Thomas Edison State University (TESU) has officially appointed Robert Heinrich as the new dean of the Heavin School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Education, effective April 20.
Heinrich, an experienced academic leader and technologist, joins the university during a period of strategic focus on workforce-aligned education and digital innovation. His appointment is seen as a key move to bolster TESU’s mission of providing flexible, high-quality degree pathways for adult learners.
Heinrich transitions to TESU from Stockton University, where he served as Special Assistant to the President for University Partnerships and Initiatives. His extensive tenure at Stockton also included roles as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Chief Information Officer.
His background is characterized by a unique blend of enrollment strategy and technological leadership. At Stockton, he was instrumental in:
- Developing undergraduate and graduate recruitment and marketing strategies.
- Implementing advanced CRM systems to enhance predictive analytics for student support.
- Securing federal and state grant funding for early-college programs via the GEAR UP initiative.
- Leading the strategic planning of technology resources to support research and administration.
Most recently, Dr. Heinrich served as an American Council on Education (ACE) Presidential Fellow at Ramapo College of New Jersey. In this role, he worked alongside senior leadership on strategic academic planning and the integration of artificial intelligence into the higher education landscape—a skill set that aligns with TESU’s focus on innovation.
“TESU’s commitment to access, innovation, adult learning and flexible degree pathways resonates deeply with my professional background,” Heinrich said. “I look forward to working with mentors and staff to strengthen academic programs, expand student-success pathways and advance innovative, workforce-aligned education.”
TESU leadership emphasized that Heinrich’s deep understanding of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation process and his experience as a peer evaluator will be invaluable.
“Dr. Heinrich is a mission-driven leader with a deep understanding of the evolving needs of today’s learners,” Cynthia Baum, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said.
TESU President Merodie Hancock echoed this sentiment, noting that Heinrich’s “powerful combination of academic leadership, technological insight and a steadfast commitment to student success” will help cement TESU’s role as a national leader in serving adult learners.
Heinrich is a three-time alumnus of Stockton University, holding a:
- Bachelor of Computer Science and Information Systems
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership
As Dean of the Heavin School, Dr. Heinrich will oversee the advancement of academic programs and foster new teaching innovations to support career advancement for TESU’s diverse student body.
