Office of the President

AI Roundtables: What I Heard and What Comes Next

Jesse Bernal — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:38:34 +0000

Dear WestConn Community, Before anything else, I want to acknowledge something directly. Some of the criticism I heard over the past two weeks was about my own use of generative AI, particularly on social media and in connection with the inauguration. For some students, especially those in our Visual and Performing Arts programs, this was not just a concern; it was hurtful. I am sorry.

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Update on Senate Amendment and Next Steps

Jesse Bernal — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:57:05 +0000

Dear �Թ�ͷ�� Community, I am writing to follow up on this week’s University Senate discussion. After careful consideration, I am rescinding my prior disapproval of the proposed amendment and returning the matter to the Senate for action consistent with its established process. I also want to clarify the context surrounding my earlier action and outline steps we can…

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Celebrating the Service and Commitment of Our Colleagues

Jesse Bernal — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:30:09 +0000

Dear WestConn Colleagues, It was a joy to come together last week to celebrate the service milestones of our colleagues, and I wanted to take a moment to share my congratulations again with our entire community. I have been talking about about weaving our strengths and building our future at WestConn. Moments like this remind me that those words are not abstract. They live in people.

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A Personal Note on AI, Creativity, and Connection

Jesse Bernal — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:48:49 +0000

Dear WestConn Community, I’ve heard some of your concerns about my use of AI, and I want to respond personally, because this is ultimately about trust, connection, and how we show up for one another. Over the past few days, I’ve read the feedback shared about AI visuals and other content connected to me and the university. Some of it has been thoughtful and constructive. Some of it has been…

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Message from the President: Federal Law Enforcement Activity on Campus

Jesse Bernal — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 02:45:53 +0000

Friday, April 10, 2026 at 2:45 p.m. Dear WestConn Community, We are aware of federal law enforcement activity earlier today on the Midtown campus’s 5th Avenue parking lot nearby White Hall. WestConn Police were not involved nor notified in advance. I know that seeing federal agents and an arrest on our campus can be unsettling, and for some members of our community, deeply distressing.

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Student Roundtables: AI at WestConn. Let’s Talk!

Jesse Bernal — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:36:51 +0000

AI at WestConn. Let’s Talk! Dear Wolves, I’ve heard from some of you who have real questions about AI. How it’s being used at WestConn in learning, in creative work, in university communications, and in my own work as …

Search Launched: Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students

Jesse Bernal — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:30:22 +0000

Dear WestConn Students & Colleagues, We have officially launched the search for our Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students. This is a critical, community-facing role, one that sits at the heart of the student experience at WestConn. More information about the search, including the position profile, advisory search committee, and anticipated timeline, is available here…

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Thank you for believing in WestConn

Jesse Bernal — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 11:31:12 +0000

Dear Friends, Students, and Colleagues, I’m writing to you the morning after one of the most meaningful days in the life of this university, and in mine. We’ll share photos and memories from the inauguration later this week. But I didn’t want to wait. I wanted to say it directly: Thank you. Thank you for showing up. For this university. For our students. For the future we’re building…

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An Expanded Regional Partnership & an Invitation to Serve

Jesse Bernal — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:34:35 +0000

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…

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Celebrating Our 2026 honorary degree recipient, President’s Medal honoree, and commencement speaker

Jesse Bernal — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:06:01 +0000

Dear WestConn Colleagues, I am pleased to share that �Թ�ͷ�� will confer the 2026 Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters upon Robert J. Yamin, Esq., and will present the 2026 President’s Medal to Dr. Richard Asselta. I am also glad to share that Anna Rathmann of the Jane Goodall Institute will serve as our commencement speaker. You can learn more about this year’s…

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