EDUCATION Partner Insights
SCSU EARNS PRESTIGIOUS CARNEGIE R2 RESEARCH DESIGNATION
Southern Connecticut State University has achieved a major milestone in its commitment to academic excellence, earning national recognition for the strength of its faculty and research output. The Carnegie Foundation has awarded Southern a 2025 Research 2 (R2) designation in its Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education—a distinction given to universities with high research spending and significant production of doctoral degrees. This recognition places Southern among an elite group of research-focused institutions nationwide.
Southern is now the first and only R2-designated university in Connecticut and one of just 139 across the country. The only institutions in Connecticut with a higher classification—Research 1 (R1)—are Yale University and the University of Connecticut. This advancement holds
particular significance for prospective students interested in STEM and other research-driven careers.
“Southern started as a teacher’s college, and we have remained a hub for learning, teaching, and community resources ever since,” said SCSU Interim President Dwayne Smith. “Our faculty are leaders in their fields, and because of our scale, undergraduates benefit from direct access to graduatelevel research opportunities—an often-overlooked advantage of our commitment to academic access.”
The Carnegie Classifications serve as the nation’s leading framework for assessing research activity at higher education institutions and are widely used by policymakers, funders, and researchers to evaluate institutional impact and potential.
To qualify for R2 status, institutions must award a minimum of 20 research doctorates and invest at
least $5 million annually in research. By comparison, R1 institutions must award 70 research doctorates and spend $50 million on research annually. In fiscal year 2023, Southern surpassed the R2 threshold with $8 million in research expenditures and 29 research doctorates awarded.
While a significant portion of Southern’s research and development expenditures are institutionally funded, the university also receives substantial support from federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, Energy, and Education.
“With R2 status, Southern is strategically positioned to attract additional research funding and form new partnerships,” said Marty Guay, Chairman of the Connecticut Board of Regents.
Southern is home to several research centers that support faculty scholarship, student research experiences, and community collaboration in areas such as autism spectrum disorders, educational and assistive technology, nanotechnology, coastal and marine studies, mathematics and the sciences, research and emerging technology ethics, and teaching and learning.
“As the state’s only R2 university, Southern is no longer a hidden gem,” said Dr. Julia Irwin, interim provost and professor of psychology. “Our students receive hands-on, experiential learning across a wide range of disciplines, mentored by faculty who are deeply committed to both teaching and research. This level of direct engagement is among our university’s greatest strengths.”
To learn more, visit www. Southernct.edu/research.
LEADING THE WAY in Research-Driven Excellence
SEE HOW IMPACTFUL YOU CAN BE AS AN EXECUTIVE LEADER
Fisher’s Doctorate in Executive Leadership program is offered at the Iona University campus in Westchester, affording executives and managers in the region the opportunity to earn a doctorate and take their leadership to the next level. Program candidates benefit from the flexibility of hybrid instruction that combines convenient digital learning with the depth of in-person learning. In-person classes, held every four to five weeks, fit into the demanding schedules of working professionals.
Iona candidates engage in a week-long immersion on Fisher’s Rochester campus over the summer, taking one course that will build cohort camaraderie while expanding candidates’ networks across the state. Whether enrolled at the Iona
University extension site, or through Fisher’s main campus in Rochester, candidates benefit from a personalized network of support dedicated to their success from start to finish.
A Network of Support
The program uses a cohort-based model aimed to develop a network of peers as candidates move through the program. A hallmark of the program is the close ties that members of each cohort create—entering as classmates and finishing as lifelong friends and professional peers who supported one another through the rigorous curriculum. Upon graduation, graduates join an alumni network of more than 500 executive-level leaders serving across the state and beyond.
Candidates also learn from expert
faculty who take a vested interest in their individual development as a scholar and a leader. From the first class to the completion of the dissertation defense, the professors, academic advisor, and dissertation committee work with candidates to advance through the program.
Accelerated Success
The accelerated program draws on interdisciplinary practices to develop candidates as executive-level leaders in just 28 months, including dissertation completion.
Housed in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education, the program draws on its educational philosophy of diversity, achievement, compassion, knowledge, and service. Through a social justice framework, candidates hone the skills to identify beneficial outcomes
See how impactful you can be in Fisher’s DOCTORATE IN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Earn your Ed.D. in Executive Leadership to gain critical leadership skills for education, health care, business, public administration, and other human service sectors. This rigorous, multidisciplinary, and accelerated hybrid program is offered at both Fisher and Iona University campuses.
Learn more at go.sjf.edu/edd.
to ethical dilemmas, apply culturally relevant frameworks and theories to organizations, and demonstrate the leadership practices needed to appreciate, retain, and maximize the talents of a diverse workforce.
Courses focus on leadership competencies, organizational development, strategic planning, public policy, and data-driven decision-making. Customized learning allows candidates to take a deep dive into their industry of choice, exploring contemporary issues in business, health care, education, non-profit, and more. Through field experiences, guided seminars, and your dissertation, candidates will strengthen their leadership capacity while conducting impactful research.
Learn more at go.sjf.edu/edd.
