Angelica Allen-McMillan will step down as acting New Jersey Department of Education commissioner in January after three years in her post.
The news, first reported by the New Jersey Globe last week, was confirmed by Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday in a statement.
“After nearly three decades of service as a New Jersey educator, Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan took the helm of the New Jersey Department of Education in October 2020, leading the department for over three years during incredibly challenging times for our schools. As Dr. Allen-McMillian has announced her retirement at the end of January, I want to take this opportunity to thank her for her service to the people of New Jersey and wish her nothing but the best in her next chapter,” Murphy said.
Allen-McMillan was nominated in October 2020 after Lamont Repollet left to become president of Kean University.
For over 25 years, she has worked as a teacher and administrator in various school communities throughout New Jersey. From 2017 to 2018, she served as assistant superintendent for secondary education for the Newark Public Schools system. Prior to holding that position, she served as assistant superintendent for curriculum & instructions in the Irvington School District.
She also served as a middle school life and physical science teacher in the East Orange School District, the executive director of the Marion P. Thomas Charter School in Newark, assistant principal of Clinton Elementary School in Maplewood and principal of the Marshall School in South Orange.
Allen-McMillan is a graduate of Cornell University, where she received a baccalaureate degree in industrial and labor relations. In addition, she received a master’s and a doctorate degree in education, leadership, management and policy from Seton Hall University.
Murphy has not yet named a successor.
