CSCU leaders joins Lamont to share successes in higher ed access

Campus leaders from across the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system joined Governor Ned Lamont at CT State Tunxis in Farmington on Sept. 18 to share updates on the system's ongoing efforts to expand access to higher education.

During the press conference, institutional leaders, including Central President Dr. Zulma R. Toro, highlighted the success of the Mary Ann Handley Award, the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP), and efforts to scale dual credit programs. 

Established in 2022, CAAP is open to all graduating Connecticut high school seniors who have a 3.0 weighted grade point average or a 2.75 unweighted GPA. Students need to fill out only one application, and they will be automatically admitted to the program’s 10 participating CSCU colleges and universities. The program waives the application fees, student essays, and recommendation letters that are typically associated with the admissions process.

“We created this program because we want to simplify the application process and encourage high school students who never thought that they could go to college that it is possible,” Lamont said. “The only thing this program requires is good grades. There are no application fees, and you only have to fill out one form. I strongly encourage every high school student in Connecticut to seize this opportunity.”

Other speakers included CSCU Interim Chancellor O. John Maduko, CT State Community College Interim President; Dr. Christina Royal, Southern Connecticut State University Interim President; Dr. Sandra Bulmer, CT State Tunxis Campus President; and CT State Tunxis Campus President Dr. Sharale Mathis.

Two recipients of the Mary Ann Handley Award, Genesis Sanders and Liliana Kendrick, also shared their higher education success stories.

State Senator Derek Slap, chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, and Keith Norton, chief strategic planning officer, State Department of Education on behalf of Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, also spoke about expanding opportunities for Connecticut’s students.