

  This program culminates in an exciting AI Hackathon, where you'll apply your newfound knowledge to solve real challenges, demonstrating the practical impact of AI in our college.   
  
  We are seeking a diverse cohort of 35 individuals from across the college, representing faculty, staff, and administration backgrounds. Your unique perspectives will contribute to a rich learning environment and help drive AI innovation across CT State.    
  
  Please visit the AI Presidential Fellows Program webpage to learn more about this exciting opportunity. Informational webinars will be held on the following dates at the links below:   
  
  November 20, 2024, 2-3 pm, via Zoom  
  December 4, 2024, 2-3 pm, via Zoom
  
  You can apply for the Fellowship online. The support of your manager, supervisor, or academic dean is strongly encouraged, as fellowship participants can expect to invest approximately two hours per week in learning/training. Additional FAQs are available.  The application deadline is Friday, December 6, so don't miss this chance to be part of CT State's AI-driven future! 

  In partnership,

  O. John Maduko, M.D. 
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• October 30, 2024: Election Day at CT State

  Dear CT State Colleagues,
  
  With Election Day just around the corner and voting already underway, I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of participating in the democratic process for those who are eligible. Voting is at the heart of a vibrant democracy, giving each of us a chance to express our values and shape the future. Every voice truly matters.
  
  Between now and next Tuesday, millions of eligible Americans—and thousands within the CT State community of students, faculty, and staff—will cast their votes in federal, state, and local elections. This is also a time to reflect on the values that unite our CT State community. Elections often highlight a range of opinions and perspectives, each shaped by unique experiences and beliefs. Let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering an educational environment that respects diverse viewpoints, encourages open dialogue and understanding, and strengthens our shared dedication to building a more inclusive society. Remember, respect and kindness can and should persist, even in moments of disagreement.
  
  I encourage everyone to approach this season with enthusiasm for participation and respect for differing viewpoints and freedom of speech. By doing so, we model the best aspects of engaged citizenship and uphold the democratic principles we stand for.
  
  Attached, you’ll find a few documents (see original email correspondence): guidance for employee voting on Election Day and a reminder about political activity by state employees while at work. While we encourage state employees to engage in civic matters and exercise their rights, it’s important to do so within the boundaries of the law, as well as CSCU policies and guidelines.
  
  Public Safety
  It’s important to acknowledge the external concerns that arise during highly contentious election periods. Times like these can lead to increased civil unrest, campus disruptions, and other forms of intimidation across the country. Under Chief Chute’s leadership, we are prioritizing the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. If you witness or experience any public safety concern, please report it promptly.
  
  Supporting your Wellness
  Elections often result in many emotions and challenges. To support you during this time, I want to remind you that we have campus wellness resources in place to help you prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. Whether you need someone to talk to, strategies for managing stress, or a space to reflect and recharge, these resources are available to assist you, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our campus climate and mental health and wellness teams. As we continue to move forward together, I encourage you to keep in mind the core values of CT State Community College: equity, inclusiveness, and opportunity for all.
  
  Thank you for your care and support and for embodying the tenets of civic engagement and responsibility that help make CT State a remarkable place to learn and grow. 
  
  In Partnership,
  
  O. John Maduko  
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• October 25, 2024: President's Post

  Greetings, CT State Colleagues and Friends,
  
  As we enter the heart of the academic year, I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, and students. Your commitment to excellence has made a tremendous impact on our campus communities, and together, we continue to make strides in providing an inclusive and enriching educational experience as we continue to chart our course forward in several important areas.
  
  I realize it’s been a while since I’ve provided a few high-level updates. As such, today, I’m excited to share a few items with you. As always, you are more than welcome to reach out to my office with any questions, concerns, or comments.
  
  President’s Idea Exchange
  It is true that the best ideas often come from within our community. I’m pleased to announce the launch of the President’s Idea Exchange platform that allows students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the college to share their thoughts, ideas, and feedback directly with the President’s Office.
  
  Your voice is valued, and whether it’s a new initiative, a way to improve our services, or thoughts on current projects, community feedback is essential in helping us advance our strategic priorities, achieve our shared goals, and maintain an environment of innovative learning, collaboration, and student success. We look forward to hearing from you!
  
  Gateway CEO Search Progress
  The search for Gateway’s next CEO is entering its final stages, with open finalist forums scheduled next week for the Gateway community. This selection process has focused on identifying a visionary leader who will advance the campus's mission and drive student and community success. As the search nears its conclusion, we remain dedicated to finding an individual whose values align with CT State's and who is committed to fostering the growth and achievement of Gateway’s students, faculty, and staff. I extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Thomas Coley, interim CEO of Gateway, for his leadership during this transition. I look forward to announcing a new CEO in the coming weeks.
  
  ACT Framework
  In August, Marty Guay, Chair of the Board of Regents, outlined his vision for student success through three key focus areas:
  Access: Expanding talent pipelines, increasing enrollment, and strengthening partnerships.
  Completion: Cultivating student skillsets and ensuring clear pathways toward graduation, certificate completion, and other key milestones.
  Talent: Activating talent and aligning our value proposition with services and programs to enhance education in critical fields.
  
  The “ACT” framework—Access, Completion, and Talent—will begin to take shape as we move forward, engaging students, faculty, and staff to help establish goals and key performance indicators for each pillar. As we develop this framework, it’s essential that we all understand the board's vision and their focus on these core areas.
  
  Healthcare Taskforce
  In August, Chair Guay entrusted me with leading the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Healthcare Taskforce—a new initiative aimed at aligning the academic strengths of CSCU’s health care programs with Connecticut’s workforce needs, health care innovation, and policy priorities. The taskforce comprises multiple workgroups, each led by distinguished experts in health care, academia, workforce development, philanthropy, innovation, and policy.
  
  The taskforce’s primary goal is to identify the challenges and opportunities within Connecticut's health care sector, ensuring that CSCU’s programs meet and advance the needs of both students and the industry to support the future of health care across our state. In November, I’ll present initial recommendations from the taskforce to the Board of Regents.
  
  As Connecticut’s leader in entry- and mid-level health care education, this initiative presents another great opportunity for CT State to demonstrate our leadership across the health care field in Connecticut. I look forward to keeping you updated on the recommendations the taskforce identifies to help drive health care innovation throughout our state and within our classrooms.
  
  President’s AI Fellowship
  It’s widely recognized that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a transformative role in education and society in the years ahead. In the coming weeks, we’ll begin to explore AI in more detail as a community. First, a collegewide survey will be released to help assess our understanding and literacy of AI. It will offer great data for us as we begin to explore this frontier further. Then, in November, we will announce the launch of the application for the President’s AI Fellowship—an opportunity for faculty and staff to join a professional development cohort aimed at deepening our collective understanding of AI. This fellowship will help participants explore fundamental concepts, technologies, ethical considerations, and the broader impact of AI. I encourage all interested individuals to apply once the application process opens in November.
  
  Achieving the Dream
  We are thrilled to announce that we have been selected as one of eight institutions to participate in the third cohort of Achieving the Dream’s Racial Equity Leadership Academy—a joint initiative with the University of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center! As an institution committed to advancing racial equity and fostering an inclusive, supportive environment for all students, faculty, and staff, this opportunity positions our college to become a national leader in this vital area—serving as a model for others. The leadership academy will empower our delegates to develop bold, strategic racial equity plans and implement actionable change efforts that will benefit our entire community.
  
  Restoration of Student Services
  The plan to restore student services that were cut during the budget mitigation process is making significant progress, with key areas identified for the board’s review in November. This has been a challenging undertaking, and I want to extend my gratitude to all campuses for their commitment to this work. It’s been a collaborative effort to strategically allocate resources to support these critical services while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Our ongoing dialogues with campus stakeholders have been crucial in ensuring that our plan aligns with institutional priorities and the needs of our student community, positioning us well for a successful presentation to the Board of Regents.  We reviewed the plan with the College Senate Finance Committee and will be discussing it with the full College Senate today, October 25. Please visit the transparency webpage for more information.
  
  It’s hard to believe we’re already approaching November, with winter upon us and the fall semester nearing its home stretch. Thank you for your unwavering dedication, and let’s continue moving forward with strength, unity, and a shared sense of purpose as Connecticut’s leader in higher education access and opportunity.
  
  In partnership,
  
  O. John Maduko, M.D.
  President
  Connecticut State Community College

• October 9, 2024: Announcing the Release of the State of the College Video

  Dear CT State Colleagues and Friends,
  
  I am pleased to announce the release of our 2024 State of the College address. This video provides important updates on our progress and highlights key milestones that showcase our collective efforts to strengthen the future of CT State.
  
  As we continue to build on our commitment to student and faculty success, innovation, and our ambitious mission as the largest community college in New England, we recognize there is still much more to accomplish in the months ahead. I’m excited to engage in this important work with all of you.
  
  I encourage everyone to watch the video and reflect on how, together, we are transforming education, expanding opportunities, and improving access and workforce development across Connecticut. Please feel free to use the digital chapter markers throughout the video if there is a specific area of interest. I hope you take a moment to celebrate the accomplishments and forward-looking vision of our entire community.
  
  Thank you for your continued dedication and support.
  
  In Partnership,

  O. John Maduko, M.D. 
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• September 30, 2024: Celebrating a Major Enrollment Achievement at CT State Community College

  Dear CT State Colleagues and Friends,
  
  I am thrilled to share some remarkable news regarding our enrollment for this semester. CT State Community College has achieved a significant milestone in student enrollment thanks to the hard work and unwavering commitment of our dedicated faculty, staff, and student ambassadors. This success reflects not only the strength of our collective efforts but also our steadfast mission to provide accessible and exceptional educational opportunities to all.
  
  I am proud to announce that we have seen a 4% increase in student enrollment across our campuses—collectively, this is our first year-over-year increase since Fall 2012. That’s 12 years of resilience in the face of major challenges, including the global pandemic. Additionally, this marks the largest enrollment growth rate since the Fall of 2010! A total of 36,315 credit students have chosen to join or return to CT State!
  
  Our latest census data provides encouraging insights into the makeup of our student body, showcasing the diversity, resilience, and determination that fuel our institution. Part-time enrollment has risen by 6%, bringing the total number of part-time students to 24,385. Notably, Hispanic/Latine students have increased by 11%, followed closely by a 9% rise in Black/African American students. Additionally, we have seen an 8% increase in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students compared to Fall 2023. These numbers reflect the richness of diversity within our student population and reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive community where everyone belongs.
  
  Moreover, our adult learners (aged 25 and older) saw a 13% increase, and transfers to CT State increased by 11%, demonstrating that we are meeting the growing need for affordable and accessible education. While full-time enrollment experienced a slight 1% decrease, holding steady at 11,930, we maintained a consistent number of traditional-age learners (18-24), reflecting our ability to support students at all stages of their educational journey. With more good news, 89% of students remain enrolled in associate degree programs, while enrollment in certificate programs saw a noteworthy 14% increase over Fall 2023.
  
  “These accomplishments reflect not only our unwavering dedication to delivering an outstanding educational experience but also the hard work and collaboration of our incredible faculty and staff,” said Dr. Tamika Davis, Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management. “With higher enrollment, increased FAFSA completions, and a more diverse student population, CT State continues to embody our commitment to accessible, high-quality education for all students, regardless of their background.”
  
  I would also like to recognize the outstanding contributions of our Strategic Marketing and Communications Department and our partners at Odonnell Company. Their data-driven campaigns, combined with our inviting campuses, have expanded CT State’s reach, elevated our brand awareness, and reinforced our mission to put students at the center of everything we do.
  
  Together, we are shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for our students, institution, and state. I extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for your contributions, and I look forward to continuing this vital work alongside you.
  
