Mark Scheinberg
Mark Scheinberg is recognized nationally as an advocate for
the underrepresented and a ground-breaking educational innovator.
With his 1981 acquisition of the Data Institute, a small Hartford
business school, he embarked on a journey that would reimagine
higher education and change the futures of countless students.
Discovering that many of his students encountered difficulty
transferring their hard-earned credits to four-year colleges, Mark
undertook the challenge of transforming the Institute into Goodwin
College. This was the first of many unorthodox steps to ensure that
his “undiscovered students” — working adults and first-generation
college students — received the recognition they deserved.
Mark’s visionary thinking surprised the traditional world of
academics. In 2002, he gave up millions in personal assets to
recreate Goodwin as a nonprofit college overseen by a board of
directors. This decision helped secure its future and expand degree
options for students. Among Goodwin’s offerings, the nursing program
became a flagship and helped eliminate the state’s alarming shortage
of nurses. Comprehensive advanced manufacturing programs, an
innovative magnet school system, and master’s degree offerings
continued to expand Goodwin’s reputation and welcome an even wider
range of learners.
Another landmark occurred in 2020, when the College stepped up to
university status. The following year, Goodwin University acquired
the University of Bridgeport, realizing Mark’s educational vision of
serving students statewide. Educational, government, and community
organizations have recognized Mark’s leadership. He has promoted the
greater good by serving in roles with the Accrediting Commission of
Independent Colleges and Schools; Capital Region Workforce
Development Board; Legislative Task Force on Teachers’ Professional
Standards; Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education;
Connecticut Council of Independent Colleges; New England Board of
Higher Education; and Young Presidents Organization.
Despite the accolades, Mark points out that students remain at the
center of all he does. “Students” are prominently at the top of the
University’s organizational chart, above even trustees. Of Goodwin
as a community, he offers, “There’s something magical that happens
when so many different people share such a common sense of mission.”