Minkler set to lead community college

MIDDLETOWN >> Middlesex Community College’s Dean of Academic Affairs will replace Anna Wasescha as the institution’s new president.

Steven Minkler will serve as lead campus administrator and oversee day-to-day operations of the campus in addition to his role as dean.

Wasescha, who announced her departure in April, will become the new president/CEO of the West Central Initiative, a regional community foundation in Minnesota.

“I appreciate Dr. Minkler’s willingness to serve in this expanded role as we restructure the community college system over the next year,” said Connecticut State Colleges and Universities President Mark E. Ojakian in a press release. “I will be working directly with him to ensure MXCC continues to build on the strong foundation laid by Dr. Wasescha and others over the past 50 years.”

Minkler joined MxCC as dean of academic affairs in January 2012.

He leads an academic division consisting of 60 full-time and 200 parttime faculty and staff; all credit and noncredit courses and programs; the Learning Commons (Academic Success Center, Distance Learning & Educational Technology, and Jean Burr Smith Library); and special initiatives such as the Honors Program, Transitional Year Program, Middlesex Accelerated Degree Program, Prison Education Program (with Wesleyan University and the Department of Correction) and Early College Academy.

Minkler also occasionally teaches courses in the communication and honors programs.

Minkler has worked in Connecticut’s community colleges for nearly 30 years. Prior to MxCC, he was the Academic Division Director of Business, Science, Health and Technology at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted. There, he developed courses, managed faculty, applied for grants to expand access to health care programs and built relationships with local employers and high schools.

From 1987 until 2008, Minkler worked for Capital Community College in Hartford, serving for 14 years as director of Academic Media Technology.

COURTESY MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE Steve Minkler