Connecticut State Colleges & Universities

{{Short description|Public university system in Connecticut}} {{distinguish|University of Connecticut}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox university |name = Connecticut State Colleges and Universities |native_name = |image_name = Connecticut State University System seal.png <!-- this is the pre-2013 logo; needs update --> |image_size = 150px |caption = Seal of the Connecticut State University System |latin_name = |motto = Qui Transtulit Sustinet |mottoeng = |established = {{start date and age|1849}} |closed = |type = Public university system |affiliation = |endowment = |officer_in_charge = |chairman = Ari Santiago<ref name="Santiago">{{cite web |last1= |first1= |title= Governor Lamont Selects Ari Santiago as Interim Chair of the Board of Regents |url= https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2026/05-2026/governor-lamont-selects-ari-santiago-as-interim-chair-of-the-board-of-regents?language=en_US |publisher=Governor Ned Lamont Press Releases |access-date=May 27, 2026 |date= May 22, 2026}}</ref> |chancellor = Lloyd Blanchard<ref name="Blanchard"> {{cite web |last1= Santiago |first1=Ari |title= Update from Board of Regents Interim Chair Santiago |url= https://www.ct.edu/newsroom/comm#update-from-board-of-regents-interim-chair-santiago |publisher= CSCU Communications |access-date=May 29, 2026 |date=May 29, 2026}} </ref> |vice-president = |superintendent = |provost = |vice_chancellor = |rector = |principal = |dean = |director = |head_label = |head = |faculty = |staff = |students = 34,824 (2012)<ref name="Cb">{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.edu/files/opr/R_20130607a.pdf |title=Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (ConnSCU) Fall Headcount Enrollment, Trends, Full-Time & Part-Time |accessdate=2013-07-14 |publisher=Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> |undergrad = 29,308 (2012)<ref name="Cb" /> |postgrad = 5,516 (2012)<ref name="Cb" /> |doctoral = |other = |city = Hartford |state = Connecticut |province = |country = United States |coor = |campus = |former_names = |free_label = |free = |sports = |colors = |colours = |nickname = |mascot = |athletics = |affiliations = |website = {{URL|www.ct.edu}} |logo = |footnotes = }} {{Location map+|Connecticut|places={{Location map~ | Connecticut | marksize = 8 | label_size = 80 | label = Central | position = top | lat_deg = 41.69318 | lon_deg = -72.76496 }} {{Location map~ | Connecticut | marksize = 8 | label_size = 80 | label = Eastern | position = right | lat_deg = 41.71946 | lon_deg = -72.21749 }} {{Location map~ | Connecticut | marksize = 8 | label_size = 80 | label = Southern | position = right | lat_deg = 41.3325 | lon_deg = -72.9475 }} {{Location map~ | Connecticut | marksize = 8349278 | label_size = 80 | label = Western | position = right | lat_deg = 41.399954 | lon_deg = -73.443584 }}|float=right|caption=Connecticut State University System locations}}

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.

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.<ref name='BOT'>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.edu/trustees/responsibilities/ |title=Board of Trustees Responsibilities |accessdate=2009-04-08 |publisher=Connecticut State University System |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716112904/http://www.ct.edu/trustees/responsibilities/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 Natalie Braswell.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.ct.edu/newsroom/ct-board-of-regents-for-higher-education-appoints-natalie-braswell-as-interim-chancellor-of-cscu |title= CT Board of Regents for Higher Education Appoints Natalie Braswell as Interim Chancellor of CSCU|website=www.ct.edu|access-date=May 30, 2026}}</ref> The Connecticut State University System Foundation, provides financial support from private donations to assist the missions of the universities.<ref name='F'>{{cite web |url=http://www.csusystemfoundation.org/ |title=Connecticut State University System Foundation |accessdate=2009-04-08 |publisher=Connecticut State University System Foundation |archive-date=2009-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326050936/http://www.csusystemfoundation.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The four universities – Central, Eastern, Southern and Western – offer graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 160 subject areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.edu/about/stats/students/ |title=Total Enrollment Stats |accessdate=2009-04-08 |publisher=Connecticut State University System |archive-date=2010-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617223818/http://www.ct.edu/about/stats/students/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History== {{Update section|date=December 2025|reason=This section is outdated. No mention of the legislative changes that had occurred since 2011, such as the integration of the former community college system into this public education system and the creation of an online university}} thumb|150px|Connecticut State University System (1983–2013) 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/act/pa/2011PA-00048-R00HB-06651-PA.htm|title=An Act Implementing Provisions of the Budget Concerning General Government|work=ct.gov|access-date=1 August 2015}}</ref><ref>[https://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/act/pa/pdf/2011PA-00061-R00HB-06652-PA.pdf ct.gov] {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> 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).

