Acebo’s tenure as president will soon conclude as New Jersey City University merges into Kean University this summer. His impact, however, will endure. When Acebo took office in January 2023, NJCU was facing an acute financial crisis and the very real prospect of insolvency. Through collaborative, empathetic leadership, he united faculty, staff, labor unions and the broader campus community around a shared mission — stabilizing the institution and keeping it operational during one of the most challenging periods in its history.
Under his leadership, FDU is advancing HealthPath Forward, an initiative reshaping health care education and workforce training through interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating artificial intelligence, digital health technologies and hospital partnerships. Its goal is to create a health-focused innovation ecosystem aligned with industry needs. Alvatroni emphasizes that the future lies not in choosing between technology and humanity, but in preparing professionals capable of practicing both simultaneously.
Benitez is an academic administrator and higher-education leader with a longstanding record in health sciences, accreditation and institutional strategy. Before arriving at Saint Peter’s University in the summer of 2024, he served as president of American International College in Massachusetts and held senior leadership roles at multiple universities, including positions overseeing academic affairs, health sciences programs and accreditation. He is a native of Colombia and also a dentist.
Bernstein is a longtime higher-education leader, economist and academic strategist who joined TCNJ as interim president before assuming the permanent role in the summer of 2024. Since then, he has focused on expanding partnerships across New Jersey, particularly in the health care, business and civic sectors, while preserving TCNJ’s identity as a hands-on undergraduate-focused institution. These efforts have contributed to strengthening the college’s academic reputation and national profile.
Bertolino brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education. Drawing on his background as a trained social worker, he leads with an Ethic of Care grounded in dignity, respect, kindness, compassion and civility. Since arriving at Stockton University in 2023, he has advanced the institution’s next strategic plan, strengthened academic leadership and helped shape the longterm vision for Stockton’s Atlantic City campus.
Crosby is the eighth president of Saint Elizabeth University and its first male president and first president of color. A nationally recognized higher-education leader, he brings deep experience in student success, enrollment management and mission driven institutional transformation. Since assuming the presidency in 2021, Crosby has led efforts to strengthen student outcomes and financial stability. The university’s board of trustees recently extended his contract through 2031.
Eisgruber has served as president of Princeton University since 2013, making him one of the longest-serving Ivy League presidents of the modern era — and one of the most influential. During his tenure, he has led efforts to expand access for low-income and first-generation students while emerging as a prominent national voice for research universities, liberal arts education and free expression, even when that advocacy has required challenging positions in Washington, D.C.
Farvardin is one of the longest-serving presidents in Stevens Institute of Technology’s history — and the university has benefited significantly from the stability of his leadership. Since assuming the role in 2011, he has transformed Stevens into one of the nation’s fastest-rising technological universities: expanding research output, strengthening its engineering and computing profile and completing major campus infrastructure projects.
Hancock has continued to position TESU as a national model for remote education, with a strong focus on adult learning, workforce relevance and expanded access for non-traditional students. Since taking office in 2018, she has strengthened TESU’s role as New Jersey’s flagship institution for working adults, veterans and midcareer professionals. Her tenure emphasizes flexible, high-quality degree pathways, partnerships with state agencies and employers, and ongoing innovation in online learning.
Helldobler, now in his eighth year as William Paterson University’s eighth president, is focused on removing barriers to success for the diverse student population the institution serves. His leadership has helped grow and diversify enrollment while improving graduate career outcomes, both on campus and online. Helldobler also led the launch of WP Online, which in six years has grown to enroll approximately 4,500 students across a broad portfolio of undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.
Following a distinguished career at West Point, Jebb became president of Ramapo College of New Jersey in the summer of 2021. Soon after, she helped lead the development of the college’s strategic plan, which sets priorities around academic excellence and student success, an inclusive community and agile stewardship. Jebb’s vision emphasizes graduating empathetic problemsolvers, ethical change agents and responsible leaders prepared to thrive in — and positively shape — a changing world.
Koppell leads Montclair State with an unapologetically public-mission focus, centering opportunity for first-generation students and expanding programs that deliver measurable impact. Since arriving in 2021, he has pushed the university to be more civically engaged, more accessible and more ambitious in its research agenda and regional partnerships. His leadership emphasizes social mobility, hands-on learning and the belief that public universities should drive both individual advancement and community transformation.
Under Leahy’s leadership, Monmouth University achieved its highest-ever U.S. News & World Report ranking in 2024, rising to No. 15 among Regional Universities in the North while posting significant gains in social mobility, value and veteran support. Leahy has cited the recognition as validation of the university’s focus on access, affordability and student success, even as Monmouth navigates challenging budget and enrollment pressures.
Lim has sharpened NJIT’s standing as a public tech university with growing national visibility and rising rankings. Under his leadership, the institution has emphasized applied research, student outcomes and industry partnerships as central to its mission, positioning NJIT as a nexus of innovation. Lim also has championed broad access and upward mobility for first-generation students and is a strong advocate of NJIT’s designation as a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Loyack signaled his student-focused leadership early in his presidency by launching the Hope Scholarship, an initiative designed to improve affordability for highneed students and reinforce Rider University’s commitment to social mobility. His presidency emphasizes student success, the development of new academic pathways, and deeper partnerships aligned with workforce needs and long-term institutional resilience during a period of ongoing financial challenge.
Monsignor Reilly has presided over a landmark academic year at Seton Hall University. He helped launch, “For All, Forever,” the most ambitious philanthropic campaign in the university’s history, with a fundraising goal of $225 million. Reilly has also overseen the introduction of the university’s new strategic plan, reaffirming Seton Hall’s mission and commitment to forming servant leaders guided by the mind, heart and spirit.
Under Repollet’s leadership, Kean University has experienced significant institutional growth, with enrollment surpassing 19,000 students worldwide and expanded academic offerings. He is also leading a historic merger with New Jersey City University, expected to be completed July 1, to strengthen access and institutional sustainability. Repollet guided Kean’s progress toward a Carnegie R2 research designation, placing the university among the top 8% of U.S. institutions for research activity and doctoral production
Since assuming the presidency on July 1 of last year, Tate has moved quickly to strengthen Rutgers University’s leadership team while expanding research capacity and reinforcing affordability and access. He has emphasized academic excellence, public impact and the strategic alignment of Rutgers’ multicampus strengths to advance social mobility statewide. Tate also has underscored the importance of meeting New Jersey’s expectations for a world-class public research university, including excellence in athletics.
