DANBURY, Connecticut — Western Connecticut State University (WestConn) announces the establishment of its newest academic endeavor — the School of Graduate, International, and Career Studies (SGICS), a forward-thinking initiative designed to strengthen graduate education, global engagement, and career readiness.
The School of Graduate, International, and Career Studies is launched with three strategic objectives designed to propel WestConn forward:
- Expand Graduate and International Programs: By introducing innovative, market-aligned graduate offerings and strengthening international recruitment efforts, the school aims to increase enrollment and contribute to the university’s long-term sustainability while enriching the academic experience through global diversity.
- Enhance Student Success and Career Readiness: By strengthening career development services and incorporating practical, career-focused experiences into academic programs, the school equips students to transition seamlessly into the workforce and excel in their chosen professions.
- Support Statewide Workforce Development through Career-Focused Certificates and Strategic Partnerships: By aligning with Connecticut’s economic priorities and fostering collaborations with industry and government, the school will develop career-focused certificates and micro-credentials that equip professionals with specialized, industry-relevant skills, addressing the evolving needs of the workforce and ensuring learners are prepared for a dynamic professional landscape.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Stephen Hegedus said, “Within these three areas there are multiple synergies in terms of marketing, regional and international recruitment, internship and co-op programs, as well as workforce development, so that we can begin to offer more non-credit certificates/micro-credentials. The restructuring of graduate education is a strategic priority we believe will help ensure long-term enrollment stability for our institution.”
The School of Graduate, International, and Career Studies will focus on designing cutting-edge programs in emerging fields, extending the university’s recent successes with the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and MBA in Cybersecurity. Faculty members are actively developing several other graduate and career-focused programs, ensuring that WestConn remains at the forefront of educational innovation.
In addition, the school will strengthen the university’s vibrant Study Abroad programs, and will work closely with the Career Success Center, to provide career advancement opportunities, professional certificates, and lifelong learning initiatives for students, alumni, and regional professionals.
Dr. Yaseen Hayajneh has been appointed as the interim dean of SGICS, with Dr. Jessica Coronel serving as assistant dean. Together, they will lead this newly formed school, which will oversee all doctoral and master’s programs, international student services, study abroad programs, and the Career Success Center. SGICS currently supports approximately 600 graduate students and aims to expand its reach by leveraging marketing synergies, regional and international recruitment, and workforce development initiatives.
“I am deeply honored to lead this transformative and exciting initiative at WestConn,” Hayajneh said. “By combining graduate education, career success, workforce development, and global engagement, we are creating a dynamic system that empowers students to excel academically, professionally, and personally, while addressing the evolving needs of the workforce.”
Hayajneh joined WestConn in 2017 as a Professor of Management. Since 2022, he has served as Interim Dean of the Ancell School of Business, leading initiatives that boosted enrollment and improved student success and retention and ensure continued accreditation of the school. He brings nearly 30 years of rich experience in higher education, executive leadership, and international engagement, including senior roles as Chief Academic Officer at Jumeira University in Dubai and Chief Operating Officer at two university hospitals.
President Dr. Manohar Singh highlighted the transformative role of graduate and career education in an era defined by rapid advancements in technology. “Emerging technologies will touch every professional domain — healthcare, business, entrepreneurship, education, liberal arts, and the fine arts. In this light, graduate and career education is not just a strategic priority; it is essential to WestConn’s mission to serve our communities’ evolving educational needs,” said President Singh.
He further emphasized, “The new School of Graduate, International, and Career Studies exemplifies WestConn’s commitment to agility and responsiveness. It builds upon our legacy of providing world-class education to deserving students, while preparing them for the future. It is a testament to the power of our community — faculty, staff and students — coming together to realize the vision of our strategic plan, Western Rising.”
With SGICS, WestConn reinforces its commitment to academic excellence, career readiness, and global engagement, preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world.
Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.