The Chancellor of the Connecticut State College & Universities (CSCU) invites nominations and applications for the position of President of Western Connecticut State University (WestConn).
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.
Located on two campuses about an hour north of New York City in one of Connecticut’s most diverse cities, with high-tech facilities and a diverse student body of over 3,100 undergraduate and 600 graduate students, WestConn provides students with a practical, career-focused education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. The university’s approximately 400 faculty support bachelor’s and master’s programs across four schools: the Ancell School of Business, the Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Professional Studies, and the School of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts. Notably, the university welcomed its largest freshman class since 2018 this fall. More information about WestConn may be found at www.wcsu.edu.
The President of WestConn reports to the CSCU Chancellor and serves in his cabinet alongside the presidents of the other Connecticut State Universities, Connecticut State Community College, and Charter Oak State College, which collectively provide affordable, innovative, and rigorous programs for students to achieve their personal and career goals as well as contribute to the economic growth of Connecticut. The President is expected to be a full partner in ensuring the success and national prominence of the system and to serve Connecticut’s administrative and legislative leaders, state residents, and businesses.
Required qualifications:
- An advanced degree from an accredited institution
- Experience in an executive leadership role in academic administration
- Significant leadership and administrative experience within a complex organization, including evidence of developing and implementing strategic plans
- Successful, sustainable change management experience
- Ability to recruit and lead an outstanding leadership team
- Budgetary and financial acumen
- Vision for and commitment to the mission of public higher education
- Relationship building skills coupled with potential for or evidence of ability to lead fundraising efforts
- Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, coupled with demonstrated evidence of advancing these values in an institutional setting
- Dedication to student success and academic excellence
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile which is available here.
WittKieffer is assisting Connecticut State Colleges & Universities in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 13, 2025. Application materials should be submitted using the candidate portal.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Lucy Leske and Luis Bertot
WCSUPresident@wittkieffer.com
CSCU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or criminal record.
CSCU IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F
