Monica Amadio
Bringing decades of expertise and wisdom to business and technology students, Amadio is an entrepreneur, author, business strategist and consultant, who serves as an assistant professor of Business Administration Management at Stockton University. With her students, she shares her experiences in the realms of business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, information technology, leadership and more. A particular focus is on mentoring and developing the next generation of women entrepreneurs. Amadio wrote a 2020 dissertation entitled, “Success Strategies of High Achieving Women Entrepreneurs in Technology-Related Sectors,” which she says crystalized her belief in the strength of women entrepreneurs – namely in the sectors that lag in female leadership. “The growth of women-owned businesses continues to bolster the U.S. economy,” she wrote. “Identifying and addressing obstacles that undermine the success of these organizations and the women who lead them is critical to generate innovation and enhance productivity that will improve the cycle of job creation, wealth building, and economic growth.”
Michael Avaltroni
Since January 2023, Avaltroni has led Fairleigh Dickinson University — first in an interim capacity, before his official appointment last April as the ninth president in school history. In that time, he has ushered in several important initiatives, such as engaging the community in the strategic-planning process that led to the “FDU Will Soar” plan. The school has also successfully concluded its capital campaign – “One University Many Dreams,” which raised nearly $90 million, significantly exceeding the original $75 million goal. Avaltroni has emphasized outside-of-the-box thinking and innovative collaborations and partnerships.
A prime example came this summer when FDU joined forces with Bell Works on a new higher education and workforce collaboration. “One of the things we’ve realized is that there’s a tremendous need for us as an institution, and others like us as well, to really focus ourselves and identify the places where we feel we can provide students a great experience, a direct linkage to opportunities for their future – and to begin defining ourselves and in some cases, focusing ourselves on addressing that need,” he told NJBIZ.
Joe Bertolino
Last year, Bertolino was named the sixth president of Stockton University – bringing more than 30 years of experience in higher education to the job. “My role, and my goal, here at Stockton is to build meaningful, impactful relationships,” he said during his formal inauguration held this past April. “Relationships that strengthen our bond with the community; that enable our students to develop into engaged, effective citizens with a passion for lifelong learning; that bolster the positive development of New Jersey.” And since taking the helm, Bertolino has hit the ground running – meeting with Stockton’s stakeholders and constituents to shape plans for the school’s future. “Our vision is for Stockton to become the college of choice in South Jersey. The first choice for prospective first-year and transfer students,” he said. “The destination of choice for renowned faculty and academic trailblazers. The college of choice for partnerships with local and regional leaders in business. The first choice for donors, friends, and supporters to contribute to our work.”
Jane Bokunewicz
With more than two decades of gaming industry experience, Bokunewicz serves as the faculty director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming Hospitality and Tourism and an associate professor of Hospitality Tourism and Event Management in the School of Business at Stockton University. Under her leadership, LIGHT has launched the International Journal of Gaming Hospitality and Tourism – and has earned a reputation as a credible source of industry research and analysis. Bokunewicz is regularly tapped for her expertise for panels and in the media. Earlier this year, the first–ever report analyzing the casino industry’s impact across the Garden State was released through a collaboration between LIGHT and the Casino Association of New Jersey. “Despite its triumphs and challenges, Atlantic City continues to persevere,” said Bokunewicz. “The casino industry remains the economic engine of not only South Jersey, but the entire State of New Jersey. The industry has paid significant dividends to the city and state over the past five decades and will continue to play a vital role in the long-term success of the region.”
Jeffrey Boscamp
Since 2022, Dr. Boscamp has served as dean of the Hackensack Merdian School of Medicine. He has overseen the development, promotion and organization of several programs at Hackensack Meridian Health and the School of Medicine to promote lifelong learning across the continuum of undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education and continuing medical education. Since 1987, Boscamp has been a clinician and leader in what has become HMH. He is a pediatric infectious diseases specialist who founded the Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and the Steven Bader Immunologic Institute. Earlier this year, he was recognized by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics as Pediatrician of the Year at its 14th annual New Jersey Children’s Ball. Hackensack Meridian CEO Bob Garrett described Boscamp as an excellent leader who has contributed in the clinical setting and beyond – and applauded his receipt of the award. “I am humbled to receive this award,” said Boscamp. “But I accept it on behalf of all the great partners, past, and present – who have helped me achieve better outcomes for our young patients.”
