Center for Leadership and Governance
The Center for Leadership and Governance provides executive leadership development opportunities and effective strategies for governing boards in higher education, nonprofits and government entities. The Center offers consultation services, workshops, certificate programs and master classes for executives and governing boards.
The University’s Board of Trustees established the Center for Leadership and Governance in 2018 as a platform to support the post-presidential initiatives of Dr. George A. Pruitt, President Emeritus and Board Distinguished Fellow.
Dr. Melissa A. Maszczak
Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Leadership and Governance
Phone: 609-777-5660
Dr. Melissa A. Maszczak serves as senior fellow and director of the Center for Leadership and Governance at Thomas Edison State University. Preceding her current role, she served for more than 12 years in various positions in the Office of the President at Thomas Edison. Prior to joining Thomas Edison State University, she worked as a manager and corporate trainer in the private sector.
Maszczak currently serves as a member of the executive committee of the board, chair of the membership committee and former chair of the professional development committee of the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE), where she founded a peer mentoring program for executive assistants and chiefs of staff. She also served as former member of the board and program committee chair of the University’s chapter of the American Council on Education (ACE) Women’s Professional Network.
In 2022, Maszczak collaborated with Dr. George A. Pruitt in the writing of his memoir, From Protest to President: A Social Justice Journey Through the Emergence of Adult Education and the Birth of Distance Learning, which was published by Rutgers University Press.
Maszczak earned her bachelor’s degree at Monmouth University in English and psychology; master’s degree in liberal studies and industrial organizational psychology at Thomas Edison State University; and Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in ethical and creative leadership at The Union Institute & University. She also holds a Certificate in Executive Leadership from The Union Institute & University and a Certificate in the Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI) from Korn Ferry/Hay Group.
Dr. George A. Pruitt
President Emeritus and Board Distinguished Fellow
Phone: 609-777-5660
Degrees:
Ph.D., The Union Institute & University
M.S., Illinois State University
B.S., Illinois State University
Dr. George A. Pruitt currently serves as President Emeritus and Board Distinguished Fellow at Thomas Edison State University.
Pruitt was appointed the institution’s third president in December 1982 and served for more than 35 years. He is among the longest-serving public university presidents in the nation and was identified as one of the country’s most effective college presidents in a study of presidential leadership funded by the Exxon Education Foundation.
Pruitt is active in the formulation of educational policy nationally and within the state of New Jersey. He has served in an advisory capacity to five secretaries of education under three presidents of both parties. He is the recipient of seven honorary degrees, numerous awards, honors and commendations, and has consulted widely in higher education, business and government.
He is a member and past chair of the board of directors of SEEDCO (Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation). He has served as chair of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), the New Jersey Presidents’ Council, The Union Institute & University and the MidJersey Chamber of Commerce. He has served as vice chair of the National Commission on Higher Education Attainment and past member of the Board of Trustees of Rider University and Bloomfield College.
He is a former member of the boards of directors for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU); the American Council on Education (ACE); the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI); the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); Choose New Jersey, Inc.; Greater Baltimore Medical Center; Greater Trenton, Inc.; New Jersey State Planning Commission; Mercer Medical Center; Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI); Sun National Bank; The Trenton Savings Bank; and Capital City Partnership. He is a former advisor of the Kellogg National Fellowship Program, W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
Prior to his tenure at Thomas Edison State University, he served in executive leadership positions at Illinois State University, Towson State University, Morgan State University, Tennessee State University and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.
In 2022, Pruitt authored the memoir, From Protest to President: A Social Justice Journey Through the Emergence of Adult Education and the Birth of Distance Learning, which was published by Rutgers University Press.
He has an adult daughter, Shayla and grandson, Landon. He and his wife, Pamela reside in Lawrenceville, N.J.
Become the CEO of your own life!
Thomas Edison State University is pleased to announce a new, noncredit professional development experience; Life and Career Planning: Leading an Intentional Life.
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