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

{| class="wikitable" |+CSCU leaders !{{abbr|No.|Number}} !Leader !Term start !Term end !{{refh}} |- |colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" style="Font-weight: bold;" |Executive secretaries of the Board of Trustees for State Colleges ({{circa|1966}} – {{circa|1977}}) |- |1 |Harold J. Bingham |{{circa|May 1966}} |May 6, 1967 |<ref>{{cite news |url=https://courant.newspapers.com/newspage/370616562/ |title=Bingham Quits Job |date=May 6, 1967 |page=1 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |via=newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=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...}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' |rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|J. Eugene Smith |May 9, 1967 |May 31, 1967 | |- |2 |June 1, 1967 |September 30, 1972 |<ref>{{cite news |url=https://courant.newspapers.com/newspage/370637536/ |title=State Colleges Board Names 'Acting' Executive |date=May 9, 1967 |page=17 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |via=newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=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.}}</ref>{{r|Courant1972}} |- |colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" style="Font-weight: bold;" |Executive director of the Board of Trustees for State Colleges ({{circa|1977}}–1983) |- |1 |James A. Frost {{efn|Frost used the title "executive secretary" until {{circa|1977}}, when his title became "executive director", and finally "president" on December 9, 1983.}} |October 1, 1972 |May 31, 1985 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Establishment of the Title President of the Connecticut State University |url=http://www2.ct.edu/files/csus-resolutions/83-160.pdf |access-date=2023-07-31 |archive-date=2022-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525050751/https://www2.ct.edu/files/csus-resolutions/83-160.pdf |url-status=dead |date=December 9, 1983 |publisher=CSCU}}</ref><ref name="Courant1972">{{cite news |url=https://courant.newspapers.com/newspage/367851151/ |title=State Colleges Aide To Step Down Oct. 1 |date=August 29, 1972 |page=1 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |via=newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=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...}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://courant.newspapers.com/newspage/242936147/ |title=New Title for University Director |date=December 10, 1983 |page=86 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |via=newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://courant.newspapers.com/newspage/368893361/ |title=State University President To Retire After 12 Years |date=May 5, 1984 |page=12 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |via=newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=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.}}</ref> |- |colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" style="Font-weight: bold;" |Presidents of Connecticut State University (1983–1996) |- |2 |Dallas K. Beal |June 1, 1985 |April 30, 1994 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=President Beal's Inauguration |url=http://www2.ct.edu/files/csus-resolutions/85-149.pdf |access-date=2023-02-02 |publisher=CSCU |date=September 13, 1985 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731204342/http://www2.ct.edu/files/csus-resolutions/85-149.pdf |archive-date=2023-07-31 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Letter from Dallas K Beal's planned retirement as CSUS president |url=https://archives.library.wcsu.edu/omeka/items/show/595 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=wcsu.edu |date=January 14, 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://courant.newspapers.com/newspage/242782051/ |title=University Appoints President |date=December 8, 1984 |page=96 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |via=newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://courant.newspapers.com/newspage/202871673/ |title=Leader of state university system to retire |date=July 14, 1993 |page=56 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |via=newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=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.}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' |Thomas A. Porter |May 1, 1994 |August 4, 1994 |<ref>{{cite news |url=https://courant.newspapers.com/newspage/175826033/ |title=CSU officer named interim president |date=April 9, 1994 |page=21 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |via=newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=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.}}</ref> |- |colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" style="Font-weight: bold;" |Chancellors of Connecticut State University (1996–2011) |- |3 |William J. Cibes, Jr. {{efn|The position of president became chancellor on July 1, 1996.}} |August 5, 1994 |January 19, 2006 |<ref name="auto">{{Cite report |title=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 |url=https://wp.cga.ct.gov/apa/wp-content/cgacustom/reports/Connecticut%20State%20University%20System%20Office_20070327_FY2004,2005.pdf |access-date=2024-01-02 |publisher=CSCU |date=March 27, 2007 |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://courant.newspapers.com/newspage/175704513/ |title=Cibes named to head state universities |date=June 11, 1994 |page=9 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |via=newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://courant.newspapers.com/newspage/243706523/ |title=Cibes To Retire As CSU Chancellor |date=July 15, 2005 |page=B09 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |via=newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=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.