WCSU Presidential Search

The Chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) invites nominations and applications for the position of President at Western Connecticut State University.

Chancellor’s Announcement

Position Profile

The Chancellor of the Connecticut State College & Universities (CSCU) invites nominations and applications for the position of President of Western Connecticut State University (WestConn) in Danbury, CT.

As a regional public institution in southwestern Connecticut celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, WestConn has stayed true to its mission of preparing compassionate leaders. This reflects the intellectual leadership of its faculty, dedication of its staff, and inquisitiveness of its students in advancing shared goals for the betterment of mankind. As a dynamic institution of higher learning that was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2024, WestConn is responsive to the needs of the rapidly changing socioeconomic, demographic, and political fabric of society. Its new strategic plan, Western Rising, aims to capitalize on WestConn's strengths and address its demographic and financial challenges by transforming WestConn into a nimble, innovative university through realigning resources and programs to better serve students and employers, increasing adaptability, and developing new cutting-edge programs. WestConn seeks a president to lead the institution in these efforts and ensure WestConn's success.

Full Leadership Profile

Search Process

Search Process Steps

Nominations

Please submit nominations to WCSUPresident@wittkieffer.com

About WCSU

Mission

Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society.

To achieve this, we

Offer undergraduate and graduate programs that weave together liberal arts and professional education and instill a desire for life-long learning.
Sustain a vibrant, inclusive campus that connects individuals through co-curricular programs, cultural events, and service to the community.
Attract student-centered faculty who are passionate teachers and accomplished scholars.
Establish partnerships that create opportunities for internships, research, and experiential learning.

Learn more at https://www.wcsu.edu/

WCSU.EDU

Committees

Search Committee

NAME	POSITION
Dr. Zulma Toro (Chair)	President, Central Connecticut State University
Dr. Lloyd Blanchard	Interim Vice President of Administration & CFO, CSCU
Adam Joseph	Vice Chancellor of External Affairs, CSCU
Dr. Karen Hynick	Interim Provost, CT State Community College
Dr. Jeffrey Schlicht	Senate President, WCSU
Dr. Manoj Misra	AAUP Chapter President, WCSU
Rebecca Woodward	SUOAF Chapter President, WCSU
Dr. Katherine Roe	Chair, Education & Educational Psychology, WCSU
Melissa Stephens	Director, Financial Aid & Student Employment, WCSU

Search Advisory Committee

Name	position
Dr. Manoj Misra (Search Committee)	AAUP Chapter President, Associate Professor, Social Sciences
Dr. Tricia Stewart	Professor, Education
Dr. Aaron Lin	Associate Professor, Finance
Dr. Jeffrey Schlicht (Search Committee)	Senate President, Professor, Health Promotion & Exercises
Dr. Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox	Senate Vice President, Professor, History, Philosophy & World Perspectives
Dr. Patricia O’Neill	Associate Professor, Psychology
Brian Stevens	Archivist and Special Collections Librarian
Dr. Katherine Roe (Search Committee)	Associate Professor, Education
Rebecca Woodward (Search Committee)	SUOAF President, Digital Innovation Officer
Maria Veilleux	SUOAF Secretary, Director of Univ. Advancement & Bus. Operations, Exec. Director, WCSU Foundation
Erica Thompson	SUOAF Treasurer, Bursar, Cashier’s Office
Dr. Ree Gunter	Director of Counseling Center
Annmarie Puleo	Director of University Advisement Center
Deanna Schaab	Director of Access Control One-Card Services and Interim AVP Facilities Management & Planning
Melissa Stephens (Search Committee)	Associate Dean of Enrollment Management and Fiscal Affairs
Faye Walton	Foundation Board
Martin Morgado	Foundation Board Chair
Ray Lubus	Attorney, Alumni Association President
Corey Paris	Alumni, State Representative
Ron Pugliese	Alumni
Merisa Williams	President, Local 478, AFSCME Council 4, Secretary 2
Mike Ercoli	VP, Local 478, AFSCME Council 4, Maintenance & Service Unit, Qualified Craft Worker
David Lucente	Steward, Local 478, AFSCME Council 4, Maintenance & Service Unit, Qualified Craft Worker
Patty Gillotti	Steward, Local 478, AFSCME Council 4, Protective Services, Police Officer
Teresa Saunders	Representative, Local 478, AFSCME Council 4, Administrative & Residual, Library Technician
Sahar Iqbal	Student Leader
Owen Ibey	Student Leader
Abe Sari	Student Leader
Maia Quirk	Student Leader
Ian Hendrie	Student Leader
Dr. Yaseen Hayajneh	Interim Dean, School of Graduate, International, and Career Studies
Brian Vernon	Dean, School of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts
Dr. Joan Palladino	Dean, School of Professional Studies
Sarah Davin	Associate in Human Resources

