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 harder to read.

I want to say this clearly, I value the concern being raised about maintaining humanity and connection. That matters deeply to me. If you care about that, I hope you’ll join one of the roundtables I’ll be hosting next week so we can talk about it together, face to face, in the spirit of WestConn. You can register here: https://forms.gle/HQMeQXBKz5tJsyHW6. 

I want to take this time to clarify and share a few things.

First, I want to share something personal. Some comments have focused on my appearance in photos and headshots. Those images are professionally done, and like many professional photos today, they may be lightly refined. Still, reading those comments has been difficult. I’ve struggled with body image for much of my life, something I know many people, including many gay men, experience. I share that not for sympathy, but to remind us that there is a human being on the other side of every post.

I deeply value the work of our School of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts. It is one of the reasons I was drawn to WestConn. I attend as many performances, exhibits, and shows as I can because it is a true jewel of this university, and I will always support and protect it.

As we prepared for the inauguration, a rare moment in the life of a university, my hope was to engage our student artists in every way possible. My exact message to leadership on December 28, 2025 was “I tried using AI for ideas, but I’d prefer this [inauguration branding and gifts] to be created by our faculty and students. It would be great as a student project, and we can cover the cost of materials or anything else needed.” At the time, I was told it was too late for that level of involvement. Still, I was so grateful for those in Theater and Music who contributed so beautifully during the investiture. I still do wish there were even more!

Given staffing changes and the scale of the event, I stepped in to help create some elements myself. That is not typical for a university president, but I believe we all step in where needed. We are one team.

The “weaved” W came from a deeply personal place. It was inspired by a textile from my great grandmother in Mexico. I used a photo I took of it for inspiration. I wanted to reflect the idea of weaving our strengths to build our future, and to share something of my own story in that moment.

I also want to acknowledge concerns about the song, “Weaving Our Strengths.” Those concerns are fair.

The song began as something personal. I’ve been writing reflections, what I would call novice poetry, as I’ve gotten to know WestConn. That writing became a poem, which I shared with a collaborator to turn into a song. The production was done through a company I had worked with before. I assumed it involved real musicians and voices. I did not verify.

That was my mistake.

We ask our students to critically examine their sources and tools. I did not do that here. The intent behind the song was genuine, but I should have taken greater care in understanding how it was created.

Finally, I want to share that sometimes I post images simply to express some of the deep emotional connections I feel towards our community. The holiday image of me and Wally, which drew unexpected attention, came from a quiet morning when I was alone in Danbury for the holidays, with my partner and dogs still in Michigan. I was reflecting on how grateful I am to be here with all of you. These moments are often spontaneous and personal, a way for me to connect and be creative in real time.

We are now working more broadly on this. Students and administrators are developing guidance together on the use of AI-generated visuals and audio in official university materials. We will share this with the campus for feedback after next week’s discussions. While this will guide institutional work, I will also be more thoughtful in my own use.

Let’s not allow social media to become a barrier to the very human connection we are asking for. If anything, this is an opportunity for us to live our values, to listen, to learn, and to engage with one another directly.

I am grateful for the way this community thinks critically and speaks up. That is part of what makes WestConn strong.

Thank you for holding me accountable. It matters. But, let’s also focus on building and strengthening our relationships. That matters too.

Sincerely,
Jesse

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

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: www.wcsu.edu/president/studentaffairs/.

I am deeply grateful to those who have agreed to serve on the search committee, including its co-chairs, Jennifer LaBate and Melissa Stephens, and to our representatives from the University Senate, Student Government Association, AAUP, and SUOAF. Your willingness to engage in this important work reflects the shared investment we all have in getting this right. The full committee list is available on the website.

I encourage you to share this opportunity with colleagues and your professional networks. As part of our process, the broader campus community will have opportunities to meet finalists, ask questions, and provide feedback. We hope to make that happen before the end of the term, though we are ready to adjust our schedule to ensure meaningful and broad participation, as this role deserves.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we build this next chapter together.

Sincerely,
Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D.
President

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 together.

