Office of the Secretary of Higher EducationLast Tuesday, New Jersey ushered in a new era of leadership with the historic inauguration of Governor Mikie Sherrill and Lt. Governor Dr. Dale Caldwell. This moment marks an exciting new chapter, especially for higher education in the Garden State. As Governor Sherrill emphasized in her inaugural address: "No matter who your parents are, where you are from, what religion you practice, or ethnicity you claim, the doors to opportunities in this country should be open to everyone."
As I step into the role of Acting Secretary of Higher Education, I want to express my deep appreciation for the leadership and dedication you bring to New Jersey as champions of student success.
Thanks to our innovative institutions and impactful state programs, first-generation students like Génesis Rincon are able to pursue their passions and achieve their goals. After attending Passaic County Vocation High School to study performing arts with a focus on vocal music, Génesis discovered Stockton University through a friend and campus tour. With support from federal Pell Grants, state Tuition Aid Grants (TAG) and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) as a program scholar, Génesis will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in May. College helped her explore her interests, which evolved from elementary education to social work and disability studies.
Génesis sings the National Anthem at Governor Sherrill's Inauguration
Under the Sherrill Administration, we share a responsibility to create opportunities for students like Génesis, and for so many others who represent the rich diversity of all New Jersey communities. I look forward to working with institutional leaders and practitioners, alongside Governor Sherrill, our partners in the state legislature, and many others to deliver on this mission.
Together, we can make higher education more affordable and accessible for every New Jerseyan, ensure our colleges and universities have the resources they need to keep their doors open, and strengthen one of the most powerful assets we have in the Garden State: our educated and highly skilled workforce.
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