Search Listening Tour

For more information regarding the listening tour, please contact Mary O’Connor at oconnorma@wcsu.edu

Tour Info

As we begin the search for the next president of WestConn, a Listening Tour will be taking place on campus with executive search firm WittKieffer, which is facilitating the search process.

Also participating in the Listening Tour, as their schedules permit, are members of the search committee, including key representatives from the WestConn community and others across CSCU, as well as the committee chair, Dr. Zulma Toro, President of Central Connecticut State University.

During the sessions, we will gather WestConn’s insights on the qualities and experiences the university needs in its next President. These insights will be used to develop a leadership profile, which will be essential in recruiting the most qualified and innovative candidates.

Together, the goal is to identify a president who can lead Western Connecticut State University into a future marked by growth, collaboration, excellence, and innovation.

Currently, 45-minute sessions have been scheduled, by group, so that as many members of the university community as possible can provide feedback. Below, please find a few questions that could be used as a starting point for remarks.

Questions

What are the professional qualifications and personal characteristics that will be important to the next President's ability to thrive in the role?
What opportunities and challenges should the next President be prepared to face and address?
What are the key strengths and selling points of WestConn and this position?

Those interested in providing remarks are kindly asked to keep them under three minutes to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. If you are not able to attend in person, but would like to join virtually, please contact Mary O’Connor for the virtual meeting link (which can also be found in a recent email invitation).

If you are unable to attend in person or virtually but still wish to provide feedback, please complete the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WCSUPresident. Your feedback will be submitted directly to WittKieffer. The deadline for survey submissions is September 25, 2024.

If you share your feedback during a live session, there is no need to complete the survey.

Schedule

All sessions are taking place on September 18, 2024
Midtown Campus, White Hall, Room 127

Senior Leadership
9:00 – 9:45
Faculty – Meeting 1
10:00 – 10:45
Staff
11:00 – 11:45
Students
12:00 – 12:45
Faculty – Meeting 2
1:00 – 1:45
Foundation, Partners, Community Members, Alumni
2:00 – 2:45

Dear CSCU Colleagues,

As we kick off the fall 2024 academic year, I want to wish all our students, faculty, staff, and administrators the very best as the semester begins. This time of year brings many opportunities to grow, learn, and make meaningful strides together.

With that in mind, I want to provide an update on the search for the next President of Western Connecticut State University. As highlighted in the recent NECHE report, the university requires stability and consistent, steady leadership to move forward effectively. The need for a permanent president who can provide a long-term vision and direction has been strongly emphasized, and we are committed to addressing this crucial need.

To that end, we will begin the search for WestConn’s next leader this fall. Our focus is not only on finding a leader who embodies stability but also someone who can enhance communication, foster shared governance, and bring innovative approaches to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our goal is to build a strong foundation that will support WestConn’s continued success for years to come.

We are dedicated to conducting a thorough and inclusive search process that engages the entire WestConn community. Together, we will identify a president who can lead WestConn into a future marked by growth, collaboration, excellence, and innovation.

I want to express my gratitude to Western Connecticut State University Interim President Singh for serving as a dedicated and collaborative leader over the past year. Dr. Singh has made significant contributions to the university’s culture of academic excellence and student success by introducing innovative programs and helping to improve WestConn’s approach to recruitment and retention. There is no doubt that Dr. Singh’s contributions will have a lasting impact, and I am deeply appreciative of his commitment to WestConn’s continued success.