  #CTStateProud
  

  In Partnership,

  O. John Maduko, M.D. 
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• September 27, 2024: Join the Open Forums for the Vice President of Enrollment Management Candidates

  September 27, 2024

  Dear CT State Community, 
  
  We are pleased to invite all members of the CT State Community to engage in virtual open forum sessions for the finalists in our search for the next Vice President of Enrollment Management. The search committee has been co-chaired by CT State Manchester Campus CEO Nicole Esposito, Ed.D., and CT State Middlesex Campus CEO Kim Hogan, with valuable support from the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) search consultants to support the search process. We appreciate the dedication and participation of the search committee members.
  
  The virtual open forums are a crucial part of our selection process. They offer an opportunity for you to meet the finalists, hear their vision, and engage in dialogue that will shape the future of enrollment management at CT State. Your input is vital as we seek a leader who aligns with our mission to enhance student success and institutional excellence.
  
  Each finalist will provide their vision for enrollment management at a designated virtual open forum, and we encourage your participation. The forums will take place next week. Details regarding the schedule, virtual format, and how to submit feedback are available on the Vice President of Enrollment Search webpage. Links to join the forums will go live shortly before each forum, and the survey links will go live after the forum concludes and will remain live for 48 hours. We look forward to your involvement in this important process.
  
  Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our community.
  
  Sincerely,
  

  John Maduko  
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• September 12: Announcement of Appointment: Anna Krupitskiy as Vice President of Human Resources

  Dear CT State Community,
  
  It is with great excitement that I announce the appointment of Anna Krupitskiy as the inaugural Vice President of Human Resources at Connecticut State Community College. Anna will lead the establishment of the Division of Human Resources, bringing with her over 20 years of extensive professional experience across non-profit, for-profit, and higher education sectors.

  Anna’s career is distinguished by her unwavering commitment to public service, social justice, and fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the institutions she has served. As a seasoned leader, she has demonstrated a collaborative and strategic-oriented approach that has consistently yielded successful outcomes.
  
  In her most recent role as Vice President for Human Resources at Hudson County Community College (HCCC) in New Jersey, Anna led transformative initiatives that significantly impacted the college’s workforce and culture. HCCC, serving a diverse student body across multiple campuses in Jersey City, Union City, and Secaucus, has been recognized under Anna’s leadership as a “Great College to Work For” and a “Most Promising Place to Work For in Community Colleges” for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024). Her leadership also brought the college to the forefront as a Top 10 Finalist at the Bellwether College Consortium in both 2023 and 2024 for its diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
  
  Anna is particularly proud of her work with Jersey City community partners and the greater Hudson County during her time at HCCC. Her ability to build strong community relationships and collaborate with local partners was instrumental in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for both students and employees.
  
  At HCCC, Anna successfully led and coordinated collective bargaining negotiations for four units in both 2019 and 2022, resulting in multi-year contracts that reinforced a momentum of collegiality and collaboration with the bargaining units. Her ability to foster transparent communication and maintain strong relationships with collective bargaining units has been a cornerstone of her success in these multi-campus environments.
  
  Before joining HCCC, Anna served in leadership roles at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, one of the largest community colleges in the nation, serving over 26,000 students. At both HCCC and BMCC, Anna successfully navigated the complexities of multi-campus environments, overseeing human resources operations across various locations.
  
  Anna’s personal background is equally compelling. With an upbringing in Ukraine and having traveled extensively, she considers herself a citizen of the world. Her global experiences have enriched her worldview, allowing her to connect with diverse communities and foster inclusive environments wherever she serves. Most proudly, Anna is a mother of two, balancing her professional achievements with her commitment to family.
  
  In addition to her professional accomplishments, Anna is multilingual, fluent in Russian and possessing a working knowledge of Ukrainian and French. Her ability to engage with diverse populations is further enriched by her linguistic skills, allowing her to communicate effectively in various cultural contexts.
  
  Anna holds a law degree from New York Law School, a Master of Laws in international human rights law from the University of Essex, a master’s degree in public administration with a focus on nonprofit management from Pace University, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing, also from Pace University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in planning and public policy at Rutgers University. In addition to her academic credentials, Anna is a certified SHRM-SCP and has presented at numerous national conferences, including the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CUPA-HR).
  
  We are confident that Anna’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing the college’s strategic priorities, particularly in fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive work environment for all CT State employees. Please join me in welcoming Anna Krupitskiy to our CT State family.
  
  In Partnership,

  John Maduko  
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• September 11: Honoring the Legacy of 9/11

  Dear CT State Community,
  
  On the anniversary of September 11, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the profound impact this day has had on our lives, country, and world. Though 23 years have passed, the events of that day remain vivid in our hearts and minds. September 11 not only altered the course of history but also touched countless lives in deeply personal ways.
  
  On this solemn day, we honor the memory of those we lost and the families whose lives were forever changed. We pay tribute to the brave first responders and ordinary citizens who risked their lives to save others and the many who came together to support one another in the aftermath of the tragedy. Their heroism and spirit of resilience continue to inspire us today.
  
  We must also reflect on the strength and unity that emerged from such adversity—a testament to the enduring power of coming together in challenging times and the remarkable achievements possible when we do. September 11 serves as a reminder of our shared humanity. As we observe the significance of its anniversary, let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a world built on greater understanding, inclusivity, peace, and mutual respect.
  
  Thank you for being such an essential part of our college community. I encourage you to take a moment to honor and remember in your own way. May we continue to support and uplift one another, cherishing the legacy of those we lost by nurturing a spirit of togetherness and hope. 

  John Maduko  
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• September 3: Welcome Back Video from President Maduko

  Dear CT State Community,
  
  Please enjoy this video from President Maduko as he welcomes back faculty and staff for the Fall semester.
  
  President Maduko stresses, among other things, that the core of our mission is a culture of care for both our students and our employees. He asks that we reaffirm our pledge to our students to provide an inclusive, safe and caring learning environment that embraces diversity and lived experience. 

  John Maduko  
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• July 26: Welcoming Our New Chief of Staff, Tom Yelich

  Dear CT State Community,
  
  I am delighted to announce that Tom Yelich has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff at Connecticut State Community College, effective September 6. Tom brings over a decade of high-level experience in communications, public administration, organizational management, and community relations, making him an exceptional addition to our team.
  
  Tom joins us from Trinity College, where he has been serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff. In this role, he has been pivotal in supporting the Office of the President and the President’s cabinet. Tom has managed presidential communications, collaborated with senior leaders to advance the college’s mission and strategic plan, and fostered strong relationships with internal and external audiences. He has played a vital role in accreditation processes through the New England Commission of Higher Education. He has assisted in administering the Board of Trustees and the college’s governance initiatives. His leadership extended to co-chairing the college’s emergency management team, ensuring preparedness and timely response to critical issues.
  
  Before his tenure at Trinity College, Tom served as a Public Information Officer and Assistant to the Chief of Police for the City of Champaign. In this capacity, he advised the chief of police on strategic planning, policy matters, and public safety communications. He played a crucial role in building trust between law enforcement and the local community and was a member of the city’s leadership communications team during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
  Tom's career began in the sports industry, where he worked at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and USA Football. He led public relations efforts, promoted youth sports safety, and positioned the organizations as thought leaders in the field.
  
  A proud veteran of the United States Navy, Tom deployed overseas twice and was recognized as the runner-up for Junior Sailor of the Year at his command. His military service taught him the value of collaboration, flexibility, hard work, diversity, and inclusion, which he continues to bring to his professional endeavors.
  
  Tom graduated with honors from the University of North Florida with a bachelor of science degree in Communication and Political Science, and a master of public affairs degree (MPA) from the University of Missouri, where he was inducted into the Pi Alpha Alpha honor society for academic excellence.
  
  As Chief of Staff, Tom will play a crucial role in facilitating the execution of our strategic initiatives, coordinating with various departments, and ensuring effective communication and collaboration across the college. His leadership will be vital as we continue to address the needs of our students and community, and I am confident that his contributions will significantly enhance our institution.
  
  Please join me in welcoming Tom Yelich to Connecticut State Community College. We look forward to his leadership and the positive impact he will have on our college community.
  
  In Partnership,
  
  O. John Maduko, M.D.
  President

• July 8: CT State Transitional Announcements

  Dear CT State Colleagues and Friends,
  
  I am writing to inform you of an important leadership transition at the Gateway campus. Dr. Scott Kalicki’s contracted service with CT State Community College as Interim Campus CEO has concluded per the service contract terms between an external agency and CT State. Effective July 26, Dr. Tom Coley, who recently retired, has agreed to step in as Interim Campus CEO through the Fall 2024 semester. We are eager to begin the national search for the permanent CT State Gateway Campus CEO.
  
  As we all know, Dr. Coley brings a wealth of experience, having served in various executive leadership roles over the past five years, including his recent Executive Vice President role, and formally the Shoreline-West Regional President. His steadfast leadership has been a significant asset to our College, and we look forward to his guidance as we navigate this transition and continue to advance the needs of the Gateway campus.
  
  In the interim period before Dr. Coley's arrival, a collective team of central office leaders, including Dr. John Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, will provide onsite leadership.
  
  As CT State enters its second year, we remain committed to aligning our capacities to meet the needs of our students and employees across all locations. Currently, we are actively searching for the following leadership roles:

  • Vice President of Human Resources
  • Vice President of Enrollment Management
  • CT State Gateway Campus CEO

  With Dr. Coley’s retirement as Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Enterprise Performance, my office will repurpose that role to align with current strategic needs and cost-saving measures. These adjustments will be announced at a later date. Effective immediately, Dr. J.D. Mathewson, Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning and the Division of Institutional Research will report to Acting Provost Dr. Karen Hynick under the Division of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Workforce Innovation. This restructuring is part of our preparation for NECHE’s focused site visit in April 2025.
  
  Additionally, Dr. Molly Lauk, Executive Director of Sponsored Programs, and her oversight of the Office of Sponsored Programs, which includes grants operations, will now report to Kerry Kelly within the Division of Finance and Administration.
  
  With the recent departure of Dr. Terry Brown, interim AVP of Strategic Operations and Partnership Development, and Dr. Justin Moore’s transition from Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology to CT State Naugatuck Valley Dean of Faculty, the AVP of Strategic Operations and Partnership Development and School Dean of Engineering and Technology roles will not be backfilled. This decision supports our ongoing efforts to redistribute responsibilities and reduce administrative expenditures.
  
  Provost Hynick will share updates on academic affairs, student affairs, and workforce innovation leadership during Fall 2024.
  
  I understand and recognize that these changes and transitions are disruptive. I appreciate your patience and understanding as the administration diligently works to stabilize our campuses and college-wide functional areas.
  
  We will continue to provide updates over the summer months as new developments arise.
  
  In Partnership,
  
  John Maduko  
  President  
  Connecticut State Community College

• June 7: June News and Updates From President Maduko

  Please watch this video with news and updates from President Maduko.

