A Wave of New College Presidents

An InsideHigherEd.com article published in February 2022 recognizes the trend in hiring from minority groups. The article reported that: “In the 18 months from June 2020 through November 2021, more than a third – 35.4% – of the president and chancellors” hired by institutions of higher education were from racial minority groups.” Based on research, a full quarter (25.3%) were Black (that figure is 22.5% when excluding historically Black colleges and universities). By comparison, just 14.6% of the campus leaders hired in the 18 months between December 2018 through May 2020 were Black, the article revealed.

New Jersey college and university presidents hired between 2019 and 2022:

Dr. Joseph E. Nyre

President, Seton Hall University

Started: August 1, 2019

Previous Role: President of Iona University President

Vision: Seton Hall stands out for its remarkable success in today’s shifting higher education landscape, which was made even more uncertain by the stressors of COVID. To avoid pandemic paralysis, we achieved exceptional goals thanks to our dynamic strategic plan, Harvest Our Treasures, and One University mindset. Together, we planted seeds that have blossomed into larger and more highly prepared freshman classes and increased scholarship support, including a record $158 million this year. Students choose Seton Hall to learn leadership at our nationally recognized Buccino Institute and to launch successful careers, which begins with a 95% job placement rate six months after graduation. Other successes include a transformational University Center renovation and more than 40 new full-time and tenure-track faculty hires in 2022.

Dr. Bruce Murphy

President, Centenary University

Started: January 1, 2020

Will retire June 30, 2023

Previous Role: Consultant, Registry for College and University Presidents, President of Nicholls State University

Dr. Jonathan Holloway

President, Rutgers University

Institution’s first Black president

Started: July 1, 2020

Previous Role: Northwestern University Provost

Vision: My vision is built on three fundamental principles that unite us at Rutgers, starting with access to academic excellence. We are committed to access for students and aspire to be a national model for outstanding academic programs, social mobility and educational equity. Toward that aim, we continue to make a Rutgers education affordable. As of this year, we now have programs on all our campuses to ensure that families with incomes below $65,000 won’t have to pay Rutgers tuition.

Second, we strive to become the ideal of a beloved community. We recognize that everyone has an important role to play in the success of the university. It also means that we recognize the inherent dignity not only within our community, but in the people we serve. In service to this goal is our new Summer Service Internship program, which is placing Rutgers students in nonprofit public service internships that expose them to worlds that are different, diverse and challenging.

The third principle is our commitment to the common good. Through the excellence of our health systems, our collaborations with local and global partners, and our scholarly research – including our newly established Institute for the Study of Global Racial Justice – Rutgers is addressing society’s biggest challenges.

Dr. Matthew Whelan

President, Caldwell University

Institution’s first male lay president

Started: July 1, 2020

Previous Role: Vice President for University Enrollment Strategy and Relationship Development at Stony Brook University

Dr. Augustine A. Boakye

President, Essex County College

Started: Nov. 1, 2020

Previous Role: Interim President at ECC

Dr. James W. Crawford III

President, Felician University

Institution’s first Black and male president

Appointed: June 25, 2021

Previous Role: Retired Admiral & 43rd Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the US Navy

Vision: Felician University is a Catholic Franciscan institution of higher learning that brings students to the fullness of human flourishing in mind, body and spirit. I am committed to ensuring broad access to a tailored, immersive education experience, within an inclusive, vibrant community of creativity and learning where everyone is respected and embraced for who they are, designed to meet the needs of the residential and commuter student. We deliver graduates with the skills and character to immediately impact the businesses and communities they serve. Our recently launched strategic plan focuses on capital projects and programming to enable every Felician Falcon to thrive in today’s fast-paced, knowledge-driven economy. Excellence in learning delivery and the learning environment underpinned by Franciscan core values guide all we do.

Dr. Gary Crosby

President, Saint Elizabeth University

Institution’s first Black and male president

Started: July 1, 2021

Previous Role: Vice President for Student Affairs at Alabama A&M University

Dr. Cindy R. Jebb

President, Ramapo College

Institution’s first female president

Started: July 6, 2021

Previous Role: Brigadier General, Professor Emerita; first woman dean of the Academic Board at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Vision: As the state’s preeminent public liberal arts institution, Ramapo College delivers a transformative education in a diverse community dedicated to welcoming and mentoring students who bring with them a range of lived experiences. Our shared vision for Ramapo is that we will be the national exemplar for public liberal arts higher education known for developing empathetic problem solvers, ethical change agents, and responsible leaders who make a positive impact and thrive in a changing world. To make this bold impact, we have committed unapologetically to an all-hands-on-deck strategy that prioritizes affordability, student well-being, mentorship, hands-on learning and leader development. These priorities are the engines through which, one student at a time, we drive investment in the future of our democracy, our industries and our communities.

