Longtime State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio has been named President and CEO of the Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey.
Muuio, who served as treasurer throughout the Murphy administration, succeeds Steve Reynolds, who led the organization for five years. She starts Sept. 8.
ICUNJ represents the state’s 13 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities, which enroll more than 63,000 students — roughly two-thirds of them New Jersey residents. The organization advocates for the schools on public policy and works to promote access and affordability; its members provide more than $1.2 billion in institutional aid, with 95% of first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving some form of assistance.
“Providing access to a quality education — producing a well-educated workforce and next generation of leaders and citizens — is one of our greatest means of ensuring the future success of our state and its residents,” Muoio said. “New Jersey is rightly proud of its reputation for educational excellence, and our state’s independent colleges and universities are a critically important part of that success.”
The group represents some of the best-known schools in the state:
- Caldwell University
- Centenary University
- Drew University
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Felician University
- Georgian Court University
- Monmouth University
- Princeton University
- Rider University
- Saint Elizabeth University
- Saint Peter’s University
- Seton Hall University
- Stevens Institute of Technology
ICUNJ Board of Trustees Chair Patrick Leahy, who is also president of Monmouth University, called Muoio “exceptionally well-suited to lead our organization” given her background in state government and finance.
Tom Spellman, chairman of the ICUNJ Corporate Advisory Board and global vice president of law for Johnson & Johnson Med Tech’s cardiovascular business, thanked Reynolds for his five years leading the organization and welcomed Muoio on behalf of the advisory board.
ICUNJ estimates its 13 member institutions generate $4.5 billion to $5 billion in annual economic impact for New Jersey — a return of roughly $35 to $40 for every dollar of state investment.
Before becoming treasurer, Muoio represented Mercer and Hunterdon counties in the state Assembly from 2015 to 2018. Her earlier career includes stints as Mercer County Director of Economic Development and Sustainability, an elected Mercer County Commissioner, Mercer County Democratic Chair, and legislative director for Texas Congressman Jack Brooks. She was most recently named to the board of the nonprofit New Jersey Healthcare Quality Institute. Muoio holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a law degree from Georgetown University Law School.
