The Power of Public Colleges & Universities: Preserving and Advancing New Jersey's Higher Education Landscape

Invitees are welcome to join us for a one-day conference that will focus on the policy challenges and legislative solutions that can strengthen and revitalize our public higher education system well into the future.

Our keynote and panelists include legislators and leaders in business, higher education, labor, and community organizations, who will evaluate and highlight the role of New Jersey’s public higher education system as an engine of economic growth for the state and for the vitality of our communities. It’s critical for us to work together to find solutions to preserve the best of what we do in public higher education. Our institutions provide access to high-quality education for thousands of New Jersey residents each year; we are deeply invested in the success of our cities, suburbs, shore communities, and rural areas, like the Pinelands. The conference, which includes breakfast and lunch, is free for attendees. Invitees can register here.

 

PROGRAM

8:30am Continental Breakfast

9am-9:45am Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Keynote Address

Opening: Dr. Joseph Bertolino, Ed.D., President of Stockton University

Keynote Address: Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, Executive Director of NJASCU to highlight the critical role of regional universities in the state's education and economic ecosystem

9:45am-10:30am Panel 1: NJ Public Colleges and Universities as Economic Engines

Featuring administrators, faculty, and community partners discussing economic, workforce, and other contributions.

Moderator: Jose Lozano, Vice-Chair of Board of Trustees for Stockton University and Senior Vice President for Strategic Business Partnerships at Hackensack Meridian Health

Speakers:

1. Michael Charlton, MHL, President of AtlantiCare 
2. Dr. Oliver Cooke, Professor of Economics, Stockton 
3. Vincent D'Alessandro, Director of Government Banking at OceanFirst Bank
4. Senator Vincent J. Polistina (R-2)
5. Jacquelyn A. Suárez, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
6. Assemblywoman Claire S. Swift (R-2)

10:30am-11:15am Panel 2: Equity, Access, and Community Impact

Examining how these institutions serve different populations and drive social mobility and urban development through workforce development and more.

Moderator: Nicole Pacera, Director, Education & Workforce Development at the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ)

Speakers:

1. Assemblyman Donald A. Guardian (R-2)
2. Assemblywoman Andrea Katz (D-8)
3. Michael Egenton, Executive Vice President, Government Relations, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
4. Dr. Cindy R. Jebb, Ph.D., President of Ramapo College of New Jersey

11:15am-12pm Panel 3: Social Mobility, Lifelong Impact, and Reinvesting in the Region.

Featuring alumni who will share the transformative power of their education and how they have contributed to economic growth and vitality in NJ.

Moderator: Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez (D-32)

Speakers:

1. Dave Sholler, Stockton University Alum and Chief Communications Officer for the Philadelphia 76ers and Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment (HBSE)
2. Juliana Londoño, Ramapo College of NJ Alumnus, Licensed & Bilingual Mental Health Therapist, Entrepreneur, Adjunct Professor and Published Author

12pm-1:00pm Lunch

1pm-2pm Capstone Panel on Policy Challenges and Legislative Solutions

The objective is to discuss how legislation can strengthen public regional universities. There will be an interactive Q&A with the audience, and we encourage everyone to explore topics of funding, governance, and affordability.

Moderator: Alyssa Maurice, Research Director at the Hughes Public Policy Center, Stockton University

1. Dr. Joseph Bertolino, Ed.D., President of Stockton University
2. Assemblywoman Heather Simmons (D-3)
3. Julie Schmid, Senior Director, Higher Ed., American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
4. Additional panelists TBA