Connecticut State Colleges & Universities

Public university system in Connecticut From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU; formerly the Connecticut State University System) is a system of six public colleges and universities that include four Connecticut State Universities, Connecticut State Community College (with 12 campuses), and Charter Oak State College, the state's only online college. CSCU enrolls 85,000 students in certificate and degree programs and provides programs in liberal arts, sciences, fine arts, applied fields, and professional disciplines.

MottoQui Transtulit Sustinet

TypePublic university system

Established1849; 177 years ago

PresidentO. John Maduko^[1]

Quick facts Motto, Type ...

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities
Seal of the Connecticut State University System
Motto	Qui Transtulit Sustinet
Type	Public university system
Established	1849; 177 years ago (1849)
President	O. John Maduko^[1]
Students	34,824 (2012)^[2]
Undergraduates	29,308 (2012)^[2]
Postgraduates	5,516 (2012)^[2]
Location	Hartford , Connecticut , United States
Website	www.ct.edu

Connecticut State University System locations

The first of the universities to be founded was Central Connecticut State University, established in 1849 as a normal school for teacher education. Over time the other three institutions were founded as normal schools and in 1959 they were converted into state colleges to reflect their expanded mission. From their founding until 1965, they were overseen by the Connecticut State Department of Education. In 1965 the General Assembly transferred control of the then-colleges to an independent board of trustees.^[3] In 1983, the four institutions were converted into universities, together constituting the Connecticut State University System.

The universities are governed by the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, established in 2011 to license and accredit the institutions and their programs, approve budgets, support planning, and coordinate technology operations. The interim Chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities is O. John Maduko.^[4] The Connecticut State University System Foundation, provides financial support from private donations to assist the missions of the universities.^[5]

The four universities – Central, Eastern, Southern and Western – offer graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 160 subject areas.^[6]

History

Central Connecticut is the oldest public institution of higher education in Connecticut. It was established in 1849 as a "normal school", an institution whose sole purpose was to train teachers. The three other CSU institutions also were established as normal schools: Eastern Connecticut in 1889, Southern Connecticut State University in 1893 and Western Connecticut in 1903.

In 1959, the four institutions were renamed "state colleges" to reflect their expanded curricula and missions.

Twenty-four years later, in 1983, the colleges became universities in recognition of their greater mission and strategies. Today, the Connecticut State University System is the largest public university system in Connecticut.

From 1849 to 1965, the four institutions were administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education. On July 30, 1965, the state General Assembly created the Board of Trustees to oversee the colleges and to guide them to more effectively to serve the public. The Connecticut State University System was established in 1983, bringing together the four state universities under a single board of trustees.

Public Act 11–48 and Public Act 11–61 enacted in 2011 consolidated governance under the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, which serves as the board of trustees when required under statute.^[7]^[8] The Connecticut University System remains a legal entity under Connecticut law, but the four institutions are considered to be a part of the larger system of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (ConnSCU).

Presidents

The Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system has had ten presidents since the system was created in 1965.

More information No., Leader ...

CSCU leaders
No.	Leader	Term start	Term end	Ref.
Executive Secretaries of the Board of Trustees for State Colleges (c. 1966 – c. 1977)
1	Harold J. Bingham	c. May 1966	May 6, 1967	^[9]
interim	J. Eugene Smith	May 9, 1967	May 31, 1967
2	J. Eugene Smith	June 1, 1967	September 30, 1972	^[10]^[11]
Executive Director of the Board of Trustees for State Colleges (c. 1977–1983)
1	James A. Frost ^[a]	October 1, 1972	May 31, 1985	^[12]^[11]^[13]^[14]
Presidents of Connecticut State University (1983–1996)
2	Dallas K. Beal	June 1, 1985	April 30, 1994	^[15]^[16]^[17]^[18]
interim	Thomas A. Porter	May 1, 1994	August 4, 1994	^[19]
Chancellors of Connecticut State University (1996–2011)
3	William J. Cibes, Jr. ^[b]	August 5, 1994	January 19, 2006	^[20]^[21]^[22]
4	David G. Carter, Sr.	January 20, 2006	February 28, 2011	^[20]^[23]^[24]^[25]
interim	Louise H. Feroe	March 1, 2011	June 30, 2011	^[26]
Presidents of the Board of Regents for Higher Education (2011–2013)
interim	Michael Meotti ^[c]	July 1, 2011	September 11, 2011	^[27]^[28]
interim	Robert A. Kennedy	September 12, 2011	February 29, 2012	^[29]^[30]
5	Robert A. Kennedy	February 29, 2012	October 12, 2012 ^[d]	^[31]^[32]
interim	Philip E. Austin	October 2012	June 30, 2013	^[33]^[34]^[35]
Presidents of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system (2013–2023)
6	Gregory W. Gray	July 1, 2013	September 27, 2015	^[36]^[37]
7	Mark E. Ojakian	September 28, 2015	December 31, 2020	^[38]^[39]^[40]
interim	Jane Gates	January 1, 2021	July 1, 2021	^[41]
Chancellors of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system (2023–present)
8	Terrence Cheng ^[e]	July 2, 2021	June 30, 2025 ^[f]	^[42]^[43]
interim	O. John Maduko	July 1, 2025	present	^[1]^[44]