Jackie Burke
Burke took the helm of the NJ Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools (NJCCVTS) in 2021, succeeding long-time Executive Director Judy Savage. The organization represents the 21 New Jersey county vocational-technical school districts. She brings an extensive public policy background to the organization and helped advocate for the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act, which included $275 million in state bond funding to expand county vocational-technical schools. According to the organization, Burke is focused on positioning the NJCCVTS as the hub for communication about New Jersey’s Career and Technical Education. She is regularly quoted as a trusted news source and key voice on these issues. “In partnership with all 21 New Jersey county vocational-technical schools, we aim to educate not just students and their families, but audiences across the state, about the realities of modern-day career and technical education,” Burke said earlier this year when the NJCCVTS released a fact sheet highlighting the value of CTE across the state’s county vocational-technical school districts. “Career-focused programs are for students who want to begin working toward their college and career goals to get a head start on preparing for successful futures. These programs help keep students engaged and focused on reaching those goals.”
Dale Caldwell
Last July, Caldwell officially took the helm as the 15th president of Centenary University and the first African American in the role. He brings a slew of experience and expertise in business, government and higher education to the position, with the board citing his commitment to fostering innovation and diversity as key drivers of its decision. “Dr. Caldwell’s impressive experience leading programs that promote educational access, innovation, revenue generation, equity, and entrepreneurship, and his success in forging partnerships with New Jersey businesses to advance education, align strongly with our mission and the experience sought by students in our region,” said board Chair Rochelle Makela-Goodman in February 2023 when the hiring was announced. And his innovative, collaborative thinking has been on full display already – forging partnerships such as a first-of-its-kind announced in May between Centenary and Ideal Institute of Technology that offers undergraduate programs to South Jersey residents interested in the “innovative work-based college program. … This collaboration is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the State of New Jersey and the inaugural partnership between a private university and an adult vocational school,” said Caldwell. “With this partnership we are making higher education accessible to students who may otherwise not have pursued a degree – and also helping students earn a real income while they complete their studies.”
Donna Custard
The longtime president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Custard oversees program and service initiatives for the organization. The foundation partners with national and Garden State-based nonprofits and stakeholders to prepare young adults for the educational and professional journey ahead. Custard has used her decades of experience in the nonprofit space toward the organization’s objectives – with a focus on education and workforce development initiatives as well as major fundraising campaigns, program design and implementation for systemic reform. She is a trusted voice and expert on these issues and more – regularly honored with awards and on lists such as these; and serving on numerous education and workforce development committees as well as boards such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Education, Employment and Training Committee; Burlington Township Board of Education; NJDOE Career and Technical Education Advisory Council; and more. In her spare time, Custard volunteers her time and shares her experience in the Peace Corps through the Paul Coverdell World Wise Schools program.
Clifford Dawkins
Dawkins joined Rutgers Law School in 2021 as the assistant dean & director of the Minority Student Programs on the Newark campus. His impact has been immediately felt and he has been lauded as a positive, hands-on leader who has a passion for service and giving back to his alma mater and its students. In his role, Dawkins brings experience as an employment and labor law expert and community organizer. He is a well-regarded speaker and trainer on the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion; conflict resolution; and artificial intelligence. At Rutgers, Dawkins also serves as an adjunct professor at the Law School – teaching courses like Alternative Dispute Resolution as well as University’s Pre-Law & Mock Trial Summer Academy. Another key area of focus during his time at Rutgers has been expanding partnerships with different organizations and stakeholders to offer more opportunities for students. MSP is a post-admission program that provides academic support, mentoring and summer internship opportunities to diverse law students who are underrepresented in the legal field and to law students – regardless of race and ethnicity – who have overcome socio-economic or educational challenges during their journey.
