Hartford Business Journal

26 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | APRIL 6, 2026 POWE R 50 | HIGHER EDUCATION usj.edu Congratulations to University of Saint Joseph President Rhona Free Thank you for ensuring that USJ students are educated to do well and empowered to do good. usj.edu Congratulations to University of Saint Joseph President Rhona Free Thank you for ensuring that USJ students are educated to do well and empowered to do good. M aurie McInnis is the 24th pres- ident of Yale University and a professor in the Department of the History of Art. A cultural historian and author of five books, she has published widely in peer-reviewed journals, antholo- gies and exhibition catalogs. McInnis assumed the presidency on July 1, 2024, after previously serving as pres- ident of Stony Brook University. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership positions at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Virginia. She began her academic career at Yale as a R hona C. Free has served as president of the University of Saint Joseph since 2015. During her tenure, the West Hartford institution became fully coeducational, added new academic majors, consolidated health care programs onto its main campus and expanded athletics and facilities. Over the past year, Free said student outcomes have remained a key measure of success. Physician Assistant Studies stu- dents posted a 100% first-time pass rate graduate student and has spent more than three decades in higher education as a scholar, teacher and administrator. Since taking office, McInnis said she has engaged faculty, students, staff and alumni in discussions about Yale's pri- orities, including expanding educational opportunities for students, strengthening the university's research impact and fostering open dialogue across diverse viewpoints. She has also emphasized strengthening Yale's relationship with its home city of New Haven, including launching initiatives such as a fellowship program for local teachers. Yale is also collaborating with the University of Connecticut to build a quantum research corridor aimed at positioning the state as a national hub for quantum technology. More recently, McInnis has overseen cost-saving measures following a federal increase in the tax on university endowment investment income. Yale estimates the higher tax will cost the university about $280 million annual- ly. In response, administrators have reduced non-salary expenses, slowed some construction projects and reduced the workforce while continuing to priori- tize academic investments. Among those priorities is a long-term ef- fort to expand Yale's physical sciences and engineering programs through new faculty hires and updated research facilities. on licensure exams, while nursing, ed- ucation and applied behavior analysis graduates also recorded strong results. The university was recognized in 2025 by the Carnegie Foundation as the only Opportunity College in the state based on graduate earnings. With residence halls at capacity, the university expand- ed housing into Hartford and will add off-campus units this fall. Looking ahead, Free cited the need to remain agile amid shifting student interests and workforce demands. She also pointed to opportunities tied to West Hartford's location and proximity to Hartford internships and clinical placements. What qualities are most essential for effective leadership today? Especially in higher-ed, success requires keeping a focus on mission while being adaptable. For USJ, that means prioritizing the needs and pref- erences of our students, and ensuring that — once they graduate — they are well-prepared to add value to their workplaces and communities. Being nimble and creative is critical. What do you value most about living or doing business in Connecticut? Being in a community that values quality of life and education is important to me, personally and as a college president. Connecticut offers wonderful libraries, museums, recreation, health care and education. These not only make it a great place to live, but also strengthen our ability to recruit talented students and employees. Maurie McInnis President Yale University Industry: Higher Education Operating Revenue: $6.37 billion Education: Bachelor's, master's and Ph.D., Yale University Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Florida Rhona Free President University of St. Joseph Industry: Higher Education No. of employees: 544 Annual revenue: $78 million Education: Bachelor's degree, Sarah Lawrence College; Master's degree and Ph.D., University of Notre Dame Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland R adenka Maric has served as presi- dent of the University of Connecti- cut since 2022, after previously leading research, innovation and entrepre- neurship at the university. She oversees the state's $3.2 billion public flagship university, which enrolls more than 33,500 students across six campuses. Over the past year, UConn publicly launched its $1.5 billion "Because of UConn" cam- paign, surpassing $800 million by Novem- ber 2025. The university also advanced QuantumCT, a joint proposal with Yale that is a finalist for up to $160 million in Nation- al Science Foundation funding. Maric said targeted retention efforts helped keep 800 more students enrolled than in prior years. Looking ahead, she cited volatility in federal research funding, demographic declines in high school graduates and UConn Health's recent acquisition of Waterbury Hospital as key challenges and opportunities. UConn also is assessing the impact of the House v. NCAA settlement and evolving NIL rules while continuing to align academic pro- grams with workforce needs. What qualities are most essential for effective leadership today? The most effective leaders with whom I've worked, and whose examples continue to inspire me, are those guided by a strategic vision for their organization's path forward, and who operate with a spirit of integrity, collaboration and empathy. Leadership is also about being a change agent: We must always be aware of the trends and factors that will require new approaches and resiliency to keep prog- ress on track. The best leaders also clearly communicate their goals and maintain a sense of self-awareness and humility, so they are always able to listen, learn and adapt for the good of their organization. Radenka Maric President University of Connecticut Industry: Higher Education No. of employees: 11,431 (5,443 at Storrs and regional campuses; 5,988 at UConn Health) Education: Bachelor's degree in materials science, University of Belgrade; master's degree and Ph.D., both in science and energy, Kyoto University (Japan) Birthplace: Derventa, Bosnia and Herzegovina (then part of Yugoslavia)

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