The search committee will be chaired by Central Connecticut State University President Dr. Zulma Toro, with the executive search firm WittKieffer facilitating the process. WittKieffer will begin their work in September with a campus listening tour to gather WestConn’s insights on the qualities and experiences the university needs in its next President. The resulting leadership profile will be essential in recruiting the most qualified and innovative candidates.

In the coming weeks, I will appoint representatives to the Search Committee, which will include key members from the WestConn community. Additionally, a Search Advisory Committee will be established, bringing together a diverse group of individuals from across the university. This committee will include representatives from various constituencies such as students, staff, faculty, community members, and other stakeholders, and their input will ensure that the needs and priorities of the entire WestConn community are well-represented throughout this process.

I look forward to the work ahead, and to the ultimate outcome: a President who will position Western Connecticut State University for growth, prominence, and impact.

Terrence Cheng
CSCU Chancellor

Target Timeline

DATE	TASK
July – August 2024	CSCU search process is finalized Search Committee and Search Chair is identified
August 1, 2024	Scope of Work Finalized and Contract Fully Executed - DONE
August 19 – 30, 2024	WCSU administrative support identified WCSU administrative support develops listening tour schedules, necessary logistics, and communicates to the appropriate groups
Week of November 4-12, 2024	Search Committee meeting #2 to review survey results, review and approve Leadership Profile final draft Leadership Profile is finalized and approved (CSCU/WK) Advertising List is finalized (CSCU/WK)
Week of November 12, 2024	WCSU President search is launched; electronic advertisements placed (application deadline Jan. 13, 2025) (WK) Announcement placed on CSCU website (CSCU) (AJ/AM) Chancellor/Chair determination of campus visits, nature of search following comments from listening tours; WK or Search Committee Chair to share with committee for feedback. Internal communications explaining search process, search committee membership, constituent group involvement, and updated timeline Search Committee Chair invites constituent groups for their appointments/elections to the Search Advisory Committee (WCSU administrative support)
By November 29, 2024	Search Advisory Committee Appointment/Elections submitted to Search Chair
January 13, 2025	Application deadline, i.e., date for best consideration
January 13 - 24	Kick-off meeting with Search Committee Chair and members of the Search Advisory Committees. Search Advisory Committee role and confidentiality of search is explained. Search Committee and Search Advisory Committee begin “Charge” training (CSCU Human Resources and WCSU HR) – completed by 1/24/2025 3 representatives selected by the Search Advisory Committee to serve as representatives for first round interviews submitted to Search Chair (PH)
Week of January 27	WittKieffer meeting with Search/Search Advisory Committees to prepare for candidate review, review WorkZone and evaluation tools/feedback poll WittKieffer releases candidate information to Search/Search Advisory Committees via WorkZone
Week of February 3 or February 10	Search/Search Advisory Committees submit electronic poll for top ten candidates to WittKieffer Search Advisory Committee meets with WittKieffer to review poll and make recommendations for first round interviews Search Committee reviews Search Advisory Committee recommendations, compares to their recommendations and makes selection of first round interview candidates Interview prep meeting with Search Committee and representatives of the Search Advisory Committee
Week of February 18, 2025	Search Committee and representatives of the Search Advisory Committee conduct first round interviews (virtual) Upon conclusion of interviews, recommendations made to Chancellor Cheng for semi-finalist candidates
Week of February 24	Search Advisory Committee members meet in their constituent groups to prepare for focused discussions – review of leadership profile, development of interview questions.
March 3 – 14, 2025	Semi-final interviews on campus with various groups, including the Search Advisory Committee, institution executive leadership, CSCU institution presidents, CSCU system leadership, select members of the Board of Regents, and the CSCU Chancellor. Chancellor Cheng consults with the Search Committee and select members of the BOR, reviewing recommendations from the semi-final interviews to select two finalists for open campus forums. WittKieffer conducts social media reviews, scans public statements, verifies employment and processes reference checks for candidates selected for on-campus forums
April 2025	Hold on-campus, open forums with two finalist candidates Feedback (via surveys/feedback portal) is collected, received and analyzed by the Chancellor, Search Committee Chair and select members of the BOR. Candidate is selected for appointment HR conducts a background check and enters contract negotiation with final candidate
By May 15, 2025	Community announcement on appointment