(HARTFORD, CT) – The Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) today appointed Dr. Jane McBride Gates as interim president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU). Since 2016, Dr. Gates has served as CSCU’s provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs – a role she will continue as she serves as interim president. She will assume the new position upon Mark Ojakian’s retirement on December 31, 2020.
“I am honored. I appreciate the confidence of the Board of Regents and the opportunity to serve the CSCU system during a transitional period,” Dr. Gates said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the presidents, CEOs, faculty, staff, and students. I express my profound gratitude to President Mark Ojakian who has demonstrated remarkable capabilities, commitment, and vision to fulfill the mission of the CSCU system.”
Dr. Gates has served in the CSCU system since 2011, when she took over as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Western Connecticut State University. Previously, she has held leadership roles at Savannah State University and Arkansas State University.
“CSCU is fortunate to have Dr. Gates, someone with sterling academic experience and leadership skills, ready to serve as system president on an interim basis,” BOR Chair Matt Fleury said. “The board has made clear its commitment to aggressively pursuing policies to promote equity in outcomes within our colleges and universities. We have made real progress over the past five years, particularly as we work toward the merger of the community colleges. Dr. Gates has a lifelong commitment to equity and access in higher education, and she is ready and able to continue these important initiatives.”
Dr. Gates earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Arkansas State University, a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Arkansas, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in public policy, organizational behavior, Chinese politics from Southern Illinois University.
