Contributed photo
Dr. Sandra Bulmer.
Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) will be getting a new interim president, who will replace the school’s current interim president in July.
The new head of the Beaver Hills-based state college will be Dr. Sandra Bulmer, who has worked at Southern for 26 years and currently serves as the dean of the university’s College of Health and Human Services. She also previously worked as a professor in Southern’s Department of Public Health.
Bulmer will step into her new interim role on July 1, as current SCSU Interim President Dr. Dwayne Smith leaves for a new role as Connecticut State Colleges and Universities’ (CSCU) new executive director of systemwide advancement. Smith had served as the college’s interim president since June 2023.
“Southern is on the rise with increased student enrollment, national recognition of its degree programs, and its designation as Connecticut’s only Research 2 University, placing it among an elite group of universities nationwide,” Bulmer is quoted as saying in a press release sent out Friday morning announcing her appointment. “Southern has been my home for 26 years. Every day, I see how our incredible administrators, faculty, and staff enrich students’ lives. As interim president, I’m excited to work hand-in-hand with faculty, staff, students, community members, and other key stakeholders to take Southern to new heights and build on its legacy.”
Friday’s press release states that CSCU commenced a search for a permanent president of Southern in November 2024. “This process, which incorporated input from campus stakeholders and representatives across the CSCU system, concluded without a permanent appointment.”
The public college system plans to begin a new presidential search for Southern in the fall of 2026, “following the completion of the search for a permanent CSCU system leader. Further information regarding the renewed Southern Presidential Search will be provided as Fall 2026 approaches.”