Feb 29, 2012

Senate Confirms Dr. Robert A. Kennedy as President

The Connecticut State Senate today confirmed the appointment of Dr. Robert A. Kennedy as President of the Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR).

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.

“Dr. Kennedy — with his years of classroom and college administrative experience — is the right person to lead the Board of Regents in a new direction to make this consolidation successful,” said BOR Chairman Lewis Robinson. “The Board of Regents welcomes the opportunity to work with Dr. Kennedy on behalf of our students to prepare our future workforce for a global economy.”

Since arriving in Connecticut, Kennedy has met with the leadership, faculty, staff and students on all 17 ConnSCU campuses, and will focus on several key issues while at the Board of Regents, including working to ensure that:

Students enter college prepared, and the Board of Regents will improve college readiness opportunities for those who are not.
Students benefit from a transfer process between a public community college to a state university that is seamless and easier for degree completion.
Students and faculty are encouraged to innovate, learn and teach in settings that foster entrepreneurism.
Students benefit from enhanced collaboration and partnerships between the state’s higher education system and the private sector.

“I appreciate the trust Governor Malloy and the Board of Regents have placed in me, and thank the legislature for considering my appointment,” said Kennedy. “I’m honored to help lead this consolidation effort to ensure that our 17 community colleges and universities will continue to offer an affordable and accessible education to Connecticut’s students – the state’s workforce of tomorrow.”