When I looked out from that podium and saw the room – the faces, the energy, the belief – I felt something I don’t think I’ll ever forget. That was not just an inauguration. That was a community telling itself what it’s capable of.

• To our donors and foundation partners: I said it from the podium, and I’ll say it again here. Your investment in WestConn is not charity. It is the single best bet you can make on the future of this region. I hope you felt that in the room, because I meant every word. Every scholarship, every program, every door you help open – it changes a life. And that life changes a family. And that family changes a community. That’s not a talking point. That’s how it actually works.
• To our local and state elected officials: Your presence sent a powerful message. WestConn serves students who have the least margin for error, and the most to give back. Your support of public higher education tells them they matter. That matters more than you know.
•  To our Board of Regents, Chair Guay, Vice Chair James, and Chancellor Maduko: I carry your trust seriously. I hope the address reflected the kind of presidency I intend to lead, grounded in honesty, shared leadership, and an unwavering commitment to students.
•  To our faculty and staff: You are the soul of this institution. You learn students’ names. You stay late. You notice when someone is struggling, and you do something about it. Friday was a celebration of you. I know some of you have been carrying this place through hard years without a permanent president, without certainty, without enough recognition. I see you. And I need you to know this next chapter belongs to you as much as it does to anyone.
• To our students: You show up every day with a kind of courage and determination that makes all of this work worth doing. This place exists because of you. Never forget that.

Somewhere on this campus right now, there’s a student who almost didn’t come back this semester. Who’s wondering if they belong. If you see them, tell them they do. That’s the work.

During my address, I asked our community to carry one question into every room and every decision: What does it take for our people to thrive? Not survive. Not get by. Thrive.

I meant that for all of us. Not just those on campus, but every partner, every supporter, every person who believes in what a regional public university can be.

If we answer that question honestly, and if we let it change us, there is no limit to what this university can become.

Welcome. Weave. Widen. That is WestConn Rising.

The celebration was extraordinary. Now the real work begins. I’m grateful to have every one of you in it. Let’s get to work.

With deep appreciation,

Jesse (🐾 from Bella & Tuck too with their rising popularity in their wolf gear 🐾)
WestConn President

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.edu by 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
Western Connecticut State University

Dear WestConn Colleagues,

I am pleased to share that Western Connecticut State University 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 honorees and our awards history here: WCSU Awards.

Bob Yamin will be recognized at the Graduate Commencement on May 19. A proud WestConn alumnus, distinguished attorney, civic leader, and longstanding champion for the University and the greater Danbury community, Bob represents the very best of service, leadership, and commitment to the common good. This year’s honorary degree is especially meaningful, as it is WestConn’s first honorary degree in eight years.

Rick Asselta will receive the President’s Medal at the Undergraduate Commencement on May 18. Through decades of engagement with WestConn, partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, and service to the Danbury community and beyond, Rick has demonstrated a deeply student-centered and mission-driven commitment that has had lasting impact.

More information about commencement is available here: Commencement.

This year’s recognitions also reflect an important step in our continued work to lead through shared leadership. These recommendations were informed through a more inclusive and deliberative process that invited nominations from the community and guidance from a representative committee. I am grateful to all who helped shape this process, and we will continue refining it in the years ahead.

Please join me in congratulating Bob, Rick, and Anna as we prepare to celebrate Commencement and honor these remarkable individuals.

Sincerely,

Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D.
President

Dear WestConn Colleagues,

We have officially launched the search for our inaugural Vice President for Operations and Chief Operating Officer.

This is an important step in our ongoing implementation of the Spring 2026 administrative restructure and in building a more coordinated, responsive, and sustainable university. As outlined in our restructuring framework, this role is designed to help bring together key operational areas, strengthen alignment across functions, and support the day-to-day systems that help WestConn serve students well. More information about the search, including the position profile, advisory search committee, and anticipated timeline, is available here: www.wcsu.edu/president/vpo and www.wcsu.edu/western-rising/s26restructure.

