CT State Announces CEO of CT State Housatonic
CT State Community College (CT State) has announced the appointment of Patricia Benson, Ed.D., as campus chief executive officer of CT State Housatonic in Bridgeport.
As the lead campus administrator at Housatonic, Benson oversees the general management and leadership of campus operations, including managing and allocating resources to achieve the campus’ overall plans and objectives.
"With her outstanding record of advancing student success and institutional excellence, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Benson as the new campus CEO of CT State Housatonic,” said CT State President O. John Maduko, M.D. “Her dedication to community engagement and inclusive excellence perfectly complements our mission, ensuring that we continue to innovate and serve the greater Bridgeport region effectively."
As a first-generation college graduate, Benson’s career in higher education spans more than two decades, with leadership roles focused on campus expansion, fiscal management, academic affairs support, and workforce development initiatives. Before joining CT State, she was vice president for finance and administration at Delaware County Community College. Benson said some of the achievements she is proudest of include leading the college to financial stability through the pandemic and expanding its reach by securing bond funding for a $66.5 million campus expansion.
In addition to enhancing academic programs, supporting faculty and staff, and ensuring that students have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed, Benson’s strategic vision extends into the heart of the greater Bridgeport region. “CT State Housatonic plays a pivotal role in empowering students and fostering community growth,” she said. “I am committed to enhancing our community engagement and collaboration, which will be instrumental in strengthening Housatonic’s ties with local businesses, governmental agencies, and nonprofits. These partnerships are crucial in aligning campus academic programs with regional workforce needs and ensuring that students are well-prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Benson currently serves on the board of directors for the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF), a public charity founded by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority that supports scholastic achievement, public service programs and research initiatives focused on Black women, their families and communities nationally.
Benson earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Hampton University, a master of business administration degree in management from LaSalle University, and a doctor of education in Higher Education Leadership from Wilmington University. She is also a 2023 Lakin Institute Fellow.
Enrolling more than 3,000 credit students each semester, CT State Housatonic’s student body reflects the diversity of the greater Bridgeport area, with 72% of the student body identifying as Black, Latine or multiracial. It is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).