Table notes:

[a]
Frost used the title executive secretary until c. 1977 when his title became executive director and finally president on December 9, 1983.
[b]
The position president became chancellor on July 1, 1996.
[c]
The position chancellor became president on July 1, 2011.
[d]
Resigned under pressure.
[e]
The position president became chancellor on July 1, 2023.
[f]
Removed by Board of Regents.

References

[1]
Lepore, Juliana (June 26, 2025). "President of Connecticut State Community College named interim chancellor of CSCU". WTNH. Retrieved June 27, 2025 – via Yahoo News.
[2]
"Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (ConnSCU) Fall Headcount Enrollment, Trends, Full-Time & Part-Time" (PDF). Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. Retrieved 2013-07-14.^{[permanent dead link]}
[3]
"Board of Trustees Responsibilities". Connecticut State University System. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
[4]
"Chancellor John Maduko Biography". www.ct.edu. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
[5]
"Connecticut State University System Foundation". Connecticut State University System Foundation. Archived from the original on 2009-03-26. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
[6]
"Total Enrollment Stats". Connecticut State University System. Archived from the original on 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
[7]
"An Act Implementing Provisions of the Budget Concerning General Government". ct.gov. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
[8]
ct.gov ^{[bare URL PDF]}
[9]
"Bingham Quits Job". Hartford Courant. May 6, 1967. p. 1 – via newspapers.com. In Dispute Dr. Harold J. Bingham resigned his post as executive secretary of the State Board for State Colleges Friday. Bingham claims the board asked him to resign and accept a job as a history professor at Central Connecticut State College, a post he previously held. Bingham also claims he was offered a leave of absence with pay until Sept. 1 and $500 traveling expenses. In refusing to accept the offer or the money, Bingham said he was "not for sale. I retire...
[10]
"State Colleges Board Names 'Acting' Executive". Hartford Courant. May 9, 1967. p. 17 – via newspapers.com. The State Board for State Colleges has a new "acting" executive secretary. Dr. J. Eugene Smith, retired president of Willimantic State College, will take over the post left open Friday by the resignation of Dr. Harold J. Bingham. Board Chairman Mrs. Bernice C. Niejadlik said Monday Dr. Smith would be acting director until June 1, when Bingham's resignation becomes effective. Mrs. Niejadlik said Dr. Smith would then become executive secretary for an undetermined interim period. Bingham resigned Friday angry over what he called the board's efforts to buy him off. "I am not for sale," he declared, and refused an offer to accept a job as history professor at Central Connecticut State Colege, a job he held previously; a leave of absence with pay until Sept. 1 and $500 traveling expenses.
[11]
"State Colleges Aide To Step Down Oct. 1". Hartford Courant. August 29, 1972. p. 1 – via newspapers.com. J. Eugene Smith will retire Oct. 1 as executive secretary of the Board of Trustees of State Colleges, it was announced Monday. He will be succeeded by James A. Frost, a provost at the State University of New York (SUNY). Smith, who has been chief administrator in the four-college system since 1967, was formerly associated with Eastern Connecticut State College for 28 years, 19 as president...
[12]
"Establishment of the Title President of the Connecticut State University" (PDF). CSCU. December 9, 1983. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
[13]
"New Title for University Director". Hartford Courant. December 10, 1983. p. 86 – via newspapers.com. The Connecticut State University now has a president, rather than an executive director, at its helm. The university's board of trustees voted Friday to change James Frost's title to president because "it more accurately reflected the responsibilities and duties of a chief executive officer of a major university system," Chairman Lawrence J. Davidson said. Frost, who joined the system in 1972, will receive no additional responsibilities or salary increase with the change. Earlier this year, the four state universities received their own name change. They previously had been known as state colleges.
[14]
"State University President To Retire After 12 Years". Hartford Courant. May 5, 1984. p. 12 – via newspapers.com. James A. Frost, president of the Connecticut State University, announced plans Friday to retire as chief executive officer of the four-campus university system. Frost, 65, has headed the student system for 12 years. During his tenure, the schools Central Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut, Southern Connecticut and Western Connecticut state universities substantially expanded their academic offerings. Frost said he will remain in his position until the university's board of trustees chooses his replacement.
[15]
"President Beal's Inauguration" (PDF). CSCU. September 13, 1985. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
[16]
"Letter from Dallas K Beal's planned retirement as CSUS president". wcsu.edu. January 14, 1994. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
[17]
"University Appoints President". Hartford Courant. December 8, 1984. p. 96 – via newspapers.com. New York educator was named the new president of the four-campus Connecticut State University Friday. Dallas K. Beal, 58, will succeed President James A. Frost, who is retiring after 12 years as the system's chief executive officer. Beal will become president June 1.
[18]