Gregory Dell’Omo
For nearly a decade, Dell’Omo has served as Rider University’s president. Under his leadership, the school has undergone significant growth and transformation – including the introduction of a new strategic plan, major campus renovations, an expansion of its academic portfolio with numerous new programs and forging key partnerships; all while raising millions of dollars to support campus improvements, student scholarships and grow its endowment. Major student initiatives undertaken during Dell’Omo’s tenure include the University’s Engaged Learning Program, Lifting Barriers and the Cranberry Investment. This summer, the school launched another big initiative – Rider Tuition Guarantee – to provide free tuition for eligible New Jersey residents. Dell’Omo recently announced he would step down from the role next year, when his contract expires July 31, 2025. “Since my arrival back home to New Jersey nearly a decade ago, I have had the extraordinary privilege of working alongside the impressive Rider University community of scholars, educators, staff and students,” said Dell’Omo. “My decision to retire did not come easily, as this has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my career, but I look forward to spending more time with my family as a new leader assumes the great honor of serving Rider into its future.”
Christopher Eisgruber
As he welcomed the class of 2028 during Opening Exercises, Princeton University President Eisgruber shared his hopes that the school will provide them with a “transcendent education.” Eisgruber, Princeton University’s 20th president, has served for 11 years, overseeing a variety of innovative initiatives and programs. He has been leading efforts to increase the size of the student body, and the representation of low-income and first-generation students at Princeton and other colleges and universities. The four-year undergraduate expansion will grow the student body by 500 and includes an increase in the transfer student community on campus. The initiative is aimed at enrolling more students from military and community college backgrounds. The enrollment increase, paired with Princeton’s generous no-loan financial aid program, will ensure that more talented students from all backgrounds have access to a Princeton education. Most families with incomes up to $100,000 a year pay nothing for their student to attend Princeton, and many families living in the U.S. with incomes up to and even beyond $300,000 receive grant aid, including those at higher-income levels with multiple children in college. “Liberal arts education includes a commitment to the idea that learning and research are among the activities that enable the human spirit to soar,” Eisgruber told entering transfer students and members of the class of 2028. “That education is not just for success, or for citizenship, it is also valuable for its own sake.”
Aaron Fichtner
Fichtner – a former New Jersey labor and workforce development commissioner – is the president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. Governed by the presidents and trustees of the state’s 18 community colleges and enshrined in state law, NJCC supports New Jersey’s community colleges and the more than 240,000 students they serve, annually, by fostering collaboration and developing solutions that expand access to college, promoting equity and student success, and creating a skilled workforce to drive economic growth. Fichtner has expanded collaboration among community colleges and built partnerships with various statewide organizations. Under his leadership, the Council brings together the state’s community colleges to build a world-class, flexible higher education and workforce development ecosystem that can respond to the needs of local communities and employers with statewide reach and impact. The Council promotes innovation and policy changes to help New Jersey’s community colleges in their efforts to achieve academic, social and economic mobility for all residents. In 2021, the Council, in partnership with the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and with support from the Legislature and the governor, launched the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative. The program has engaged more than 1,800 partners – including businesses, unions, high schools, colleges and universities, and workforce development organizations – to work together to prepare students and workers for family-supporting careers in industries that drive the state’s economy, while expanding economic opportunities to residents across the state.
Perry Halkitis
In December 2023, Rutgers announced that a $3 million gift from James Dougherty – a Rutgers alumnus and longtime supporter of the university – would fund the Perry N. Halkitis Endowed Chair in LGBTQ+ Public Health, a new position at the Rutgers University School of Public Health. Halkitis, the dean and Hunterdon Professor of Public Health and Health Equity at the SPH, praised Dougherty’s generosity. Under Halkitis’ tenure, which began in 2017, the SPH academic programs have been revitalized, emphasizing skills required by the job market. The institution was the first in the world to offer an MPH concentration in LGBTQ+ Public Health, and has developed a Nutrition Public Health concentration, a Nutrition Public Health/Registered Dietician joint program, and an MSW/MPH. Also under his watch, the School of Public Health, developed a BA-BS/MPH accelerated program that has quadrupled enrollment, morphed its now fully funded doctoral program to focus on mentorship and preparation for the academy, and re-envisioned and relaunched a DrPH program to serve public health practitioners. Under his guidance, a new, easily accessible physical space in Newark was developed, “which will allow our programs to flourish in this location as they do in New Brunswick.” Halkitis plans to do the same in Camden, “bringing our program to traditionally underserved areas.” It’s all part of his commitment to differentiate, celebrate and publicize students’ strengths.
