Mark McCormick

Since his appointment as president of Middlesex College in July 2018, McCormick has focused on providing wider access to college, improving student success outcomes and preparing graduates for success. And the college is on the move. In May, Middlesex County officials announced the completion of designs for three structures of the county’s Community, Innovation, and Opportunity Strategic Investment Plan. The work was announced in November 2022 as part of Middlesex County’s Destination 2040 Strategic Plan. The CIO Plan aims to expand the educational offerings of both Middlesex College and the Middlesex County Magnet School system – turning the campus and surrounding facilities into a multi-faceted destination for the region. Ties between the county and college deepened further in August with the announcement of a strategic educational investment in The Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center – aimed at spurring workforce development and economic growth. The county is investing $16 million as part of a consolidation of ownership of the New Brunswick hotel, which will provide hands-on learning experiences. “Our students benefit from unprecedented access to a real work environment, expanding the ways in which Middlesex College can continue to live up to and lean into its mission of providing affordable access to quality education, leading to skills for a career with family-sustaining wages,” McCormick said. The program is modeled on RWJBarnabas Health Workforce Partnership, which is designed to create educational pathways and curriculum that benefit Middlesex College and Middlesex County Magnet School students, while meeting the future workforce needs of the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and RWJBarnabas Health.

Margaret McMenamin

McMenamin helms UCNJ Union College of Union County, holding the distinction of serving as the school’s first female president. During her tenure, the community college says it’s increased its IPEDS graduation rate fivefold. This past May, UCNJ held graduation ceremonies for more than 700 students. The school is also gaining recognition for its positive impact. In June, The Aspen Institute named UCNJ one of 10 finalists – and the only one from New Jersey – for the $1 million 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence award. Institutions selected for the honor stand out as having high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds, according to the school. Commenting on the news, McMenamin said it “also serves as a reminder of our ongoing commitment to excellence, equity, and innovation in education.” In that respect, this year, UCNJ debuted a partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University to provide students who graduate from the former the opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree with the latter. McMenamin serves as chair of the advisory board of the Higher Education Research & Development Institute, treasurer and member of the executive committee of the New Jersey Presidents’ Council, the National Junior College Athletic Association Presidents Council, and on the governing board of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. She is also involved with numerous community organizations, including the Boards of Trinitas Hospital, UCPAC and the NJ-PBS Community Advisory Board.

William Miller

Passionate about working with nonprofit organizations, Miller is CEO of the Kean University Foundation. During his career, he has been involved with fundraising projects that have raised more than $1 billion. Miller’s extensive background includes completing numerous management, development and grant-writing programs, and he is one of just 7,700 fundraising individuals worldwide to earn the designation of Certified Fund Raising Executive. Miller’s expertise is sought for industry conferences as well as by leading publications, nonprofits and podcasts. At the Kean foundation, Miller is responsible for securing philanthropic resources to support the institution’s students, faculty, research initiatives and facilities. He works closely with the board of trustees, Foundation board of directors, executive leadership, faculty, administration, staff, alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to instill a culture of philanthropy across Kean’s campuses in New Jersey and China. And those efforts appear to be paying off. During Miller’s tenure, the foundation tripled its staff, more than doubled the endowment and received a number of record philanthropic commitments. In May, Wakefern Food Corp. donated $1 million to the university to establish a scholarship in honor of the Keasbey-based grocery cooperative’s retired president and Kean alumnus, Joe Sheridan. “Through Joe’s vision and compassion, Kean’s College of Business and Public Management students will get a helping hand to keep them on track to graduation and the chance to build their own successful careers,” Miller commented at the time.

Patrick Murray

Murray is director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute – the fifth-best polling center in the U.S., according to prominent aggregator FiveThirtyEight. But that’s nothing new – Monmouth has maintained a top rank on the list for a decade. In 2024, it earned especially high marks for the accuracy of its polls and its level of transparency, scoring a 9.9 out of 10 for the latter. That high profile has attracted collaborators of equal kind. This year, Monmouth Polling partnered with The Washington Post to cover the 2024 presidential primaries. And while the institute would have its position staked out as a voice of authority ahead of November’s presidential and general election regardless, the recent narrowing between candidates following Vice President Kamala Harris’s entrance to the race has interested parties – and pundits – turning to polls like those the institute produces for insights. In an August survey, the Institute reported a “huge shift” in enthusiasm for the election (hitting 68%) – from both parties. In 2024, the institute has also covered local topics with potentially wide-ranging effects, taking the pulse on the impending World Cup 2026 event. Arguably, though, it’s already settled the most important debate for New Jerseyans this year: local consumers’ favorite convenience store. “It wasn’t that long ago when you wouldn’t even have heard of Wawa north of the Raritan River,” Murray commented on respondents’ top pick back in April. “It appears to be taking over the entire state, although 7-Eleven is holding its own in New Jersey’s
cities.”

