37 Year-Old Accomplished Lawyer Appointed Interim President of New Jersey City University

In a short period of time, Andres Acebo has had a meteoric rise from interim chief of staff and secretary to the board in 2021 to interim President of New Jersey City University (NJCU) in 2023 for 24 months. Acebo also served as assistant university counsel, and most recently as Executive Vice President and University Counsel before being elevated to the presidency. At the age of 37, Acebo is the youngest known president to ever lead a public university in the State of New Jersey.

Upon graduation from Rutgers Law School, Acebo clerked for the Honorable Jonathan N. Harris, J.A.D. (retired) in the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey. He then entered private practice, with the Teaneck, NJ firm of DeCotiis FitzPatrick Cole & Giblin where he counseled and represented governmental entities, higher education institutions and public school districts, and closely-held corporations. His practice focused on employment and labor, education law, and government/public entity law. He was also regularly retained by governmental entities to conduct independent special investigations into alleged public official and employee misconduct and adverse employment actions.

NJCU has been undergoing major financial difficulties. As noted in the announcement of Acebo’s appointment, “Since the announcement of the financial emergency, Acebo has demonstrated significant executive leadership. Facing a more than $20 million deficit, he collaborated with NJCU’s organized labor, stakeholders, and constituencies to reduce the deficit by more than 50 percent within 120 days, while leading with empathy and compassion about the mission of the university and those who serve it. Acebo has worked diligently with NJCU’s other senior leaders, external stakeholders, and entities, including the bond rating agencies which has resulted in the removal of the University from the rating agency’s negative watch. His efforts with the senior leadership of NJCU’s academic affairs division has led to developing an academic rightsizing framework that honors collective bargaining rights and creates a pathway for reallocation of resources and an updated academic portfolio. He also has worked with the Division of Academic Affairs to affirm NJCU’s Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation while working with Senator Menendez and our congressional delegation to identify significant future federal aid which will provide equitable access to high demand online nursing education.”

Among Acebo’s many accomplishments outside of NJCU, the announcement notes, “Acebo has been recognized as a Rising Star by New Jersey Super Lawyers, a Top Latino Lawyer by Latino Leaders Magazine, a Top Lawyer under 40 by the Hispanic National Bar Association, and as a Diverse Attorney of the Year by the New Jersey Law Journal. In Fall 2022, he was recognized as a 2022 “Latinos 40 Under 40” award recipient by Negocios Now, in recognition of leadership by young Latinos in the New York metropolitan area. This fall, Acebo was also honored by the Boys Scouts of America-North Jersey Council with the 2022 Good Scout Award, in reflection of his service to his community. He currently serves as a Deputy Regional President of the Hispanic National Bar Association and Chair of the Special Committee on Cuba. He serves on the board of the Cuban American Alliance for Leadership and Education (CAALE) — a non-profit board that serves first-generation students in the NJCU community.”

Profiled in the NJ Law Journal in 2019, Acebo’s advice to others was, "Focus on what you want to do, not what you want to be. Invest your time in causes that drive progress. You have a moral obligation to use your influence to lift others. Don’t wait until you have 'arrived' … lift as you climb." In an interview with Hispanic Executive in 2021 Acebo said about his initial appointment with NJCU, “I’m now working in service of a public anchor institution—a federally recognized, minority-serving, and Hispanic-serving university in the county that raised me and shaped me,” Acebo explains. “The part that I love so much about being a lawyer is being an advocate, a problem-solver, and a strategic partner. I love preparing and navigating legal arguments to protect and defend individual interests and positions.”

Appointments to college presidencies for people in their 30s is rare, but not unheard of. For example, lawyer Ellen Futter became president of Barnard when she was 30. In both cases these leaders had been involved with leadership positions at both institutions.

Lawyer and Business School Dean Named Next President of Texas Christian University

In December 2022 Texas Christian University announced that Daniel Pullin, John V. Roach Dean of the TCU Neeley School of Business, will take over as President effective February 1, 2023.

In addition to serving as dean, Pullin is also a professor of entrepreneurship and innovation. Since joining TCU in 2019, he has utilized his combined experience in higher education across multiple roles, as well as an early foundation in leading corporations and private industry to serve as a steward for the Neeley School. Under Pullin’s leadership, TCU Neeley has driven dynamic faculty and staff growth and curriculum innovation; earned increased national visibility and rankings; realized development success; built community and civic engagement; and has placed an unmistakable focus on inclusive excellence.

The press release announcing his appointment quote the University Chancellor, “Daniel is an inspiring leader and cares deeply about our community, which has been built upon academic excellence and an unmatched student experience,” and “For the past four years he has been passionate about his role as John V. Roach Dean of the Neeley School of Business, and he will use that same energy and expansive vision to make an impact as TCU’s president.”

Prior to joining TCU Neeley School of Business, Pullin was the dean of the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma (OU), where he also served as university vice president.

Before transitioning to higher education, Pullin worked for global consultancy McKinsey & Company and the private equity firm Hicks Muse Tate & Furst and its portfolio companies.

As many are reporting, higher education is facing many challenges and it is going through a transformation. Pullin’s background as a lawyer and entrepreneur with business savvy and passion brings a much needed skill set to the C-Suite.

Pullin earned his undergraduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma and MBA from Harvard Business School before returning to OU to earn a Juris Doctor degree.

First Woman to Lead SUNY ESF is Attorney and Former Local Government Official Joanie Mahoney

When Joanie Mahoney was appointed as the 5th President of SUNY’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in November 2020, she became the first woman to lead the College. She joined ESF in 2018 as the Chief Operating Officer, and she was also a special advisor to SUNY Upstate Medical University. At the time Mahoney switched her professional focus to higher education, both ESF and Upstate Medical were undergoing tumultuous times.

A graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, Mahoney served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office and then worked in private practice with the law firm of Harris Beach. Immediately prior to joining ESF, Mahoney served on Syracuse Common Council (2000-2002) and as the Onondaga County Executive for 11 years (where she was also the first woman to hold that position). She also served as chairperson of the New York State Thruway Authority and was a Trustee of the New York Power Authority.

In announcing her appointment, the SUNY Board of Trustees noted that Mahoney had helped ESF expand, ““... as an instrumental partner with government to address pressing issues like climate change and intrusion of invasive species in our waterways, and functions as point person on Covid matters and preparedness." The Chancellor, in acknowledging her work as county executive said that it, “... demonstrates her abilities to form coalitions and achieve results -- exactly the outcomes we’re hoping to see at ESF.” Mahoney commented, “I used the network that I built over the years as one of the assets that I bring to ESF, not simply by virtue of the network, but as evidence of the skill set that ESF needs right now,” She noted that she would apply her government experience and passion for solving environmental issues as president. Mahoney has been described as a good listener with a unique interest in the people around her and as a consensus builder.