  In this recording, President Maduko thanks the faculty, staff and leadership of CT State for their steadfast support of our students. He emphasizes the significance of being an open-door college and highlights how CT State offers equitable and transformative education to students, regardless of their backgrounds and circumstances. (Watch on Youtube)

   

  Video Transcript:

  Timecode	Audio	Visuals
  0:00-0:00:08	As we bring this inaugural year as a united college to a close, I want to take a moment to express my deep and heartfelt gratitude to our entire faculty, staff, and leadership team. Your unwavering dedication and commitment have made this year possible despite the many challenges and new realities we have faced. Throughout the year, our faculty and staff have demonstrated extraordinary resilience and an unwavering commitment to our students. CT State is the engine for social and economic mobility, powered by the transformative potential of education. Your efforts have ensured that this engine continues to run, providing opportunities and hope for countless individuals across our state. As we pause to recharge, reflect, and assess, it is also time to prepare for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year and the Fall 2024 semester. Words cannot fully convey my appreciation for the privilege of serving alongside educators, practitioners, and leaders who embody the principles of student-centered and equity-minded education. We have witnessed countless examples of student success and academic excellence	President John Maduko sits at his office desk, speaking directly to the camera. His hands are crossed, and he wears a blue suit top.
  0:01:15-0:01:21	driven by the brilliance and dedication of professionals across our campuses and locations. Your hard work and passion have not gone unnoticed, and I am incredibly proud of all that we have achieved together.	Image of Inaugural Commencement Exercises invitation, replaced by video montage of scenes from several of campus graduations in 2024.
  0:01:31-0:01:36	As we reflect on our role within the broader landscape of higher education, it is essential to recognize the unique and vital position that community colleges hold. We are not Harvard, and that is a good thing. Community colleges, including CT State, serve as America's open-door colleges. We provide access to education for all, fostering inclusivity and diversity.  Our open-door policy ensures that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the opportunity to pursue their dreams and achieve their potential.   CT State Community College stands out as a beacon of hope and opportunity. We are different because we are deeply rooted in our communities, responsive to their needs, and committed to their success. We offer practical, hands-on education that prepares our students for the workforce while also providing a strong foundation for those who wish to continue their academic journeys. In closing, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Your dedication, hard work, and passion have made this year a success, and I am confident that together,  we will continue to achieve great things in the years to come. Thank you for all that you do. It is an honor to serve as your president.	Back to President Maduko at desk
  0:02:43-0:02:47	Thank you!	CT State Community College logo

   

• May 10, 2024: False Alarm at Housatonic on the Evening of May 9

  Dear CT State Community,

  Last night, a call was made into the Bridgeport Police Department regarding a potential active shooter on the Housatonic campus. The Bridgeport and Housatonic police departments immediately responded. It was quickly determined to be a false alarm, and the result of a miscommunication between a parent and child on a phone call. Both persons were connected to an external event being hosted on the campus.

  Housatonic is safe. Last night’s incident was a false alarm, and there was never a threat to the campus community. We are grateful to our Campus Police Department, Chief Chute, Captain Cotto, and the Bridgeport Police Department for their swift response and continual work to keep our campuses safe.  

  Due to the sensitive nature of this matter, the campus will provide counseling support services to students and employees who require additional support. If you or someone you know needs support, we encourage you to also take advantage of the free available Employee Assistance Program (EAP). CT State’s EAP provider is the Lexington Group. You can reach them by phone at 1-800-676-HELP or via their website. Additional information can be found in the attached letter and brochure. Resources for students have also been attached and include TimelyCare FAQs as well as information on Campus Counselors. In the case of a mental health crisis, you can also dial 988.

  Campus leadership will also work with the campus senate leadership on a process to debrief on last night’s incident. 

  Sincerely,

  John Maduko, M.D.
  President

• April 29, 2024

  Dear CT State Colleagues and Friends,

  It is with mixed emotions that I share the news of Dr. Levy Brown stepping down as our Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Workforce Innovation. Although we are saddened to see him leave, we support his decision and congratulate and wish him well as he transitions into his new role as Vice President of Student Services at a soon to be named college in the North Carolina Community College System. A native son of North Carolina, this move allows Levy to return to his home state and support his local communities

  Levy will remain with us until June 9, 2024, to ensure a smooth transition during the final moments of the spring semester. Dr. Brown has been a cornerstone of our leadership team since joining CT State in June 2023. He has shown unwavering dedication to our mission and has played a critical role in advancing academic initiatives. His steadfast commitment to advocating for our students, faculty, and staff, as well as his ability to engage with our internal and external stakeholders, has made him an invaluable part of our college.

  Highlighted below are a few of the key areas of accomplishment Levy’s leadership yielded during his time with us.  

  Academic Affairs

  • The Office of the Provost and team supported Curriculum Congress in reviewing an estimated 252 proposals to date, including 171 course proposals, 64 academic program proposals and 17 AP Exam Equivalences, and 2 new program proposals in Practical Nursing and Plastic Injection Molding.

  Workforce Innovation (Workforce Development and Continuing Education)

  • Collaboratively supported programs and courses that served 12,097 (duplicated count) students.

  Fostering engagement opportunities for key constituencies to provide input and feedback on our strategic priorities for our continuous improvement purposes.

  • Launching of Council of Faculty, Advanced Manufacturing Council, Workforce Development Council
  • Co- Facilitating the newly established Council of Student Services and Experiences and Early College Taskforce
  • Strengthening our Academic Dean’s Council and Dean of Student Affairs Council
  • Created and implemented the new role of Interim Executive Dean of Policy, Governance, and Special Projects to foster increased communications with governance leaders and to better support the new governance structure among other key areas.

  Organizational Development and Division Structure

  • Developed structure of the newly formed Division of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Workforce Innovations
  • Created and implemented the roles of Executive Dean of Workforce Innovations and Partnerships and the new role of Interim Executive Dean of Academic Success and Strategic Operations/Dean of the School of Math and Science.

  External Partnerships and Achievements of Impact

  • Provost Brown led the work in collaboration with the Office of the President and other leaders to successfully launch the CT State Business Roundtable Series during Spring 2024. The CT State Business Roundtables were conducted at the request of the Office of Governor Ned Lamont. External partners included the Governor’s Office, OWS, and Advance CT.

  Levy's leadership has been exemplary, providing us with thoughtful guidance and serving as a trusted advisor. His ability to tackle complex issues with integrity and conviction has been a tremendous asset to our college. I am grateful for his support, and his work has undoubtedly helped us navigate many challenges.

  Please join me in expressing our appreciation to Levy for his outstanding service to CT State. We wish him every success in his future endeavors.

  With this change, I'm pleased to announce that Dr. Karen Hynick has been appointed as Acting Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Workforce Innovation for a two-year term beginning June 10, 2024. A national search to fill the permanent Provost position will commence in 2026.

  Dr. Hynick brings a wealth of experience to her new role. As the Campus CEO for CT State  Quinebaug Valley, her leadership has been instrumental in fostering significant achievements, including enrollment growth, strategic planning, and successful reaccreditation. Her expertise and extensive experience in community college leadership, academic program development, and dual enrollment initiatives make her an excellent fit for this position.

  Dr. Hynick's journey in education is both inspiring and remarkable. Her breadth of knowledge and dedication to education will undoubtedly benefit CT State as we move forward.

  Dr. Hynick is a skilled and seasoned educator with over twenty years of community college leadership experience and significant outcomes to draw from as she enters this new role. In July 2021, Dr. Hynick was selected as the CEO of Quinebaug Valley Community College. She led their transition to CT State Quinebaug Valley.

  During her tenure:

  • CT State Quinebaug Valley experienced positive enrollment gains semester-after-semester.
  • Launched a strategic plan for QVCC.
  • Garnered a philanthropic donation of the Willimantic instructional site which revitalized programming in Willimantic.
  • Led a successful NECHE site visit and reaccreditation for Quinebaug Valley CC.
  • Expanded partnerships with local school districts including the co-located Quinebaug Middle College.
  • Worked with NC-Sara to have ten programs approved to be offered fully online.
  • Fostered a partnership with the Race Equity and Justice Institute to provide a more focused emphasis on DEI professional development.
  • Began the work to develop CT State’s first practical nursing (LPN) program.
  • Co-chaired of the Early College Taskforce with Provost Brown, resulting in an emerging dual enrollment policy and procedure expected to go through the CT State Academic Senate in May and onto the Board of Regents in June. 

  Prior to coming to CT State, Dr. Hynick served as the Vice President of Academic Affairs for North Shore Community College (Massachusetts) for seven years. During her tenure there she led their institution through a successful NECHE reaccreditation study and numerous programmatic reaccreditations, the development and implementation of the college’s inaugural master academic plan, launched new academic programs in Funeral Services and Entrepreneurship, led efforts for their academic and advising redesigns in alignment with national best practices in guided pathways to include non-credit to credit articulation and transparent crosswalks, secured a multi-million-dollar title IV grant, and a five million dollar philanthropic grant for their Health Care Simulation Center. 

  Her work with their faculty yielded a newly redesigned academic program review model, culminating with the identification and assessment of student and programmatic learning outcomes at the course and program level. Her team led North Shore Community College’s leadership role in Massachusetts Community College’s statewide credit for prior learning program, My Experience Counts. Dr. Hynick also led North Shore Community College’s formation of their early college programs with the Lynn and Essex Technical High School and co-led the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education's Dual Enrollment Taskforce.

  Prior to coming to North Shore Community College, Dr. Hynick spent almost a decade in Minnesota, within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, first as a Dean of Academic Affairs at Minneapolis Community and Technical College for six years and then as the System Director of P-20 for the system office. During her tenure, her efforts led to new legislation and scale in dual and concurrent enrollment, credit for prior learning, and the redesign of developmental education.

   Dr. Hynick began her teaching career in the Department of Youth Services in Massachusetts, teaching incarcerated youth. She spent eight years as a high school history teacher and department chair of Social Studies at Leominster High School, also in Massachusetts. Her depth and experiences in the educational ecosystem will no doubt make her an invaluable asset to CT State as our new Acting Provost.

  Please join me in welcoming Dr. Hynick to her new role. We look forward to her leadership and the positive impact she will have on our college community.

  More information will be forthcoming regarding transition campus leadership plans for CT State Quinebaug Valley.

  Thank you for your continued support and commitment to CT State.

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President
  Connecticut State Community College

• April 20, 2024

  Dear CT State - Colleagues and Friends, 

  I wish to inform you of a recent incident that occurred at our CT State - Asnuntuck campus and provide you with important safety updates. The CT State - Asnuntuck campus community (employees and students) received a similar message prior to this college-wide announcement. 

  Earlier today, at approximately 8:00 am, the Connecticut State Police K9 Explosive Detection team conducted a pre-emptive sweep of the CT State - Asnuntuck campus to locate any potential explosives. This action was taken in response to a potential bomb threat aimed at disrupting an event on campus scheduled for the day. The sweep concluded at 9:15 am, with no explosives found.

  The event on campus proceeded without incident and concluded around 12:00 noon.

  However, at 1:22 pm, our CT State - Asnuntuck campus security site manager received a phone call from an NBC Worldwide affiliate in New York City, indicating that they had received an email about a bomb threat to the CT State - Asnuntuck campus. The email, sent to NBC at 9:21 am, claimed there were explosives on the campus, set to detonate at 10:00 pm. This communication came shortly after the Connecticut State Police K9 team completed its sweep.

  Out of an abundance of caution, the Hartford Police K9 Explosive Detection team conducted a secondary sweep of the CT State - Asnuntuck campus. No explosives were found, and the threat was deemed not credible.

  The safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors are our top priority.  

  Our CT State Community College Police Department, led by Chief Christopher Chute, is working closely with law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the source of the threatening email and alleged threats. 

  CT State administration including CT State - Asnuntuck CEO Michelle Coach has been in constant communication with our College police department. All necessary precautions have been taken to ensure the safety and security of everyone on the CT State - Asnuntuck campus. Heightened security measures will remain in place as needed.  

  We appreciate the cooperation and patience of our CT State - Asnuntuck campus community during this time. Please rest assured that we are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment for all. 

  The paramount concern of our college is the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. We have taken all necessary precautions to safeguard their well-being.

  Thank you for your understanding.

  Sincerely,

  John Maduko, M.D.

