CT State Names New Interim President

by Staff Report CTNewsJunkie

Christina Royal has been named interim president of Connecticut State Community College (CT State), according to a statement from Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Interim Chancellor John Maduko.

Royal is expected to begin her term August 1 and serve through June 30, 2026. She previously served as president of Holyoke Community College in Massachusetts, where she championed initiatives to break cycles of generational poverty; secured one of the largest individual philanthropic gifts to a U.S. community college; led the development of the college’s first strategic plan; oversaw the creation of a new Life Sciences Center to enhance academic and workforce programs; and launched a childcare program to support student-parents, according to a statement from CSCU.

“Dr. Royal embodies CT State’s values: she is mission-driven, leads with a deep commitment to equity and inclusivity, and places student success and access at the heart of her work,” Maduko said. “As a collaborative changemaker and innovator, she is well positioned to build on CT State’s momentum by guiding the development of the college’s first strategic plan and advancing its vision to become one of the nation’s leading community colleges.”

Royal will be tasked with building on the college’s ongoing progress in student access and success, workforce development, and economic impact. In fiscal year 2023, CT State contributed $3 billion to Connecticut’s economy and supported 30,000 jobs across the state, according to a statement from CSCU.

During the 2024-25 academic year, nearly 20,000 CT State students benefited from debt-free tuition through the Mary Ann Handley Award. The college also awarded 6,084 associate degrees and certificates to more than 5,200 graduates.

Royal said CT State had made significant strides in its first two years as a unified institution.

“Together with the college’s faculty, staff, administrators, and students, the college has opened new doors, expanded access, and transformed lives and communities,” she said. “I am honored to join this talented community and am committed to collaborating with our campus presidents, external partners, and state, municipal, and community leaders to chart a path forward that is rooted in student success and equity.”

She said the future was bright for CT State.

“And this is just the beginning,” she said.

Marty Guay, chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, said Royal has a proven ability to create a roadmap for institutional success.

“At Holyoke Community College, she developed a strong strategic direction, aligning the college’s vision and goals to drive meaningful outcomes,” Guay said. “She will bring that same focus and expertise to CT State, helping to position the college for growth while building on its legacy as a student-centered institution.”

Kerry A. Kelley, interim president of CT State, chief financial officer and vice president of finance and administration, said Royal’s leadership, collaborative spirit and enthusiasm made her a great addition to the school.

“I look forward to working alongside Dr. Royal and Dr. Maduko as we continue to strategically advance CT State’s mission in the year ahead,” she said.

Royal holds a Ph.D. in education from Capella University, in addition to an M.A. in educational psychology and a B.A. in mathematics from Marist.