New in Higher Ed
Princeton University, 1 Nassau Hall, Princeton 08544. Christopher L. Eisgruber, president. www.princeton.edu.
Rodney Priestley, Princeton University’s vice dean for innovation and a professor of chemical and biological engineering, has been named dean of the graduate school. He will begin in his new role on June 1.
Priestley replaces Sarah Jane Leslie, a philosophy professor who served in the role for three years before stepping down in 2021 to return to the faculty. Deputy dean Cole Crittenden has been serving as interim dean.
“Rod Priestley is a superb scholar, a dedicated teacher and a proven administrator,” university president Christopher L. Eisgruber said in a statement. “He cares deeply about graduate students and graduate education, and I am confident that he will lead Princeton’s Graduate School with distinction.”
A search committee chaired by Provost Deborah Prentice and composed of faculty members and graduate students proposed the selection of Priestley, a leading researcher in complex materials and processing.
“My interest in becoming dean of Princeton’s Graduate School originates with my own personal experience of graduate school,” Priestley said in a statement. “The mentorship, encouragement, and support I received has enabled every goal I have reached throughout my career. My advisers’ belief in me has always inspired me to give back to others to whatever extent possible.”
Priestley earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Texas Tech University and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. He joined Princeton’s faculty in 2009 as an assistant professor and became a full professor in 2019.
During his tenure he has performed groundbreaking fundamental research in materials science, facilitated the development and translation of intellectual property derived from that research into products and enterprises, and expanded Princeton’s ties with industry, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, alumni, and other partners.
Priestley’s appointment comes at a time of change and growth for the graduate school. Ongoing construction on the Lake Campus Development will provide housing and new research facilities for more than 600 post docs and graduate students. The university also recently announced an increase graduate fellowship and stipend rates. Priestley will be at the center of efforts to diversify the graduate student population and create a welcoming environment.
The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing 08618. Kathryn A. Foster, president. www.tcnj.edu.
The College of New Jersey in Ewing has announced a new agreement with Jefferson College of Pharmacy of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia that will allow freshman applicants to be accepted to both to TCNJ and the pharmacy school and earn both the baccalaureate in biology from TCNJ and the doctor of pharmacy from Jefferson in seven years.
Students must complete all pre-requisite courses at TCNJ and maintain a grade point average above 2.7 with at least a C in each required course. Students spend four years at TCNJ then spend the final three years of the program at Jefferson. The application deadline for the first year of the program, the 2022-’23 school year, is April 1.
“Pharmacology is a great career option for chemistry and biology majors who also are interested in the medical side of science,” said Amanda Norvell, interim dean of TCNJ’s School of Science, in a statement. “The program will expand the health-oriented offerings of our School of Science and provide a clear pathway for students pursuing a career in pharmacology.”
For more information, visit biology.tcnj.edu/biology-and-pharmacy-doctoral-program.
Rider University, 2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrence 08648. Gregory Dell’Omo, president. www.rider.edu.
Rider University is getting into the weeds. The college has announced that it will begin offering an online certificate program in cannabis studies in fall, 2022.
The program explores the biological, legal, ethical, business, and practical aspects of the industry through four courses. The capstone course is taught by an industry professional, allowing students to gain experience and learn about future internship and job opportunities. The program is open to those interested in any aspect of the cannabis industry, with no prerequisites or previous degrees required.
“We want as many people as possible to have access to this program to help build their careers in this expanding industry,” said Dr. Sarah Trocchio, assistant professor of sociology and criminology. “As cannabis legalization continues to expand, our students will be able to enter the field with the skills, experience and connections needed to succeed.”
The cannabis industry is one of the fastest-growing industries with a variety of employment opportunities throughout the country. Across the United States, there are an estimated 321,000 full-time jobs in the legal cannabis industry, according to a report by Leafly, a website focused on cannabis use and education. In 2021, New Jersey became the 13th state to legalize cannabis for adult use.
“This certificate will prepare students for roles that go beyond the budtender,” said Dr. Victor Thompson, chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminology. “They can work in a number of roles in the industry, from accounting and finance, communications and marketing, sales, management, public policy, law, research and development, and more.”
Those interested in the program can meet with faculty and industry experts to learn more on Thursday, March 24, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Rider’s Science and Technology Center. Register online at admissions.rider.edu/register/cannabislaunch.
Commercial Transactions
New York City-based ParkMyFleet has signed a lease for 2 ares of industrial land at 1605 Calhoun Street in Ewing. The lease was negotiated by Jerry and Matt Fennelly of Hamilton-based commercial real estate firm NAI Fennelly.
ParkMyFleet, which has a presence in major metropolitan areas across the country, offers services including vehicle transport, reconditioning, inventory management, title and registration, sale preparation, and vehicle maintenance.
“With the increases in the size and complexity of commercial vehicle fleets, the need for parking and service areas within dense urban cores increases by the day,” Jerry Fennelly said in a statement. “By tapping into the demand for parking facilities, we were able to help our client attract a growing national tenant to their property and capitalize on the strong demand for parking across New Jersey.”
NAI Fennelly was also involved in the sale of space at 5 Nami Lane in Hamilton to Synergy Global Properties. The company acquired 15,000 square feet at the 27,000-square-foot, single-story industrial building.
Synergy Global is owned by Mangesh Chinthamaneni, a former information technology entrepreneur who turned to hospitality in 2019 when he opened Samudhra, an Indian restaurant and lounge in Franklin Park.
The space on Nami Lane will be used as a commissary to offer catering services throughout central New Jersey.
“While large sales tend to dominate the headlines when it comes to industrial real estate in New Jersey, much of the market’s sales velocity continues to be driven by small businesses like Samudhra that are looking to expand their operations,” Jerry Fennelly said in a statement.
Acquisitions
Michael Graves Architecture & Design, 341 Nassau Street, Princeton 08540. 609-924-6409. Joe Furey, president and CEO. www.michaelgraves.com.
Nassau Street-based Michael Graves Architecture & Design has acquired Waldon Studio Architects, a planning, architecture, and interior design firm based in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
“When approaching this acquisition, we set out looking for a company with a deeply rooted set of core values that we share, and we knew right away we had found this in Waldon Studio Architects,” Joe Furey, president and CEO of Michael Graves, said in a statement. “Our teams not only complement each other in our design approach and deep market sector knowledge, but also through our shared values, particularly in our devotion to innovation, commitment to quality, and unwavering client service.”
Waldon founder and principal Ravi Waldon will serve as principal as well as head of the firm’s faith-based sector. Furey will oversee the ongoing integration and continued future acquisition strategy as part of MG’s forward-looking strategic plan.