  President 

• April 19, 2024

  Greetings, CT State College Community,

  The CSCU system office is reviewing a matter regarding a recent interaction at CT State Housatonic. It is important to me to address this matter directly and transparently with the entire CT State community.

  My goal, as always, is to engage in meaningful and thought-provoking discussions that challenge us to think critically and grow intellectually. I want to reiterate my unwavering commitment to fostering an atmosphere where free speech and open discourse are encouraged and celebrated. Our institution prides itself on being a place where diverse perspectives can be expressed and debated constructively and respectfully. This principle is foundational to our mission and critical to our success as a community of scholars and learners. 

  The CSCU system office is initiating a review of this matter to ensure that all facts are assessed thoroughly. This step reflects our commitment to transparency and accountability. We aim to resolve any concerns swiftly and fairly, reinforcing our dedication to upholding the highest standards of conduct, including the office of the CT State President. 

  I am committed to ensuring that our campuses remain safe and welcoming spaces for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. To this end, I welcome ongoing dialogue on how we can continuously improve our communication and interactions. Please feel free to reach out to my office directly with any concerns or suggestions you may have. If you’d prefer to contact the CSCU system office directly, please direct your concerns and suggestions to Ms. Lori Lamb, Interim Vice Chancellor of Human Resources and Labor Relations, at lori.lamb@ct.edu.

  Thank you for your continued dedication to making CT State a place where all voices are heard. I look forward to our collective efforts to nurture an environment of mutual respect and understanding.

  In Partnership,

  O. John Maduko, M.D.

  President

• March 27, 2024

  Greetings, CT State Colleagues and Friends,

   As we wrap up the month of March, there has been tremendous activity across the college and our statewide locations. I have had the privilege to witness student academic excellence and perseverance, scholarly activity on the part of our world-class faculty, above and beyond student support from our stellar professional staff, and servant leadership by our campus and central office leaders. Every day, our college community advances the state's and surrounding communities' needs.

  Legislative Campus Events 

  Our Legislative Breakfast events are campus-based forums designed to help our elected officials learn about our CT State’s key issues, share points of pride related to our student's success, and ask questions of campus, college, and system office leaders. Since early this semester, we have held 11 out of 12 Legislative Breakfasts, with one remaining (CT State Quinebaug Valley on April 2). Our legislators and attendees have provided the college with great feedback regarding the effectiveness of our storytelling and CT State Fast Facts.

  Some of those details include:

  • Student demographics (66% part-time, 60% students of color, 85% receiving some form of financial aid, 78% degree-seeking, 98% Connecticut residents, and over 90% of graduates remain in Connecticut)
  • Connecticut’s leader in workforce development with 3,800 students in nursing and health professions programs, 2,500 IT students, and 1,400 manufacturing students annually
  • Connecticut’s leader in manufacturing training with 10 (will be 11) of our locations providing training
  • Diversified academic portfolio with 14,000 students in general studies and 10,000 students in liberal arts and STEM; over 120 workforce development programs
  • Over 8,000 dual enrollment students across 181 partner high schools
  • You can find our Fast Facts online.

  With the Connecticut General Assembly Regular Legislative Session adjourning on May 8, there is still time to advocate for more investments for CT State and the entire CSCU system, which includes a $47.6 million ask in additional funding to the remaining FY25 deficits for CT State ($41.3 million) and Western Connecticut State University ($6.3 million).

  Dual Enrollment  

  CT State continues its efforts to establish an early college/dual enrollment framework and policy. So far this academic year, the Office of the President has held two quarterly CT State Executive Leadership Advisory Council for K-12 meetings with superintendents and K-12 leaders from across the state to lend their expertise, needs, and guidance. A draft CT State Early College/Dual Policy has been established that will be shared for review by various stakeholders (i.e., the President’s Cabinet, Advisory Council members, and the College Senate). The goal is to codify policy before the end of the academic year and work towards it during the next fiscal year (FY25). 

  Enrollment Management

  For two consecutive academic years, we have experienced flat and nearly flat enrollment, which has been a positive example of the resilience of our staff and faculty despite the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and enrollment challenges for the majority of community colleges nationwide. As we plan and strategize for the Fall 2024 semester and 2024-2025 academic year, we have a goal of a 5% increase in credit student enrollment for Fall 2024 compared to Fall 2023. At the fall census, we enrolled 34,991 students, so approximately 35,000, and a 5% increase would be 1,750 students for a goal of 36,750 Fall 2024 credit students. 

  The college partnered with Ferrilli, a higher education technology consultant, to conduct an enrollment operations gap analysis. Ferrilli will provide a final report with recommendations that we will incorporate into our enrollment management strategies and campaigns for the upcoming academic year.

  Commencement

  Commencement season is around the corner, and I look forward to the first-ever graduation ceremonies as CT State. The commencement workgroup has completed tremendous work, finalizing details from diploma design to student regalia, academic recognition, curricular school banners, and more. More information about our commencement ceremonies is available online. 

  Public Safety and Emergency Management

  Led by the efforts of CT State Police Chief Christopher Chute and our sworn officers and public safety staff, earlier this year CT State’s Police Department received Tier I Accreditation per the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST-C). POST-C accreditation is designed to provide Connecticut law enforcement agencies with a process that demonstrates the ability to provide accountability, transparency, and quality services by police officers in their communities. As the largest institution of higher education in Connecticut, public safety is a top priority for CT State and its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Joining the State of Connecticut’s POST-C Accreditation program is a testament to our CT State Police Department and its ability to perform under high standards, which will shape lasting practices and positively contribute to the department’s commitment to serving our statewide campus communities. 

  NECHE Focused Visit Spring 2025

  As a condition of CT State’s Initial Accreditation, granted by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) on July 1, 2023, the college will undergo a focused evaluation in Spring 2025, including visits to each of our 12 campuses. The comprehensive evaluation of CT State, which was originally scheduled for Fall 2025, is rescheduled to Fall 2027. 

  I have appointed Provost Levy Brown, Dr. Mary Ellen Jukoski, Dr. Michael Rooke, and Dr. J.D. Mathewson as co-leads for the CT State NECHE Steering Committee. Provost Brown has a wealth of experience from a community college system and institutional leadership perspective regarding comprehensive accreditation site visits and evaluations. Dr. Jukoski has vast experience as president of multiple institutions and serving as a former NECHE Commissioner. Dr. Rooke has extensive experience with NECHE from an institutional president’s role and years of experience as a senior leader with our former colleges, and he has been instrumental in leading the efforts to compile our previous NECHE progress reports. Dr. Mathewson is our Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning and our official accreditation liaison to NECHE. His tenure with our Institutional Research leaders has augmented the college’s capacity to perform high-level analysis and research across all major functional areas. This team of leaders, with my cabinet and in partnership with the College Senate, will identify a diverse representation of stakeholders from across our campuses to support the work to prepare the college for the Spring 2025 focused visit. We will establish Standards Committees with co-chairs for NECHE’s Nine Standards of Accreditation.

  The preparation process will be transparent, inclusive, and comprehensive regarding work, analysis, and participation. Regular updates and a dedicated public website that will serve as a repository of meeting agendas, links to data sources, and other supporting materials.

  More information will be forthcoming upon the launch of the steering committee and engagement with the College Senate. 

  Governor Lamont's Engagement with the CT State College Senate

   Last month, a small College Senate delegation met with Governor Ned Lamont. For the first time, our college governance representatives had the privilege of engaging in dialogue with the Governor, addressing crucial issues that directly impact our college and, most importantly, our students. It is worth noting that the governor had not previously met with other community college governance, faculty, and staff delegations. This is a testament to the growing effectiveness and recognition of the College Senate, their collective voice being respected, and the importance of CT State’s contributions to Connecticut. 

  As we head into April and the latter stages of the spring semester, please be on the lookout for details surrounding Community College Month; College Senate elections; campus climate assessment by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; engagement opportunities from the Office of the Provost; the release of the CT State organizational chart, and more!

  In Partnership,

  John Maduko, M.D.

• March 14, 2024

  It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing of our colleague, Alycia Ziegler. 

  Alycia was not only a valued member of the Three Rivers community but also a friend to many of us across the college. Her dedication and warmth impacted everyone she met.

  Her life was interwoven with Three Rivers. She started as a student worker in 2014 and, after graduating in 2016, returned to work at Three Rivers while she continued her education at the University of Connecticut and ultimately at Boston University where she earned a Master of Education. In 2019, she became the Director of Student Activities and was also a faculty member. During her time at Three Rivers, she was a ceaseless advocate for all students.

  Alycia mentored countless students, and her devotion to their well-being and growth leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered by all who knew her. She cared deeply for food-insecure students and worked to expand both access and offerings at the food pantry. She was the impetus for the first Lavender Graduation ceremony, one of the campus leads for Achieving the Dream and worked tirelessly to promote equity and social justice in everything that she touched.  

  If you or someone you know needs support, we encourage you to take advantage of the free available Employee Assistance Program (EAP). CT State’s EAP provider is the Lexington Group. You can reach them by phone at 1-800-676-HELP or via their website. Employees and their family members can access the EAP by calling for an appointment. At that point, you’ll be connected with an EAP counselor who will set up an appointment. The session is confidential and at no cost to you or your family.

  We extend our heartfelt condolences to Alycia's family and loved ones during this difficult time. Let us remember and honor her life and the positive influence she had on our college community. Plans for a celebration of life are underway.

• January 18, 2024

  President O. John Maduko will deliver the CT State Address at 11:00 am this morning. Immediately following this, President Maduko will be joined by Provost Levy Brown, and the two will answer questions from a live audience. 

  The presentation will run from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm and can be watched via livestream. It will also be recorded for future viewing.

2023

• December 20, 2023

  Dear CT State Colleagues and Friends,

  We have reached the end of the semester and calendar year, with many of you leaving for a well-deserved break. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all that you do and your commitment to the success of our students, community, and state-wide institution.

  This semester has been challenging in many areas due to our existence as a new college, budgetary constraints, and domestic and global crises. Throughout this semester, members of our college community have shared their successes and pain points with me. I am constantly reminded to listen to our stakeholders so that the college is responsibly addressing our college community's needs while supporting their diverse ideas and views.

  As we head into the new year, we must continue to work towards stabilizing CT State through collaboration, shared governance, and care for the needs of our students, employees, and campuses.

  January and February will serve as opportunities for us to hold legislative events with members of the general assembly across our campuses to demonstrate our value and impact on our students, workforce sectors and communities. The office of the president and those of our campus CEOs/presidents will work with the CSCU system office to schedule those legislative breakfast meetings.

  On January 14, 2024, CT State will submit its fourth progress report to NECHE (New England Commission of Higher Education) that updates the commission on the college’s progress with accomplishing tasks and goals slated to be completed between June 2023 and January 2024 that include enrollment and financial goals, progress with establishing college-wide assessment, and matters noted in our letter of April 12, 2023. As always, the College will make all communication and documentation between NECHE and CT State available.

  In early February, the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) National Legislative Summit, the premier community college advocacy event in Washington, D.C., will bring together more than 1,000 community college leaders. The event highlights the importance of our nation’s community colleges for Congress and the Administration. National Legislative Summit participants will hear from members of U.S. Congress, administration officials, leading political analysts, and other high-profile speakers about the current climate in D.C., upcoming election prospects, and legislative issues impacting community colleges. My office plans on bringing a team of leaders and representatives from our faculty and students to attend the summit and join the advocacy for community colleges.

  In January, my office will update the college on the timeline and plans to initiate the permanent searches for current interim executive leadership roles, campus CEOs, and the Vice President of Enrollment Management.

  During the Spring 2024 semester, I will embark on open forums and events with students across our campus to hear and learn about their experiences, challenges, needs, and goals. I have yet to answer the question of Connecticut’s best pizza joint, so I hope our students can lead me to the most diplomatic response.

