Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday announced the appointments of JoAnn Ryan as chairperson of the state Board of Regents and Juanita James and James McCarthy as board members.
Ryan will take over the reins from Matt Fleury, whose tenure ended June 30. Fleury, who had served as chair since 2016, joined the board in 2011.
The Connecticut Board of Regents oversees the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system. It has four state universities, 12 community colleges and Charter Oak College.
“I have had the opportunity to work with outstanding faculty, staff and students with the goal of making CSCU colleges and universities accessible and affordable to all students, regardless of their life experiences or background,” said Fleury. “I am proud of what we have accomplished in maintaining the highest-quality educational options for our students.”
Ryan, who has been a board member since 2018, has served as the vice chair since February. She is president and CEO of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
“I look forward to working with Governor Lamont and President Terrence Cheng to ensure the CSCU system maintains its core mission of access, equity and affordability for Connecticut’s students so they may succeed and graduate in a timely manner,” said Ryan.
James and McCarthy will succeed departing board members Aviva Budd and David Jimenez. James is president and CEO of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, and McCarthy is a former interim provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Baruch College, the City University of New York.
All three members’ terms are effective immediately.
Terrance Cheng, president of CSCU, said the members’ “professional backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives will be an asset to the important work the board does in support of CSCU’s 17 colleges and universities.”
