The Thomas Edison State University (TESU) Board of Trustees has announced new leadership, electing long-standing member Eric Lear as chair and Gregory Brewer as vice chair.
The 13-member board, appointed by the governor, guides the university during a period of growth and digital transformation.
“Our newest chair and vice chair step into these roles at a transformative time in our history,” Dr. Merodie Hancock, president of TESU said. “Their vision and leadership will be critical as we advance new programs, strengthen strategic partnerships across New Jersey and continue to meet the evolving demands of work and education.”
Lear is a founding partner of Lear & Pannepacker LLP, a certified public accounting and advisory firm with offices in Princeton, Hamilton, and Newtown, Pennsylvania. Bringing deep expertise in strategic planning, tax compliance, and business advisory services, Lear has served on the TESU Board of Trustees for 17 years.
“Serving on the TESU Board of Trustees for the past 17 years has given me a firsthand appreciation for the University’s extraordinary impact on the lives and careers of its students,” Lear said. “I am honored to serve as chair and look forward to working with my fellow trustees, President Hancock and the entire University community as we build on that legacy.”
Brewer, who was appointed to the board in 2024, brings extensive executive and organizational development experience. He serves as president and CEO of Right at Home Care and Assistance and as an associate senior consultant with Guttman Development Strategies, where he advises C-suite executives on management and training. Brewer is also an alumnus of the university, having earned his master’s degree in management from TESU.
“I am deeply honored to serve as vice chair of the TESU Board of Trustees and to have the opportunity to give back to a university that has played an important role in my own professional journey,” Brewer said. “TESU has a unique ability to meet students where they are and provide pathways that help working adults achieve their educational and career goals.”
The leadership transition comes at an exciting juncture for the institution. TESU recently experienced significant momentum, reporting an 11% increase in degrees awarded and a 12% rise in new students in fiscal year 2026, fueled largely by growth in high-demand healthcare programs. The university is also actively investing in enhanced student success initiatives, broadened partnerships, and a comprehensive rebuild of its digital campus.