  In January, Provost Brown will join me to broadcast the State of the College, highlighting our successes and milestones for the 2023 calendar year, current strategic opportunities, student equity gaps, and what lies ahead for the remainder of the academic year. More details about this event will be made available in the new year.

  CT State is an incredible community of students, faculty, staff, alums and friends. Our students are intelligent, passionate, and fueled by worthy ambitions. Our faculty, staff, and alums are dedicated allies of CT State and its mission to strive for academic excellence and student success in all that we do. In addition, CT State greatly mirrors the beautiful and unique cultures across Connecticut and beyond.

  I look forward to continuing our shared work in 2024, when we will again unite to make CT State, our communities, Connecticut, our country, and the world a better place for everyone. I also send my season’s greetings in this holiday video that includes a semester wrap-up.

  Please take time over the holidays to rest, recharge, and reflect. Thank you for all that you do.

  Happy Holidays, and In Partnership,

  President John Maduko

• November 15, 2023

  CT State Colleagues and Friends,

  Earlier today, the Board of Regents for Higher Education held a special meeting to hear from the CSCU system office officials and the presidents from the six-member institutions, including Connecticut State Community College, to provide budget mitigation plans for the FY24 and FY25 fiscal years.

  As you know, CT State is facing a historic fiscal deficit and structural imbalance beyond enrollment decline. Our experience mirrors what is happening nationally with a highly volatile higher education landscape. Penn State University flagship, Rutgers University, West Virginia University, and other large and prominent 2-year and 4-year institutions and systems face a perfect storm of financial challenges.

  As President, our Board of Regents and Chancellor tasked me with addressing our biennial deficit. We initially assessed the least painful option with a heavy reliance on our reserves. Still, CT State does not have enough reserves to address our biennial deficit and preserve rainy-day funds. Reserves are not meant to maintain recurring expenditures like operations, services, programs, and staffing.

  A deficit model and mindset are not sustainable and jeopardize being true to our mission and values. Through the spirit of transparency and shared governance, we had to rethink how to establish fiscal sustainability and solvency.

  Our incredible team of vice presidents and 12 campus CEOs/Presidents were in attendance today, who represent and lead our outstanding faculty and staff, and were asked to do the impossible. All campus locations, including our Central Office in New Britain, were directed by my office to mitigate large deficit targets. At the same time, we embarked on launching the newest college in New England. This has been an extremely painful process.

  Our mitigation report summarized eliminating $83.6 million of our $124.9 million biennial deficit, fully extinguishing our FY24 deficit of $33.6 million, and reducing our FY25 deficit from $91.3 million to $41.3 million.

  Our plan for FY24 results in:

  • No layoffs of bargained employees,

  • No closures of academic programs and

  • No closures of our 18 campus and satellite locations.

  In no way is this a perfect plan. Nor are we happy to take these drastic measures because every action involves and impacts the very people we serve, our students and employees.

  I acknowledge that you have heard that we have reduced staffing, we have, those being managerial/confidential executive administrators and temporary employees, which we did not take lightly. Our employees are the engine of our mission and commitment to our students, so it pains us to see the impact on our college community.

  I know that balancing and maintaining the state budget is a complicated and arduous process, so we continue to appreciate Governor Lamont’s administration, the Connecticut General Assembly, our Board of Regents, and the taxpayers of Connecticut for their support of us. We will continue to advocate for our full funding. We are proud to serve the great state of Connecticut, and investing in its lone community college is an investment in our communities, industries, and economy.

  In the spirit of transparency, the QR Code below will provide access to the CT State FY24-25 Budget Mitigation Plan presentation and a comprehensive report with appendices that detail each budget mitigation strategy, action, and initiative.

  I want to thank our faculty and staff, including our bargaining units and statewide and local governance bodies, who advocate for our students and employees.

  In Partnership,

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President
  Connecticut State Community Colleg

• October 10, 2023

  On Saturday, October 7, news outlets began to report that the Hamas terrorist group had stormed into Israeli towns and communities, killing hundreds and kidnapping others in a horrific attack. A conflict ensued between Israel and Hamas, where over 1,200 people have died in Israel, including at least 22 Americans, and over 1,100 people have died in Gaza and the West Bank. We condemn the terrorist attack on Israel at the hands of Hamas, mourn for the Israeli victims, mourn for Palestinian victims trapped in the middle of the Israel-Hamas conflict, and stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors in the region.

  You may ask where was our immediate response to these tragedies. We want to be an institution beyond statements and evolve where we provide support and resources to our college members, students, and employees.

  To be clear, we at CT State Community College are deeply troubled by the unfolding violence in Israel and Gaza. Terrorism, including the murder and kidnapping of civilians, is never justified as a solution to disagreement and conflict. In that light, we strongly condemn the violent attacks by Hamas militants on the people of Israel. As an institution of higher education, we will concentrate on supporting those members of our college community who are directly or indirectly impacted by these tragic events.

  If you or someone you know needs support, we encourage you to take advantage of the free campus resources available.

  We recognize that members of our community may view these conflicts differently and struggle to process the complexity of the current and historic tensions in the Middle East. We also understand that feelings expressed may vary from despair and fear to anger and frustration, especially when war and violence risk the lives and safety of loved ones.

  The college will partner with our campus-based employee resource groups, DEI councils, and external community-based organizations to provide additional support outlets for our employees and students. CT State’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider is the Lexington Group. You can reach them by phone at 1-800-676-HELP or via their website. The unique employee password is cscuE.

  CT State is a part of a global community. As agents of care, we must extend compassion to each other. Please join me in extending our support and thoughts to the impacted communities during this challenging time.

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

• September 29, 2023

  Dear Colleagues and Friends,

  I am excited to announce that on September 28, CT State received its countersigned Program Participation Agreement from the U.S. Department of Education that authorizes the college to participate in the Title IV financial aid programs. Our CT State federal school code on the FAFSA is officially 007635 for all campuses. While this is welcome and exciting news in the young history of CT State, the U.S. Department of Education has recommended that we push back our scheduled financial aid disbursement date from October 2 to October 10 as a result of additional actions that must be completed to prepare for disbursement.

  This delay will inherently impact our students who are anticipating refund checks and loan proceeds to provide assistance for food, housing, and transportation. The Financial Aid Office has already taken the necessary steps to provide for aid disbursement on October 10 and minimize any further holdup. Additionally, we have reached out to the remaining 1,000 enrolled students who still have a legacy OPEID listed on their FAFSA and will address matters concerning existing CPoS alerts. It is imperative that we continue these efforts until every student on the list has updated their FAFSA and the appropriate steps have been taken to resolve CPoS alerts. As a next step, a meeting will be scheduled for all front-facing student support service departments and staff to provide guidance on how to support students during this process.

  On October 10, CT State will provide the following disbursements:

  • $33.5 million in federal funding to more than 14,000 Pell students
  • $10.7 million in federal funding to more than 2,900 student loan borrowers
  • Campus-based funding of $1.4 million in federal work-study
  • $1.4 million in the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
  • $11.8 million in PACT funds to 11,517 students

  A financial aid dashboard is available for those who may want additional details.

  You may be aware there is concern of a looming federal government shutdown that may begin on October 1. While the U.S. Department of Education was unable to provide a direct response on how this may impact our institution, the department’s public-facing contingency plan is available for review, where skeleton staff would be available for a set period of time to ensure federal aid disbursements can be obligated as needed. We will continue to monitor the status of a potential federal government shutdown as well as provide a comprehensive summary on our college communications page for the benefit of students, faculty, and staff.

  In Partnership,

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

• August 10, 2023

  Dear CT State Community,

  CSCU Chancellor Cheng has tasked the institutional presidents to develop deficit mitigation planning and strategies to reach a balanced budget. In June, the biennial budget for CT State that was approved per the recent legislative session did not provide us with the resources to maintain the current level of services that we are accustomed to. The biennial budget is disappointing for each institution in the CSCU system but is exponentially severe for CT State. The System received additional funding for FY24 to help transition to this new reality of a constrained budget. CT State faces significant shortfalls of $33.6 million in AY24, $91.3 million in AY25, and $118 million in AY26.

  Our budget mitigation plans and those of our sister institutions, including the Connecticut State Universities and Charter Oak State College, will be presented to the Board of Regents in early November.

  Chancellor Cheng and the Board of Regents’ expectations are that we identify solutions that will solve our budget issues over the next three fiscal years. We need solutions that maximize our revenue in addition to solutions that streamline our operations while also remaining true to our core mission. Deficit mitigation will consist of strategies for boosting enrollment and retention, generating direct and ancillary revenue, and reducing recurring expenses.

  I have tasked each campus CEO/President with developing a balanced campus budget plan by Sept. 15. Those budget plans will be considered and finalized as part of our overall goal of closing our fiscal gap of $33.6 million in the 23-24 academic year (AY24).

  Each Vice President over statewide functional areas of CT State, including Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management, has also been tasked with trimming their divisional bottom line. This will impact operations on our campuses, personnel, and managerial-confidential personnel based out of the college’s central office in New Britain.

  The majority of our total budget is dedicated to personnel salary and fringe. New hiring will only proceed for needs prioritizing instruction, student-facing services, public safety, equity work, and facilities/IT infrastructure.

  We must always be able to provide services like tutoring, libraries, holistic services like our food pantries, writing labs, disability services, and wellness counseling. They are the cornerstones of academic and student support services. Creativity, flexibility, and the ability to adapt to continue to provide these services within budget will be essential.

  Other measures that are under consideration per our budget mitigation strategies are as follows:

  • Modifying facility hours of operation
  • Cost-cutting measures to reduce utility usage
  • Modifying food and travel expenditures (will require the CEO or Vice President's approval)
  • Reduction of overtime
  • Voluntary Schedule Reduction Program (anyone interested should contact HR Shared Services)

  I urge you to connect and partner with your campus CEOs or divisional Vice Presidents with your ideas for increasing enrollment, improving student persistence and retention, increasing student credit hours, generating revenue, and streamlining operations. We will work with and through our shared governance bodies locally on campuses and at the state college level to meet our budget and deficit goal in the most thoughtful, transparent, and responsible manner.

  My office will continue to update the college community regarding our budget deficit and plans. CSCU Chancellor Cheng will also issue updates to all member institutions. This will be a difficult and painful process, requiring each of us to challenge current practices and behaviors while remaining steadfast in our support of our students and each other.

  In Partnership,

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

• June 30, 2023

  CT State Colleagues and Friends,

  In less than 24 hours, we embark on our first moments as Connecticut State Community College, the state’s lone comprehensive and open-enrollment community college that serves all residents of Connecticut with the mission to provide inclusive, equitable, and affordable access to higher education that support students’ goals for post-graduate success and family-sustaining careers. I am beyond disappointed by the Supreme Court’s recent decision to prohibit the use of race in college admissions. This decision undermines the countless years of civil rights and social progress that elevated the importance of diversity and will setback advances in the fight against inequalities inside and outside of post-secondary education.

  The benefits of affirmative action policies have been rooted in the pursuit to diversify our institutions of higher education to reflect the identities, backgrounds, cultures, ideas, and lived experiences of historically and systemically underserved, minoritized, and disenfranchised communities. Our institutions and campuses also benefit from the ability to produce diverse graduates that provide a variety of perspectives and opportunities to the workforce.

  Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging were integral to our 12 legacy community colleges and will remain at the core of our values. We will continue to commit our efforts to close the equity and opportunity gaps among our students and employees while ensuring that our new college mirrors Connecticut's vibrant and beautiful diversity. We remain dedicated to fostering learning environments, experiences, and opportunities for all residents of Connecticut to enable them to thrive across our communities.

