UConn Interim President/UConn Health CEO Stepping Down

STORRS, CT — University of Connecticut Interim President Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, who has led the university since July 2021 and UConn Health since 2014, announced Friday that that he is leaving both posts for a new opportunity at Humana, a private sector health care company.

His resignation at UConn is effective Feb. 20.

The Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet on Jan. 26 and it is expected to appoint Radenka Maric, the university’s vice president for research, innovation and entrepreneurship interim president, effective Feb. 1. Agwunobi would remain at UConn for a transition period through Feb. 20, officials said.

Agwunobi has simultaneously served in the role of interim president of the University and CEO of UConn Health since the resignation of Thomas Katsouleas.

The Dean of the UConn School of Medicine, Bruce Liang, is expected to be named interim CEO of UConn Health, also effective Feb. 1, officials said.

UConn Board of Trustees Chairman Daniel Toscano announced that a national search for president will begin immediately, with the goal of naming UConn’s next president by the fall.

Here is the transcript of Agwunobi's letter:

Dear UConn community,

I am sad to let you know that after more than seven wonderful years here at UConn Health and UConn, I will be stepping down as interim president of the university and CEO of UConn Health next month to assume a leadership position at Humana, a private sector healthcare company.

While I am excited about this new opportunity, the decision to leave UConn and UConn Health was extremely difficult. This is an amazing university and special place. It has truly been an honor to serve as a leader here and to work with all of you.

I am immensely grateful for my time at UConn and UConn Health and I wish the Board of Trustees, the UConn Health Board of Directors, and our faculty, staff, and students all the best.

I especially want to thank Chairman Daniel Toscano and Chairman Sandy Cloud for their friendship and steadfast support over the years. It was a privilege and a pleasure to work with them and all the members of both boards in a way that was collaborative, productive, effective, and always in the best interest of UConn and UConn Health. I know that UConn and UConn Health are in good hands.

I will remain at UConn until mid-February. The Board of Trustees will appoint a new interim president, and an interim CEO of UConn Health will also be appointed. Chairman Toscano plans to share more information about this in a message to the university community later this morning.

With deepest thanks to every member of our community and best wishes for the future.

Warm regards,

Andrew Agwunobi, MD, MBA

Gov. Ned Lamont reacted with a statement:

"I thank Dr. Andrew Agwunobi for his service to UConn over the years, and I wish him well in his new opportunity in the private sector. Dr. Agwunobi has helped to steer UConn and UConn Health through unprecedented times, all while overseeing significant growth in research and enrollment. UConn’s Medical School has grown under his leadership, and our flagship higher education institution has strengthened its reputation as a national leader. I have had the pleasure of spending time with Andy, and I will miss his thoughtful outlook and positive demeanor. I have immense confidence in the UConn Board of Trustees and Chairman Dan Toscano as they search for a permanent replacement to lead UConn into the future. Meanwhile, UConn is incredibly fortunate to have the talented and unflappable Dr. Radenka Maric to steer UConn on an interim basis. I appointed Dr. Maric to serve on the Connecticut Innovations Board of Directors because of her incredible contributions to improve and strengthen UConn’s prowess in research. Our Huskies will remain in good hands."