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Updated: May 14, 2019

Four interim CEOs named to oversee CT community colleges

By Joe Cooper

Connecticut’s public college and university system on Tuesday named new interim chief executives who will oversee operations at four of the state’s community colleges.

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Mark E. Ojakian said the C-suite vacancies resulted after two retirements and a promotion within the state’s higher-education system. The new interim CEOs will each earn an annual salary of $150,000 when they take office July 1.

According to Ojakian, Darrly Reome, the interim dean of student affairs at Tunxis Community College (TCC), will serve as the Farmington school’s interim CEO in place of former President James Lombella, who was appointed to the Board of Regents for Higher Education in April to serve as one of three three regional community college presidents. 

Photo | Contributed
Michelle Coach

Lombella also recently served as president of Asnuntuck Community College (ACC) in Enfield, where he will be succeeded by Michelle Coach, who is currently the school’s interim dean of academic affairs. Lombella's coverage area includes both TCC and ACC.

At Norwalk Community College, chief operating officer Cheryl DeVonish is taking over as interim CEO in place of president David Levinson, who is retiring June 30.

The final appointment at Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) in Killingly includes a CEO hire outside the school’s current administrative staff.

Rose Ellis, currently a dean of administration and institutional effectiveness at both Housatonic and Gateway Community colleges, has been named as interim CEO of QVCC. Ellis will replace Carlee Drummer, who was tapped last week to become the president of Columbia-Greene Community College in Hudson, N.Y., in July.

Ojakian said he will work closely with the newly minted school executives.

“I appreciate the incoming CEOs’ willingness to take on these leadership roles, as well as the energy, enthusiasm, and talent they will bring to our campuses,” he said.

In total, CSCU oversees 12 community colleges, four state universities and the online Charter Oak State College based in New Britain.

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