OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Dr. Jesse M. Bernal, President of Western Connecticut State University
Meet President Bernal
Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D., is the 10th president of Western Connecticut State University, stepping into the role during the university’s more than 120-year legacy of empowering learners and communities through education. A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Bernal brings a deep belief in the transformative power of public higher education. For more than two decades, he has led efforts in strategy, innovation, and equity across higher education and public charter systems in Michigan and California—building partnerships that align academics with workforce and community needs, investing in student and employee success, and creating more inclusive, student-centered institutions. His leadership is guiding WestConn into a new era of renewal, impact, and regional engagement.
Dr. Jesse M. Bernal, President of Western Connecticut State University
“As President of Western Connecticut State University, I believe our responsibility is simple and profound: welcome every student, weave learning with real-world opportunity, and widen access to futures worth striving for. That is what it means to be Distinctively WestConn. When we lead with relationships and shared purpose, universities don’t just change lives, they strengthen regions and expand what’s possible for generations.”
“As President of Western Connecticut State University, I believe our responsibility is simple and profound: welcome every student, weave learning with real-world opportunity, and widen access to futures worth striving for. That is what it means to be Distinctively WestConn. When we lead with relationships and shared purpose, universities don’t just change lives, they strengthen regions and expand what’s possible for generations.”
@westconn_president