Dear Colleagues,

On Monday, we’ll gather for our first all-campus meeting of the year — a time to reconnect, take stock, and set our shared course forward. RSVP here. Before then, I want to share a few reflections from my first six weeks as your president and highlight the progress we’re making together.

From my first day, I’ve been struck by how deeply people here care — about our students, about each other, and about the mission of public higher education. I’ve met hundreds in a short period of time and see the pride you take in your work. I’ve also felt the urgency we share to address our challenges with focus and resolve.

Since May, I have worked with faculty, staff, students, and administrators through a WestConn Renewal Working Group to chart urgent facilities and IT priorities and envision our academic future. The report we are producing provides a roadmap we will carry forward together as we advocate for needed investments from the state and our system partners. Leaders across the system, including Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro, helped shape this vision and remain strong supporters, even as day-to-day planning now rests with us at WestConn. As we enter the fall, we will share these plans widely and invite your feedback, so our next steps reflect the wisdom and priorities of the entire campus community. The work ahead is ours to lead, with continued alignment and support from our sister institutions when needed.

This October’s NECHE focused site visit will spotlight our progress in governance, leadership stability, financial planning, enrollment, and assessment. Early feedback affirms how far we’ve come. While the Provost will be sharing the final report very soon, I enter this review with confidence and pride in the work you’ve started over the past year, and the work we will accomplish together in this next chapter. Thanks ahead of time to those who will be involved.

There’s lots to celebrate:

• Student success: Preliminary enrollment is up 5.6% over last fall; housing occupancy up 5.4% with five residence halls fully open and one partially open; and an anticipated increase in first-year retention.
• Academic momentum: We launched UNI 101 for all incoming first-year students, developed transfer-friendly options, and added or revised over 40 courses and multiple programs — from a BS in Meteorology & Climate Science to an MBA with a Business Analytics concentration.
• Faculty excellence: Congratulations to Dr. Jessica Schofield, honored with the Regents’ Full-Time Teaching Award, and Dr. Carlos Santibanez-Lopez, recipient of the Regents’ Full-Time Research Award. Monday, we’ll also recognize Dr. Antonia Giannakakos as the recipient of this year’s Provost’s Teaching Award.
• Equity and belonging: We drafted a DEI Master Plan, expanded programming and events, reconvened the Diversity Council and LGBTQ+ Resource Committee. We will continue to stand by our commitment to inclusion despite federal challenges.
• Athletics: This past spring, both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams captured conference championships and advanced to the NCAA tournament, while half of our 308 student-athletes earned recognition on the Academic Honor Roll. This year, we are adding men’s ice hockey as a new NCAA sport, with women’s ice hockey moving from club to NCAA competition next year.
• Workforce and culture: We finalized our HR Master Plan and will begin supervisor training this year on topics from labor relations to FMLA.
• Facilities: Over the summer, WestConn advanced a wide range of campus improvements, including walkway and stair repairs, HVAC and water system upgrades, branding updates, and the creation of new wellness spaces. Additional projects planned for the fall include VPAC lighting upgrades, replacement of railings and banners, and continued enhancements to campus safety and accessibility.
• Technology upgrades: WolvesNet — our new, student-friendly portal — launches this fall. Blackboard Ultra is rolling out with AI tools for learning and course design. And our Student Information System (Banner) is transitioning to a modern, cloud-based platform.
• Securing Support: We’ve seen extraordinary generosity — from committed annual donors to an unprecedented wave of legacy gifts from former faculty and longtime friends of WestConn. These are more than contributions; they are votes of confidence in our future. And as we look ahead to our third annual Day of Giving on February 26, we have a clear opportunity to harness that same pride and momentum to fuel our growth.

Change is constant across the state and within the CSCU system, which makes it more critical for us to solidify and strengthen our own senior leadership team. One of my first priorities was confirming Dr. Stephen Hegedus as our permanent Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Since my appointment was announced in May, I’ve worked with Stephen nearly every day. His steady leadership, collaborative spirit, and deep commitment to this university make him exactly the partner we need in this moment. You can expect to see the senior team more visible across both campuses — because building a culture of belonging starts with leadership that shows up.

As we start the year, I want to welcome our new employees and students into a community that is ready to lead. My focus is clear:

1. Be Distinctly WestConn — student-ready, community-engaged, future-focused.
2. Strengthen Our Foundations — financially, physically, and culturally.
3. Reclaim Our Role as a Regional Anchor — driving opportunity, ideas, and impact across Western Connecticut.

And my call to action is simple: Welcome all learners. Weave together our strengths. Widen opportunity.

Thank you for building the foundation for all that lies ahead and for making WestConn stronger every day. On Monday, we take the next step in our proud history—rising together, leading with purpose, and shaping the future of our university.

See you there,

Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D.
President
Western Connecticut State University

Hitting the Ground Running: President Jesse M. Bernal visits iHeartMedia and sits down for an interview with Allison Demers from The River 105.9.

Click the link to listen to the interview:  Interview – President Jesse M. Bernal and Allison Demers

Dear WestConn Faculty, Staff, and Students,

I am pleased to share that, effective August 1, 2025, Dr. Stephen Hegedus has been appointed as the permanent Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

This decision follows thoughtful consideration and deep appreciation for the feedback many of you and other leaders across campus offered over the last several weeks.

Since the week of my appointment in early May, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Hegedus nearly every day. I’ve come to deeply value his steady leadership, thoughtful counsel, and collaborative spirit during this time of transition. He brings a long and respected record of academic leadership within the CSCU system and is widely recognized across the state for his integrity, vision, and unwavering commitment to public education.

