NJCU President Dr. Sue Henderson Ascends to Chair of NCAA Division III President’s Council and Elected Vice-Chair of the NCAA Board of Governors

Dr. Sue Henderson, President of New Jersey City University, will assume the chair of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III President’s Council at the 2019 NCAA Convention in Orlando, Fla. Additionally, Dr. Henderson has been elected Vice-Chair of the influential NCAA Board of Governors.

Dr. Henderson, who served as Division III Vice-Chair since January 2018, will serve as chair until the January 2020 convention in Anaheim, Calif. As chair of the President’s Council. It will be her second year as a member of the Board of Governors.

“I am honored to serve as the new chair of the Division III President’s Council and grateful to serve as Vice-Chair of the NCAA Board of Governors.  Collegiate athletics plays a vital role in the life of any institution. It is exciting to serve at a time where the NCAA is focusing on all aspects of the holistic development of the student-athlete including health and wellness.” 

Dr. Henderson will be the first president from a New Jersey Athletic Conference institution to ever serve as chair of the NCAA Division III President’s Council. Furthermore, she will be just the third chair from a Division III public institution and the first female president from a Division III public to serve as chair.

The President’s Council is the highest governing body in Division III. The Council establishes and directs the general policy of the Division, while also establishing Division III’s strategic plan. The 15-member Council has the ability to make recommendations to the Board of Governors, the Association’s highest governing body, on matters related to Division III such as championships, and may approve the use of funds allocated to the Division. Additionally, the President’s Council may sponsor legislation independent of the Management Council.

Dr. Henderson, as a member of the Board of Governors Executive Committee, will play an important role in recommending five new independent leaders from outside of higher education for appointment to the NCAA Board of Governors after a historic association-wide vote on January 26 as part of a series of reforms aimed at strengthening public trust in the NCAA as an effective leader and regulator in college sports.

Dan Dutcher, the Vice President of NCAA Division III said: “Being selected as vice-chair of the NCAA Board of Governors and chair of the Division III Presidents Council are significant honors that recognize President Henderson’s outstanding leadership at all levels of higher ed and athletics administration.”

The Board of Governors is the highest governance body of the NCAA and is composed of institutional chief executive officers that oversee association-wide issues. The board is charged with ensuring that each division operates consistently with the basic purposes, fundamental policies and general principles of the NCAA. The Board of Governors consists of 20 members from the FBS, FCS, Division I, II and III levels and includes presidents, a student-athlete, faculty representative, athletics director and female administrator.

"On behalf of NJCU Athletics we congratulate Dr. Henderson on this prestigious honor,” said Shawn Tucker, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics. “In my nine months at the University, Dr. Henderson’s vision for collegiate athletics and her leadership and commitment to a holistic experience for student-athletes is paramount. She is committed to ensuring college athletics is ingrained as an important aspect of a robust campus life. We are excited for the next year of her leadership as chair of the President’s Council.”

Louise McCleary, the Managing Director of NCAA Division III added: "President Henderson has served as the NCAA Division III President’s Council vice-chair the past year, and I look forward to continue working with her as the incoming President’s Council chair.  She brings passion and a high level of understanding of Division III athletics and the governance process."

Terry Small, Commissioner of the New Jersey Athletic Conference said: “"I know I speak for everyone in our conference when I say that we are excited about the appointment of President Henderson to this historic and prestigious position. We are very fortunate to have her as a representative of the NJAC, and I look forward to a tremendous year ahead for NCAA Division III under her leadership."

Dr.  Henderson has served as the 12th president of NJCU since August 2012.Since her arrival, she has accomplished a range of transformational initiatives.

She created the NJCU School of Business and relocated it to a state-of-the-art facility in Jersey City's financial district, while hiring more than half the faculty during her tenure. During this time, more than five new academic programs were developed as well as a new General Education program and an Honors Program. She spearheaded the implementation of a $450 million project—once completed—to redevelop the institution's West Campus, to include student housing, shops, restaurants, and a pedestrian-friendly layout to aesthetically and economically revitalize the region. Dr. Henderson additionally ensured NJCU tuition and fees would remain among the lowest of all public, four-year colleges and universities in New Jersey, and implemented the NJCU Debt-Free Promise Program to make a college education accessible and affordable.

In addition to her leadership in collegiate athletics, Dr. Henderson serves on the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and is on the Committee on International Education of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. In addition, she is Chair of the Academic Issues Committee for the New Jersey Presidents Council, and serves on the Internationalization Commission of the American Council of Education. Her term as a Commissioner for MSCHE began on January 1, 2018.

Dr. Henderson holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Georgia, and bachelor’s and master's degrees in math education from Georgia State University. Dr. Henderson has received numerous awards for her work as an educator and administrator.

GOTHIC KNIGHTS on SOCIAL MEDIA:

For the latest on NJCU athletics, follow the Gothic Knights on social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and  YouTube. Preferred hashtag is #GothicFamily.

—www.NJCUGothicKnights.com | @NJCUAthletics—