Minn. doctor to lead new CT State Community College
NEW HAVEN — John Maduko, a medical doctor and educational administrator in Minnesota, has been appointed as the first president of the Connecticut State Community College, the state Board of Regents announced Wednesday.
Maduko is vice president of academic and student affairs for Minnesota State Community and Technical College, the regents said in an announcement.
He will lead the merged community college system in Connecticut that includes 12 campuses and more than 32,000 students.
“I have come to Connecticut because I believe that Connecticut State has a mission that is meaningful and authentic,” Maduko said in a statement.“We are establishing a ‘new normal’ of higher education. The impact of the pandemic over the last two and a half years has been enormous and will have long-lasting effects. But there is an even stronger history here of success in academics and career programs, student affairs and wrap-around student services that we will leverage.”
Maduko was selected to serve as the first president of the Connecticut State Community College after a nationwide search involving “more than 40 students, faculty, professional staff, administrators, foundation leaders, union representatives, and external partners,” officials said.
The state’s 12 community colleges are merging under the flagship name of Connecticut State Community College, beginning in fall 2023, according to the state college system.
Gov. Ned Lamont and Terrence Cheng, the president of State Colleges and Universities, praised Maduko’s experience and suitability for the role.
“John Maduko approaches this position as an experienced and talented educator, with significant teaching experience,” Lamont said in a statement. “We are now about a year away from the official opening of Connecticut State as our single community college with all current locations continuing to stay open and remaining fully operational. I am confident that, with John Maduko in charge of the college and Terrence Cheng leading the CSCU system, we are in good hands to improve student success and provide workforce opportunities for all Connecticut residents.”
Before taking his Minnesota job in 2019, Maduko held leadership and faculty roles at North Central Texas College District, Rasmussen University, National Paralegal College, Mountain State University and Hillsborough Community College, officials said.
“John is someone who understands the need to change and innovate based on data and the needs of the students we serve — but he also understands the importance of community buy-in, for a constructive working relationship with all employees within the college,” Cheng said, adding that Maduko’s background in education highlighted a strong focus on student equity and success.
“On behalf of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, it is my pleasure to welcome Dr. John Maduko as presidentdesignate of Connecticut State Community College,” board Chair Matt Fleury said. “Dr. Maduko is eminently qualified for this position as an experienced educator and administrator. Perhaps most importantly, he is guided by a set of principles that are reflective of the mission, vision, and values of the Board of Regents, CSCU, and CT State — putting access, equity, and student success at the forefront of everything he does.”
Maduko was selected to serve as the first president of the Connecticut State Community College after a nationwide search involving “more than 40 students, faculty, professional staff, administrators, foundation leaders, union representatives, and external partners,” officials said.