Saymah Nah

Gateway U provides pathways to education to earn a degree as efficiently and affordably as possible. The model offers a community featuring mentors, coaches, businesses, and others sharing support and assistance, with a commitment to traditionally underserved students. According to Gateway U, 40% of its participants are parent learners, 85% are first-generation students; and 93% are Black, Latinx or AAPI. Nah is executive director for Gateway U’s Newark and Camden region, Gateway U NJ. The lifelong educator and Newark native is a steadfast family and community advocate. Her work – which includes serving as part of the founding team for certain charter schools in the Bronx as well as Washington, D.C. – offers examples of building relationships between students, community organizations and local leaders. Last year, Gateway U launched efforts to expand its support beyond students to educators. As local and national school districts struggle to fill open positions for educators, Gateway U is aiming to help tackle the challenge. Launched in Newark, the Teacher Pathway Program for paraprofessionals and other support positions is one of the first U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the state to address the teacher pipeline. “Our goal is to ensure that people from our own communities are getting access to degrees, jobs and ultimately socio-economic mobility,” said Nah, commenting on the effort to Tapinto Newark in February.

Steve Pikiell and Greg Schiano

After chalking up recruiting seasons ranging from solid (Schiano) to spectacular (Pikiell), the football and men’s basketball programs at Rutgers are expected to accomplish big things in 2024 and 2025. Schiano’s football team is off to a strong start with running back Kyle Monangai – MVP of last year’s Pinstripe Bowl victory over Miami – churning out yardage. A favorable schedule – the team does not play traditional Big Ten Conference powers Ohio State and Michigan – could mean a second-straight bowl appearance for the Scarlet Knights. And with Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper leading the way, Pikiell’s basketball squad has the potential to be among the best in the conference. Of course, nothing is guaranteed — Rutgers fans have been disappointed in the past. The athletics department is still reeling from the abrupt departure of Athletic Director Patrick Hobbs. And questions continue to swirl about the budget emphasis on sports at the university. But even many Rutgers skeptics are saying that both programs have taken a significant step up in quality. Winning cures many ills, and that would certainly hold true for the Knights. Given their recruiting success, Pikiell and Schiano are perhaps the best coaches the school has ever had on the men’s side.

Chris Reber

As the sixth president of Hudson County Community College, Reber oversees an institution that serves more than 18,000 students and employs over 1,000 individuals across three campuses in one of the most densely populated and diverse areas of the country. Through his position, Reber leads and supports initiatives designed to close achievement gaps, prioritize student success, expand online programs, and create diverse pathways for certificate and degree completion that pave the way to long-term employment with family-sustaining wages. He’s also fostered numerous local, regional and national partnerships in support of opportunities for students and the community. Recent HCCC highlights include breaking ground on a $96.3 million tower in Jersey City’s Journal Square that includes classrooms, conference rooms, offices, theater and a gymnasium and a new internship effort with the Hudson County Economic Development Corp. that matches local businesses with students. It also announced a milestone agreement with fellow Hudson County institution Saint Peter’s University to simplify the transfer process. The college is working with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, too, on a joint apprenticeship/degree program that recently graduated its first cohort of students. Under Reber’s leadership, HCCC has received several accolades, including: the Association of Community College Trustees Northeast Region Equity Award, the INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development’s Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges Award and The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Best Places to Work Award. Reber was also selected earlier this year by the American Association of Community Colleges for the CEO of the Year National Award of Excellence. Before HCCC, Reber was president of Community College of Beaver County in Pennsylvania, where he spearheaded initiatives in support of a student-centered learning environment. During his four-year tenure, he also prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion; strategic enrollment management; a culture of planning, assessment and improvement; and regional partnerships. Reber’s background also includes 12 years as executive dean of Venango College of Clarion University in Pennsylvania. Before that, he spent 18 years at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, serving as chief development, university relation and alumni officer and chief student affairs officer.