"Leader of state university system to retire". Hartford Courant. July 14, 1993. p. 56 – via newspapers.com. After more than four decades in higher education, Dallas K. Beal, leader of the four-campus Connecticut State University system, announced Tuesday that he will retire by May.
[19]
"CSU officer named interim president". Hartford Courant. April 9, 1994. p. 21 – via newspapers.com. The chief academic officer of the Connecticut State University system, Thomas A. Porter, was named its interim president Friday at a board of trustees meeting at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven. Porter, 59, will assume the post May 1, a day after the retirement of President Dallas K. Beal.
[20]
AUDITORS’ REPORT BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OFFICE FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2004 AND 2005 (PDF) (Report). CSCU. March 27, 2007. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
[21]
"Cibes named to head state universities". Hartford Courant. June 11, 1994. p. 9 – via newspapers.com. William J. Cibes, Jr., the Weicker administration's budget chief, was officially named president Friday of the 35,000-student Connecticut State University system. The board of trustees for the system voted unanimously to appoint Cibes, 50. He succeeds Dallas K. Beal, who retired May 1. Cibes, secretary of the state Office of Policy and Management since 1990, will be paid $132,000 a year for the job, which he will begin Aug. 5. When he retired, Beal was paid $142,000. Cibes will be the university system's third president.
[22]
"Cibes To Retire As CSU Chancellor". Hartford Courant. July 15, 2005. p. B09 – via newspapers.com. William J. Cibes chancellor of the Connecticut State University, will retire in February after 12 years on the job, he announced Thursday. University officials said they will begin a national search for successor at CSU, the largest university with more than 35,000 students on campuses in New Britain, New Haven, Willimantic and Danbury. A former state representative from New London, he ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1990. He became budget director under Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. and was considered the key architect in creating the income tax. In 1994, he became the CSU system president, a title later changed to chancellor.
[23]
FitzGerald, Eileen (December 17, 2005). "Connecticut State University System names chancellor". The News-Times. David Carter, president of Eastern Connecticut State University for the past 17 years, has been named chancellor of the Connecticut State University System, which includes WestConn. David Carter, president of Eastern Connecticut State University for the past 17 years, has been named chancellor of the Connecticut State University System, which includes WestConn.
[24]
"APPOINTMENT OF DR. DAVID G. CARTER CHANCELLOR" (PDF). Connecticut State University System. January 27, 2006. On January 12, 2006, on behalf of the full Board, the Executive Committee approved a change to the effective date of Dr. Carter's appointment, from February 3, 2006 to January 20, 2006, therefore be it
[25]
Thomas, Jacqueline Rabe (February 3, 2011). "CSUS losing two top leaders during crucial legislative session". The Connecticut Mirror. Thursday's decision by Connecticut State University Chancellor David Carter to make his resignation effective March 1 means the 36,600-student system will be without its two top leaders as state officials make crucial decisions that will affect its future.
[26]
"CSUS names interim chancellor". The Victoria Advocate. February 10, 2011. Louise Feroe has been named acting chancellor of the Connecticut State University System. Feroe, currently senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, was named to the post by the vice chairman of the state university board of trustees on Wednesday to take over March 1 upon the retirement of David Carter.
[27]
Megan, Kathleen (July 1, 2011). "Meotti Appointed Interim President Of Board Of Regents". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
[28]
Thomas, Jacqueline Rabe (June 30, 2011). "Meotti named interim president". The Connecticut Mirror. Higher Education Commissioner Michael P. Meotti has been named interim president of the new Board of Regents that will comprise his agency, the state's community and online colleges, and the Connecticut State University System. "In absence of someone at the helm, the governor has asked Commissioner Meotti to step in," said Mark Ojakian, who is overseeing the higher education reorganization for the Office of Policy and Management. The merger officially takes effect Friday.
[29]
"Dr. Robert Kennedy Appointed Interim President of Board of Regents". CSCU. September 12, 2011. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
[30]
Pazniokas, Mark (August 22, 2011). "Sources: Malloy taps former UMaine president for higher education post". The Connecticut Mirror. Robert A. Kennedy, who recently stepped down as president of the University of Maine, is to be named today as the president of the Board of Regents for the newly merged Connecticut State University and community college system, sources say. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is to introduce Kennedy, 64, now president emeritus at UMaine, as his choice to lead the new system at a press conference at 3:30 p.m. in the Legislative Office Building. He would be president on an interim basis until next year.
[31]
