Jan 19, 2012

Board Recommends Dr. Robert A. Kennedy For Permanent Appointment

The Board of Regents for Higher Education recommended Dr. Robert A. Kennedy to Governor Dannel P. Malloy for the position of BOR President

The Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) today recommended Dr. Robert A. Kennedy to Governor Dannel P. Malloy for the position of BOR President. Kennedy has served as the board’s Interim President since September and was president of the University of Maine at Orono immediately prior to his time in Connecticut.

“I’m honored in the trust and confidence that the Board of Regents has placed in me, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them as we streamline our operations, flatten out our management and redirect savings back to the campuses to hire more faculty,” said Kennedy. “Most importantly, I’m eager to continue meeting with and listening to the students at the 17 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities. Getting to see the campuses first-hand and speaking with the leadership, faculty, staff and students has allowed me to gain a better understanding of the challenges we face and the direction in which we need to head. At the same time, I’ve also met with many of Connecticut’s employment sector leaders to hear what it is that they are looking for in a trained workforce. I’m excited about the opportunity to continue these partnerships.”

Kennedy has said he’d like to focus on key issues during his time at the Board of Regents. These include:

Students should enter college prepared, and Connecticut State Colleges and Universities will improve college readiness opportunities for those who are not.
Students should benefit from a transfer process between a public community college to a state university that is seamless and easier for degree completion.
Students and faculty spurred to innovate, learn and teach in settings that foster entrepreneurism.
Students benefitting from enhanced collaboration and partnerships between the state’s higher education system and the private sector.

“Dr. Kennedy is an experienced, diligent and perceptive leader – just the kind of person we need to help make this consolidation successful,” said BOR Chairman Lewis Robinson. “This sort of change is never easy, particularly in a higher education setting, but Bob has the demeanor and the determination to make it work. I’ve enjoyed working with Dr. Kennedy, and I’ve found him to always have an open door and an open mind.”

The BOR recommends to the Governor for the position of president. The Governor is the appointing authority.