New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities Names Associate Director

TRENTON, N.J.—The New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (NJASCU) today announced the appointment of Morganne Dudzinski as its associate director. Dudzinski comes to NJASCU from Monmouth University, where she previously served as the director of news and public affairs and university spokesperson. She assumed her new role as of Jan. 25.

Dudzinski brings nearly a decade of experience working in public policy, advocacy, and media relations in New Jersey. As associate director, she will join Executive Director Gene Lepore in developing, proposing, and advocating for state higher education policy recommendations on behalf of NJASCU’s seven member institutions. Dudzinski will also coordinate the association’s communications and media relations.

“I am pleased to announce that Morganne Dudzinski has been named Associate Director of NJASCU.  Morganne brings valuable experience in both higher education and state government and is widely respected in her field,” said Lepore. “I look forward to working with Morganne to represent the interests of New Jersey’s senior public institutions of higher education.”

At Monmouth, Dudzinski was responsible for creating, implementing, and managing a strategic media relations plan to expand the university’s visibility, strengthen its reputation, and build support among key constituencies. She also previously worked as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Political Science and Sociology.

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at NJASCU,” said Dudzinski. “Our senior public institutions in New Jersey not only provide access and opportunity to an increasingly diverse student population, but they also serve as important economic engines and anchors in our communities. I look forward to working with our member colleges and universities to continue to enhance the vital roles they currently play, while also forging new paths to ensure their success for years to come.”

Before Monmouth, Dudzinski worked as the director of advocacy and public affairs for JerseyCAN, a statewide education nonprofit, where she was responsible for developing and executing communications and advocacy strategies to support education policy goals.

“The Board extends a warm welcome Morganne.  We are confident that with her breadth of expertise and experience she will successfully represent and advocate on behalf of NJASCU’s member institutions,” said A.J. Sabath, trustee of Ramapo College of New Jersey and chair of NJASCU.

Dudzinski also previously served as director of constituent affairs and later legislative director for former New Jersey state Sen. Jennifer Beck, where she worked on the senator’s policy agenda and also supported Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, who was a member of the General Assembly at the time.

“NJASCU colleges and universities bring high quality and affordable public education opportunities to all regions of our state and online.  I am very pleased to have such an experienced person join the team as we continue to promote and advocate for these seven critical state resources,” said Merodie A. Hancock, president of Thomas Edison State University and chair of the NJASCU presidents.

Dudzinski holds a B.A. in communication and an M.A. in public policy from Monmouth University. While an undergraduate at Monmouth, she was captain of the University’s Division I field hockey team.

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About NJASCU:

NJASCU is a nonprofit higher education association serving New Jersey’s seven non-research designated public institutions of higher education: The College of New Jersey, Kean University, New Jersey City University, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Stockton University, Thomas Edison State University, and William Paterson University. A nongovernmental entity created by the New Jersey State Legislature in 1985, the association plays an active role in developing and proposing state higher education policy to better serve New Jersey residents. It monitors and analyzes public policy issues and legislation affecting its member institutions and conveys the institutions’ positions and recommendations to the executive and legislative branches of New Jersey government.