The Central Connecticut State University Podcast

CCSU Launches Health College, Sees Enrollment Surge, Tuition Freeze, and Blue Devils Win NEC Title in 2025 Update

Good morning, Blue Devils! It's Monday, September 8, 2025, and welcome to our latest campus news update. Let's dive into the recent developments at Central Connecticut State University. First up, we're excited to announce the launch of the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. This new college brings together our health sciences departments, including Nursing, Physical Education and Human Performance, as well as counseling and social work programs. Dr. Jayanthi Kandiah has been appointed as the inaugural dean, bringing a wealth of experience to lead this initiative. In enrollment news, CCSU has seen a significant boost. For the spring semester, the university experienced an 8.3% increase in student enrollment, marking a positive trend after years of decline. This growth is attributed to initiatives like the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program and the Mary Ann Handley Award, which have made higher education more accessible to students across the state. On the financial front, the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education has voted to freeze tuition for the 2025-26 academic year across all state colleges and universities, including Central. This decision aims to alleviate the financial burden on students and their families, ensuring that higher education remains affordable and accessible. Turning to athletics, our men's basketball team had an impressive 2024–25 season, finishing with a 25–7 record and clinching the Northeast Conference regular-season championship. Congratulations to Coach Patrick Sellers and the entire team for their hard work and dedication. That's all for today's update. Stay tuned for more news and events happening around campus. Go Blue Devils!

CCSU Fall 2025: New Mindfulness Labyrinth, Sports Highlights, Leadership News & Upcoming Campus Events

Hello, Blue Devils! Welcome back to campus for the start of the Fall 2025 semester. Here's what's happening at Central Connecticut State University. This summer, Central unveiled the Meditative Labyrinth, a serene space designed to promote mindfulness and well-being among students and staff. Located near the Student Center, the labyrinth offers a peaceful environment for reflection and relaxation. In July, the university hosted the Connecticut Summer Transportation Institute, welcoming high school students from across the state. This program provided participants with hands-on experience in transportation engineering and introduced them to potential career paths in the field. Additionally, Dr. Lisa Frank, Dean of the School of Business, was selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' leadership academy. This prestigious program aims to develop the next generation of higher education leaders. The Central Connecticut Blue Devils men's basketball team had an impressive 2024–25 season, finishing with a 25–7 record and clinching the Northeast Conference regular-season championship. Despite their strong performance, the team narrowly missed out on the NEC tournament title, falling to Saint Francis in a closely contested final. On the women's side, the Blue Devils concluded the season with an 11–19 record. Following the season, Head Coach Way Veney resigned after two years at the helm. The university is currently conducting a search for a new head coach to lead the program forward. Looking ahead, the Blue Devils football team is gearing up for the 2025 season under the leadership of Head Coach Adam Lechtenberg. Fans are eager to see how the team performs in the upcoming games. Mark your calendars for the annual Fall Fest on September 15th. This event features live music, food trucks, and various activities to kick off the semester. It's a great opportunity to connect with fellow students and enjoy the vibrant campus community. Also, don't miss the Career Fair on October 10th, where students can meet potential employers, learn about internship opportunities, and network with professionals from various industries. That's all for this week's update. Stay tuned for more news and events happening around campus. Go Blue Devils!

CCSU News: New Health College Launch, Enrollment Surges, Tuition Freeze, and Blue Devils’ Basketball Triumphs

Good afternoon, Blue Devils! It's Monday, August 25, 2025, and welcome to another episode of our campus news podcast. Let's dive into the latest happenings at Central Connecticut State University. First up, let's talk about the weather. Today, we're experiencing mostly cloudy skies with a current temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. As the day progresses, temperatures are expected to rise, reaching a high of 82 degrees by mid-afternoon. There's a chance of thunderstorms around 1 and 2 PM, so be sure to carry an umbrella if you're heading out during those hours. The evening will see clearer skies, with temperatures gradually cooling down to the mid-60s. In campus news, we're thrilled to announce the launch of the new College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. This college is now accepting students into its health sciences departments, offering a range of programs aimed at preparing students for careers in healthcare and rehabilitation. Leading the college is Dr. Jayanthi Kandiah, who has been appointed as the inaugural dean. Dr. Kandiah brings a wealth of experience and a vision for advancing health education at Central. On the academic front, Central has seen a significant boost in enrollment. For the spring semester, the university experienced an 8.3% increase in student enrollment, marking a positive trend after years of decline. This growth is attributed to initiatives like the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program and the Mary Ann Handley Award, which have made higher education more accessible to students across the state. In financial news, the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education has voted to freeze tuition for the 2025-26 academic year across all state colleges and universities, including Central. This decision aims to alleviate the financial burden on students and their families, ensuring that higher education remains affordable and accessible. Turning to athletics, our men's basketball team had an impressive 2024–25 season, finishing with a 25–7 record and clinching the Northeast Conference regular-season championship. Congratulations to Coach Patrick Sellers and the entire team for their hard work and dedication. Looking ahead, the team is gearing up for the upcoming season with high expectations and a strong roster. That's all for today's update. Stay safe, stay informed, and as always, Go Blue Devils!