  In Partnership,
  

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President

  Connecticut State Community College

• June 20, 2023

  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.

  https://www.neche.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Public-Statement-Connecticut-State-Community-College-June-19-2023.pdf

  In Partnership,
  

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President

• June 9, 2023

  Happy Friday:

  Last week I shared several leadership updates. As we finish off another week, I could not wait to share a few more!

  I am pleased to announce that I have selected Dr. Manuel Gomez as the interim CEO of Housatonic Community College. Dr. Gomez is currently the Associate Vice President of Academic Operations for CT State. He will continue to perform key duties as part of Academic Affairs while assuming the interim role at HCC. Prior to his service in Connecticut, Dr. Gomez held high-level positions including vice president and associate provost roles at community colleges in Arizona and South Dakota.

  Dr. Gomez will begin transitioning as soon as possible. HCC’s former CEO Dr. Dwayne Smithhas already begun his new role as the interim President of Southern Connecticut State University.

  Permanent CEO searches for both Housatonic and Gateway will commence in the Fall 2023 semester.

  In addition, I am thrilled to share that Dr. Joshua Searcy will be joining the CT State team as the new Dean of Social & Behavioral Science as of June 16. Dr. Searcy comes to us from Baltimore City Community College and has an extensive background in education, particularly health and kinesiology education, as well as experience working with justice-involved populations and prison education programs. He will work directly under incoming CT State Provost Dr. Levy Brown, whose first day is June 19.

  With Gratitude,
  
  

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President

  Connecticut State Community College

  Read My 100 Day Report

• June 3, 2023

  Colleagues and Friends,

  Today marks the end of my first year as president of Connecticut State Community College. Thank you for your contributions and support to making this year remarkable and hopeful as we race towards a new beginning as one statewide community college. I have appreciated engaging with our vibrant students and dedicated (and resilient, opinionated, thoughtful, brutally honest, and wise) faculty, staff, administrators, and lifelong alumni and friends. I have learned from all of you how the history of our 12 legacy community colleges is entwined into the fabric of our communities. We have endured much together while accomplishing many great things this academic year.

  The genuine support for my family and me as we relocated to Connecticut and the countless warm welcomes I received during my many visits to our beautiful campuses, the many meetings, open forums, and town halls with campus teams and community partners have humbled me with the relationships I have built and sustained over this first year.

  Despite the many challenges brought about through the process of the merger, there were also many indicators of the growing acknowledgment of CT State and our 12 great colleges as sources of outstanding curricular and co-curricular achievements.

  Here is a listing of just a few:

  Our 12 legacy community colleges and what will be CT State are reaching more students now than during the height of the global pandemic! This spring, we saw a double-digit increase in new students year-over-year, double-digit gains with our Black and Latinx male students, and 8% and 9% overall increases with Black and Latinx students, respectfully, from last year.

  After years of remote environments, our campus communities reintroduced our first-class academic ecosystems and holistic student support services to provide tangible, experiential learning opportunities through a mosaic of modalities, faculty providing their lifelong and real-world experiences, and student affairs practitioners committed to developing confidence in our diverse student body. As a result, our students are prepared to become the professional and global leaders of tomorrow.

  CT State has cultivated and expanded our partnerships to provide workforce development student learning opportunities. For example, we collaborated with Accenture at Capital Community College to enable our students to explore a career in Information Technology in a year-long paid apprenticeship that provides hands-on training and mentorship in the field. We also secured a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for our Asnuntuck, Capital, Gateway, Housatonic, Manchester, Naugatuck Valley, Norwalk, and Quinebaug Valley colleges to close equity gaps and provide students with pathways to in-demand information technology jobs.

  CT State has taken significant steps this year toward strengthening our long-term viability in student mental health and public safety. We have committed to bringing on mental health and wellness counselors to address the mental health needs of our students. In addition, earlier in the year, we hired and swore-in our inaugural chief of police to address the public safety and emergency preparedness needs among our vast and complex 18 locations across the state.

  Our ongoing efforts to reinforce relationships with Connecticut lawmakers resulted in much-needed funding to CT State in critical areas. CT State received $1.2 million in state grants per the CT Health Horizons to increase the number of didactic and clinical faculty to help increase overall seats in our RN programs.

  Arts & Humanities faculty and students demonstrated academic excellence throughout the year - from Denis Roussel Award 2022 Work of Merit recipient Jessica Somers, to Capital Community College's Hartford Heritage Project, to Northwestern Professor of Environmental Science and Biology Dr. Tara Jo Holmberg being elected as the president of the National Association of Biology Teachers, to NVCC’s Theater Department’s production of the play Everybody selected as a regional finalist in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, to Norwalk students Derriffee Graham and Carter DeMarcoessays being published in the CT Mirror.

  Healthcare, Manufacturing, and STEM successes by our faculty, staff, and students spanned the state - from Professor of Mathematics Diane Hillyer being named the Connecticut Science Center STEM Achievement Award Higher Education Honoree, to Interim Director of Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center Sharon Lutkus receiving the Spring Industry Community Advocate Award, to Gateway’s Radiography program receiving its eight-year reaccreditation from the JRCERT accreditor.

  Though we accomplished much in the last 12 months, I would be remiss in failing to recognize the level of trauma, exhaustion, and sense of grieving our colleagues across our colleges have endured throughout the pandemic and merger. Therefore, a considerable element of our stabilization will be making the platform and space available for people to heal.

  I’m eager to see what our future holds as we transition to CT State and embark on new opportunities, pending new realities with our fiscal health, and the growing need to educate, develop, and train traditional and non-traditional learners.

  There are literally thousands of individuals that I owe many thanks since my first day. In no specific order and far from an exhaustive list, these individuals represent the greatness of our students, faculty, staff, and leaders who I’m privileged to serve every day:

  Dennisse Arroyo
  Adam Scobie
  Lisa Calabrese
  Daniel Nocera
  Carl Guerriere
  Tam O’Day Stevens
  James Wilkinson
  Rob Sheftel
  Cynthia Arpin
  Anarelis Cruz
  Jeanette Rivera Epps
  Gordon Plouffe
  Jennifer Reynolds-Kaye
  Juan Munoz-Polvo
  Nicola Ricker
  Maribel Lopez
  Julia Revellese
  Alison Wang
  Luis Sánchez-Chiriboga
  Adrien Esdaile
  Robin Morris
  Vita Litvin

  As we await to stand up CT State together, I ask that you continue to engage, speak your truth, and counsel me on what is best for our community of educators and leaders to build a community college that advocates, inspires, and mobilizes the residents of Connecticut. Who you are and what you provide are essential to ensuring our students maximize the opportunities they need to thrive.

  Thank you so much for your continuing support.

  In Partnership,
  

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

• May 31, 2023

  Dear Colleagues and Friends,

  The end of the spring semester and the beginning of summer is always a time of excitement and change. Let me get right to updating you on a series of news items across CT State.

  I am pleased to announce that I have selected Kim Hogan as the permanent CEO of Middlesex Community College. Ms. Hogan has served as interim CEO since April 2022 and prior to that was its Dean of Administration. Her commitment to the campus and Middlesex community is unmatched. I will share a more detailed congratulatory announcement separately.

  Next, today we say “See You Soon” (not good-bye) to Dr. Dwayne Smith on his last day as CEO of Housatonic Community College. Tomorrow, he begins as the interim President of Southern Connecticut State University. We wish him nothing but the best and we know that he will continue to be a strong partner and champion for our scholars.

  Dr. William “Terry” Brown shared with his campus community earlier today that he will be stepping down as Gateway’s CEO to accept a position as part of the Strategic Partnership & Enterprise Performance division serving all of CT State Community College. This division is under Executive Vice President Dr. Thomas Coley and includes grant administration and development, institutional effectiveness and strategic partnerships around advancement, business and industry, and P-20 initiatives that support collaboration between college-level academics, K-12 and workforce training.

  In the interim, I have tapped Dr. Scott Kalicki to step in at Gateway. Dr. Kalicki previously served as interim CEO at Manchester Community College, and currently serves as the interim Vice President of Campus Operations for CT State. He will provide leadership and stability while the search for a permanent CEO takes place.

  Both the Gateway and Housatonic permanent CEO searches will commence in the Fall 2023 semester. I will announce my selection of the interim Housatonic CEO once final internal candidate interviews are completed.

  Other important updates:

  • We anticipate that we will successfully close out the 2022-2023 academic year this summer in time for the US Department of Education to complete our transition to one college in time for Fall 2023 with minimal disruption to student financial aid.
  • Our final report to NECHE will be filed tomorrow, June 1 and will be posted at: https://www.ct.edu/merger/neche. The September 2022 and February 2023 reports and our Substantive Change Report are also viewable here. President Terrence Cheng and I, and CT State executive leadership will meet in person with NECHE leadership in mid-June.
  • Budget Town Halls have taken place at 10 campuses so far. These have been extremely beneficial for me to connect directly with faculty and staff on our budget deficit mitigation efforts, and also to continue to gain insight into campus priorities that directly impact my decision-making.

  Finally, as I mentioned in my May 1 President’s Post, we have instituted a modified hiring process that will be in place until it is determined where we land with the FY24 budget. In the meantime, the current process to review and approve positions that are ready to fill AND fall within priority areas listed has been expanded to include part-time and temporary personnel requests, including non-credit lecturers, across the college. That was followed by specific guidance documents available here: https://www.ct.edu/hr/forms#hiring . New and modified guidance continues to be developed.

  Personnel requests will continue to be reviewed and signed-off on by the campus CEOs/Presidents or CT State Vice President before they reach final approval. Therefore, critical vacancies and hires will be identified and prioritized. Requests to Fill (RTF) positions are considered on a weekly basis.

  As a reminder, these are our priority areas:

  • Teaching and Learning
  • Student Support Services
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Commitments
  • Campus and Public Safety
  • Physical Plant and Technological Infrastructure

  Sincerely,

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

• May 26, 2023

  Dear Colleagues and Friends,

  With our commencement ceremonies and celebrations of student success complete, we can look back on this week and this year with a sense of pride that the efforts of our faculty, staff, and leaders manifested into life-changing opportunities for our students. Now, we must collectively look forward to the horizon of a soon-to-be statewide community college.

  To that end, I am excited to share with you that CT State is beginning to build our own Division of Human Resources.

  The first step is to bring in experts to help us to assess our needs. We are contracting with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), a non-profit membership organization established in 1951 to support public colleges and universities to strengthen academic quality, promote access and inclusion, and facilitate educational innovation.

  Beginning this summer, AASCU will help us to map out CT State’s transformational and operational initiatives by assessing our organizational design and culture, process evaluation, design, and areas for improvement.

  In addition, we will soon embark on a national search to identify CT State’s inaugural Vice President of Human Resources, who will report to me and lead this new division, which will include a dedicated Human Resources Generalist on every campus and will determine the most logical infrastructure for HR functions and payroll.

  As AASCU does its work, I will appreciate your cooperation and input. There will be many opportunities to provide feedback and ideas. Please take advantage of this process and help us to build a division that, above all else, serves our valued faculty and staff in the best way possible.

  This initiative reflects my commitment since joining CT State almost exactly one year ago to do what is best for us as one college and to align with the demands of our campuses. Our Division of Human Resources will exemplify excellence in all operations, actions, and interactions to consistently meet and exceed the needs of our community of educators, professionals, and leaders. This is one of many exciting foundational components that will shape the future of Connecticut State Community College.

  Sincerely,

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

• May 1, 2023

  Dear Colleagues and Friends,

  Today I write to provide updates on our state biennial budget and how you can continue to help with advocacy.

