WestConn starts to implement five-year strategy to improve

Western Connecticut State University President Dr. Manohar Singh describes his school’s five-year strategic plan Sept. 25 to students, faculty and the community. Photo courtesy of Western Connecticut State University.

DANBURY — Western Connecticut State University’s vision for the next five years that is meant to make the school more economically efficient while improving enrollment and fostering an inclusive community culture has now entered the implementation phase.

WCSU President Dr. Manohar Singh unveiled Western Rising: WestConn Strategic Plan 2024-2030 on Sept. 25. It is part of Singh’s long-term vision to establish a stable and thriving institution.

“Over the past year, Western Connecticut State University has made remarkable strides in critical areas,” Singh said. “We have prioritized enhanced transparency, communication, accountability, and engagement while nurturing a more inclusive and collaborative environment.”

The strategic plan has been developed over the past 11 months with input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader community.

Its three key priorities are:

Student Success: Enhancing academic excellence, enrollment, retention, and completion rates

Inclusive Community Culture: Fostering a supportive environment for all members of the WestConn community

Sustainable Financial Stability: Ensuring economic efficiency and exploring revenue enhancement opportunities

During a campus celebration on Sept. 25, Singh highlighted significant progress made at WestConn, including an enrollment of 868 first-year students this fall — the largest freshman class since 2018.

WCSU, which was founded in 1903, had a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,799 for fall 2023, according to U.S. News & World Report. It is ranked 112^th by the publication in its 2025 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities North.

The unveiling event was attended by faculty, staff, students, alumni, and several government officials, including state state Sen. Julie Kushner, state Reps. Bob Godfrey and Martin Foncello, and Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Mark Boughton.

Singh discussed the school’s engagement in the accreditation process with the New England Commission of Higher Education. Notably, WCSU received designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution from the U.S. Department of Education in 2024.

“This strategic plan encompasses our mission statement, guiding values, and our vision for the future,” Singh shared with attendees. “Importantly, this is not a static document; it is a living blueprint that can evolve as we adopt new teaching methods and respond to the changing dynamics of the higher education landscape.”