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,