  Budget Outlook

  As was shared in CSCU President Cheng's message to the entire CSCU system, should the state budget as it is currently proposed become law, it would force the issue of layoffs to 650 full-time faculty and staff and eliminate nearly 3,000 part-time positions. This would harm students, harm the state’s workforce, and harm communities.

  In the Fall of 2022, CSCU directed institutional leaders and their chief financial officers to develop budget mitigation plans in the event of a substantial shortfall. Through a collaborative process with campus leaders, draft scenarios were created to envision scenarios for revenue-generating and achieving savings in the state-funded and tuition/fee-supported portions of our operating budget. Implementation strategies will determine if the increased revenues and cost-cutting measures would need to be continuous over future academic years to produce tangible results.

  Grounded by our shared commitment to protecting our core mission, CT State's highest priorities align with the following areas:

  • Teaching and Learning
  • Student Support Services
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Commitments
  • Campus and Public Safety
  • Physical Plant and Technological Infrastructure

  CT State initiated a comprehensive budget development process with campus leaders in late February. Through guidance and partnership with our central office and campus leaders, we are deliberating the necessary steps to maintain our current level of services across our legacy campuses and satellite locations.

  Where do we go from here?

  Although the administration and campus officials may be asked to answer questions about the current state of affairs regarding the proposed biennial budget, the main focus now is on the FY24 budget deliberations that will continue throughout May at the state Capitol. I and President Cheng continue to engage with local and statewide elected officials to garner support to increase the proposed Appropriations budget. I encourage all who are Connecticut residents to advocate to your elected representatives for our system's critical needs. Contact information for state elected officials is attached.

  After the state budget has been approved - likely by the end of the legislative session on June 7^th - CSCU and all member institutions including CT State will receive our FY24 budget allocation. CT State leaders will work to develop a balanced budget that preserves our core mission and recommend it to the Board of Regents for consideration and adoption in June. In response to the CT General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee budget proposal, CT State and other CSCU institutions have submitted the required updated budget mitigation plans and forecasts to President Cheng’s office so that a complete estimate of CSCU’s fiscal projections and shortfalls can be calculated.

  Staffing and Operations

  On April 24th, the CT State central office instituted a modified hiring process that will be in place until it is determined where we land with the FY24 budget. In the meantime, the current process to review and approve positions that are ready to fill AND fall within the priority areas listed above will expand to include part-time and temporary personnel requests across the college. Grant-funded positions will be part of the review but will receive special consideration. Personnel requests will continue to be reviewed and signed-off on by the campus CEOs/Presidents or CT State Vice President before they reach final approval. Therefore, critical vacancies and hires will be identified and prioritized. Requests to Fill (RTF) positions are considered on a weekly basis.

  More guidance is forthcoming.

  CSCU Day of Action at the State Capital

  Thursday, April 27 was the Day of Action at the state Capitol, where CEOs, faculty, staff and students from across our campuses, the four state universities and Charter Oak State College turned out to talk directly with legislators about the current budget proposal. Our representatives were receptive to our messages, and our Government Relations staff feels that the day demonstrated the urgency and breadth of impact that the budget shortfall would have.

  A proposed second Day of Action on May 4 will not take place.

  Thank you to everyone for your advocacy, not just at the Day of Action but every day. Our collective voices will be what makes the difference.

  Finally, and importantly, please be on the lookout for continued announcements from CT State and my office, new developments, and additional opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to lend their voice to our needs. Despite this somber news, May represents the end of a fruitful and meaningful journey for our soon-to-be graduates. Commencement events remind us of our world-class faculty and staff's expertise, support, and sacrifices that will propel our students toward their post-graduate success.

  I look forward to celebrating graduation ceremonies with you as we recognize our graduates and all members of the CT State Community.

  Sincerely,

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

• March 31, 2023

  Good Morning,

  In just under a year of working together, Dr. Dwayne Smith has stood out as an exemplary leader. As CEO of Housatonic Community College, he believes deeply that higher education has the potential to serve as one of society’s greatest drivers of equity, and he holds the responsibility of educating our students with the utmost seriousness.

  Today, I am writing to share with the CT State community that beginning June 1, Dr. Dwayne Smith will assume the role of interim president of Southern Connecticut State University. I could not be happier for my colleague and friend.

  As I said in my message last week, we are an organization under development, which is exciting and challenging. It can feel like the wheels of change never stop turning. I will work closely with HCC campus leaders and community stakeholders on a transitional and a permanent leadership plan for Housatonic. Dr. Smith and I are also committed to a successful wrap-up to the spring semester. I plan to spend extra time on the Housatonic campus to be sure I am as tuned-in and accessible as possible during the transition, and to help on-board whomever the next leader of Housatonic will be.

  In the meantime, I want to use this space to highlight the ways that Dr. Smith has served Housatonic and CT State so well.

  Since 2020, Dr. Smith has served as CEO of Housatonic Community College where he has brought unparalleled energy and passion to the job, immersing himself in the greater Bridgeport community and tirelessly advocating for the campus and its students. I have also been impressed with his work on academic affairs, student support services, external advancement and fundraising.

  In the last three years, HCC has been awarded $1 million in federal funding to support the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center, $1.3 million for college students affected by the pandemic, and support from local foundations including KeyBank and Patriot Bank to support student economic and food security. His advocacy also made possible a $1 million private gift to launch of Werth Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. In addition, HCC’s Equity Project was launched with a personal $10,000 commitment from Dr. Smith to aid under-resourced scholars. Following his lead, individuals, foundations, and companies became donors and the fund now exceeds $400,000.

  Dwayne is known for engagement with the community and students, often volunteering at local non-profits and serving on nine boards in the region to support philanthropy, workforce development, mental health, economic and educational endeavors. He also started the first ever HCC podcast series called The Journey: Stories of Triumph. As a distinguished higher education leader, he was honored at the 100 Men of Color Awards in June 2021, and was named among the NAACPs 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut.

  I will of course be sad to lose him at Housatonic, but I know he will serve the state and the CSCU system well in the role of interim president at Southern. SCSU’s current president, Dr. Joe Bertolino, has accepted a new position as president of Stockton University in New Jersey.

  I am heartened to know that Dr. Smith will be close-by in New Haven, helping the relationship between the community colleges and SCSU to thrive and setting an example for the rest of the state.

  In partnership and with gratitude,

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President

  Connecticut State Community College

• March 23, 2023

  Dear Colleagues and Friends,

  We are an organization under development, which is exciting and challenging. As your president, I am constantly gathering input and assessing what is in the best interest of CT State, and, how best to allocate resources to meet the needs of our students first and the organization. I am writing to share some recent changes that illustrate CT State’s efforts to optimize its organizational operating structure.

  We are in the midst of a transitional period during which a number of organizational adaptations are being considered so that by the end of the Spring 2023 semester I can share a clear vision with you.

  In the meantime, Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Enterprise Performance Dr. Thomas Coley has assumed temporarily oversight over Workforce and Economic Development. Interim Vice President for Campus Operations Dr. Scott Kalicki temporarily oversees Dr. Michael Buccilli and the division of Student Success Management, which includes Guided Pathways Advising.

  CT State has eliminated the positions of Executive Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development and Executive Vice President of College Services and Student Affairs. Those who previously held these roles include Dr. James Lombella who has moved on to new opportunities, and Dr. Robert Steinmetz who continues to provide support and work for the institution.

  Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness led by CT State Chief of Police Chris Chute has moved permanently within the division of Finance and Administration under Vice President Kerry Kelley. In January, Chief Chute was sworn in as our inaugural police chief during a ceremony hosted at Naugatuck Valley Community College that drew law enforcement leadership from across the state and within the CSCU system. Efforts are underway to expand capacity in public safety so that each campus has the resources and staff it needs to keep our students, faculty, staff, and visitors safe.

  In February, we announced that we are expanding mental health services to every campus by adding seven full-time, licensed counselors, exemplifying our commitment to expanding and improving student services.

  In early March, many faculty, staff and students took the opportunity to meet the five finalists for CT State Provost. These higher education leaders each spent the day in Connecticut as part of their vetting process and each would bring a unique perspective and experience as our chief academic officer. I will be announcing my selection within the next two weeks.

  As detailed in my 100 Day Report, my decisions are based on the needs of our students, campuses, and surrounding communities. We will continue the path toward stabilizing, building, and thriving by finding a balance between local autonomy and statewide standardization, while collaborating through a lens of equity and inclusion. My vision continues to be shaped by regular campus visits, welcoming and respecting authentic feedback and recommendations from our campus communities, and ongoing input from all of you.

  We must never stop recognizing what a vibrant, diverse, and integral part of our communities we are. As we continue to work through the changes related to becoming one college, it can feel like the wheels of change never stop turning. Nevertheless, we must adapt to meet the demands of the evolving higher education landscape, and demonstrate a commitment to responsible resource allocation.

  In partnership and with gratitude,

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President

  Connecticut State Community College

• January 30, 2023

  Dear Students, Colleagues and Friends,

  Our national and local news has been flooded with video of the deplorable and inhumane killing of Tyre Nichols, which was released last Friday by the Memphis, Tennessee, police department officials.

  Our condolences to the family and community of Tyre Nichols. As we grapple with the images of Mr. Nichols’ death at the hands of local law enforcement, we struggle to understand how these officers can ignore all dignity and respect for life and the law. The five police officers were terminated, and the police department was arrested and charged with murder. We await the criminal justice system to apply justice in this case.

  I am disheartened and livid by this horrific killing; but sadly not shocked, instead numb to this reality in our communities. Unfortunately, we are well versed in recent and past fatal incidents to others that have taken place across our country. Systemic and historical racism and discrimination toward communities of color continue to be prevalent.

  Already reeling from this tragedy, we continue to witness violence and discrimination towards our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, most recently in California, specifically in Monterey Park, CA, which is only 6 miles from my hometown of San Gabriel. I share the fatigue, anger, and dissolution of processing these deaths and the need to speak about the most unthinkable. Just one of the unsettling facts to come out of the Memphis killing is that one of the now former Memphis officers, Desmond Mills Jr. graduated from Bloomfield (CT) High School in 2008.

  CT State Police Chief Chris Chute, who spent his career rising from patrolman to Chief of Police with the city of New Britain, shared these thoughts:

  “The tragic death of Tyre Nichols is horrific and unforgivable. Upon learning of Mr. Nichols death and subsequently watching of the body camera video makes me sick to my stomach,” Chute said. Not only were the actions taken by the officers appalling, the failure of anyone to intervene in the matter was inexcusable. These former officers have broken the sacred oath of their office and shocked the conscience of the people across the country.”

  “The members of the Connecticut State Community College law enforcement team condemn the actions taken by these officers. We are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect. Safety and security are the top priorities of the service we provide to our students, staff, and faculty. Our condolences and deepest sympathy go out to the family of Mr. Nichols,” he said.

  Where do we go from here? For now, please take care of yourself, your wellness, and those you care about. People are grieving and processing all of this, so we respect the time needed to cope. We are here for you, and CT State Community College and 12 legacy community colleges will always advocate for equity and justice.

  We recognize that you may find yourself in a caretaking role, supporting your peers, classmates, and friends while also seeking to care for your own needs. Thank you for the compassion and empathy you extend to others, yet we recognize the mental, emotional, and physical toll this can have on anyone.

  If you find yourself needing to talk to someone, please take advantage of services available. Faculty and staff can access mental health services via our Employee Assistance Program as part of your HR benefits. Students have access to on-campus mental health counseling as well as telehealth mental health service through CT State’s TimelyCare MD site or app.

  Suppose you wish to get involved as an agent of social change? In that case, there is an array of campus, community, state, and national organizations working towards system reform as CT State will look to continue to pursue social change through our mechanism and external levels of influence.

