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Written by Michael Rouleau
Published on August 26, 2025
Eastern Connecticut State University is welcoming 21 new full-time professors to its faculty this academic year. Representing fields from history to nursing to finance, the cohort includes both new and returning professors in tenure-track and temporary positions.
“This represents a real investment in the teaching and learning of this university,” said President Karim Ismaili, noting that Eastern has not hired this many faculty at once in many years. Ismaili said the expansion was driven by faculty requests for support as well as the University’s commitment to strengthening the new Eastern Liberal Arts Core (ELAC) curriculum.
“Expanding our faculty ranks enriches our campus community as we continue to pursue the academic excellence and curricular innovation that are hallmarks of an Eastern liberal arts education,” said Cheryl Wilson, Eastern's new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
During an orientation session for new faculty, Wilson encouraged the professors to embrace their new roles: “I hope over the next couple of weeks you will see and get excited about the possibilities here at Eastern. … My role is to support and celebrate you.”
The Department of Health Sciences and Nursing is seeing the largest increase in new faculty. “I am honored to be joining Eastern,” said Anna Goddard, assistant professor of nursing. “Based on everything I have learned during my onboarding and the warm welcome into this community, I am confident that Eastern’s nursing program will become one of the top programs in our state.”
Interim Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment Ben Pauley described the students whom the new professors will be teaching. He noted that Eastern’s student body roughly reflects the diversity of Connecticut, with 90% of students coming from within the state. “On the surface, Eastern looks like a traditional college campus,” Pauley said, “but upon looking closer, it’s more nuanced.”
Approximately half of Eastern students receive some form of financial aid, Pauley explained, with 20% qualifying for the maximum federal Pell Grant. “One in five students on campus has significant financial need,” he said, adding that many balance part-time jobs alongside their coursework.
A group of faculty members attend orientation for new faculty, led by CTLA Director Julia DeLapp (left).
Deans Niti Pandey and Emily Todd address the new faculty.
Provost and VP for Academic Affairs Cheryl Wilson (left) and VP for Student Success and Enrollment Ben Pauley
To help new faculty acclimate, the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CTLA) hosted a two-day orientation led by CTLA Director Julia DeLapp. The program featured sessions on student accessibility accommodations; faculty rights and responsibilities as outlined by the AAUP union; classroom management and career development; as well as technology, library services, and other campus resources.
“My hope is that each new faculty member left feeling knowledgeable about the formal resources available to support them," said DeLapp, "but also with an understanding of the expertise and support they can provide each other.”
Throughout the year, the CTLA will continue offering opportunities for new faculty to connect, share experiences, and learn from colleagues across campus.
(*Denotes tenure-track appointment)