This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.
Celebrating the Past and Preparing for the Future
Fifty years ago, when Thomas Edison State University was established, it embraced a radical mission: to reimagine higher education for adults. The challenge was to design a new institution that embraced new approaches to improve access and respond to the needs of working adult students.
New Jersey took a chance in 1972 on an institution of higher education named after Thomas Alva Edison to invent these new approaches that would emphasize flexibility and recognize that college-level learning could occur outside of classrooms.
Over the past 50 years, TESU became part of a national movement to launch innovative institutions to serve adult learners, transforming the lives of thousands of students while changing the course of higher education.
As TESU celebrates our 50-year milestone, higher education is once again in need of reinvention. Inspired by our namesake, we are committed to redefine how higher education should respond to the needs of working adults, as well as the needs of their employers and their communities.
TESU is uniquely positioned to redefine the future of higher education for adults. The celebration of TESU’s 50th anniversary provides an opportunity to envision a bright future and to begin fully realizing it.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the University in 2022, we pause to reflect on the past 50 years and acknowledge those who came before and forged the way, providing a path for adults to earn a degree that previously wasn’t available. Thomas Edison State University understood that adults had life experience and training that did not always fit into the traditional mold. Recognizing the value of those experiences, TESU began a path that opened the door for over 60,000 students.
The 50th Anniversary provides an opportunity to promote and articulate the values and initiatives that will lead the University into the next 50 years. Throughout 2022, we highlighted areas of strategic focus that remain at the core of who we are, promoted the work being done in these areas and eagerly look forward to what lies ahead.
Our Ongoing Commitment...
According to the resolution establishing the school, Edison College was created to “…enable individuals to receive academic recognition for skills and knowledge acquired in a variety of ways and would permit New Jersey residents to complete part or all of their work toward a baccalaureate or associate degree without formal attendance at a campus.”
Thomas Edison State University was designed to recognize the individuality of our students and to value the outcomes over the methods. At a time when the quality of an education was based on parameters that prevented access to many, TESU was established to remove those barriers. Our students face different barriers today, but the University is just as committed to helping our adult learners find more equitable access to success and economic empowerment through education.
Our ongoing discussions about diversity, equity and inclusion are deeply aligned with our strategic goals and mission. Dr. Merodie A. Hancock, president of TESU, firmly believes that “we must support a diversity of perspectives and be mindful of the unique stories of our students and colleagues in everything we do. Thomas Edison State University was founded on principles of equity and empowerment. And we pledge to redouble our efforts to promote those goals and support increased opportunities across our institution and within our academic programming.”
The University is undertaking a number of initiatives that support our ongoing growth in regard to diversity, equity and inclusion. As advocates of life-long learning, we recognize there is always work to be done and more to learn. We look forward to sharing updates on these initiatives as we continue to learn and grow in support of our community.
The TESU Community extends from our neighbors in Trenton to each community where one of our students is studying to earn their degree; it includes the homes, offices and neighborhoods of our 30,000 alumni; it touches the lives of our mentors as they guide each student; and it includes more than 400 employees who commit each day to their role in providing flexible, high-quality, collegiate learning opportunities for self-directed adults. Our community reaches into every state and more than 60 countries.
Our Local Community
Thomas Edison State University is an active and responsive member of the Trenton community. We partner with local groups and officials to host and participate in events that serve our residents and promote economic growth, several of which are listed here below.
- More than 20 local nonprofit organizations have signed up to work with TESU’s Academic Community Program, connecting our adult students with the needs of our communities and their leadership in support of programs and projects that benefit communities, their citizens, and their economies.
- TESU annually sponsors a Community Involvement Fair to expand community partnerships through community engagement with residents, nonprofit organizations and local agencies within and around the city of Trenton.
- TESU delivered more than 140 meals to hospital nursing staff and other frontline healthcare workers throughout Trenton and Mercer County during COVID-19, funding these meals with personal donations from the TESU leadership team and purchasing the meals from Trenton area restaurants and the Trenton Farmers Market.
- TESU student nurses volunteer to help vaccinate residents at COVID-19 vaccination sites in the city and the University is serving as a periodic COVID-19 testing site for local community residents.