I am grateful to those who have agreed to help lead and support this important work as part of the committee. I also encourage you to share this opportunity with colleagues and professional networks. As part of our continued effort to strengthen inclusive and thoughtful search practices, we are also following a newer approach for executive searches in which immediate direct reports to the position do not serve on the search committee. This practice helps create appropriate space in the committee process while still ensuring meaningful participation from those most connected to the work. Immediate direct reports, along with the broader campus community, will have opportunities to meet finalists, ask questions, and provide feedback as part of the process.

This search matters because operations matter. The systems, services, and coordination behind the scenes shape the experience our students, faculty, and staff have every day. Bringing the right leader into this inaugural role is part of how we continue building a WestConn that is more connected, more effective, and better prepared for the future. As we recruit, we will be looking not only for strong experience and leadership, but also for someone whose values align with WestConn’s commitments.

Thank you for your continued engagement as we build this next chapter together.

Sincerely,
Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D.
President

Dear WestConn Community,

I am pleased to share an important and meaningful update for our university.

At its February 26 meeting, the Board of Regents formally approved the naming of our Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in honor of Dr. Carol A. Hawkes. Going forward, CELT will be known as the Dr. Carol A. Hawkes Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.

Dr. Hawkes’s legacy at WestConn is extraordinary. Over 24 years of service, she helped shape the academic and artistic life of this institution as a faculty member and academic leader, as Dean of Arts and Sciences, as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and as the founding dean of what became our School of Visual and Performing Arts. Her influence is still felt across this university.

Since learning about her generous gift to WestConn, I’ve spoken with many who knew or worked with her, including former Presidents James Schmotter and James Roach, who shared stories of her high standards, dedication, intellect, and influential leadership. She was a trailblazer for women in higher education and prioritized faculty advancement. These conversations have strengthened my gratitude and sense of duty.

Dr. Hawkes’s bequest is particularly significant as it represents a rare unrestricted gift, demonstrating considerable trust in WestConn and confidence in our future. Her total contribution of $3.3 million, the second largest in the university’s history, provides an opportunity to honor her legacy by supporting academic excellence, fostering innovation, and advancing initiatives that benefit students and the individuals who contribute to the university’s success.

The approved framework launches a new Hawkes Fellows Program for faculty and staff and introduces the Hawkes Catalyst Grants, both of which I will directly support. The newly established Hawkes Center will receive support, and we have set aside an undesignated $1.5 million as a strategic investment reserve for future decisions. This amount will be thoughtfully evaluated over time to ensure it is used in ways that best serve our community. Additionally, the center will offer grants dedicated to advancing our commitment to incorporate applied learning opportunities for every student.

I want to emphasize that this is only the beginning. Shared stewardship with community input will continue to be sought as these opportunities take shape, including future decisions about the long-term strategic use of the remaining investment. There is no timeline at this point for that broader allocation, and I believe that is appropriate as we continue to shape priorities together.

More details about how to apply for available funds and the fellows’ program will be shared soon. In addition, Provost Hegedus will soon announce a call for applications for the next Director of the Hawkes Center.

I am grateful to everyone who has helped us reach this moment, and to all who will help shape what comes next. It is a privilege to honor Dr. Hawkes in this way, and I hope this beginning reflects both her love for WestConn and our commitment to use her gift with care, purpose, and imagination.

With gratitude,
Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D.
President

Dear WestConn Faculty and Staff,

In the spirit of how I try to communicate with you – clearly, directly, and with appreciation for the people doing the work – I want to share an update regarding leadership in our facilities areas as we continue finalizing decisions about organizational structure and campus leadership.

Effective March 11, Deanna Cibery-Schaab, Interim Associate Vice President for Facilities Management & Planning, will transition back to her permanent role as Director of Access Control & One-Card Services in the WESTCONNect Office. I’m grateful for Deanna’s steady and extraordinary leadership during this interim period. She has, time after time, stepped in when the university needed her most, and she has advanced important work with professionalism, care and a deep commitment to our students and colleagues. The successes she has achieved during her time in this role make WestConn better in many ways. Please join me in thanking Deanna for her service.

