WILLIMANTIC, Conn. (AP) — The new president of Connecticut’s Board of Regents said Wednesday he hopes a wide-ranging blueprint for the future of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities will be ready by spring, eventually transforming the collection of community colleges, universities and the state’s online institution into a truly integrated system of higher education.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Gregory Gray said he envisions the 17 schools will operate similar to the State University of New York system, where there is collaboration and cooperation among 64 different campuses. Gray is a former dean in the SUNY system, where he worked earlier in his career.