Our Alumni Community
- Throughout the University’s 50 years of serving adult learners, more than 60,000 alumni have earned their degree going on to have a meaningful impact throughout our communities.
- Alumni have referred almost 700 of their friends, family and colleagues to enroll at TESU since 2019 alone. Joined together by a shared interest in pursuing a degree, they encourage one another to start the journey they themselves have taken and in doing so, play a role in changing the trajectory for that one individual and all those around them.
- The actions of our alumni are woven into the stories of those around them whether encouraging others to pursue their degrees, inspiring family to reach their goals, re-entering the workforce, earning a promotion, or helping those less fortunate by volunteering locally or internationally. Each seemingly small action has a larger impact, impacting many through the actions of one.
Thomas Edison State University is steadfast in our commitment to building stronger communities and contributing to economic stability through education, collaboration, and positive, incremental change. At Thomas Edison State University, we work alongside one another in pursuit of our mission and on behalf of our students, not only to enrich one’s own life, but also to enrich the lives of those around us and those in the communities we serve - building stronger communities through individual action.
We recognize that our students bring tremendous skill and knowledge with them and come to us with a perspective uniquely shaped by their experiences. Therefore, we have purposefully designed our academic structure to meet each student where they are. From courses that range in length from 8 to 12 weeks and terms that start every month, to numerous open-minded and innovative ways for students to prove their college-level learning, we do everything we can to remove the barriers to degree completion and career growth.
The evolution of our student services continues to expand to support the needs of our students, the higher education marketplace, our strategic vision, and ongoing accreditation efforts. The University has dedicated resources to create an environment that cultivates adult learner success and transformation…
- We are redesigning the TESU student experience based on a shared goal of student success, with a conscious commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- We are rebuilding the TESU curricular experience to strengthen its alignment with career opportunities and acknowledgement of the key challenges facing our world.
- We are expanding on what it means to provide career services. By building more systematic and comprehensive resources into the student experience, we incorporate career goals into academic planning, supporting students and alumni as they advance and grow in their field.
- We launched the Peer Support Program with resources from the Opportunity Meets Innovation Grant, initially focused on a pilot group of adult learners with the goal of expanding the program to all students.
The Office of Career Development launch, career-focused workshops, the implementation of “What Can I Do with this Major” and College Central Network are part of our continued efforts to expand our student’s success. The Center for Student Success remains committed to connecting enrolled students to the right resources, at the right time, during every phase of their academic lifecycle.
As we move forward, we remain focused on addressing issues that have the potential to impact student success including balancing work, family, financial concerns, and all the other ways that life can divert adult learners from reaching their goal of earning a degree.
In 1972, TESU was created to break the mold of traditional higher education, and we continue to deliver on our promise to create innovative pathways to degree attainment for nontraditional learners. We see our role as a critical engine to help the state’s economic and social well-being by uplifting adults toward advancement in their careers.
TESU awarded its first baccalaureate degrees, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, in May of 1975. Since then, Thomas Edison State University has awarded more than 69,194 degrees in a variety of career relevant fields. We meet working adults where they are in life and take them to the next level: applying nontraditional learning to start a degree, complete a first degree, add a graduate degree, or complete a professional certificate. Our vision says it all: Empower lives. Build careers. Advance professions.
Dr. Merodie Hancock, president of TESU, knows that “because our students tend to be in more leadership roles, we see them impacting their professions, not just building their careers. We see them helping to inform how health care is provided, helping to inform education. They are leaving their marks on how their professions work in the future.” Students at TESU are purposeful, they are driven in what they do, and they want to know that what they learn today, they will be able to apply tomorrow.
Stay tuned for more information about opportunities to gather together virtually or in person
as we celebrate our history and look ahead to our future!
Informed Civic Engagement: Discerning Fact from Fiction, Cutting through the Rhetoric, and Understanding the Value of our Differences
Each year TESU celebrates its ascension to University status on Dec 1, the date of our official name change from college to university in 2015.