GOVERNOR LAMONT PROCLAIMS APRIL 2025 AS COMMUNITY
Celebrating the pivotal role Connecticut State Community College (CT State) has in shaping the state’s workforce and providing affordable, high-quality education to thousands of students, Governor Ned Lamont has proclaimed April 2025 as Community College Month in Connecticut. This proclamation underscores the significant contributions of CT State and its campuses in fostering academic excellence and economic development across the state.
According to a recent study conducted by Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics, CT State has significantly bolstered the state’s economy, adding $3 billion in income during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The report also highlighted that through its economic contributions, CT State supports an estimated 29,777 jobs statewide.
The proclamation aligns with the national observance of Community College
COLLEGE MONTH IN CONNECTICUT
Month, celebrated across the country throughout April. This year’s theme, “Best Decision Ever,” highlights the vital role of community colleges in offering accessible pathways to higher education, economic mobility, and career advancement.
“The strength of a state’s economy is only as good as the strength of its education system, and that is why in Connecticut we’ve made our schools a priority,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “Connecticut has among the most talented workers of any state in the nation, and that is due in large part to our state’s excellent community college, which is training the next generation with the high-quality skills they need to obtain jobs that lead to successful careers. Connecticut’s community college is at the forefront of building up our economy.”
“We are honored to have Governor Lamont join us in recognizing the vital
role CT State Community College plays in transforming lives and strengthening our communities,” said CT State President O. John Maduko, M.D. “Community colleges offer accessible, affordable, and high-quality education that empowers students to reach their goals—whether by transferring to a four-year university, gaining in-demand workforce skills, or pursuing lifelong learning. As we celebrate Community College Month, we take pride in being a gateway to opportunity and economic growth for our students and the communities we serve.”
“For so many students, CT State Community College is the rocket ship they need to propel toward success and achieving their dreams – both personally and professionally,” said Connecticut State Colleges & Universities Chancellor Terrence Cheng. “CT State is an important part of the fabric of our state. Connecticut’s only community college not only cultivates the next generation of talent but supports
nearly 30,000 jobs across the state, enhancing Connecticut’s overall vibrancy.”
As the largest college in Connecticut, the largest community college in the Northeast, and the sixth-largest degree-granting two-year college in the nation, CT State offers accessible and inclusive education to a diverse student population of more than 65,000 credit and noncredit students annually. Additionally, more than 98 percent of CT State students are Connecticut residents, and over 90 percent remain in Connecticut after graduating—contributing to the success and growth of the state.
Affordable Pathways to Higher Education
• Renowned as the most affordable higher education option in Connecticut, 89 percent of CT State students receive some form of financial aid.
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• In the 2024-2025 academic year, close to 20,000 students have received debt-free tuition and, during the five years of the Mary Ann Handley Award’s existence, over $91 million has been paid for student’s education, enhancing access to education.
• With the help of seamless transfer pathway programs, more than 30% of students transfer to four-year colleges and universities after CT State.
• Compared to the average annual tuition excluding housing fees of $14,315 at Connecticut public colleges and more than $60,000 at private colleges, CT State’s annual tuition of $5,218 is less than half the price of public and 87 percent less than private colleges, making it Connecticut’s cost-effective choice.
Psychology major Sam Chandler shared how CT State helped him refine his academic and career path. “With two older siblings who attended private colleges, I started at Tunxis to save money,” said Chandler, who receives free tuition. “I knew I wanted to study psychology,
but I wasn’t sure which specialization to pursue or the best path to get there. My psychology professors, many with real-world experience, helped me explore my options within the field and understand how to reach my goals. Now, I have a clear plan—earning my associate degree in psychology, transferring to UConn where I have been accepted, and continuing my education toward master’s and doctoral degrees.” He will also pursue a certification in social work so that he can gain hands-on experience while working toward his long-term career.
Enrollment Growth and Workforce Development
CT State has experienced steady enrollment growth, with a 6 percent increase in spring 2025 enrollment (34,399 credit students) and a 4 percent increase in fall 2024 enrollment (36,315 credit students), marking the largest increase in students and highest yearover-year growth in 15 years.
With more than 300 degree and certificate programs, CT State provides
students with the skills needed for employment and transfer pathways to fouryear universities. The college also leads in workforce development, offering:
• More than 120 short-term career training programs
Community College Month Events and Open Houses
TRUSTED JOURNALISM AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.
• Over 30 credit and noncredit nursing and health career programs, serving over 3,800 students annually
• Advanced manufacturing training at 11 locations, boasting a 90% job placement rate
• More than 2,500 students enrolled in IT programs
• Dual enrollment programs for 5,200 high school students at 181 schools statewide
• Strategic partnerships with Connecticut’s key sectors and industries such as health care and manufacturing strengthen the workforce and provide important services to the community.
As part of Community College Month, CT State invites prospective students to attend Open House events at its campuses throughout April. These events provide opportunities to tour campuses, explore degree and certificate programs, and learn about financial aid, debt-free community college options, and the admissions process.
For more details on the Open Houses, visit www.ctstate.edu/openhouse
About Connecticut State Community College
Launched on July 1, 2023, following the consolidation of Connecticut’s 12 legacy community colleges, CT State serves residents of 169 towns and neighboring states through its campuses and satellites in Bridgeport, Bristol, Danbury, Danielson, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, Norwalk, Norwich, New Haven, North Haven, Waterbury, Willimantic, and Winsted, with a central office located in New Britain. To learn more, visit ctstate.edu