}}</ref> |- |4 |David G. Carter, Sr. |January 20, 2006 |February 28, 2011 |<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/connecticut-state-university-system-names-77677.php |title=Connecticut State University System names chancellor |first=Eileen |last=FitzGerald |date=December 17, 2005 |newspaper=The News-Times |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ct.edu/files/csus/06-011.pdf |title=APPOINTMENT OF DR. DAVID G. CARTER CHANCELLOR |date=January 27, 2006 |publisher=Connecticut State University System |quote=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}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://ctmirror.org/2011/02/03/csus-losing-two-top-leaders-during-crucial-legislative-session/ |title=CSUS losing two top leaders during crucial legislative session |first=Jacqueline Rabe |last=Thomas |date=February 3, 2011 |work=The Connecticut Mirror |quote=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.}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' |Louise H. Feroe |March 1, 2011 |June 30, 2011 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://victoriaadvocate.com/2011/02/10/csus-names-interim-chancellor/ |title=CSUS names interim chancellor |date=February 10, 2011 |newspaper=The Victoria Advocate |url-access=subscription |quote=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.}}</ref> |- |colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" style="Font-weight: bold;" |Presidents of the Board of Regents for Higher Education (2011–2013) |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' |Michael Meotti {{efn|The position of chancellor became president on July 1, 2011.}} |July 1, 2011 |September 11, 2011 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meotti Appointed Interim President Of Board Of Regents |date=July 1, 2011 |url=http://articles.courant.com/2011-07-01/news/hc-meotti-appointed-0702-20110701_1_higher-education-consolidation-regents |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724001305/http://articles.courant.com/2011-07-01/news/hc-meotti-appointed-0702-20110701_1_higher-education-consolidation-regents |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=2015-10-08 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |first=Kathleen |last=Megan}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://ctmirror.org/2011/06/30/eve-higher-ed-merger-meotti-named-interim-president/ |title=Meotti named interim president |first=Jacqueline Rabe |last=Thomas |date=June 30, 2011 |work=The Connecticut Mirror |quote=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.}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' |rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|Robert A. Kennedy |September 12, 2011 |February 29, 2012 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr. Robert Kennedy Appointed Interim President of Board of Regents |date=September 12, 2011 |url=http://www.ct.edu/newsroom/gov_malloy_appoints_dr._robert_kennedy_as_interim_president_of_board_of_reg |accessdate=2015-10-08 |publisher=CSCU |archive-date=2015-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923111250/http://www.ct.edu/newsroom/gov_malloy_appoints_dr._robert_kennedy_as_interim_president_of_board_of_reg |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://ctmirror.org/2011/08/22/sources-malloy-taps-former-umaine-president-higher-education-post/ |title=Sources: Malloy taps former UMaine president for higher education post |first=Mark |last=Pazniokas |date=August 22, 2011 |work=The Connecticut Mirror |quote=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.}}</ref> |- |5 |February 29, 2012 |October 12, 2012 {{efn|Resigned under pressure.}} |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ct.edu/newsroom/senate-confirms-dr-robert-a-kennedy-as-president |title=Senate Confirms Dr. Robert A. Kennedy as President |date=February 29, 2012 |publisher=CSCU |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://ctmirror.org/2012/10/12/embattled-board-regents-chief-resigns/ |title=Embattled Board of Regents chief resigns |first1=Jacqueline Rabe |last1=Thomas |first2=Keith M. |last2=Phaneuf |date=October 12, 2012 |work=The Connecticut Mirror |quote=Robert A. Kennedy, the embattled president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, announced his resignation Friday morning, effective immediately.}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' |Philip E. Austin |October 2012 |June 30, 2013 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Board of Regents Recommends Philip E. Austin to Gov. Malloy as Interim President |date=October 12, 2012 |url=http://www.ct.edu/newsroom/board_of_regents_recommends_philip_e._austin_to_gov._malloy_as_interim_pres |accessdate=2015-10-08 |publisher=CSCU |archive-date=2015-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923111448/http://www.ct.edu/newsroom/board_of_regents_recommends_philip_e._austin_to_gov._malloy_as_interim_pres |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://ctmirror.org/2012/10/12/board-regents-taps-former-uconn-president-repair-tarnished-image/ |title=Board of Regents taps former UConn president to repair tarnished image |first=Jacqueline Rabe |last=Thomas |date=October 12, 2012 |work=The Connecticut Mirror |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/austin-to-get-340k-as-ct-higher-ed-chief/ |title=Austin to get $340K as CT higher ed chief |date=October 26, 2012 |work=Hartford Business Journal |quote=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.