In response to a university’s charge to promote dialogue, open minds and critical thinkers, University Day provides TESU with an opportunity to take a deep dive into issues that affect the crossroads between society and higher education. This year we will discuss the need for informed civic engagement and how we might navigate an environment seemingly poised to create conflict and foster division, especially across partisan lines.
Dr. Malcolm Oliver, Dean of the TESU John S. Watson School of Public Service will moderate the conversation between Anthony “Skip” Cimino, former Executive Director, NJ General Assembly, Kevin Drennan, former Executive Director, NJ Senate, and Dr. Tara Kent, Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Studies at TESU. The discussion will center on the need for public officials to work across the aisle to effectively solve problems, and the tools that are being used to train the next generation of public administrators to operate within this highly fragmented political environment.
For more information, please contact Angela Chatman, at achatman@tesu.edu or call 609-777-5694 ext. 2038.
The 31st Annual Grande Ball was held on October 22, 2022 at the Princeton Marriott.
It was a wonderful evening celebrating TESU’s 50th Anniversary and recognizing two instrumental University partners who share our values around education and opportunity. The TESU Foundation was honored to present Spirit of Edison Awards to Dave Carroll, Head of Total Rewards at UPS, one of TESU’s largest corporate partners, and to Dr. Walt MacDonald, Former President & CEO of ETS, one of TESU’s foundational partners.
For more information, please visit the TESU Foundation Gala.
Join us as TESU highlights our Peer Support Team in recognition of student appreciation and student success.
Thursday, Sept. 22, from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
TESU staff join the Peer Support Team to learn more about their work and their commitment to student success. In recognition of the University’s commitment to student success and as part of our 50th Anniversary Speaker Series, Dr. Jasmeial “Jazz” Jackson, Chief Student Success, Equity and Inclusion Officer of Thomas Edison State University, and Steve Weinblatt, Assistant Director of Student Success, will be joined by the TESU Peer Support Team to talk about the value and importance of supporting students and what it looks like to be a member of the team.
Hear what members of the TESU Peer Support Team have learned as they discuss their commitment to improving student success and supporting each of our unique students at every point in their journey.
Tanya Jenkins
Tanya has always sought out ways to help within the community, serving as a STEM tutor for various organizations, and mentoring and volunteering with groups like Black Girls Code, Unity Care, and Sunnyvale Community Services. Tanya believes that providing opportunities for underrepresented groups is essential, so she actively seeks out partners who can provide educational support, meaningful mentorships, and corporate internships for individuals from these groups.
Ya Vanca BrooksYa Vanca is a passionate program administrator of Support Services for marginalized students, Academic Advisor, educator and TESU Peer Mentor on a mission to encourage, enlighten and help students pursuing a degree help themselves. Although Ya Vanca considers herself a lifelong learner, she believes the learning process must also include an ongoing process of personal mastery and professional development.
Sherri Hamm
Sherri has served to help people in many ways, from serving as an Ombudsman for her husband’s river tender unit in Omaha, Nebraska, to coaching and mentoring staff in her almost 22 years in Healthcare. She believes in giving back and works with local organizations in fundraising efforts in her community in Virginia, including Riverside’s Make a Difference Fund, The Bay School Community Arts Center, American Lung Cancer Society, and The Alzheimer Association, to name a few.
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Resistance
This event was co-sponsored by NJSL Presents and the DEI Council.
The history of the United States is a culmination of the experiences of many people, from European colonists, to Native Americans, to enslaved Africans, to immigrants from around the world. Their experiences, both good and bad, have shaped our nation in concrete and lasting ways. One of the penultimate experiences in our history was the declaration of freedom for all enslaved peoples within the country. In partnership with the NJSL Presents series, we are proud to host Dr. Clyde Ledbetter Jr. to speak on this momentous topic. His talk will focus on the origins of Juneteenth, the importance of the holiday as a culmination of the struggle of African People in the United States against enslavement by referencing a few of the notable rebellions and movements that occurred between 1526-1865, and the lessons we all can learn from this triumph over oppression.
