With O. John Maduko, M.D., assuming the interim chancellorship of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), Christina Royal, Ed.D., has become the interim president of Connecticut State Community College (CT State).
Royal was the founder and president of Infinite Unlearning LLC, an executive coaching and consultancy service supporting mid-to-senior leaders and their organizations. She also served as a president-in-residence for Harvard University Graduate School of Education for 2024-25. Previously, she was the fourth president of Holyoke Community College (HCC) in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
“Since starting on Aug. 1, Dr. Royal has hit the ground running,” Maduko told the Fairfield County Business Journal. “I look forward to working with her as CT State develops its first strategic plan and continues to advance its vision to become one of the nation’s leading community colleges.”
He was equally enthusiastic about the new campus presidents inaugurating the consolidation of the community colleges under the CT State banner.
“The newly appointed campus presidents across CT State bring a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to equity, student success and academic innovation,” added Maduko. “With diverse professional backgrounds and lived experiences, these leaders have a record of championing student-centered reforms that foster inclusive learning environments, expand academic and student support services and improve outcomes for all students.”
Here are the seven inaugural campus presidents: ctstate.edu/about/leadership
Joshua Moon-Johnson, Ed.D., named campus president of CT State Asnuntuck, CT State Manchester and CT State Middlesex, brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education to the post, having held leadership roles at institutions that include College of San Mateo, American River College, University of Wisconsin-Madison and, most recently, West Valley College, where he was provost and vice president of academic affairs. A published author and LGBTQ+ advocate, he holds a doctorate in higher education and LGBTQ+ studies from Northern Illinois University, a master’s degrees in social sciences and market research and a bachelor’s degree in business.
Sharale W. Mathis, Ed.D., the new campus president of CT State Capital and CT State Tunxis, has more than 20 years in higher education and prior experience at CT State Manchester and Middlesex. A fellow of the Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership, Mathis holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Hartford, a master’s of health degree in biomedical sciences from Quinnipiac University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Eastern Connecticut State University. She also completed executive education through the Yale School of Management’s Women’s Leadership certificate program.
Shiang-Kwei “Ellen” Wang, Ph.D., named president of CT State Gateway, brings leadership experience from previous roles at Harold Washington College, Queensborough Community College and, most recently Hostos Community College, as vice president of academic affairs and provost. Wang’s contributions to education in technology, STEM, equity and workforce readiness and pedagogical best practices have earned her the United Federation of Fil-Am Educators’ Outstanding Leadership in Education Award and a spot on City & State’s 2024 Power of Diversity: Asian 100 list. She earned a doctoral degree in instructional technology from the University of Georgia, a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in educational media and library science.
Kamari A. Collins, Ed.D., named campus president of CT State Housatonic, brings more than two decades of leadership experience in student affairs, academic support and community engagement, most recently as vice president for student success and enrollment management at Chesapeake College in Maryland and previously as vice president of student affairs at Springfield Technical Community College in Massachusetts. He earned his doctorate in education from Northeastern University, a master’s in human services and a bachelor’s in movement and sports studies/teacher preparation from Springfield College.
Michael Rooke, Ph.D., who was named campus president of CT State Naugatuck Valley and CT State Northwestern, has served in various leadership roles across CT State for nearly two decades, including as president of Northwestern since 2015. In 2020, he was appointed interim provost and vice president of academic affair, and later served as interim president during the early formation of Connecticut State Community College. Earlier, Rooke held faculty and leadership positions at CT State Manchester, CT State Tunxis, the University of Hartford and Long Island University Post. Rooke holds a doctorate in analytical chemistry from Kansas State University, a master’s in educational technology and a bachelor’s degree in applied chemistry.
With over 20 years of experience in higher education, government and law, Cheryl C. De Vonish, J.D., was named campus president of CT State Norwalk, where she has led the campus since 2019 as college president and campus CEO. Recently, she secured more than $1 million in donations for students and expanded student wraparound services. Before her appointment, she held several senior leadership roles at Norwalk, including chief operating officer and was also a CT State labor relations liaison. Prior to joining CT State, De Vonish worked as an attorney for New York City. An alumna of Spelman College and SUNY Binghamton, De Vonish holds a juris doctorate from Albany Law School.
Mary Ellen Jukoski, Ed.D., was named campus president of CT State Quinebaug Valley and CT State Three Rivers, leading the latter through more than a decade of academic transformation and student success. Previously, she served 20 years as president of Mitchell College in New London and held leadership roles at several colleges and universities nationwide. Jukoski’s contributions to higher education have earned her such honors as a W.K. Kellogg Foundation National Leadership Fellowship, the William Crawford Award and the Connecticut Women in Higher Education Leadership Award. She earned a doctorate in higher education from the University of Memphis, master’s degrees in English and curriculum planning and development and a bachelor’s in English/secondary education.
