Michelle Coach

Dr. Michelle Coach is an accomplished higher education executive with more than 16 years of experience driving student success, workforce alignment, institutional effectiveness, innovation, and growth. She currently serves as Dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Advanced Manufacturing at CT State Community College.

Previously, Dr. Coach served as the Campus Chief Executive Officer of CT State Asnuntuck, where she led the campus through a period of significant organizational change while sustaining strong operational performance and student outcomes. Under her leadership, CT State Asnuntuck has been recognized as one of the best-managed community colleges by Business View Magazine, maintained high graduation rates, and expanded and continued programs like Second Chance Pell. The campus has attained and maintained ISO 9001:2015 certification and American Welding Society designation, established impactful industry partnerships, and implemented data-driven strategies that improved equity, enrollment, and workforce readiness.

Her academic credentials include a Doctorate in Education focused on Leadership in Higher Education, where she explored the impact of adjunct faculty on student retention and graduation rates across New England’s community colleges. With additional degrees in Biology (BS and MS) and Business Administration (MBA), she brings a comprehensive, multidisciplinary perspective to her leadership. She has received numerous academic honors, including Phi Theta Kappa awards such as the prestigious Shirley B. Gordon Award, which recognizes college presidents and CEOs who champion student success initiatives that improve completion, transfer, and career outcomes leading to family-sustaining wages.

Throughout her career, Dr. Coach has provided executive leadership for complex, institution-wide initiatives spanning academic innovation, equity-centered student success reform, major capital and facilities projects, and fiscal management. She has managed annual budgets exceeding $22 million, guided the institution through multiple budget mitigation exercises, led major health and safety renovations, and fostered high-performing leadership teams aligned with statewide community college transformations.