Central Connecticut State University President to Retire

Mark Ojakian, president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, announced that John W. Miller will retire as president of Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) effective Sept. 15, 2016. He began his tenure as president in 2005.

“Central Connecticut State University — as well as the state of Connecticut — has been fortunate to benefit from Jack Miller’s inspiring leadership over the past 11 years, and his commitment in offering an affordable education of exceptional quality,” said President Ojakian. “I sincerely thank President Miller for his commitment to the students, faculty and staff of Central Connecticut State University.”

“I commend President Miller for his outstanding service to the students of Central Connecticut State University and for his unwavering focus on student success,” said Nicholas Donofrio, Chairman of the Board of Regents for Higher Education. “On behalf of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system and the Board of Regents for Higher Education, we wish him the best in his retirement, and sincerely thank him for his time, service, and leadership.”

President Miller is the 12th president of CCSU, the oldest publicly supported institution of higher education in Connecticut founded in 1849. Before coming to CCSU, he was chancellor at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, dean of the College of Education at Florida State University, and professor and administrator at Georgia Southern University and Wichita State University. He also taught students in public education from the elementary to doctoral degree levels in the United States, Costa Rica, England and South Africa.

During his tenure at CCSU, President Miller increased the university’s endowment from $20 million in 2005 to $63 million in 2015. He also increased the university’s six-year graduation rate from 40 percent in 2005 to 57.3 percent in 2015, and increased minority enrollment from 11 percent in 2005 to 31 percent in 2015.

He is committed to working with faculty and staff in delivering new programs and increasing workforce and economic development efforts. CCSU faculty and staff partnered with companies and public agencies such as United Technologies Corp. and the West Hartford Police Department to bring CCSU programs to these workplaces to promote civic engagement. A new MBA program and majors in engineering, nursing and teaching, were also initiated.

While president, a number of new campus facilities were constructed and opened, including the Mid-Campus Residence Hall, Social Sciences Hall, Mid-Campus Dining Hall, Anthony & Helen Bichum Engineering Laboratory and the Police Station. Recreation and athletics fields were also improved.

President Miller received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio University, a master's degree in education from Northern Illinois University, and a doctorate degree in education from Purdue University. His annual study of America's Most Literate Cities has been published by USA Today, and recognized in more than 100 of the largest daily newspapers and on National Public Radio.

He has received numerous national awards, served as Principal Investigator and written 19 research and training proposals funded for a total of $4.5 million by state, federal, and private agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Education, Bell South Foundation, and Foundation for Improvement of Postsecondary Education. He has served on boards of directors for both private corporations and public non-profit organizations. President Miller and his wife Barbara have three children.

The Board of Regents shall commence a search for President Miller’s replacement shortly.