Tillet is the Henry Rutgers Professor of African American Studies & Creative Writing at Rutgers University-Newark – not to mention a Pulitzer Prize winner.

At the end of 2021, Kean University was designated as New Jersey’s first urban research university. At the head of that institution is Repollet, a former state education commissioner who was officially installed in his current post in October of last year.

Meet New Jersey's most influential men and women conducting vital research and training a new generation of leaders.

New Jersey is home to a diverse collection of experts. As the field evolves along with the economy, these individuals will ensure that the next generation – and the one after that – will be equipped to move the state forward.

The inaugural chancellor of the Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences most recently was recognized as No. 2 on the NJBIZ Health Care Power 50 list earlier this year.

Meet New Jersey's most influential men and women conducting vital research and training a new generation of leaders.

Princeton University’s president approaches the 10th year of his leadership on a campus that has thrived despite a global pandemic, emerged as a national leader in expanding socioeconomic access to higher education, and is poised for a period of unprecedented growth.

As dean of the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School since 2011 and until recently interim dean of the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Johnson was the first leader in history to oversee two medical schools simultaneously.

Since Houshmand took the lead t Rowan in 2012, the school has experienced remarkable growth with enrollment rising from 11,000 students that year to 23,000 students in fall 2021, making Rowan the fourth fastest-growing research university in the country for the third straight year.

The Accessing Careers in Engineering and Sciences initiative supports high schoolers with significant financial need in their pursuit of a career in science, technology, engineering and math. 

Julio Mendez, who retired March 1 as assignment judge for the Atlantic-Cape May County vicinage, will produce written analyses and columns examining the important issues of the day, lead discussions with groups of students across all majors, and mentor pre-law students interested in a legal career.

“At $25 million, the RIVF is among the largest venture funds from a public university in the region,” said Rowan University President Ali Houshmand. “As Rowan grows, part of our mission must be to support innovators with the ideas and ability to launch businesses, create jobs and improve our community.”