Governor William A. O’Neill Endowed Chair in Public Policy and Practical Politics at CCSU
Anthony V. Milano, Distinguished Professor of Public Policy

The Governor William A. O’Neill Endowed Chair in Public Policy and Practical Politics at Central Connecticut State University was established in 2000 by Connecticut’s Board of Governors for Higher Education to honor the distinguished former governor. An honorary professor in the Political Science Department at CCSU and a former CCSU student himself, Governor O’Neill was named the first holder of the Chair. 

The O’Neill Chair seeks to promote an understanding of the history, structure, processes, people and policies of our State’s government for students and the public. It is housed within the Center for Public Policy and Social Research (CPPSR) at CCSU, designated as a Connecticut Higher Education Center of Excellence.  CPPSR plans, develops and implements the many outreach programs and projects of the O’Neill Chair.

In January 2004, after nomination by Governor O’Neill, I was honored to be appointed as the O’Neill Chair’s first Distinguished Professor of Public Policy. 

Collaborating with CPPSR and CCSU’s Political Science Department in the development and implementation of the academic component of the O’Neill Chair, I have tried to effectively link the Chair with CCSU’s students and faculty. To accomplish this, I have conducted numerous roundtable discussions of government policy, with high-level state policymakers and elected officials, for students and the campus community. These have included a 2005 conference considering the history, enactment and ramifications of the Education Enhancement Act in Connecticut, and a 2006 panel examining media coverage of state government. I have worked closely with CPPSR and its affiliated institutes in planning and executing policy deliberations of great relevance to Connecticut’s future, such as the Governor’s ongoing symposia series on workforce competitiveness in the global knowledge economy.

I have had the immensely satisfying experience of teaching classes, including American State and Local Government, The Policy Development Process, and Readings in Political Science, to CCSU students.  To them, I have attempted to convey not only the theory of government, but also the day-to-day realities of public administration based on my experience as a practitioner. I have been invigorated, in turn, by their responsiveness and thoughtful interest in government processes.  For those students considering careers in government service, I have been pleased to provide counseling, advice and recommendations, which I hope will prove to be both practical and inspirational as they pursue their professional goals.  For me, this close interaction with CCSU’s students - many of whom will surely be Connecticut’s policymakers of the future - has perhaps been the most rewarding aspect of the Distinguished Professorship.  

It has been my privilege to have served thus far as the O’Neill Chair’s first Distinguished Professor. The unique accomplishments of the Chair have well served the students of CCSU and the people of Connecticut as they seek to better understand and take part in the democratic shaping of public policy.

Mr. Milano served as Secretary of the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) under Governors Ella Grasso and William O’Neill from 1977-1991.

 
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