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Dear Faculty and Staff,

Interim Chancellor O. John Maduko has formally charged Interim President Christina Royal and me to convene a joint Task Force to develop a roadmap for a deeper regional partnership between CT State Danbury and WestConn. The goal is straightforward: better serve students in Danbury and the surrounding region, strengthening transfer pathways, aligning workforce preparation, and improving the overall student experience, while each institution keeps its own identity, mission, and accreditation fully intact.

This is a partnership, not a merger. Two institutions. One shared commitment to students.

Danbury is a dynamic, growing region. The students we serve, and those we have not yet reached, deserve a higher education ecosystem that meets them where they are and takes them where they want to go. That is what our work is about.

I understand that some in our community have concerns, especially about losing students to CT State because of the difference in tuition and about potential reputational risk. There are other questions as well, but these are the most common I have heard. I take those concerns seriously. At the same time, I believe the potential benefits far outweigh them. In similar efforts elsewhere, these fears haven’t materialized. Instead, institutions have seen stronger transfer pipelines, enrollment growth, and new revenue. This is exactly why we are convening a Task Force: to explore this carefully, examine the data and evidence, and help us move forward with clarity.

I’m looking for WestConn faculty and staff who want to help shape what this looks like. The Task Force and parallel sub-groups will include representation across academic leadership, student affairs, enrollment, operations, IT, institutional research, and others. I want people at the table who understand WestConn deeply and care about getting this right.

To self-nominate, send a brief statement of interest to president@wcsu.eduÌýby April 7. A few sentences is all I need. Tell me who you are, what area you represent, and why you want to serve.

There will also be other opportunities for members of our community to provide feedback, and I will share regular updates as this work moves forward. I’ll be sharing more about the Task Force structure, timeline, and charge in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out if you have questions.

Thank you for everything you do for our students and for WestConn. This is the kind of work that can make a real difference for our region.

Sincerely,

Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D.
President
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