Connecticut State Community College Introduces Inaugural Campus Presidents

Connecticut State Community College (CT State) has appointed
seven inaugural campus presidents to lead operations of its campus locations
statewide.

“I am proud to introduce our new campus presidents to
Connecticut State Community College,” said CT State Interim President Christina
Royal, Ph.D. “Each of them brings exceptional talent, proven leadership, and
expertise that will strengthen our campuses, teaching and learning, and benefit
the communities we serve. Through their collective experience, we’ll continue
to deepen partnerships, advance workforce development, and expand opportunities
that support student success and strengthen Connecticut’s economy and future.”

After an extensive national search, the following leaders have
been appointed to serve as campus presidents. Full biographies are available at
ctstate.edu/about/leadership.

CT State Asnuntuck, CT State Manchester and CT State Middlesex

Joshua Moon-Johnson, Ed.D., who was named campus
president of CT State Asnuntuck, CT State Manchester and CT
State Middlesex, brings over 20 years of experience in higher education,
having held leadership roles at institutions including College of San Mateo,
American River College, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and most recently at
West Valley College where he was provost and vice president of academic
affairs. At West Valley, he led initiatives to enhance academic programs,
faculty support, and equitable student outcomes. A published author and
advocate, Moon-Johnson has contributed to national conversations on educational
equity and LGBT+ inclusion and advocacy. He has served on boards such as the
Association of California Community College Administrators and the Sacramento
LGBT Center. He holds a doctorate in higher education and LGBT studies from
Northern Illinois University, master’s degrees in social sciences and market
research, and a bachelor’s degree in business.

CT State Capital and CT State Tunxis

Sharale W. Mathis, Ed.D., was named campus president of CT
State Capital and CT State Tunxis. With over 20 years in higher
education and prior experience at CT State Manchester and Middlesex, she brings
expertise in strategic leadership and equity-driven student success. She
demonstrates a deep commitment to faculty and staff professional development.
Prior to CT State, she was vice president of academic and student affairs at
Holyoke Community College where she developed equity-focused retention programs
for three campus locations. Mathis serves on national and state boards,
including the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on
Institutional Infrastructure and Transformation, and the National Council on
Black American Affairs- Northeast Region. A fellow of the Thomas Lakin
Institute for Mentored Leadership, she holds a doctoral degree in educational
leadership from the University of Hartford, a master’s of health degree in
biomedical sciences from Quinnipiac University, and a bachelor’s degree in
biology from Eastern Connecticut State University. She also completed executive
education through the Yale School of Management’s Women’s Leadership
certificate program.

CT State Gateway

Shiang-Kwei “Ellen” Wang, Ph.D., named
president of CT State Gateway, brings leadership experience from
previous roles at Harold Washington College, Queensborough Community College,
and most recently Hostos Community College as vice president of academic
affairs and provost. Under her leadership, Hostos launched several new
programs, and established strategic partnerships with industry leaders and
potential donors. A nationally recognized scholar in education technology, Wang
has led grant-funded initiatives focused on equity and workforce readiness,
with support from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of
Education, and Illinois Community College Board. Her research focuses on STEM
education and pedagogical best practices, and she frequently presents at
national conferences. Wang’s contributions to education have earned her the
United Federation of Fil-Am Educators’ Outstanding Leadership in Education
Award and a spot on City & State’s 2024 Power of Diversity: Asian 100 list.
She earned a doctoral degree in instructional technology from the University of
Georgia, a master’s in business administration, and bachelor’s degree in
educational media and library science.

CT State Housatonic

Kamari A. Collins, Ed.D., has been named campus president
of CT State Housatonic. He brings more than two decades of leadership
experience in student affairs, academic support and community engagement. Most
recently vice president for student success and enrollment management at
Chesapeake College (MD), Collins expanded student services, enhanced enrollment
systems, and fostered a stronger sense of belonging. He previously served as
vice president of student affairs at Springfield Technical Community College
(MA), and has held board positions with The Country School, For All Seasons,
and Polaris Village Ministries. He earned his doctorate in education from
Northeastern University, a master’s in human services, and a bachelor’s in
movement and sports studies/teacher preparation from Springfield College.

CT State Naugatuck Valley and CT State Northwestern

Michael Rooke, Ph.D., who was named campus president
of CT State Naugatuck Valley and CT State Northwestern, has
served in various leadership roles across CT State for nearly two decades,
including as president of Northwestern since 2015. In 2020, he was appointed
interim provost and vice president of academic affairs, and later served as
interim president during the early formation of Connecticut State Community
College. Earlier, Rooke held faculty and leadership positions at CT State
Manchester, CT State Tunxis, the University of Hartford and Long Island
University Post. He serves on several regional boards, including the Northwest
CT Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest CT Regional Workforce Investment
Board. He is also a corporator of Hartford HealthCare’s Charlotte Hungerford
Hospital. Rooke holds a doctorate in analytical chemistry from Kansas State
University, a master’s in educational technology, and a bachelor’s degree in
applied chemistry.

CT State Norwalk

With over 20 years of experience in higher education,
government, and law, Cheryl De Vonish, J.D., was named campus president
of CT State Norwalk, where she has led the campus since 2019 as a former
college president and campus CEO. Recently, she secured more than $1 million in
donations for students and expanded student wraparound services. Before her
appointment, she held several senior leadership roles at Norwalk, including
chief operating officer, and was also a CT State labor relations liaison. De
Vonish’s efforts to foster inclusive excellence and campus-wide engagement have
resulted in her being named to the NAACP’s 100 Most Influential Blacks in
Connecticut list in both 2021 and 2024 and the Campus Community Award for her
leadership and service. Prior to joining CT State, De Vonish worked as an
attorney for the city of New York. A proud alumna of Spelman College and SUNY
Binghamton, De Vonish holds a juris doctorate from Albany Law School.

CT State Quinebaug Valley and CT State Three Rivers

Mary Ellen Jukoski, Ed.D., was named campus president of CT
State Quinebaug Valley and CT State Three Rivers, where she has
led Three Rivers through over a decade of academic transformation and student
success. Previously, she served 20 years as president of Mitchell College in
New London, and held leadership roles at several colleges and universities
nationwide. Jukoski’s contributions to higher education have earned her
honors, including a W.K. Kellogg Foundation National Leadership Fellowship, the
William Crawford Award, and the Connecticut Women in Higher Education
Leadership Award. She earned a doctorate in higher education from the
University of Memphis, master’s degrees in English and curriculum planning and
development, and a bachelor’s in English/secondary education.

About CT State Community College

CT State is the largest community college in
the Northeast, established in 2023 through the merger of Connecticut’s
12 legacy community colleges. With one application, students can take classes
at any of CT State’s campuses across the state.

CT State offers hundreds of degree and certificate programs,
short-term career training options, seamless transfer to Connecticut’s state
colleges and universities, and affordable pathways to a bachelor’s degree.

Students can attend classes at CT State Asnuntuck (Enfield),
Capital (Hartford), Gateway (New Haven and North Haven), Housatonic
(Bridgeport), Manchester, Middlesex (Middletown and Meriden), Naugatuck Valley
(Waterbury and Danbury), Northwestern (Winsted), Norwalk, Quinebaug Valley
(Danielson and Willimantic), Three Rivers (Norwich), and Tunxis (Farmington and
Bristol). Open houses are held each spring and fall, and campus tours are
available year-round. CT State’s central office is located in New Britain. Visit
ctstate.edu for more.