CSCU Names Dr. Ken Udas as Charter Oak State College’s Next President

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Interim Chancellor Natalie Braswell today announced the appointment of Dr. Ken Udas as president of Charter Oak State College, Connecticut's public online college. Dr. Udas will begin his term on Oct. 30, 2026.

Dr. Udas brings nearly 30 years of senior leadership experience in public, online, continuing, and adult-serving higher education in the U.S. and internationally. He succeeds Ed Klonoski, who retired after serving as Charter Oak's president for 18 years.

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Udas to Charter Oak State College. He has built his career around expanding access to high-quality education and finding innovative ways to serve adult, working, and lifelong learners whose educational paths do not always follow a traditional path," said CSCU Interim Chancellor Natalie Braswell. "Ken understands that college should be a catalyst for success and that we need to meet students where they are and support them throughout their working and learning lives. He is a great fit to lead Charter Oak into its next chapter and build on the strong legacy President Klonoski leaves behind."

Dr. Udas currently serves as the Vice Provost of Digital Learning Initiatives at University of Idaho, where he provides strategic leadership for the university's digital learning and continuing education enterprise. In this role, he launched Keep Learning Idaho, a new continuing, professional, and adult education unit that generated more than 900 enrollments during its initial pilot and has since grown to over 3,000 enrollments. He also initiated more than six new online and hybrid academic programs, expanding educational opportunities for students beyond the traditional campus experience.

"Over three decades, Ken has worked with faculty, staff, students, employers, government agencies, and educational partners to identify innovative ways to expand academic opportunities while building sustainable growth strategies," said Ari Santiago, interim chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents. "His work has helped increase enrollment, improve the learner experience, prepare students for rewarding careers, and forge new partnerships with employers and communities. He will be a great asset as Charter Oak continues to build on its distinctive role as Connecticut's public online college and a workforce driver."

Dr. Udas' experience developing new programs, expanding online learning opportunities, and increasing the number of students served will be critical as Charter Oak continues to provide flexible, affordable, workforce-aligned academic pathways for adult learners in high-demand fields.

"Charter Oak State College has a long history of serving working adults through flexible and affordable public higher education, and that mission reflects my core belief that students are more than the transcripts they bring with them or build along the way," said Dr. Udas. "Their knowledge is also shaped by work, family, military service, community and other life experiences. I'm excited to bring my experience to Charter Oak and help further shape how we build on that knowledge, while ensuring students are prepared for success."

Dr. Udas joins Charter Oak at an important time of growth for the college. During the Fall 2025 semester, Charter Oak saw a 17% increase in total student enrollment. Earlier this year, the college announced the expansion of the CT AI Academy, which helps workers at small and medium-sized businesses develop the AI fluency needed to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce.

Dr. Udas earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; a Master of Business Administration in Management from Salem State University; a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Texas A&M University; a Master of Arts in History from the University of Massachusetts Boston; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M University.

About CSCU

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system includes six public institutions: Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western Connecticut State Universities, CT State Community College, and Charter Oak State College. Together, they offer more than 800 degree and certificate programs that provide affordable academic pathways for students of all ages.

With 16 main campuses and over 17 million square feet of facilities statewide, CSCU serves more than 100,000 learners in Connecticut. During the 2025-2026 academic year, an estimated 12,600 students graduated from the system. More than 80% of graduates from the state universities, CT State, and Charter Oak choose to remain in Connecticut to live and work, underscoring CSCU's role as a driver of the state's workforce and economy.