Jessica R. Purnell Elected Chair, New Jersey Council of County Colleges
Jessica R. Purnell, a trustee at Camden County College, was elected by the Presidents and Trustees of New Jersey’s community colleges to serve as Chair of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges at the quarterly meeting of the Council last evening at Middlesex College.
Purnell earned her Associate’s Degree in English from Camden County College in 2009 and her Bachelor’s Degree in English from Rutgers University, Camden in 2012. She has served on the Camden County College Board of Trustees since 2017 and joined the Executive Committee of the Council in 2020. She is currently serving as the trustee co-chair of the Council’s Learning Innovation Committee. She also participates annually in the Association of Community College Trustees National Legislative Summit, collaborating with college leaders across the country. A resident of Merchantville, Purnell is also deeply engaged in community and civic leadership.
“I am honored and excited to step into the role of Chair of the New Jersey Council of Community Colleges Executive Committee. As a proud graduate of Camden County College, my own journey shows the transformative power of community colleges when we invest in students and their futures. I want to thank my predecessor, Sheetal Ranjan, for her leadership, and I look forward to continuing the progress already made in supporting our students, strengthening our colleges, and further advancing our strategic partnerships to meet New Jersey’s workforce needs, “ said Jessica Purnell.
“Jessica Purnell is a highly valued member of our Board, bringing a unique perspective as a proud Camden County College alumna. Her deep commitment to the College is rooted in her desire to give back to the community that helped shape her success. We are immensely proud to celebrate her achievement as Chair of the Council for Community Colleges and applaud her continued dedication to excellence and service,” said President Lovell Pugh-Bassett of Camden County College.
“New Jersey’s community colleges are truly fortunate that Jessica Purnell is serving as Chair of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. Her vision, leadership, and ability to build meaningful collaborations will strengthen the state’s community colleges and will expand collaborations and partnerships across the state that will expand educational and economic opportunities to more New Jersey residents,” said Aaron Fichtner, President of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.
