The board overseeing the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system is set to adopt a new strategic vision at a joint meeting this Friday that will focus on student performance, innovation and economic growth, and affordability and sustainability.
The Board of Regents of the CSCU system oversees the state’s four public universities — Central, Eastern, Western and Southern — and the state’s community college system. It will vote on the strategic vision at a joint meeting of the Academic & Student Affairs and HR committees.
The pending resolution for the adoption of the 2030 strategic vision falls on the heels of CT State Community College President John Maduko announcing a shakeup of top executives within the community college ranks. Maduko, who was named to his role in April and now oversees the 12 community colleges that are in the process of merging, is scrapping the regional model he inherited and is reassigning those leaders to new systemwide executive roles.
The Board of Regents also approved a 3% tuition hike for the four Connecticut state universities last month.
Key components of the new strategic vision include:
- Improving access to CSCU’s certificate and degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels for various targeted populations, including out-of-state and international students and veterans.
- Improving retention, transfer and completion rates, particularly for under-represented students.
- Creating and implementing a master plan of undergraduate and graduate certificate and degree programs that ensure seamless transition from high school to college and attainment of industry-recognized credentials and skills, in addition to aligning those programs with the state’s economic and workforce development strategies.
- Expanding external partnerships with state agencies and the business community to support students’ personal, academic, and professional needs and promote their employment in the public and private sectors.
- Expanding scholarship and research resources to ensure CSCU institutions and their faculty and staff are on the cutting edge of innovation in curriculum and workforce development.
- Developing and implementing a master plan for fiscal sustainability and growth.
- Increase the marketing of CSCU as a destination for high-quality higher education.
