Stockton University President To Retire Next Year

GALLOWAY, NJ — Stockton University President Harvey Kesselman announced that he will be retiring at the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2023.

“There are no words to accurately express how I feel about my beloved alma mater. My time and tenure with Stockton have been nothing short of amazing, exceeding all of my expectations as a career and a community,” Kesselman said in making his announcement at the Board of Trustees meeting at the Stockton Atlantic City campus.

Kesselman, the university's fifth president, is unique in Stockton's history. He was part of the first class at then Stockton State College in 1971, and went on to become a faculty member, holding several mid- and senior-level administrative positions, including provost and executive vice president.

Kesselman began serving as acting president in April 2015 and was named by the university's Board of Trustees as president in Dec. 2015.

During Kesselman's career, the university has grown from a small college in the Pinelands National Reserve to a larger university with locations in Galloway, Atlantic City, Hammonton, Manahawkin and Woodbine.

“More than seven years ago, I began my presidency with the guiding principle of students first. Together, our dedicated faculty, staff and administrators worked tirelessly with me to deliver on the promise of making a Stockton degree more valuable each and every day,” he said in a statement.

Kesselman’s leadership shepherded the university through its expansion to Atlantic City and successfully championed equitable funding for public colleges and universities in New Jersey.

“More than 50 years ago, I made a life-changing decision. A decision to explore something new and different, something with promise and possibility, something I knew would be challenging but also transformative. It has proven to be one of the best decisions of my life,” Kesselman said.

Raymond Ciccone, chair of Stockton’s Board of Trustees, thanked Kesselman for his commitment to the university and its 60,000 alumni. “Stockton would not be the nationally ranked, thriving institution it is today if not for the dedication and hard work of Harvey Kesselman for nearly five decades,” Ciccone said in a statement. “He is an extraordinary, strong leader who not only planted himself where he could grow but did the same for this once small college in the Pines.”

Ciccone said the university will initiate a national presidential search in the coming months, and Kesselman will remain at Stockton as President Emeritus and Tenured Professor of Education after the new president is selected.