US Senator Chris Murphy has visited the University of New Haven Riyadh campus at Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City (Misk City), meeting students, faculty and staff just weeks after the university began teaching in Saudi Arabia.
The visit gave students an opportunity to speak directly with a US senator, ask questions and learn more about public service. It also highlighted the University of New Haven’s expansion into Saudi Arabia and its plans to offer an American-accredited higher education experience in Riyadh.
Students Meet US Senator Chris Murphy at Misk City
Senator Murphy represents Connecticut, the home state of the University of New Haven, and serves on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
During his visit, he met faculty and staff and observed a class in session. He then took part in a question-and-answer session before holding a private conversation with five students.
The visit concluded with a tour of Misk City and the new building for the university’s College of Business and Digital Innovation.
For students, the opportunity to engage with an elected US representative offered a chance to discuss issues and hear directly from someone involved in public policy. Such conversations can also help connect classroom learning with developments in government, education and society.
University of New Haven Riyadh Begins Its First Academic Year
The University of New Haven Riyadh launched in August 2026, 16 months after the University of New Haven signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Investment.
The Riyadh campus operates from Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City, known as Misk City. Its launch adds another international higher education option for students considering university study in the Kingdom.
Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., president of the University of New Haven said,
“We were proud to welcome Senator Murphy to a University of New Haven classroom more than 6,000 miles from Connecticut. Our students in Riyadh are participating in an American-accredited and professionally oriented educational experience that is commensurate with what we offer on our Connecticut campus. Our vision in Riyadh mirrors our focus in Connecticut: Creating opportunities that prepare our students to be leaders in the elite global workforce of the future. We appreciate Senator Murphy’s support of this important and impactful work.”
The university says its Riyadh students will receive an educational experience aligned with its Connecticut campus. This approach may interest students and families exploring international higher education opportunities closer to home.
Why the Visit Matters for Students
Leo Lester, Ph.D., senior vice president for NHU-Riyadh, highlighted the value of giving students opportunities to engage directly with public figures. He said,
“Six weeks into their studies, our students were able to meet and speak with a United States senator in their own classroom, That kind of open conversation is an integral part of an American education, and is exactly what NHU-Riyadh is here to offer. We are grateful to the Senator for spending his time with us.”
The discussion reflects the university’s emphasis on open conversation and engagement beyond formal classroom teaching. However, the longer-term value for students will also depend on the academic programmes, practical learning opportunities and career pathways available to them.
College of Business and Digital Innovation Leads Riyadh Expansion
The University of New Haven Riyadh currently teaches through its College of Business and Digital Innovation, the first of three colleges planned for the campus.
The college’s focus gives students access to business and digital innovation programmes within the university’s wider academic offering.
As the Riyadh campus develops, prospective students and families will be able to assess its expanding programme choices, learning environment and professional opportunities. The university’s growth also adds to the range of international higher education providers operating in Saudi Arabia.
The visit by Senator Murphy marks an early milestone in the campus’s first academic year, bringing students into conversation with a US public official while the university establishes its presence in the Kingdom.
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Further Reading
- Saudi Arabia’s Foreign University Expansion Gains Momentum with University of New Haven Riyadh
- US University of New Haven to Open First Saudi Campus in Riyadh This September
- Saudi Students Gain New Education Financing Option at University of New Haven-Riyadh