To read this year’s Top 30, click the links below:
To read the rest of the ROI Influencers: Power List 2021, click here.
Joel Bloom
President
New Jersey Institute of Technology
The ribbon-cutting for BioCentriq, the cutting-edge cell and gene therapy development and clinical manufacturing center located at the New Jersey Innovation Institute on the campus of NJIT in Newark, was a game-changer for the state.
Nancy Cantor
Chancellor
Rutgers University – Newark
Cantor’s steady leadership is a top reason why the Newark campus of Rutgers continues to be a higher education leader in so many areas.
Chris Capuano
President
Fairleigh Dickinson University
The school was thrilled when it reached its goal of being one of the 50 top regional universities. Capuano, however, is happier about the number of students from underserved communities the school is attracting and educating.
Susan Cole
President
Montclair State University
Yes, she’s retiring at the end of the year. Her influence on the campus — one she has remade over the years — always will be present.
Chris Eisgruber
President
Princeton University
Eisgruber’s thoughtful reflections and actions through the complicated issues of race relations, social equity and the pandemic set an example for thought leaders across the state.
Nariman Farvardin
President
Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens continues to be a trend-setter and leader when it comes to the intersection of technology, business and higher ed. Farvardin, who is taking the school to new heights, is a big reason for that.
Kate Foster
President
The College of New Jersey
A newcomer to the list, Foster is charged with ensuring TCNJ continues to lead the way as one of the state’s finest institutions of higher learning.
Sue Henderson
President
New Jersey City University
The coming international studies institute and performing arts center (thanks to a generous donation from Frank Guarini) are more ways Henderson will help NJCU support the aspirations of the underserved communities it educates.
Jonathan Holloway
President
Rutgers
Holloway has impressed everyone at Rutgers, in higher ed and in leadership positions around the state with his thoughtful leadership. (And just wait until he’s able to step foot on campus on a regular basis.)
Ali Houshmand
President
Rowan University
The state — especially South Jersey — is fortunate to have such a visionary thinker guiding what is becoming one of its premier institutions of higher ed.
Anthony Iacono
President
County College of Morris
The opening of the advanced manufacturing facility is another way CCM is practically preparing the next generation of students and employees.
Frederick Keating
President
Rowan College of South Jersey
The work-and-learn consortium that has been developed over the last two years by Rowan College should be a model for the state.
Patrick Leahy
President
Monmouth University
Leahy is providing strong leadership in tough times at one of the state’s leading institutions.
Michael McDonough
President
Raritan Valley Community College
Under his leadership, RVCC has becoming the first two-year institution of higher education in the country to reach carbon neutrality — all while expanding its workforce programs and partnerships with area businesses and high schools.
Peter Mercer
President
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Ramapo was ranked No. 73 among the nation’s Top 100 public colleges with the best return on investment, placing it in the Top 2% of all colleges reviewed. It also was named one of the 50 most beautiful college campuses by CondeNast.
Joseph Nyre
President
Seton Hall University
The school, which recently released its five-year plan, has thoughts of greater expansion both in campuses and in dual-degree programs with other institutions, including Stevens.