In the coming months, we will begin a national search for a new leader of facilities management and planning. In the meantime, to ensure continuity and clear decision-making, I have asked, and want to thank, the following leaders to cover key responsibilities typically handled by this role:

• Bob Berry, Chief of Police & Director of Public Safety — Management-level supervision of the WESTCONNect Office
• Dan Casinelli, Director of Facilities Planning & Engineering — Capital planning, the Facilities Master Plan, and coordination of projects with the System Office
• Fred Cratty, Chief Human Resources Officer — Management-level supervision of Facilities Operations staff (Custodial, HVAC, Trades, Grounds), as well as space allocation

If you need assistance and are unsure who to contact, please reach out to Fred Cratty, and he will help route your request to the appropriate person.

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we strengthen our operations and ensure we have the right leadership structure in place to support the work of teaching, learning, and student success.

Sincerely,

Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D.
President

Dear WestConn Community,

Our annual Wolves Day of Giving is almost here.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the entire WestConn community will come together for 24 hours to invest in the people, programs, and possibilities that define our university.

This is more than a fundraising day. It is a moment to welcome new opportunities, weave our strengths together, and widen our collective impact across campus and throughout the region we serve.

Thank you to everyone for your efforts and hard work to prepare for this important day. Please share your favorite areas with your contacts, and friends and be sure to join us at the events throughout the day.  Your participation creates even more opportunities to win funds for your favorite area of support.

You can follow the day’s progress, check out the leaderboards and explore giving opportunities here:

👉 Wolves Day of Giving

There are many ways to support WestConn. From student scholarships and academic departments to athletics, student life, faculty innovation, and community partnerships, every gift strengthens something meaningful. The site highlights a range of funds and initiatives so you can direct your support where it matters most to you.

This year, I’m excited to participate in Wolves Day of Giving with a new effort I’ve launched—the WestConn10 Community Support Fund—starting with my own personal contribution to help build early momentum. I’ll be sharing this page, along with the main Wolves Day of Giving link, with my contacts.

The WestConn10 Fund provides immediate, flexible resources for:

• Student scholarships
• Faculty and Staff innovation grants
• Community sponsorships that extend WestConn’s regional impact

It is not an endowment — every dollar goes directly to current priorities and urgent needs. When we give together, our impact multiplies.

If WestConn has shaped you, supported you, or inspired you, I invite you to help shape what comes next.

Share the area of your choice with your networks: friends, family, alumni, colleagues and ask them to bookmark the page. Personal outreach expands our reach and strengthens our momentum.

WestConn continues to rise because of each of you. Our students are counting on us. Our region is watching. And our future is ours to build, together.

Let’s make this our strongest Wolves Day of Giving yet.

With gratitude,

Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D.
President

Dear WestConn Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Thank you to everyone who joined us Tuesday afternoon for our Spring Semester Kickoff Meeting. For those who couldn’t attend, and for all who want to revisit the information, below is a brief recap of what I shared, along with links to more details on each topic.

Over the holidays, my 85-year-old grandmother, who spent much of her life as a migrant farm worker and later as a hospital custodian, asked me, “Mijo, what is it that you do?” The clearest answer I could give is also what I have come to define as our shared purpose: We Welcome people as they are, Weave relationships that help them belong and succeed, and Widen opportunity so every learner can thrive.

That purpose is guiding our work this semester: moving from stability to resilience, strengthening our foundations, and building what is Distinctively WestConn: care that shows up in high standards, real support, and education that prepares students for careers and lives that matter.

Key updates (with links to more information)
Western Rising Focused Strategy (2026–2028): our five commitments and priorities. Read more and provide feedback by February 9 at https://www.wcsu.edu/western-rising/focusedstrategy/.
Mid-Year Budget Update: stewardship, projections, and actions underway. Read more at www.wcsu.edu/western-rising/s26budget.
Administrative (Re)Structure Update: clarity, alignment, and “Wolves First” efficiencies. Read more at www.wcsu.edu/western-rising/s26restructure.

Thank you for your work, your care, and your continued commitment to WestConn. Let’s keep building, together. Welcome. Weave. Widen.

Go Wolves!
Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D.
President