"Senate Confirms Dr. Robert A. Kennedy as President". CSCU. February 29, 2012. The Connecticut State Senate today confirmed the appointment of Dr. Robert A. Kennedy as President of the Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR), which governs the 17 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities. On January 19, the BOR voted to recommend Kennedy to Governor Dannel P. Malloy for a full appointment to President, and Governor Malloy in turn sent his appointment to the legislature. Kennedy has served as BOR's Interim President since he was appointed by Gov. Malloy in September, and was President of the University of Maine at Orono immediately prior to his time in Connecticut.
[32]
Thomas, Jacqueline Rabe; Phaneuf, Keith M. (October 12, 2012). "Embattled Board of Regents chief resigns". The Connecticut Mirror. Robert A. Kennedy, the embattled president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, announced his resignation Friday morning, effective immediately.
[33]
"Board of Regents Recommends Philip E. Austin to Gov. Malloy as Interim President". CSCU. October 12, 2012. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
[34]
Thomas, Jacqueline Rabe (October 12, 2012). "Board of Regents taps former UConn president to repair tarnished image". The Connecticut Mirror. Several procedural moves must occur before Austin can assume the top post, though officials in the regents' system said those are expected to happen in a matter of business days. According to state law, the Board of Regents only issues nominations for its president, and the governor makes the appointment. Malloy indicated he would appoint Austin as soon as the board's nomination is received officially in his office.
[35]
"Austin to get $340K as CT higher ed chief". Hartford Business Journal. October 26, 2012. The Board of Regents for Higher Education has approved a contract for Interim President Philip Austin that will pay him $340,000 a year, the same base salary as his predecessor, The Associated Press reports.
[36]
"Board Votes to Appoint Dr. Gregory W. Gray as New President, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities". CSCU. May 16, 2013. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2015-10-08. The Board of Regents for Higher Education voted today to appoint Dr. Gregory W. Gray to be the next President of the Board of Regents, which governs the 17 Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (ConnSCU), which includes 12 community colleges, four state universities and Charter Oak State College, the state's only public, online institution. Dr. Gray is currently the chancellor of the Riverside Community College District, which includes three community colleges, more than 2,000 employees, and an annual credit enrollment that surpasses 100,000. Dr. Gray will officially begin his tenure as president on July 1, and will visit Connecticut over the spring and summer.
[37]
Thomas, Jacqueline Rabe (August 14, 2015). "Gregory Gray resigns as president of Connecticut college system". The Connecticut Mirror. Gregory Gray, the embattled president of the state's largest public college system, notified his board in a one-sentence resignation letter Friday that he will step down on Dec. 31.
[38]
Pazniokas, Mark (August 21, 2015). "Ojakian as interim CSCU president". The Connecticut Mirror. The Board of Regents for Higher Education voted unanimously Friday to name Mark Ojakian, the governor's chief of staff, as interim president of Connecticut's largest system of public colleges and universities. Ojakian will start Sept. 28 and can serve for up to two years on an interim basis under the terms of the board's action, but his tenure may well be an audition for a permanent appointment.
[39]
Thomas, Jacqueline Rabe (December 8, 2016). "Higher ed board gives Ojakian 3-year extension as president". The Connecticut Mirror. The Board of Regents for Higher Education voted unanimously Thursday to extend Ojakian's contract through Aug. 31, 2020.
[40]
"President Ojakian Announces Intention to Retire". CSCU. August 12, 2020. Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Mark Ojakian today announced his intention to retire effective January 1, 2021, after more than 40 years of public service in Connecticut.
[41]
"Board of Regents Appoints Dr. Jane Gates as Interim CSCU President". CSCU. November 19, 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-11-28. Retrieved 2020-12-09. The Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) today appointed Dr. Jane McBride Gates as interim president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU). Since 2016, Dr. Gates has served as CSCU's provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs – a role she will continue as she serves as interim president. She will assume the new position upon Mark Ojakian's retirement on December 31, 2020.
[42]
"Board of Regents Appoints Terrence Cheng as CSCU System President". CSCU. May 7, 2021. The Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) today appointed Terrence Cheng to serve as president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system... He will begin his new role on July 2, and he will earn $360,000 annually.
[43]
"Connecticut Board of Regents Announces CSCU System Leadership Update". CSCU. April 28, 2025. Additionally, the Board and Chancellor Cheng have mutually agreed that, starting July 1, 2025, Chancellor Cheng will transition into a new role as a Strategic Advisor to the Board. An announcement naming an interim chancellor is expected in the coming weeks.
[44]
"CT Board of Regents for Higher Education Appoints Dr. O. John Maduko as Interim Chancellor of CSCU". CSCU. June 26, 2025. The Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) today announced the appointment of Dr. O. John Maduko as interim chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system, effective July 1, 2025.

Connecticut State Colleges & Universities

History

Presidents

See also

References

External links

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