As readers of this blog will know, every institution I visit (76 now and counting!) bears the inimitable stamp of its own individual history, place, and mission. Discovering and sharing these unique traits is what makes my “On The Road” journey so rewarding and NECHE’s purpose so compelling.
The University of New Haven is, of course, no exception to that rule. Before my visit, I knew little more than the basics about this huge and influential institution that serves almost 10,000 students — over 30% of whom are international. Sitting high on a hill overlooking West New Haven, the campus is bustling with students moving to and fro under banners exhorting them to “Power On!”
I was able to spend about ninety minutes with President Frederiksen and Provost Nancy Savage, both new to their positions but very experienced leaders in higher education. Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., a dynamic and joyful presence, became the seventh president of UNH a mere nine months ago, but he is already completely engaged. He previously served at Fisk University, a highly-ranked, historically black university in Nashville, Tennessee, as executive vice president for institutional advancement and enrollment management.
Dr. Nancy Savage began teaching at UNH in 2005, then served the university in increasingly significant roles before being appointed Provost in Spring 2024. She previously was associate dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical & Biomedical Engineering.
Interestingly, the University of New Haven’s student body is almost evenly divided between undergrad and graduate students, with a host of majors that the Princeton Review describes as…
“amazing programs you cannot get anywhere else.”
As one example: the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice & Forensic Science offers Master’s degrees in Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance Investigation; Cyber Threat Intelligence and Financial Crimes Investigations; Fire Protection Engineering; Fire and Explosion Investigation; Healthcare Fraud, Waste and Abuse; and National Security. In addition, UNH students can bolster their resumes and career prospects with fast, affordable micro-credential programs like Coach Certification, Human Trafficking, and Public School Operations. Coupled with a $300 million capital expansion over the past ten years, it all adds up to a powerful expression of the university’s philosophy of putting students first.
Founded on the Yale campus in 1920, The University of New Haven is private, coeducational, and non-profit, with two other campuses in Orange, Connecticut and Tuscany, Italy. While the global nature of its student body is a real asset, it also presents certain risks as politics domestically and abroad can quickly change and impact enrollment. However, I feel quite confident in the leadership of UNH to anticipate, shape, and innovate around market forces.
In fact, as I’m writing this just before Thanksgiving, I feel exceptionally grateful for the strength and integrity of America’s institutions of higher education, and hope we can all work to keep them healthy and sound.
