UConn interim president resigns for health sector job
The University of Connecticut’s Interim President Dr. Andrew Agwunobi announced Friday he is leaving the school for a new job at a health insurance company.
Agwunobi also serves as the CEO and executive vice president for health affairs at UConn Health.
UConn’s board of trustees will meet Jan. 26 and is expected to name Radenka Maric, the school’s vice president for research, innovation and entrepreneurship, as its new interim president effective Feb. 1.
Agwunobi will stay on through Feb. 20, according to the university. He is leaving for a job with Humana, a health insurance company based in Kentucky.
“While I am excited about this new opportunity, the decision to leave UConn and UConn Health was extremely difficult,” Agwunobi wrote in his resignation letter. “This is an amazing university and special place. It has truly been an honor to serve as a leader here and to work with all of you.”
Agwunobi made history as UConn’s first person of color to lead the school dating back to its founding as the Storrs Agricultural School in the 1880s. But his tenure was short, holding the post for less than a year after taking the job last May.
Agwunobi replaced President Thomas Katsouleas, who departed the school after just two years.
Prior to coming to UConn and UConn Health, Agwunobi held leadership positions at health care systems in Atlanta, Providence and Spokane, Wash. He also served as secretary to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, according to UConn.
Gov. Ned Lamont thanked Agwunobi for his service to the school.
“Dr. Agwunobi has helped to steer UConn and UConn Health through unprecedented times, all while overseeing significant growth in research and enrollment. UConn’s Medical School has grown under his leadership, and our flagship higher education institution has strengthened its reputation as a national leader,” Lamont said.
“I have had the pleasure of spending time with Andy, and I will miss his thoughtful outlook and positive demeanor,” he added.
Daniel Toscano, chair of UConn’s board of trustees, wrote in a letter that the board will launch a national search and hopes to announce a new president by the fall. The board plans to name its advisory search committee and a “smaller steering committee” in the coming weeks, Toscano wrote.
“We are fortunate to have had his stewardship at UConn for as long as we did,” he said. “His impact on our academic medical center will be felt for years to come. And he will forever be a Husky.”