Jessica Purnell, a trustee at Camden County College (CCC), has been elected to serve as the chair of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC). The election took place at the Council’s quarterly meeting at Middlesex College, following a vote by the presidents and trustees of New Jersey’s community colleges.
Purnell is a proud alumna of CCC, having earned her associate’s degree in English in 2009. She has served on the Camden County College Board of Trustees since 2017 and joined the NJCCC Executive Committee in 2020. She currently co-chairs the Council’s Learning Innovation Committee.
Purnell emphasized that her personal journey highlights the critical role of community colleges in the state.
“As a proud graduate of Camden County College, my own journey shows the transformative power of community colleges when we invest in students and their futures,” Purnell stated. “I look forward to continuing the progress already made in supporting our students, strengthening our colleges, and further advancing our strategic partnerships to meet New Jersey’s workforce needs.”
Leaders across the community college system celebrated her elevation to the leadership role.
“Jessica Purnell is a highly valued member of our Board, bringing a unique perspective as a proud Camden County College alumna. Her deep commitment to the College is rooted in her desire to give back to the community that helped shape her success,” President Lovell Pugh-Bassett of Camden County College said.
Aaron Fichtner, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, also praised her appointment, noting her potential to strengthen the state’s educational framework. “Her vision, leadership, and ability to build meaningful collaborations will strengthen the state’s community colleges and will expand collaborations and partnerships across the state that will expand educational and economic opportunities to more New Jersey residents,” Fichtner commented.
A resident of Merchantville, Purnell is also actively engaged in community and civic leadership and participates annually in the Association of Community College Trustees National Legislative Summit.
