Presidents of Colleges in Connecticut Among Nation's Highest Paid, Analysis Shows
/Connecticut’s private college presidents are among the nation’s most highly paid, according to a recent report published by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Six college presidents at private colleges in the state rank in the top 100, including one in the top 15. Two others are just beyond the top 100, but within the top 150 out of nearly 600 compensation packages for higher education chief executives reviewed by the Chronicle.
Yale University’s compensation package for it’s chief executive ranked as the 15th most lucrative among private institutions, followed among Connecticut schools University of New Haven (52nd), Sacred Heart University (62nd), Quinnipiac University (68th), Trinity College (83rd), and Wesleyan University (87th) in the top 100. Among the next 50 were Fairfield University (119) and Connecticut College (133).
The Chronicle’s executive-compensation review includes the latest data on more than 1,700 chief executives at more than 600 private colleges and nearly 290 public universities and systems through 2020. The private college data is through 2019, the most recent comprehensive data available.
After 18 years at the helm of the University of New Haven, the school announced earlier this year that President Steven Kaplan will assume a new role as the university’s first chancellor and CEO. The move is part of a two-year transition plan as Kaplan scales back his daily management duties. Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger was announced as interim president for a two-year period, described by school officials as “fully budget neutral.”
Among public colleges, the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) compensation package paid to then-President Mark Ojakian, $348,220, ranked 197th while University of Connecticut then-President Thomas Katsouleas’ $626,668 compensation package ranked 76th among public institutions. Katsouleas resigned as UConn President a year ago after less than two years leading the institution. A permanent successor has yet to be chosen. Ojakian retired in 2020 and was succeeded by Terrance Cheng a year ago.
Highlights of the private schools compensation packages, as reported by the Chronicle:
15. Yale University – Peter Salovey
Total Compensation: $1,866,525
Base Pay: $1,281,400
Other Pay: $529,284
52. University of New Haven - Stephen Kaplan
Total Compensation: $1,187,580
Base Pay: $688,053
Bonus Pay: $350,000
Other Pay: $110,746
62. Sacred Heart University – John Petillo
Total Compensation: $1,041,096
Base Pay: $550,776
Bonus Pay: $308,766
Other Pay: $75,815
68. Quinnipiac University – Judy Olian
Total Compensation: $998,741
Base Pay: $780,000
Bonus Pay: $170,000
Other Pay: $27,561
83. Trinity College – Joanne Berger-Sweeney
Total Compensation: $890,265
Base Pay: $540,085
Other Pay:$268,110
87. Wesleyan University – Michael Roth
Total Compensation: $881,687
Base Pay: $635,339
Bonus Pay: $110,000
Other Pay: $16,573
119. Fairfield University – Mark Nemec
Total Compensation: $711,005
Base Pay: $488,807
Bonus Pay: $98,160
Other Pay: $21,895
133. Connecticut College – Katherine Bergeron
Total Compensation: $680,179
Base Pay: $420, 628
Other Pay: $209,100
All individuals who served as chief executive, including interim and acting leaders, are included in the analysis, according to the Chronicle. Compensation values for all employees reflect the compensation earned from the institution (and associated foundations) across a full fiscal or calendar year.
