July 1, 2025
Dear alumni, family, and friends of Connecticut College,
I hope you are all enjoying the summer weather and finding moments to relax and recharge. Tuesday marked my one-year anniversary as president of Connecticut College. It has been a year of discovery and moments of great hope and joy. I look forward to meeting many more of you over the coming year as we work together to build a bright future for Conn.
Facilities Updates
The Cro Boulevard project is nearing completion, with fencing expected to come down in front of Cro by the end of this week. The adjacent Crozier-Plex connector project is now underway and will continue through the academic year, with the next major phase beginning July 15.
Progress is also being made on several other initiatives, including the Harris renovation, which is on track for mid-August completion, and bathroom privacy enhancements in several residence halls.
Summer Research and Community Engagement
This summer, our campus is bustling with activity! Fifty students are participating in 15 different labs through the Summer Student Research Institute (SSRI). Meanwhile, 19 Holleran Civic Leaders are making an impact at eight local community sites:
- Alliance for Living
- Center for Housing Opportunities in Eastern CT
- Covenant Shelter
- Drop In Learning Center
- Horizons Beyond High School
- New London Historical Society
- New London Homeless Hospitality Center
- New London Recreation Department
Faculty and student fellows are also engaged in several programs:
- Arboretum
- Sprout Farm
- Bessell Fellows
- ConnSharp
- Lowitt-Lear Fellows
- Myers Fellow
- Neiring Fellow
- Pozen Fellows
Federal Budget Watch
We are monitoring the federal budget reconciliation process closely for any potential impact on Conn. Fortunately, the bill passed by the Senate this week will not significantly impact us in terms of student aid or tax law changes.
In the Media
I want to recognize several recent media highlights involving our community:
Eric Fleury’s quote in The Washington Post added important context to a complex political dynamic.
Kris Kline Hernandez was included in the Associated Press piece on the history and symbolism of the Mexican flag during immigration protests.
Jennifer Rudolph’s op-ed was republished in The Day, and her feature on NBC Connecticut helped keep the spotlight on transportation access.
My leadership and vision for Conn were highlighted on This Week in Connecticut and in
Thank you all for your continued support of the College and all good wishes for the rest of your summer!
Warmly,
Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D.
President