Annette Reboli

A distinguished professor of medicine, Reboli assumed the position of dean of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in 2017. A partnership between Rowan University and The Cooper Health System that opened its doors in 2012, the Camden-based medical school has become a renowned institution for educating highly skilled, socially conscious physician leaders who prioritize a patient-centered team approach to health care. With her solid history of scholarship and a longstanding commitment to medical education, Reboli has played a pivotal role in the development and launch of CMSRU. Before becoming dean, Reboli served as the founding vice dean and spearheaded numerous initiatives, including accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, curriculum development, strategic planning, building design, faculty affairs, student affairs, research, resources and potential clinical affiliations beyond Cooper. Noted for its dynamic curriculum emphasizing active learning, simulation, and early exposure to patient care and service learning, the school has earned numerous accolades. Earlier this year, it was named as one of the 2024 Best Medical Schools for Primary Care and Research by U.S. News & World Report. With nearly 750 alumni physicians, 450-plus current students, approximately 1,000 clinical and biomedical science faculty, and more than 120 employees, CMSRU is considered one of the top medical schools in the Philadelphia area, as well as the State of New Jersey. Reboli believes CMSRU’s consistently high rankings are “especially noteworthy since we are facing a shortage of primary care physicians in New Jersey and across the country” and reaffirms the organization’s “efforts to cultivate physician leaders who are compassionate, innovative and dedicated to improving patient care and health outcomes.” Board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases, Reboli has authored or co-authored over 180 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and abstracts. Over the years, she has received numerous teaching awards and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Philadelphia College of Physicians.

Jeffrey Senese

Appointed in July 2023, Senese is the 10th president of Caldwell University, a private, four-year Catholic Dominican institution in Essex County. A liberal arts school where the most popular degrees are business, psychology and education, Caldwell was named as one of the top 100 Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 higher education rankings. It is also listed as a top 100 Best Value School in the region and a top performer on Social Mobility, a ranking compiled based on how institutions enroll and graduate economically disadvantaged students who are awarded Federal Pell Grants. At the school – which enrolls 2,220 full-time, part-time and graduate students – Senese’s vision for growth includes increasing academic distinction, building a special on-campus experience, and partnering with government entities, other colleges and universities, businesses and organizations in the area. In recent months, Caldwell has announced several initiatives, including a six-figure gift to create a speaking series of thought leaders and change makers, a branding collaboration with the New York Jets, and a historic scholarship fund and naming of a school of arts & science based on a multimillion-dollar commitment from a graduate. Senese succeeded Matthew Whelan, who departed the university in June 2023 following three years of service.

Anne Huntington Sharma

As president of Oradell-based Huntington Learning Center, Sharma oversees business strategy and growth initiatives, including partnerships, marketing, technological transformation and franchise development for the nation’s leading tutoring and test prep provider. Since taking the role in October 2019, Sharma has led the launch of the company’s virtual tutoring and test prep platform, as well as continued growth of several of Huntington’s signature programs, including Study Hall and Academic Performance Coach. Founded in 1977 by her parents, Eileen and Ray Huntington, the business now has over 300 franchise and company-owned locations across the U.S. Sharma joined the company a decade ago as a director and went on to hold positions as head of public-private partnerships and then as vice president of business development, a role in which she worked to develop and execute programs and partnerships that positioned the company to help more students. Additionally, Sharma is active within arts, education and business organizations, including the Learning Disabilities Association of America, NYC’s Coalition for the Homeless, Women’s Franchise Committee for the International Franchise Association and International Director’s Council at the Guggenheim Museum. Along the way, Sharma has received several recognitions, including being named as one of NJBIZ’s 40 Under 40. She’s also been named to NJBIZ’s Best 50 Women in Business list.

Brian Strom

As the inaugural chancellor of Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences and executive vice president for health affairs at Rutgers, Strom has brought significant growth to the program over the past decade. His achievements include forming Rutgers Health to unite the university’s clinical care programs as a single entity and establishing a new affiliation with RWJBarnabas Health to create one of New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health systems. Some milestones over the past year include Rutgers’ announcing plans to make a $600 million renovation to its medical school in Newark as part of a move to attract more world-class physician and biomedical research scientists to the state’s largest city. Strom also spearheaded the effort to merge New Jersey Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School under one umbrella, as the Rutgers School of Medicine. A partnership with Hiroshima University to advance cancer research and education between New Jersey and Japan was also announced during the 2023 New Jersey East Asia Economic Mission. Then, early in September, the topping off ceremony was held on the first of three buildings in the New Jersey Health + Life Science Exchange (HELIX), a public-private, $732 million development in New Brunswick that will house Rutgers School of Medicine and transitional research facility. Completion is slated for 2025.