}}</ref> |- |colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" style="Font-weight: bold;" |Presidents of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system (2013–2023) |- |6 |Gregory W. Gray |July 1, 2013 |September 27, 2015 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Board Votes to Appoint Dr. Gregory W. Gray as New President, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities |date=May 16, 2013 |url=http://www.ct.edu/newsroom/board_votes_to_appoint_dr._gregory_w._gray_as_new_president |accessdate=2015-10-08 |publisher=CSCU |archive-date=2015-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923111501/http://www.ct.edu/newsroom/board_votes_to_appoint_dr._gregory_w._gray_as_new_president |url-status=dead |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://ctmirror.org/2015/08/14/gray-resigns-as-president-of-connecticut-college-system/ |title=Gregory Gray resigns as president of Connecticut college system |first=Jacqueline Rabe |last=Thomas |date=August 14, 2015 |work=The Connecticut Mirror |quote=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.}}</ref> |- |7 |Mark E. Ojakian |September 28, 2015 |December 31, 2020 |<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ctmirror.org/2015/08/21/board-of-regents-names-ojakian-as-interim-president/ |title=Ojakian as interim CSCU president |first=Mark |last=Pazniokas |date=August 21, 2015 |work=The Connecticut Mirror |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://ctmirror.org/2016/12/08/higher-ed-board-gives-ojakian-3-year-extension-as-president/ |title=Higher ed board gives Ojakian 3-year extension as president |first=Jacqueline Rabe |last=Thomas |date=December 8, 2016 |work=The Connecticut Mirror |quote=The Board of Regents for Higher Education voted unanimously Thursday to extend Ojakian’s contract through Aug. 31, 2020.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ct.edu/newsroom/president-ojakian-announces-intention-to-retire |title=President Ojakian Announces Intention to Retire |date=August 12, 2020 |publisher=CSCU |quote=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.}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' |Jane Gates |January 1, 2021 |July 1, 2021 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Board of Regents Appoints Dr. Jane Gates as Interim CSCU President |date=November 19, 2020 |url=https://www.ct.edu/newsroom/board_of_regents_appoints_dr._jane_gates_as_interim_cscu_president |accessdate=2020-12-09 |publisher=CSCU |archive-date=2020-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128084749/https://www.ct.edu/newsroom/board_of_regents_appoints_dr._jane_gates_as_interim_cscu_president |url-status=dead |quote=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.}}</ref> |- |colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" style="Font-weight: bold;" |Chancellors of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system (2023–present) |- |8 |Terrence Cheng {{efn|The position of president became chancellor on July 1, 2023.}} |July 2, 2021 |June 30, 2025 {{efn|Removed by Board of Regents.}} |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ct.edu/newsroom/board-of-regents-appoints-terrence-cheng-as-cscu-system-president |title=Board of Regents Appoints Terrence Cheng as CSCU System President |date=May 7, 2021 |publisher=CSCU |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ct.edu/newsroom/connecticut-board-of-regents-announces-cscu-system-leadership-update |title=Connecticut Board of Regents Announces CSCU System Leadership Update |date=April 28, 2025 |publisher=CSCU |quote=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.}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' |O. John Maduko |July 1, 2025 |April 24, 2026 {{efn|Resigned}} |<ref name="Maduko">{{cite web |url=https://www.ct.edu/newsroom/board-of-regents-appoints-dr-o-john-maduko-as-interim-chancellor-of-cscu |title=CT Board of Regents for Higher Education Appoints Dr. O. John Maduko as Interim Chancellor of CSCU |date=June 26, 2025 |publisher=CSCU |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.courant.com/2026/04/25/cscu-interim-chancellor-resigns-after-allegations-he-violated-policy/ |title=CSCU interim chancellor resigns after allegations he violated policy |date=April 25, 2026 |publisher=Hartford Courant |quote=Connecticut State Colleges and Universities interim chancellor Dr. O. John Maduko resigned from his position on Friday, officials said.}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''acting'' |Karen Buffkin |April 24, 2026 |May 29, 2026 {{efn|Put on administrative leave}} |<ref name="Buffkin">{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Cassidy |title=President of Connecticut State Community College named interim chancellor of CSCU |url= https://www.wfsb.com/2026/04/27/cscu-interim-chancellor-resigns-after-investigation-launched/# |via=WFSB 3 Eyewitness News |publisher=A Gray Local Media Station |access-date=May 27, 2026 |date=April 27, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Blanchard"/> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''acting'' |Lloyd Blanchard |May 29, 2026 |June 15, 2026 {{efn|Desginated as acting until Braswell becomes new chancellor}} |<ref name="Blanchard"/> |- |}

Table notes: {{notelist}}

==See also== *List of colleges and universities in Connecticut *Connecticut Community Colleges *University of Connecticut *''The Establishment of the Connecticut State University System'', James A. Frost (1991)

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== *{{Official website|www.ct.edu}} *[http://www.consuls.org/ Catalog of the CSU Libraries and Connecticut State Library]

{{CSUS}}

Category:Connecticut State University System Category:Public university systems in the United States Category:Public education in Connecticut <!--university system--> .<!--university system--> Category:Universities and colleges established in 1849 Category:1849 establishments in Connecticut