By: Gabrielle Mills, Follow South Jersey Contributing Writer
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Stockton University in Galloway, New Jersey, recently announced their new president, Dr. Joe Bertolino. The New Jersey native is set to end his 7-year tenure at Southern Connecticut State University at the end of the academic year.
Stockton, an over 50 year old institution, has had a total of five presidents. Dr. Harvey Kesselman, Stockton’s current president, has served since 2015. He is the only Stockton alumni to become president and graduated from Stockton’s inaugural class.
On Dr.Bertolino’s appointment he states, “My job has always been to make a Stockton degree more valuable everyday, I pass the baton to someone who will take it to greater heights.”
Prior to his appointment at Stockton, Dr. Bertolino served in the administration of several universities, Southern Connecticut, Lyndon State and Queens College/City University of New York among them.
While at Southern Connecticut, Dr. Bertolino instated “the university’s first comprehensive enrollment management plan [in addition to] the creation of new degree programs including the first doctorate of social work in New England,” according to Southern Connecticut University’s website.
On what drew him to Stockton University Dr. Bertolino states “I find myself drawn to Stockton’s underlying institutional philosophy of a values-based education. Stockton’s commitment to creating a caring community, dedicated to exceptional teaching and learning, academic excellence, access and social justice, is both meaningful and inspirational.”
Stockton is a public university and currently educates just over 9,000 students. While Dr.Bertolino states he’s excited for the position, he doesn’t plan on creating upheaval.
“I think initially I’m going to do a lot of listening.” said Dr.Bertolino, “Having served as president of two other institutions, I’m keenly aware of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education, especially public regional universities like Stockton. However, I’ve also learned the value and importance of culture and taking the time to learn about a community and a culture first, and that no one community is the same.”
Dr. Bertolino will begin his role at Stockton in July of this year.
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