Oya Tukel

Since 2019, Tukel has been dean of the Martin Tuchman School of Management at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where she spearheads the launch of new degrees and programs – like Tech MBA and business and sports data analytics – that align with marketplace needs. Tukel also oversees the Leir Research Institute within MTSM, which integrates research and education to address critical global challenges and support sustainable economic development, fostering corporate and business continuity and growth. Alongside her administrative duties, she is a professor of operations and supply chain management, where she has contributed extensively to the academic field, publishing numerous manuscripts and book chapters in leading international journals. She joined NJIT after 27 years at Cleveland State University, where she served as associate dean and chair of operations and supply chain management. Her 32-year career includes numerous teaching, service and research awards, including the Applied Business Scholar Award and two Fulbright Specialist honors.

Brian Varela

A serial entrepreneur with a focus on education and early childhood development, Varela is working to expand Growing Seeds Learning Academy into a brand recognized for its dedication to creating meaningful experiences. Since co-founding Growing Seeds Learning Academy in December 2019, the company now has 10 locations that serve roughly 600 families across North and Central Jersey. Supported by a passionate team of early childhood educators, GSLA aims to provide a high-quality program of fun learning activities in a nurturing environment. Under Varela’s leadership, GSLA has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the 5,000 fastest-growing companies in the U.S. (No. 570) and in the Northeast region (No. 34). Besides serving as CEO and co-founder of GSLA, Varela has launched and scaled several other businesses, including consultancy Childcare Administration, digital marketing firm Kidnection, skincare spa Nuskin Laser Solutions and medspa Hello Skin. A New Jersey Business & Industry Association 2023 Award of Excellence recipient, Varela is also an officer at Voter Choice NJ, advocating for ballot empowerment. Additionally, he helms a Morris County-based group advocating for the Hispanic community.

Todd Wolfson and Rebecca Givan

At the helm of Rutgers AAUP-AFT – a union representing more than 6,000 full-time faculty, graduate workers, postdoctoral associates and fellows and Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) counselors at Rutgers University – is Wolfson (president) and Givan (vice president). The union made headlines last year with a historic faculty strike that ended with salary and job security wins for members. Thousands of members took to the picket lines in New Brunswick, Camden and Newark for a five-day strike – the first-ever since the university’s founding in 1766 and the largest public-sector strike in New Jersey history. After Gov. Phil Murphy intervened, pressuring both sides to come to terms on a framework, the pickets ended and classes resumed. Rutgers eventually agreed to contracts that provided boosts and additional job security. Recent focus areas for Rutgers AAUP-AFT include enforcing the contract, support for researchers, job security and health care for adjunct faculty, organizing higher education workers across New Jersey and winning fully subsidized higher education. The union has also been vocal in calling for the resignation of William Tambussi from the Rutgers board of governors, a post he has held for the past eight years. In June, the noted Camden County Democratic attorney was indicted alongside powerful South Jersey Democratic Party boss George Norcross III and four other co-defendants on racketeering and extortion charges. “How can the Board of Governors claim to be legitimate in overseeing the university’s mission—including serving the people of Camden and New Jersey—when the person who’s supposed to represent Camden on the board stands accused of enriching himself at the expense of the city and its campus?” Wolfson asked. The union has also stood up for students’ right to free speech on campus. In May, representatives from the AAUP-AFT traveled to Washington, D.C., where the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held hearings about recent outcomes from negotiations with pro-Palestinian protestors. Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway was among the administrators called before the committee. Wolfson described the hearings as a “witch-hunt” and said he believes Holloway did the right thing when he negotiated with encampment participants rather than arresting them. In exchange for dismantling the encampment, Rutgers agreed to enroll 10 displaced Palestinian students, create an Arab and Muslim student cultural center and listen to a formal presentation by protesters about divesting from Israel-related investments.

Editor’s note: Brian Varela’s bio was updated at 9:01 a.m. Sept. 19, 2024, to remove a reference to Sacred Ohms, a company he’s involved in but did not launch.