Willimantic, Conn./WTIC Radio - The new president of Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic began his new role today.
Criminologist Dr. Karim Ismaili becomes the seventh president to lead the liberal arts university.
Ismaili comes to ECSU by way of Bridgewater State University, where he was executive vice president and provost.
"Eastern is a special university with a distinctive public mission," said Ismaili. "In a world marked by uncertainty, conflict, and rapid technological change, Eastern's focus on educating students to be thoughtful, engaged, and constructive citizens is more important than ever", said Ismaili.
A scholor of crime policy and social theory, Ismaili has nearly three decades of higher education experience.
He succeeds former ECSU president Dr. Elsa Nunez, who retired earlier this year.