CSCU system’s interim president hails from WestConn
The Board of Regents for Higher Education has appointed Jane McBride Gates as interim president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities starting Jan. 1, 2021.
Gates will fill the spot until a permanent replacement can be found for Mark Ojakian, who is retiring at the end of the year.
“She will do the system proud,” Ojakian told the Board of Regents, who voted on the appointment on Thursday.
“I am honored,” Gates said during the virtual meeting. “I appreciate the confidence of the Board of Regents and the opportunity to serve the CSCU system during this transition.”
Gates said her advocacy would focus largely on students. She said her goal is to maintain and advance the momentum of the system which is working toward consolidating the state’s 12 community colleges into one.
The system also oversees four regional universities and an online degree college. Altogether the system serves about 78,000 students.
The board is conducting a national search for a new president that it hopes will be installed by July 1.
Gates has served in the CSCU system since 2011, when she took over as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. Previously, she has held leadership roles at Savannah State University in Georgia and Arkansas State University.
In its resolution, the board called it important to appoint someone with knowledge of the system. She will continue to act as provost of the system until a new president is selected.
Gates made $235,461 as provost. In her dual role she will get an additional $3,814 bi-weekly.
“She brings continuity to our work here,” said Merle Harris, a regents board member.
Matt Fleury, chair of the Board of Regents, said the system is fortunate to have Gates. He said she is someone with sterling academic experience and leadership skills.
“The board has made clear its commitment to aggressively pursuing policies to promote equity in outcomes within our colleges and universities,” Fluery said. “We have made real progress over the past five years, particularly as we work toward the merger of the community colleges. Dr. Gates has a lifelong commitment to equity and access in higher education, and she is ready and able to continue these important initiatives.”
Gates earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Arkansas State University, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas, and a doctorate of philosophy degree in public policy, organizational behavior, and Chinese politics from Southern Illinois University.