The state’s independent higher education organizations have named a new president, according to an announcement Wednesday.
Lou Manzione, the dean of the College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture at the University of Hartford, will become the new head of both the Association of Independent Colleges of New Jersey, or AICUNJ, and the Independent College Fund of New Jersey, or ICFNJ.
Manzione will succeed John B. Wilson, president of the two Summit-based organizations for the past 28 years, upon his retirement. The hire was announced by Nancy Blattner, president of Caldwell University and chair of the AICUNJ board, and Regina Hartley, vice president for human resources at UPS Technology and Engineering divisions and chair of the ICFNJ board.
“Dr. Manzione emerged from a strong pool of highly successful and talented applicants,” Blattner said in a prepared statement. “He has tremendous experience in higher education and in the business world. His energy and vision were clear and impressive to all of us. At this critical juncture in New Jersey, we believe he will work tirelessly and effectively with Gov. (Phil) Murphy and the Legislature to fully maximize the contributions of our 14 colleges and universities as we seek to prepare our 65,000 students for citizenship and for being the intellectual capital required to keep our state’s economy prosperous.”
Manzione has spent 13 years at the University of Hartford, after working as a researcher and executive at New Jersey’s Bell Labs.
“I feel as if each of the steps of my professional journey have prepared me to take on this important and vital new position in a state that has shaped my life in so many ways,” he said in a statement. “I am honored to be serving AICUNJ and ICFNJ, and I believe our collective work is critical for each of the 65,000 students at our 14 colleges and universities, and that the welfare and quality of life of all New Jersey residents are dependent upon our success.”
Manzione will assume his new role in July.