(Hartford, CT) – Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Chancellor Terrence Cheng and the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education announced today the appointment of Dr. Sandra Minor Bulmer, Ph.D., as interim president of Southern Connecticut State University (Southern).
Dr. Bulmer has extensive experience in higher education, including 26 years at Southern, and currently serves as the dean of the university’s College of Health and Human Services. Previously, Dr. Bulmer served as a professor in Southern’s Department of Public Health. She begins her new role on July 1, 2025.
“What Dr. Bulmer has accomplished as Southern’s Dean of Health and Human Services is nothing short of impressive,” said CSCU Chancellor Cheng. “As Southern’s Interim President, she will bring that same strategic vision, ability to innovate, level of energy, and work ethic that will equip her to be the transformative leader the Southern community needs.”
“Dr. Bulmer’s experience aligning academic programs with workforce demands paired with her experience at the university level and deep ties to the Southern community will allow her to position the university for growth and impact,” said Marty Guay, Chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. “I look forward to working with her on identifying new ways to further drive institutional success.”
In response to the evolving needs of Connecticut’s health and human services workforce, Dr. Bulmer opened Southern’s new College of Health and Human Services building in September 2022 and together with her team has introduced several new innovative degree programs, including a Doctorate of Social Work, B.S. Healthcare Studies, M.S. Occupational Therapy, M.S. in Athletic Training, Executive MPH, and BSRT Respiratory Therapy. Dr. Bulmer also spearheaded converting programs to be more accessible to students through online classes.
As dean of Southern’s College of Health and Human Services, Dr. Bulmer also oversaw the opening of new departments and centers at the university to improve the health of the Southern and New Haven communities, including the Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE), Institute for Adapted Sport and Inclusive Recreation, the Connecticut Health and Mental Performance Center (CHAMP), and the Department of Healthcare Systems and Innovation. Under hear leadership, her college has secured more than $20 million in external funding to expand workforce partnerships and advance health equity in Connecticut communities.
She secured funding for and supported the development of a part-time RN program, creating a career pathway for full-time, entry-level health care workers, such as CNAs, and diversifying the nursing workforce. She supported a new model for providing supervision to social work students, which expands services provided to vulnerable populations, and she grew the number of students completing internships and practicum experiences in the community, partnering with more than 300 agencies across the state.
Her involvement in the local community has included service on several boards and committees, including the Clifford Beers Community Health Partners Board of Directors, where she served as vice president; the American Heart Association – Connecticut, where she served as president; the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Council; The Whitney Center Board of Directors; and the Yale Center for Research Engagement Steering Committee.
Dr. Bulmer received her Ph.D. in health education from Texas Woman’s University, a B.S. in physical education from California State University Hayward and an M.S. in physical education with a focus on exercise physiology from the University of Oregon. “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. Southern has been my home for 26 years. Every day, I see how our incredible administrators, faculty, and staff enrich students’ lives,” said Dr. Bulmer. “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.”
In November 2024, CSCU commenced a search for a permanent president of Southern. This process, which incorporated input from campus stakeholders and representatives across the CSCU system, concluded without a permanent appointment. A new presidential search for Southern is scheduled to be launched in Fall 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.
Dr. Dwayne Smith, who has served as the interim president of Southern since June 2023, will continue to serve as interim president until June 30, 2025. He will begin a new role with the CSCU system office serving as the Executive Director of Systemwide Advancement.
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Southern’s Interim President Dr. Dwayne Smith for his unwavering commitment to Southern’s mission as a social justice institution. Under his leadership, Southern became a Research 2 University, offered new degree programs, and increased its total student enrollment. Dr. Smith’s contributions to the university’s culture of academic excellence will have a lasting impact on the Southern community,” said CSCU Chancellor Cheng.
An interim dean of Southern’s College of Health and Human Services will be announced in the coming weeks.