CCSU Fall 2025: New Labyrinth, STEM Programs, Leadership News, Blue Devils Sports Highlights & Upcoming Campus Events

Hello, Blue Devils! Welcome back to campus for the start of the Fall 2025 semester. Here's what's happening at Central Connecticut State University. This summer, Central unveiled the Meditative Labyrinth, a serene space designed to promote mindfulness and well-being among students and staff. Located near the Student Center, the labyrinth offers a peaceful environment for reflection and relaxation. In July, the university hosted the Connecticut Summer Transportation Institute, welcoming high school students from across the state. This program provided participants with hands-on experience in transportation engineering and introduced them to potential career paths in the field. Additionally, Dr. Lisa Frank, Dean of the School of Business, was selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' leadership academy. This prestigious program aims to develop the next generation of higher education leaders. The Central Connecticut Blue Devils men's basketball team had an impressive 2024–25 season, finishing with a 25–7 record and clinching the Northeast Conference regular-season championship. Despite their strong performance, the team narrowly missed out on the NEC tournament title, falling to Saint Francis in a closely contested final. On the women's side, the Blue Devils concluded the season with an 11–19 record. Following the season, Head Coach Way Veney resigned after two years at the helm. The university is currently conducting a search for a new head coach to lead the program forward. Looking ahead, the Blue Devils football team is gearing up for the 2025 season under the leadership of Head Coach Adam Lechtenberg. Fans are eager to see how the team performs in the upcoming games. Mark your calendars for the annual Fall Fest on September 15th. This event features live music, food trucks, and various activities to kick off the semester. It's a great opportunity to connect with fellow students and enjoy the vibrant campus community. Also, don't miss the Career Fair on October 10th, where students can meet potential employers, learn about internship opportunities, and network with professionals from various industries. That's all for this week's update. Stay tuned for more news and events happening around campus. Go Blue Devils!

CCSU Opens New Health Sciences College, Sees Enrollment Surge, Sports Triumphs, and Community Impact in August 2025 Update

Good morning, Blue Devils! It's Monday, August 11, 2025, and here's what's happening at Central Connecticut State University. First up, we're thrilled to announce the opening of the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. This new college brings together our health sciences departments, including Nursing, Physical Education and Human Performance, and human service disciplines like counseling and social work. Dr. Jayanthi Kandiah has been appointed as the inaugural dean, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for August 19 at 11 a.m. to celebrate this milestone. In other news, our university has seen a significant increase in enrollment. For the spring semester, enrollment at Connecticut State Colleges and Universities rose by 6.2%, marking the first academic year of growth after a yearslong downward trend. This positive development reflects the hard work of our faculty and staff in attracting and retaining students. On the athletics front, our Blue Devils football team had an impressive season, finishing with a 7–6 record and clinching a share of the Northeast Conference championship. They made it to the NCAA Division I First Round, where they faced a tough match against Rhode Island. Congratulations to Coach Adam Lechtenberg and the entire team for their hard work and dedication. Switching gears to the arts, Dr. Lisa Frank, dean of the School of Business, has been selected for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' national leadership academy. This prestigious program recognizes leaders who are making significant contributions to higher education. In community engagement, Central's Go Baby Go program received a $6,000 grant from the Petit Foundation. This initiative works with families and clinicians to provide free modified toy ride-on cars for children with limited mobility, exemplifying our commitment to community service. That's all for today's update. Stay tuned for more news and events happening around campus. Go Blue Devils!