Thomas Edison State University, 101 West State Street, Trenton 08608. 888-442-8372. George A. Pruitt, president. www.tesc.edu.
Thomas Edison State College has made Merodie A. Hancock its new president, starting March 5. She is currently president of SUNY Empire State College in New York, and will be the fourth president of Thomas Edison since its founding in 1972, replacing retiring president George A. Pruitt.
University Board Chair Brian T. Maloney said Hancock’s record of accomplishment and commitment to innovation and excellence made her an ideal choice to lead Thomas Edison State University.
“We are honored and excited to have Dr. Hancock as our new president. She has the experience, expertise and vision to lead Thomas Edison in today’s challenging marketplace,” said Maloney, who chaired the university’s presidential search committee. “Dr. Hancock has dedicated her distinguished career to expanding access to higher education for adults, including active military service members and veterans, and is a national leader in meeting the unique needs of nontraditional students.”
Hancock has served as president of SUNY Empire State College since 2013. She is responsible for the operation of the institution’s 35 locations throughout New York, the worldwide Center for Distance Learning and eight international sites and oversees the college’s 20,000 students and 1,700 faculty and staff.
Prior to joining SUNY Empire State College, Hancock served as vice president at Central Michigan University Global Campus. She has also held teaching and administrative leadership positions at the University of Maryland University College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Pruitt, who will officially leave office after serving as Thomas Edison’s president for 35 years, praised the board’s selection.
“I am delighted that Merodie Hancock will be the next president of our university,” said Pruitt. “She is a tested executive, an experienced educator and a visionary leader who has spent her career in our academic space and understands how technology can remove barriers in higher education to meet the needs of adults. Her passion for serving members of our military and veterans will also serve the Thomas Edison State University community well.”
Hancock has a doctorate in urban services and education administration from Old Dominion University, an MBA from Claremont Graduate University and a bachelor of arts in economics from Scripps College.
