Milagros “Millie” Peralta has been appointed the new Chief of Staff to New Jersey City University Interim President Andrés Acebo, according to a Wednesday announcement from the University. Peralta returns to her alma mater after most recently serving as chief of staff for New Jersey Senate President Pro Tempore Sandra Cunningham.
Peralta, affectionately referred to as Millie by family and friends, graduated from NJCU in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing.
The eldest child of immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, Peralta was born in New York and is a first-generation college graduate. She understands the importance of quality education and is inspired to help our youth identify personal and academic barriers in order to achieve their ultimate goals.
In her new role at NJCU Peralta will be responsible for carrying out decision-making on behalf of the president, managing the workflow of the president and expediting the work of the University, while helping oversee legislative matters and government relations. She will serve as an adviser to the president and senior leadership on institutional planning, policy and program development, and problem resolution.
As chief of staff for Senator Cunningham — the chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee — Peralta has served as a top strategist for public policy decisions and developing relationships with community organizations, elected officials and constituencies throughout the State of New Jersey. She has over 15 years of extensive experience in governmental affairs, legislative initiatives and developing public policy, including addressing issues of importance to the state’s colleges, universities and its students.
Peralta is involved with various community organizations, and currently serves on the board of directors for the Boys to Leaders Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower, motivate and inspire young men by providing scholarships, leadership training, educational programs, mentorship, and positive personal and professional development. She also currently serves as a board member of LUPE Fund Inc., a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, empower and engage Latinas to promote leadership and civic engagement.