October 1, 2025
Dear alumni, family, and friends of Connecticut College,
I hope you are enjoying some of the beautiful fall weather we are experiencing here on campus. Last weekend, we welcomed a record-breaking crowd of more than 2,000 members of our community back to campus for Fall Weekend. From the pumpkin carving contest and annual A Cappella Showcase to action-packed games against Middlebury, a delicious all-campus picnic on Tempel Green, and the always-popular Pumpkins & Pooches event, the entire weekend was picture perfect. Thank you to everyone whose hard work and planning created such a welcoming and festive experience for all.
Student Success
I am pleased to share encouraging results from our most recent senior survey. For the second year in a row, student satisfaction is rising. Seniors rating their overall experience as “excellent” or “good” climbed from 77.6% to 85.8%, returning us to near pre-COVID levels, while those who said they would choose Conn again rose from 68.2% to 76.5%.
At the same time, the number of students rating their experience as “fair” or “poor” dropped significantly, as did those who said they would not re-enroll. Just as encouraging, more than 90% of students report forming close relationships with peers and faculty, and relationships with staff have continued a steady four-year increase. Our retention rate is now at 91.1%, well above the national average of 77.6% . These are strong markers for the value of a Conn education and the commitment of all who support our students. My thanks to John Nugent, director of institutional research and planning, and Sanjeewa Karunaratne, associate director of institutional research andplanning, for their excellent work in collecting and analyzing this important data.
National Recognition
I am also delighted to report that Conn moved up five places in the U.S. News & World Report rankings to No. 50 among national liberal arts colleges. This progress reflects efforts by the entire Conn community to strengthen the student experience and academic excellence.
AI and the Liberal Arts Symposium – Oct. 17–19
Connecticut College is proud to host the inaugural AI and the Liberal Arts Symposium Oct. 17–19. Presenters from more than 50 institutions from across the U.S. and Canada will join our community for panels, workshops, case studies, and lightning talks exploring how AI is shaping the future of the liberal arts.
Conn in the News
September was another strong month for Conn voices in the media. Highlights include:
- Marc Zimmer was featured on The World discussing how U.S. research funding cuts could contribute to a brain drain in STEM fields.
- Kris Klein Hernández was quoted by CT Public on updates to Connecticut’s Trust Act and by CT Insider on the potential impact of proposed H-1B visa fee changes on local businesses.
- Kendell Coker joined CT Public to discuss how schools are stepping up mental health support for families affected by ICE detainments.
- Tim Stevens ’03 joined WTIC-AM to discuss the surprise return of Jimmy Kimmel, offering insight into media overreach and the influence of consumers on shaping outcomes.
- Michael Moran ’26 was profiled in the Hartford Courant for his extraordinary story of stem cell donation—an inspiring example of a Conn student making a difference well beyond campus.
You can view the full list of recent media coverage on Conn in the News.
Legislative Breakfast
In September, we welcomed federal, state, and local officials to campus for a Legislative Breakfast designed to strengthen relationships and highlight Connecticut College’s role as a vital partner in the region. Together, we engaged in thoughtful conversation about affordability, workforce development, and the many ways the College contributes to New London and southeastern Connecticut. Leaders including U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney; State Senators Martha Marx and Heather Somers; State Representatives Anthony Nolan, Daniel Gaiewski, Nicholas Gauthier and Kevin Ryan; and New London Mayor Michael Passero ’79 learned more about our economic impact, our deep community partnerships, and the central role Conn plays as an anchor institution in the city and region. Events like this strengthen our relationships with policymakers and reinforce the College’s visibility as a trusted resource in shaping the future of higher education and our local economy. We were also fortunate to have a “drop-in” visit by Governor Ned Lamont that same week.
I want to thank you all for your continued support of Connecticut College and look forward to seeing many of you at an upcoming event, including our holiday parties at the beginning of December.
Warmly,
Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D.
President