Merodie Hancock
Hancock is the fourth president of Thomas Edison State University, having assumed office in 2018. A leader in the administration and delivery of innovative education programs for adult students, her educational philosophy is grounded in access, success and completion, serving a multitude of under-represented populations, including veterans and active-duty military members. People who know Hancock say she constantly asks: “Should we continue to do things in the same way we have been, even if they’re working? Or should we approach them in a different way?” This kind of openness has let her continue TESU’s growth despite unprecedented change in higher education, including a pandemic-driven shift to remote learning, technological changes and a demographic cliff that has seen fewer people going to college. Hancock loves “looking at barriers that get broken … changing a community one student at a time.” That’s evident in the school’s performance under her watch. From 2018 to 2023, TESU awarded more than 1 million credits – equivalent to $544 million in tuition – for college-level learning outside of the classroom. In September, TESU announced it is working with the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers and is offering college credit for EASCTC learning experiences, with the goal of providing carpenter apprentices a pathway to a baccalaureate degree program at the university.
Richard Helldobler
Helldobler has been president of William Paterson University – one of the state’s largest and most diverse public universities — since 2018. Like many William Paterson students, Helldobler was a first-generation student of immigrant heritage. Under his leadership, WPU has established new programs to expand access at its Wayne campus, increase retention and completion, and make the institution more equitable and inclusive. Some of the efforts he has spearheaded include launching William Paterson’s Pledge 4 Success program, which fills the gap between tuition, fees and aid for qualifying students. The initiative created a broad network of student support centered on the University’s “Will. Power. 101” first-year experience program, featuring weekly student success workshops that help first-year students navigate college. It also served as a model for New Jersey’s Garden State Guarantee. During Helldobler’s tenure, WPU has advanced equity and diversity by establishing the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the Black Cultural Center for students, and the Center for Latinidad, and creating a cabinet-level role of chief diversity officer. He has been recognized for this work with the American Council on Education Reginald Wilson Diversity Leadership Award. Following the successful 2020 conclusion of the Campaign for Scholarships – which exceeded the original goal of $10 million by 60% – Helldobler has continued to prioritize student scholarships: During 2023-2024, William Paterson distributed more than $1.6 million in donor scholarships, a 50% increase from five years earlier, and a one-year record.
Jonathan Holloway
In his convocation address to the 2024 incoming class, Rutgers University President Holloway said: “You really are a special group, and you’ve come to Rutgers at a special time. It is my fervent hope that you have arrived ready to learn, to explore, to talk … and to listen. All of these aspects of daily life are critical if we are going to preserve an environment where we have the best chance to become better people and to improve the world. This, after all, is what universities are for: improving the world. And, at Rutgers, we aim to do this by aspiring to be brave enough to support one another in any circumstance, especially in moments of difference and disagreement.” A U.S. historian, Holloway took office as the 21st president of Rutgers in 2020. He also serves as a university professor and distinguished professor. In his quest to continue to foster civil discourse and promote engaged citizens who listen to each other, Holloway will, for the second year, teach the Byrne Seminar for first-year students. The annual, one-semester course is designed to heighten understanding of the roles and responsibilities of citizenship. It will feature conversations with distinguished leaders on critical questions related to citizenship.
Ali Houshmand
Houshmand, Rowan University’s president, was born into poverty in Iran, and left to pursue an education – first in the U.K., then in the United States. After serving as provost-vice president for academic affairs for six years, he became the school’s seventh president in 2012, embarking on a mission to transform the South Jersey institution. Under Houshmand, Rowan has evolved into a Carnegie-classified national research university with two medical schools and will soon field the state’s first veterinary school. He has guided a number of partnerships and developments, including Rowan Boulevard — a collaboration between the school, private developers and the Borough of Glassboro — which has created a vibrant downtown featuring housing, retail, restaurants and academic space. During his presidency, Rowan has completed $1.3 billion in university-related construction projects, with another $500 million in additional construction planned over the next five years. The school has raised $155 million in new gifts and pledges throughout his tenure. Rowan’s economic impact on the state has nearly doubled during the past five years and is now $2.9 billion annually. Enrollment doubled during the past decade, with the unduplicated headcount reaching 23,000 students. The institution is ranked by the Chronicle of Higher Education as the third fastest-growing public doctoral university in the country.
