Guay favorite Maduko expected to be named Interim Chancellor, Regents will overlook most qualified candidate when they vote Thursday.

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) is on course for another damaging decision when the Board of Regents (BOR) names CT State President John Maduko as Interim Chancellor at its Thursday meeting. Maduko has been the leader of the consolidation-in-progress community college system three years ago.

Maduko’s administrative skills were seriously damaged recently when the search committee he chaired to select a new president of Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) turned into a costly fiasco. Maduko will assume the Interim Chancellor position as the central office also plays host to the BOR’s new adviser, outgoing Chancellor Terrence Cheng and failed SCSU Interim President Dwayne Smith.

Maduko will take the helm of CSCU while also continuing to oversee the introduction of new community college campus leaders, several of whom have no experience in the complicated Connecticut public higher education system.

The BOR has regularly looks to Central Connecticut State University President Zulma L. Toro to take on the toughest assignments of the sprawling, often chaotic system. Qualified women have not always been welcome in the CSCU top positions.

Regents will meet in executive session to discuss the interim appointment. They owe students, faculty, and the public a robust discussion of their decision before voting.

Published June 25, 2025.