TESU Names Marcela Ospina Maziarz Vice President for Community and Government Affairs

TRENTON, N.J. – Marcela Ospina Maziarz has been named vice president for Community and Government Affairs at Thomas Edison State University (TESU).

Noted for her expertise in government administration, public policy and analysis with a focus on health equity, Maziarz brings a wealth of experience in legislative affairs and consensus building.

“Marcela has developed enduring relationships with key stakeholders and institutions in the state through her skills at capacity building,” said Dr. Merodie A. Hancock, president of Thomas Edison State University. “As TESU enters its 50th anniversary in 2022 with a renewed focus on growth and change, she will provide evidence-based solutions and strategic recommendations across our multiple legislative and community-based endeavors.”

Maziarz, who will assume the new role as of Nov. 1, will report to the president and serve on her cabinet. Maziarz will lead the university’s efforts advocating for Thomas Edison’s mission and students on the federal, state and local levels and will also play a pivotal part in expanding Trenton and Mercer County relations for the university.

Maziarz comes to TESU after serving as deputy commissioner (Health Systems) for the New Jersey Department of Health where she oversaw licensing, inspections and enforcement of regulations for approximately 4,000 licensed healthcare facilities, the certificate of need program and major funding programs such as charity care and graduate medical education. She played a key role in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout among the state’s underserved communities, leading community outreach, door-to-door campaigns in Trenton and directing a team in successfully increasing vaccination rates for traditionally at-risk communities across 30 of the state’s municipalities with the highest social vulnerability index.

She has strong experience working within and across the government and community affairs landscape having served as assistant director of Budget and Fiscal Analysis in the New Jersey Senate Democratic Office as well as a public information officer for the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

“I’m gratified to be joining TESU’s leadership staff in my new capacity. I was attracted to the institution because of its mission, academic model, statewide impact and indelible connection with the Trenton community, and I look forward to reinforcing these ties,” noted Maziarz. “I share Dr. Hancock’s passion for expanding our relationships with local government, continually pushing toward higher education access and success, empowering adult learners and strengthening the state’s workforce.”

Maziarz holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University – Newark and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Rutgers University – New Brunswick. Her professional accolades include Senator Loretta Weinberg’s Women of Power List (2016 – 2020); ROI Influencers – People of Color, 2020; and the Rutgers Faculty Award for Academic Excellence (2010).

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About Thomas Edison State University
Thomas Edison State University provides distinctive undergraduate and graduate education for self-directed adults through flexible, high-quality collegiate learning and assessment opportunities. One of New Jersey’s senior public institutions of higher education, the University offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Students earn degrees through a wide variety of rigorous and high-quality academic methods that can be customized to meet their individual needs. Identified by The New York Times as “the college that paved the way for flexibility,” the University is a national leader in the assessment of adult learning and a pioneer in the use of educational technologies. The New Jersey State Library is an affiliate. To learn more, visit tesu.edu or email admissions@tesu.edu.