New college president named

WINSTED — Windsor resident Michael Rooke was named as the new president of Northwestern Connecticut Community College (NCCC) by the Board of Regents on Thursday, Oct. 15.

Rooke is taking over for former college President Barbara Douglass, who retired on Oct. 1 after serving for 11 years.

According to a press release issued by Terri Raimondi, assistant director of public affairs for the Board of Regents, there were 47 applicants for the college’s president position.

According to his resume, which was emailed by Raimondi, Rooke is originally from Yorkshire, England and earned his baccalaureate degree in applied chemistry from Nottingham Trent University.

He earned a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Kansas State University, a Master of Science degree in educational technology from Long Island University and a Bachelor of Science degree in applied chemistry from Nottingham Trent University in England.

Rooke started his career in education at the University of Hartford, where he served as the assistant professor of the chemistry department from 1996 to 2003.

After the University of Hartford, he served as the director of information technology for Long Island University in Brookville, N.Y., from 2003 to 2006.

He moved on to Manchester Community College in Manchester, where he served as the academic division director for the college’s center for business and technologies from 2006 to 2009.

In 2009 he moved to his current position as dean of academic affairs for Tunxis Community College in Farmington.

“I am thrilled, and I can’t wait to get started,” Rooke said to The Winsted Journal. “I have been in the college system for 10 years and I have worked for two different community college systems. I have been looking to move on up to be the president of a college. I live in the northern part of the state and it is definitely the most beautiful part of Connecticut.”

Rooke said he will be starting part-time at the college on Nov. 27, working at NCCC for two days a week, then starting full-time on Jan. 1.

“In the beginning, I will be focused on getting to know the campus and the community,” he said. “That will be the top two things on my list. I have a lot to learn about the campus, and I want to be heavily involved in community activities and maintain NCCC’s role in the town.”

Rooke said that he will be a strong advocate in getting funding from the state for NCCC.

“In the past, I have made a case why funding for colleges should be given, and I look forward to continuing that,” Rooke said. “I think we should build a strong connection with the community’s high school and local businesses. I want to continue to be part of that advocacy voice.”

Rooke added that he thinks that NCCC’s veterinary technology and nursing programs are unique when it comes to the state’s higher education system.

“There’s only one other veterinary technology technology in the community college system and there are six nursing programs,” Rooke said. “I look forward to learning about all of the college’s programs. I also hope to continue those programs and strengthen them even further.”