Jonathan Koppell

President, Montclair State University

Started: August 1, 2021

Previous Role: Vice-provost for Public Service and Social Impact and Dean of the Watts College of Public Service & Community Solution at Arizona State University

Vision: My vision is that Montclair State University be known as exactly what it is: New Jersey’s premier public service university. That means teaming up with the communities we serve to help them achieve their aspirations and creating social mobility for our students.

Accomplishments since my arrival include: the Next Generation Service Corps, which gives every student the opportunity to engage in public service; our pending merger with Bloomfield College (New Jersey’s only four-year predominantly Black institution), which will provide a distinctive liberal arts experience within the larger research university; and a designation as one of only 43 institutions to be named a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution Leader.

Since I arrived, we welcomed the two largest incoming classes in our history and our largest total enrollment – all while remaining one of the most affordable institutions in New Jersey, with graduation rates that exceed state and national benchmarks, especially for students of color.

Dr. Lamont O. Repollet

President, Kean University

Institution’s first Black president

Started: July 1, 2020

Previous Role: NJ Commissioner of Education

Vision: Kean University is on the rise, recently recognized as a national university by U.S. News & World Report. Since I became president in 2020, Kean has been designated the state’s urban research university and is actively moving toward an R2 research designation by the Carnegie Commission.

My vision for the institution focuses on equity and academic excellence. Ranked 46th among national universities by U.S. News & World Report for the social mobility of its students, Kean takes great pride in its diversity. Our new Division of Student Success and Retention provides innovative support programs, which have increased our graduation and retention rates. Through our new Division of Entrepreneurial Education Initiatives, we are building a pre-K to bachelor’s degree pipeline so that all New Jersey students can see a college degree in their future.

Dr. Rupert A. Hayles Jr.

President, Pilar College

Institution’s first Black and
male president

Appointed October 28, 2021

Previous Role: Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Pillar College

Dr. Diane Recinos

President, Berkeley College

Started: March 11, 2022

Previous Role: Interim President at Berkeley College

Vision: My vision is to remain true to Berkeley College’s career-focused mission, while addressing the changing needs of our students and alumni. If the COVID-19 pandemic revealed anything about the future of higher education, it was the need to reimagine the student experience and meet students where they are. When I became president, I could not assume things would return to how they were prior to the pandemic. With 24 years of excellence in online education, Berkeley College was already strongly positioned to offer academics and support services in the virtual space. Post-pandemic, many students continue to choose the flexibility of online learning. Berkeley College has addressed these changing needs, offering a vibrant online college experience as well as in-person and virtual interview preparation, career fairs, and other resources that meet students’ interests and career aspirations. Advisory boards also examine post-pandemic industry needs, to ensure students’ skills are marketable when they graduate.

Teik C. Lim

President, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Institution’s first Asian/person of color president

Started: July 1, 2022

Previous Role: Interim President of the University of Texas at Arlington

Vision: NJIT has an intense focus on student success, a deep commitment to social mobility, an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, and a collective determination to be a top polytechnic research university.

My vision for NJIT’s future builds upon its current strengths and positions us to seize opportunities. We are investing to embrace the digital revolution that is not just about delivering more classes online, but also what type of content is available, what sort of technology is accessible, how we achieve collaboration and how learning is assessed in real-time and long-term. We’re also working to ensure that NJIT is accessible to students of all backgrounds – including those with limited financial means – and is welcoming and inclusive, by, for example, adding a chief diversity officer and expanding pre-college programs. These core initiatives will strengthen NJIT by attracting resources and talent, fostering collaboration, and enhancing our impact on the world.

Dr. Deborah E. Preston

President, Mercer County Community College

Started: July 1, 2022

Previous Role: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Raritan Valley Community College

Vision: My vision for Mercer County Community College is that we will be the first-choice destination for students, community members, business leaders, and other stakeholders who trust that we will provide solutions that empower them to reach their educational and economic goals. In my first six months, I have connected with our external partners, strengthened our leadership structure, and implemented intentional strategies for effective communication throughout MCCC. A renewed commitment to the James Kerney Campus, a strategic digital marketing campaign, and an emphasis on innovation and calculated risk-taking will soon be apparent to those who work, study and collaborate with us. Our short-term goals of successful reaccreditation, internal culture change, and economic sustainability are close within our reach and, when accomplished, will provide the foundation for the future success of our students and of Mercer County.

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