  Management and Confidential Employees: Take this as a reminder from me to register for the mandatory training “Managing a Diverse Workforce: Moving from Compliance towards Equity and Inclusion.” Contact Nick D’Agostino, CSCU Director of EEO for a full schedule. A renewed focus on our training, engagement and policy efforts around racial justice will be forthcoming.

  We continue to work on ourselves through training, awareness and accountability. Equity is a series of marathons, but it is a road worth taking.

  In partnership and with gratitude,

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President

  Connecticut State Community College

• January 25, 2023

  Happy Wednesday!

  One of my favorite parts of being CT State’s President or any of my previous roles at colleges around the country has been interacting with students. It just wouldn’t feel like a new semester or a new year any other way. This first full week of the Spring 2023 semester, I am visiting as many campuses as I can – despite Winter’s sudden descent upon us!

  I am also excited to share with you my Welcome Back message to students.

  The video message below is being sent this week by text and email directly to students and will be shared on our websites and social media.

  Wishing you all a productive, safe and successful Spring ‘23.

  In partnership and with gratitude,

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President

  Connecticut State Community College

• January 13, 2023

  Happy Friday!

  One of the pillars of my 100 Day Report and my vision for CT State is bolstering campus support and infrastructure. Moving that vision forward includes introducing the inaugural CT State Chief of Police.

  Christopher Chute began today as CT State’s Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety. While a formal swearing-in was required on his first day (depicted below, left, with the oath being delivered by State’s Attorney Christian Watson of New Britain, right), a public swearing-in ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 11 AM, hosted by Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury. Faculty, staff, students, community leaders and chiefs of police and law enforcement from across the state are invited to attend.

  

  The Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety is expected to provide for the public safety and quality of campus life for students, faculty, staff and visitors to CT State. He is responsible for supervising and administering activities pertaining to the sworn policing, public safety and the security of students, employees and property of CT State Community College and its campuses.

  Chief Chute comes to CT State after most recently serving as the chief of police for the City of New Britain, where he began as a patrol officer in 1996. His appointment will help to steward our goals of long-term investment in equitable campus security, routine emergency preparedness training for all employees, and practical communications standards.

  Chief Chute can be reached directly at cchute@comment.edu.

  In partnership and with gratitude,

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President

  Connecticut State Community College

• January 9, 2023

  We start the week with an exciting step forward for Connecticut State Community College – the results of the Statewide Governance Elections. Shared governance is a milestone in our development as a single, united institution. It provides a method for communication, collaboration and mutual accountability between administration, faculty, staff and students, and it will unequivocally advance excellence in the operation of the one college.

  Thank you to everyone who took time to vote or nominated themselves. Close to 800 votes were cast statewide for Congress and Senate, which is in addition to votes that were cast locally for campus bodies. The results can be found here and also on the CT State Governance webpage, which also holds a thorough explanation of shared governance at CT State.

  On a different and tragic note, we offer our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of State Representative Quintin “Q” Williams of Middletown who passed away in an automobile accident last week. Representative Williams was an ardent supporter of Middlesex Community College and had been selected as their commencement speaker in 2021. He was respected and admired and will be greatly missed.

  In partnership and with gratitude,

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President

  Connecticut State Community College

• January 5, 2023

  As we begin the New Year, we are reminded of the passing of time, the value of service and the impact that our faculty and staff have on our students and the communities where we live.

  Over the holiday break, Gateway Community College faculty member and North Haven firefighter Matthias “Matt” Wirtz was killed in the line of duty.

  He served as an Educational Assistant for the Fire Science Fundamentals of Firefighting program at Gateway and had been a part of the program since its inception in 2013. Prior to that, he was an instructor for the North Haven Fire Department's training program which became Gateway's Fire Science Program. He helped train new firefighter, EMT and nursing students who have gone on to serve across the state.

  As Gateway CEO William Brown stated: “His commitment to Fire Service, our community and the students who are becoming the future of the Fire Service was unwavering.”

  Matt began his career as a volunteer firefighter in North Haven before becoming a member of the North Haven municipal department. He became certified as a Fire Service Instructor so that he could teach new firefighters while continuing his career. Matt was among many Connecticut firefighters who responded to Ground Zero on 9/11 and 9/12/2001.

  We send Matt’s wife, Barbara, and his entire family our thoughts, prayers and gratitude for being part of Gateway and CT State. We also thank Governor Lamont for the show of respect by ordering flags to be lowered to half-mast until Matt’s internment, which took place on Jan. 3 with full departmental honors. Those wishing to do so may send a contribution in Matt’s name to the North Haven Professional Firefighters Charitable Association, PO Box 191, North Haven, CT 06473.

  In partnership and with gratitude,

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

2022

• December 1, 2022

  Dear CT State Community,

  Today’s post is all about Governance. A milestone in our development as a single, united institution is the ability to stand-up a method for communication, collaboration, and mutual accountability between administration, faculty, staff, and students which advances excellence in the operation of the one college.

  I am pleased to announce that the CT State Shared Governance Model has been finalized. Nominations for campus and statewide representatives to the various governance bodies are due by Dec 9th.

  I invite you to visit the CT State Governance website for details about upcoming elections to serve on College Senate, Curriculum Congress and other statewide and campus-based bodies.

  Page features:

  • Summary of changes made to the model in response to feedback gathered since the Nov. 10th "Governance Overview" webinar
  • Instructions for campus and statewide nominations and elections
  • Nominations due by Dec. 9, 2022
  • Elections due by Dec 23, 2022

  • Updated list of Statewide Discipline Councils (SDCs)
  • Recommended Additional Responsibility (AR) & Release Time (RT)
  • Governance Transition Timeline & Scheduling Details
  • Spring 2023 Meeting Schedule for Shared Governance
  • Example Timeline for Curriculum Proposals

  • FAQs ...and more!

  To help you better understand the recent changes to the governance model and the transition timeline over the next few months, Interim Provost & VP of Academic Affairs Miah LaPierre Dreger also recorded a new webinar for the governance site to download or watch at a convenient time: CT State Shared Governance - Summary of Changes & Transition Timeline.

  Many thanks for the cooperation and leadership of faculty and staff on each campus.

  I also want to thank everyone who attended the first Governance webinar on Nov. 10 and who submitted feedback immediately after. Your input directly impacted the model we have today. Check out the page to see exactly what changes were made and for more resources.

  In partnership,

  John Maduko, M.D. (he/him/his)

  President

  Connecticut State Community College

• November 16, 2022

  Greetings:

  This week’s tragedy at the University of Virginia has rocked the UVA community, higher education, Virginia, and the entire nation. We are heartbroken to learn of the senseless death of three UVA student-athletes and of those who were wounded. Our thoughts and condolences are with the victims' families, the University of Virginia community members, and the surrounding Charlottesville area as they cope with the aftermath of this tragedy.

  For the CT State community, I offer assurance that we are constantly working to prevent and, if necessary, respond quickly to emergencies. We have the support of campus, local, and state law enforcement agencies, ongoing attention to emergency response protocols, and support services readily available to those in need. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to reflect on how we can all create and sustain the community we deserve.

  Sincerely,

  John Maduko, M.D.,
  President

• November 9, 2022

  Dear CT State Community, Greetings!

  I wanted to remind you all to register for the CT State Governance Overview Informational Webinar that will be held Thursday, November 10 at 3:30-4:30 pm.

  This webinar will cover the proposed governance structure for Connecticut State Community College. We will discuss how campus resolutions have helped shape the proposed structure and the importance of moving forward together. We are also making sure that we build in time to allow for feedback, which will be incorporated before any structure is finalized. The webinars are open to everyone, but registration is required for each session. You can register for the webinar at WebEx now. Also, visit CTState.edu/webinars to view previous presentations and get a list of upcoming webinars.

  Thank you for all you do.

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

• October 25, 2022

  Dear CT State Community, Greetings!

  My first tour of all twelve colleges has come to an end just in time for my 100th day on the job, and I want to thank all of you for being such gracious hosts. The days were long and filled with meaningful interactions with students, faculty, and administration.

  It was a wonderful opportunity to explore the different college campuses as well as learn more about the unique programs, facilities, student support services, and ties to the local communities that each encompasses. There is a lot of individuality in the communities we represent and support, and it is reflected in the personalities and legacies of the twelve colleges.

  Many of you had concerns, both specific and broad, and I appreciate you taking the time to share them with me as well as your ideas for the future of CT State. I have brought your comments and recommendations to my Cabinet, and we are taking them all into account. I will be announcing some of the ways we’ve incorporated your feedback into my 100 Days Report, which will come out in November. You will also be seeing more of the entire CT State leadership and me as we establish a culture of being present by frequently visiting our campuses.

  Until then, there is news to celebrate. Census numbers for the fall have arrived, and it’s encouraging news. While numbers overall have decreased compared to Fall ‘21, we’ve slowed the bleeding. Full- time enrollment for all colleges is down just 1 percent compared to last Fall. This is the first year in a long time that our year-over-year enrollment hasn’t fallen dramatically.

  We have been living in a new reality since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from the changes that the pandemic brought to pass, we are grappling with a declining birth rate, a pending recession, and lower enrollment in Connecticut public schools. Many of our students were forced to stop attending as they struggled with food, housing, childcare, and other significant insecurities during the pandemic. Taking that into account means every student we register is a victory and a life- changing opportunity.

  We have made great strides in re-engaging and registering a significant number of stop-outs. Over the summer, we launched an effective campaign that reached out with postcards, digital ads, and emails. We let them know about our outstanding academic and workforce programs, flexibility, advising, financial support like scholarships and financial aid, and wrap-around services for food, housing, and childcare that we offer. We saw results through a 39% increase in enrolled re-admitted students.

  Our promising registration and enrollment numbers wouldn’t have happened without each of you working so hard to enroll and retain students. It’s going the extra step, making that phone call or text, walking a student to the right office, and always supporting students who are the ‘Why’ that drives our mission. CT State cannot succeed without your passion, resilience, experience, and dedication.

  Thank you for all you do.

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

• June 16, 2022

  Dear CT State colleagues and friends,

  As I end my first official week as President, I am overly impressed and moved by all of you and your steadfast commitment to the students and communities we serve.

  It is a once in a lifetime honor to lead CT State together with each of you who unequivocally make our statewide campuses incredible destinations for learning. I have been overcome with joy and appreciation by the warm welcomes that I have received.

  As I prepare to begin my college wide journey, I am planning my First 100 Days tour across all CT State locations to host a series of townhalls in early fall to meet each of you and capture your needs, philosophies, and goals for how we can build CT State’s vision together. A CT State President webpage will provide a digital and interactive First 100 Days report that highlights how we engaged: number of town halls, number of campus visits/listening sessions, ideas shared, number of faculty and staff engaged, number of students engaged, meetings with elected/civic officials, number of CT State partners/friends engaged, and the total number of participants engaged.  

  Inclusivity is at the core of my presidency, so your understandings and diverse experiences will be influential in guiding us through the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead of us. These include challenges brought about by the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the regional, national, and international tragedies, growing financial concerns within our communities, and the staggering workforce shortages.

  While we work through these challenges, we will embrace and advance the opportunities for what will be a premier, inclusive, agile, and innovative College. From Day 1, I have been blown away by the expertise, talent, and student-centered ability of our educators, higher education practitioners, and leaders. I am grateful to be surrounded by a resilient and driven team with an acumen for dismantling outdated barriers and striving for student success reformation.

  More details will come regarding the schedule of my campus tours and engagement with the campus communities and friends of CT State.

  In partnership,

  John Maduko, M.D.
  President
  CT State Community College