With Governor Mikie Sherrill taking office, Michael Bernstein, president of The College of New Jersey, is calling for the new administration to prioritize increased investment in the state’s public colleges.
In an op-ed published in NJ.com, Bernstein outlined the difficulties faced by New Jersey’s four-year public colleges and argued that funding these institutions provides long-term benefits. “Public higher education is not a cost center,” Bernstein wrote. “It is a proven economic development engine and one of New Jersey’s greatest public assets. But assets only deliver the strongest returns when they are maintained and strengthened.”
Bernstein emphasized that with proper investment, New Jersey could attract top talent from across the country and retain graduates to support local communities and economic growth. He noted that about 30,000 students leave New Jersey each year to attend college elsewhere, echoing earlier Focus NJ research identifying the state as a major exporter of college-bound students.
He pointed out that “cost is a major driver,” especially as out-of-state schools often offer more competitive tuition rates and financial aid packages. Additionally, he highlighted several challenges facing New Jersey’s public colleges: unpredictable operating budgets, fluctuations in student financial aid from year to year, and deferred maintenance on aging campuses.
Bernstein urged lawmakers to provide “stable, predictable, multi-year funding that allows institutions to plan responsibly and invest in high-demand academic and workforce programs.” He added: “It requires a long-overdue commitment to capital investment, addressing deferred maintenance while modernizing labs, classrooms, exhibition halls, performance venues, and research facilities essential to workforce preparation and economic innovation.
“And it demands stronger support for students, including expanded access to internships, apprenticeships, and experiential learning that connect education to opportunity and encourage graduates to build their lives in New Jersey.”
The full op-ed can be read on NJ.com.
The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), established in 1910 with headquarters in Trenton at 10 West Lafayette Street, serves as the largest statewide employer organization in the United States. It represents employers across various sectors such as manufacturing, retail, wholesale trade, contracting services, and others. Led by President and CEO Michele Siekerka,NJBIA supports its members through advocacy efforts aimed at advancing business prosperity. The association also fosters partnerships among businesses,government agencies, and educational institutions throughout New Jersey.NJBIA offers practical information as well as cost-saving benefits designed to enhance member success.More information about NJBIA can be found here.
