Jen Widness

States need to step up and support low-interest loans for graduate education to ensure equitable access continues to programs in critical areas such as the health sciences. In CT, @ct_ccic is working with @CHESLALoans to address this issue. #cthighered insidehighered.com/opinion/views/…

This morning, we highlighted Connecticut’s success in expanding dual-credit courses, which allow students to earn both high school and college credit—saving them time and money. Commissioner @CharleneRTedu was joined by students and district leaders from Vernon, Milford, and East Haven joined Education, @TMStarke (@UConn), @DrJohnMaduko (@CSCUnews), Dr. Kellie-Marie Valleries (@CT_OWS), and @jen_widness from @ct_ccic. Together, they shared how these opportunities are helping more learners graduate sooner, with less debt, and with a head start toward their future goals. As the Commissioner noted, dual-credit courses give students the chance to earn both high school and college credit while helping them graduate sooner, save on tuition, and begin college with valuable experience already under their belts.

According to a 2025 analysis by @GeorgetownCEW, graduates of Connecticut’s colleges and universities will see a higher return on investment than graduates of schools elsewhere in the country. ctinsider.com/projects/news/…

@USJCT President Rhona Free and Coach Jim Calhoun via @CTViewpoints: The critical role of the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program. ctmirror.org/2025/05/28/the…

WATCH LIVE: Senate Dems, Students Call for Largest Investment in Scholarship in Decades  facebook.com/share/v/18g3sD…

Great piece by ⁦@WFSBnews⁩ on the significant economic impact of ⁦@ct_ccic⁩ institutions in the state, featuring ⁦@TrinityCollege⁩ wfsb.com/2024/07/29/cts…

Proud of the work of @ct_ccic member institutions under the leadership of @nebhe in promoting strong transfer pathways for @CTStateEdu students. insidehighered.com/opinion/blogs/…

On Tuesday, 5 students from the @ct_ccic testified before the Appropriations Committee to advocate for addt'l financial aid funding for CT students in the Roberta Willis Scholarship Program. Check out their compelling remarks at the link below. ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?…

Honored to meet w/ @SecCardona w/ @ct_ccic Presidents of @USJCT @MitchellCollege @AlbertusSocial & @FairfieldU while @ NAICU mtg to discuss FAFSA simplification roll out & critical importance of federal financial aid to provide access & opportunity for all students. @NAICUtweets

.@ct_ccic members institutions @USJCT @MitchellCollege @UBridgeport @UNewHaven & @GoodwinUniv are all pleased to participate in the CT Automatic Admission Program which has an exciting new partnership with @CommonApp. Click the link to learn more: ct.edu/autoadmit

Claims about college’s declining value are generally misleading. One article points out that new college grads are more likely to be unemployed, while leaving out how much less likely young adults are to experience unemployment if they have a degree. bit.ly/3Nzutno

Yesterday, we announced that Albertus Magnus College has achieved Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) status. The dedicated Albertus faculty and staff identified this goal back in 2020 in our “Albertus 2025” strategic plan. Albertus is New England’s first Catholic college HSI.

A partnership program between Quinnipiac and @MandT_Bank connected emerging business leaders and @NewHavenPromise scholars for a day of community service and mentorship this summer. go.qu.edu/NextUpPromise23

Read our special Commencement Edition newsletter with @AlbertusSocial @ConnCollege @FairfieldU @GoodwinUniv @MitchellCollege @QuinnipiacU @sacredheartuniv @TrinityCollege @UBridgeport @UofHartford @UNewHaven @USJCT @wesleyan_u @Yale bit.ly/42wMxmv

Pleased to be a part of the @nebhe 2023 CT Higher Education Excellence Award ceremony yesterday honoring former state Representative Roberta Willis -- the namesake for the state's scholarship program that she passionately advocated for year after year.

An absolute honor and pleasure to meet former CT State Representative Roberta Willis, the namesake for the State’s essential need-based financial aid program. Roberta was honored with the New England Board of Higher Education 2023 Connecticut Higher Education Excellence Award.

An agreement between @HartfordHealthC and @sacredheartuniv is meant to help provide a pipeline for healthcare workers and address the worker shortage. ow.ly/uTEr50Oh3il

In 2021, 68% of all jobs required at least some postsecondary education. By 2031, that proportion will grow to 72%. High-paying jobs for less-educated workers sound alluring, but our projections show that it's not realistic. bit.ly/3mLAy5R

#TrinColl and the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges held a panel on the future of race in admissions. Universities + colleges from around the state joined to discuss the legal history of affirmative action in higher ed and the upcoming SCOTUS decision.

Always nice to start the week off with colleagues from @UofHartford & @USJCT at a @NECouncil breakfast event featuring @RepJoeCourtney, a workforce champion for all of CT.