During his time as interim provost, Dr. Hegedus has led with clarity and care—building trust and deepening engagement with our faculty. Looking ahead, I am confident he will continue to center the needs of not only our faculty and students, but also our staff and the broader western Connecticut community. His leadership reflects both a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges we face and a forward-looking vision for how we can rise to meet them—together.

While we remain firmly committed to conducting full, national searches for senior leadership roles, this appointment reflects a unique and timely set of circumstances. Dr. Hegedus was originally selected through a national search to serve in a leadership role at our sister institution, SCSU, where he served for a decade. Following a rigorous internal process, he was appointed interim Provost at WestConn in January 2024. His permanent appointment now ensures vital continuity at a pivotal moment for the university—including our NECHE accreditation work and the upcoming evaluation visit.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Hegedus and thanking him for his continued service to WestConn and to the broader CSCU system. I look forward to the work we will continue to do together in this next chapter.

Sincerely,

Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D.
President
Western Connecticut State University

Dr. Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D., was appointed as the 10th president of Western Connecticut State University (WestConn), 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.

What about WestConn resonated with you the most when you initially explored being its next president?

What drew me most to WestConn was the sense of possibility. It has deep roots in the community, a legacy of access and service, and a bold spirit ready to lead. When I learned we’re now Connecticut’s largest Hispanic-Serving Institution, I saw a reflection of my own journey — and an opportunity to lift up others through education. WestConn’s commitment to transformation, inclusion, and impact mirrors my own values. That alignment made the opportunity deeply personal.

What is your vision for WestConn during your period of leadership?

My vision is for WestConn to become the region’s most impactful, community-engaged university — a place that welcomes every learner, weaves together systems to ensure they thrive, and widens pathways to opportunity. We’ll do this while strengthening our academic distinction and all that is central to our mission. Our future will be co-created — built on shared leadership, mutual trust, and a culture of care. We won’t just continue to recover; we will renew. I see us not just reclaiming momentum but reimagining what it means to be a regional public institution: innovative, inclusive, and relentless in our focus on student success and community vitality.

How do you plan to support students, faculty, and staff during your tenure?

My role is to listen deeply, act with integrity, and create the conditions where everyone at WestConn can do their best work. This is a time to strengthen relationships, restore trust, and elevate voices — especially of those who have felt unheard. That means honoring academic freedom, supporting faculty-led innovation, and building the conditions where teaching, creative activity, and student learning and engagement thrive. It also means aligning resources with what matters most — student and employee success, high-impact education, wellness, and belonging. I will work shoulder-to-shoulder with faculty, staff, and students, uphold shared governance, and ensure transparency and trust in how we move forward together.

Can you tell us a little about your family and how they’ve supported you on your journey in higher education?

I come from a close-knit Mexican American family in South Texas. My mom and grandparents were migrant farm workers, people of deep faith, hard work, and sacrifice. I’m the first in my family to graduate from college. We didn’t have much, but we believed in the power of education to change lives. Their support has been a constant compass for me. I carry them with me in every decision I make.

As a first-generation college graduate and the son of migrant farm workers, what does a college degree mean to you?

It means everything. A college degree opened the door to every opportunity I’ve had as it has done for so many who have received a WestConn education. But more than a credential, it gives each of us a voice, a purpose, and the ability to give back. That’s why I believe so strongly in our work — because I’ve lived the power of education to transform not just individuals, but families and communities.

How do you think your background as a first-gen student will influence your role as college president?

I’ll always lead with empathy. I know what it’s like to feel unsure if you belong, and I know the resilience it takes to keep going anyway. That lived experience drives my deep commitment to equity and inclusion. It shapes how I listen, how I work to build systems of support, and how I advocate for students — especially those who haven’t yet seen themselves reflected in higher education. I know my path hasn’t followed a traditional mold, and I have deep respect for the scholarly excellence and disciplinary rigor that define our faculty leaders. I see my role as complementary — to clear barriers, align resources, and tell our story. It’s precisely this nontraditional journey — across diverse systems, communities, and institutions — that informs my leadership and sharpens my purpose. I’ve come to understand that while credentials matter, so do the courage to challenge expectations and the conviction to expand who gets to lead.

Throughout your career in higher education, you have championed equity and inclusivity. Why is this mission important to you?

Equity isn’t just a value — it’s a shared responsibility. At its core, it’s about making sure every learner — with all their diverse backgrounds and beliefs — has a fair shot at success. Our institutions must reflect and serve the full diversity of our communities. I believe deeply that excellence and equity go hand-in-hand. Inclusive environments foster the kind of dialogue, innovation, and critical thinking that prepare students for real-world leadership.

My commitment to this work is both personal and professional. It’s about honoring all students’ identities, removing unnecessary barriers, and building systems that enable everyone to thrive — not through ideology, but through compassion, evidence, and a belief in human potential. This doesn’t mean we will always agree. But it does mean we create space for respectful debate, mutual learning, and principled disagreement. That’s the mark of a healthy academic community — and the kind of university I want us to be: bold, welcoming, and united in purpose.

What do you hope for the future and legacy of WestConn?

I hope people say we are brave. That we didn’t just weather challenges but turned them into opportunities. That WestConn is a place of purpose and possibility, where students are challenged, supported, and prepared to live meaningful lives.

I want us to be known not just for what we offer, but for how we show up — for leading with courage, collaboration, and care. For building trust, not just programs. And for standing together — faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners — as one WestConn Wolves community, rising as a pack.

If our graduates leave here ready to lead, serve, and build a more hopeful world — in whatever ways are most meaningful to them — then we’ll know we’ve done our job. That’s the legacy I’m working toward.