Michael Johnson
Johnson is president of the New Jersey Innovation Institute at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, which is focused on fostering innovation, accelerating translational research and upskilling workers. The organization has a staff of more than 100 employees and focuses on Health Care, Defense, Entrepreneurship, Professional & Corporate Education and AI. Previously, Johnson was CEO and co-founder of the life sciences company Visikol, which he sold to Swedish biotech BICO in 2021. A scientist by training, Johnson is also a skilled commercial leader and has built and overseen every aspect of a company, from technology licensing to public financial reporting. Johnson focuses his efforts on solving the big problems faced by the world by leading the development, translation and commercialization of paradigm-shifting technologies. He has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List – and to prior versions of this collection – and has received two patents, in addition to multiple publications and federal-state grants.
Robert Johnson
The first alumnus to serve as dean of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School – appointed in 2011 – and subsequent service as interim dean of the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, which ended in 2022, Johnson was the first leader to oversee two medical schools at once. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and serves on the Advisory Committee of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences of the National Research Council’s National Academy of Sciences. He chairs the New Jersey Governor’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and Related Blood Borne Pathogens and the Newark Ryan White Planning Council. A 2021 recipient of the NJBIZ Healthcare Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award, Johnson’s clinical expertise and research focuses on adolescent physical and mental health, adolescent HIV, adolescent violence, adolescent sexuality, health equity and family strengthening. Johnson is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and vice chair of the Community Prevention Task Force of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He is the author of “The Race Trap,” a Harper Collins Business Book that addresses the pitfalls commonly encountered in communications across the racial divide, and “Strength for Their Journey,” a guide for parents of African American teens, published by Doubleday.
Lisa Kaplowitz
Kaplowitz brings a real-world perspective to academia. An associate professor of professional practice in the Finance and Economics Department at Rutgers Business School, she draws on 20-plus years of experience as an investment banker and CFO to teach finance in a way that goes beyond textbook examples, challenging students to think: “How are we going to use this information to grow the business?” Kaplowitz is also co-founder and executive director of the Rutgers Center for Women in Business, which works to remove barriers, build community and empower women. A restless champion for gender equality, she has led CWIB to grow to more than 7,000 members, publishing more than 20 articles, hosting more than 50 events, and mentoring more than 450 women and men. “CWIB is becoming the foremost resource for actionable insights on retaining and advancing women in business, and it has developed a unique thought leadership loop between industry and academia to create best practices for recruiting, retaining and promoting women,” said Kaplowitz. “Toward that end, CWIB is hosting a conference in October, “Reimagining the Advancement of Women,” bringing together leaders from academia and industry.” It’s all part of the goal, added Kaplowitz, “To educate at all levels in an inclusive and approachable way so that we can make the workplace work for everyone.”
Jonathan Koppell
Koppell has led Montclair State University as president since August 2021, following a successful stint in leadership at Arizona State University. According to the school, Koppell believes that public universities play a fundamental role in advancing society. At Arizona State, he built partnerships with community organizations and launched programs to serve the public interest, increasing student access and success, advancing diversity among the faculty and college leadership, and enhancing research spending and philanthropic support. Koppell also brings to Montclair State a national reputation as a leading scholar of policy, organization and management. He earned doctoral and master’s degrees in political science from the University of California – Berkeley and a baccalaureate degree in government from Harvard University. At ASU he held the endowed Lattie and Elva Coor Presidential Chair as professor of Public Administration and Policy and is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. At Montclair State Koppell is a tenured faculty member in political science. His research and writing broadly examines the design and administration of complex organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. His book “World Rule: Accountability, Legitimacy and the Design of Global Governance” pulls back the cover on the world of “global governance organizations” –such as the World Trade Organization, the International Organization for Standardization and the International Accounting Standards Board – that have more effect on our daily lives than we might imagine. Both his academic articles and previous book, “The Politics of Quasi-Government,” address many of the key policy issues of the moment; including government involvement in for-profit enterprise, regulation of financial institutions and corporate governance.