Dr. Clyde Ledbetter Jr. is a visiting Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in the Department of African American Studies. He has been teaching and publishing on subjects in African World Studies for over a decade. He is an alumnus of Lincoln University and received his Ph.D. in African American Studies from Temple University in 2013 and has recently earned a second Master's degree in International Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford. He has taught in a private K-12 African-centered school in Philadelphia as well as at several colleges and universities in the U.S. including Lincoln University and Cheyney University, two Historically Black Universities. In addition to co-editing the book Contemporary Critical Thought in Africology and Africana Studies with Dr. Molefi K. Asante, Dr. Ledbetter has also published articles on Malcolm X as well as various topics concerning human and Peoples’ rights in the African world. In 2019, he researched Black high school students and their organizations as a post-doctoral fellow for the University of Ottawa. Dr. Ledbetter also teaches community history courses for the African community organization Jaku Konbit in Ottawa.
The Division of Community and Government Affairs at Thomas Edison State University hosted a Community Food Distribution event, co-sponsored by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Date/Time: Saturday, June 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Outside of the Kelsey Building, 111 West State Street in Trenton, NJ 08608
Free food was shared with individuals and families from the Trenton community.
Please email community@tesu.edu for more information.
In celebration of Memorial Day, we are grateful to present our speaker, Captain David Christian, widely known as the “Youngest – Most Decorated Officer of the Vietnam War”. We hope you will join us virtually or in person as we recognize and honor all those who have served.
David A. Christian was raised in Levittown, married a Penndel girl named Peggy Todd at Our Lady of Grace and has raised his four children in Washington Crossing – Bucks County.
David entered the US Army after graduation from Woodrow Wilson High School. He went on to be an Airborne, Ranger, Green Beret during the Vietnam War and personally knew over 70 men whose names are engraved in the black granite of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial – two of these men died in Mr. Christian’s arms.
David is known throughout the country as the “Youngest – Most Decorated Officer of the Vietnam War”. He was commissioned an Officer at 18 years of age and gained the rank of Captain by the time he was 20 – only to retire from the Army for combat wounds when he was 21 and returned home here to Penndel and his beloved wife Peggy.
He distinguished himself in combat by being nominated for every valor award of the US Military to include the Medal of Honor and 7 Purple Hearts. During his combat career he discovered over 52 enemy Base Camps and when leading his Ranger/Recon Teams his men often said that “they owned the jungle”. Captain Christian is credited with personally destroying over 6 enemy machine gun nests while armed with only three hand grenades and a bayonet. Also, he captured enemy POW’s in hand to hand fighting, routed enemy insurgents, and captured valuable enemy documents and supplies.
Rightfully, David is proud of his combat service, but his dedication to the military continued when he became the author of the first Agent Orange legislation and the legislation on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that became the “Law of the Land for Military and Veterans”.
Join in and listen to our DEI Speaker Series, sponsored by the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council:
Jamie Franco-Zamudio – Understanding Others
Dr. Franco-Zamudio discusses how our different identities, such as race and gender, influence our experiences. She shares what the current research recommends to help people understand those who are different from oneself, and open up the space for conversations and questions. She will conclude by offering strategies to be an ally in our diverse and complex environments.
Jamie Franco-Zamudio, PhD, is an associate professor at the JFK School of Psychology at National University, and a Thomas Edison State University mentor in psychology. She developed TESU’s first course in the Psychology of Gender.
Franco-Zamudio is dedicated to teaching for social justice and developing course content intended to nurture students’ sense of responsibility, and her work encourages advocacy. She has received numerous awards for her teaching and service, including the Innovative Teaching Award from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) and the Distinguished Service to SPSSI Award. Her research has been funded by the Ford Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the Alabama Department of Public Health. Franco-Zamudio has served on the governing boards of Triangle Speakers, Hope Boxing Academy, Lifelines Counseling Services and Prism United.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and her master’s degree and PhD from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She served as a professor of Psychology at Spring Hill College (SHC) for 12 years.
Join us this year as we come together with members of our TESU and Trenton Community for the annual TESU Foundation Golf Classic.
Monday, May 9, 2022
The Ridge at Back Brook in Ringoes, NJ
11:00 a.m. Shotgun Start
TESU strives to maintain affordable tuition for our adult students – many of whom are juggling work, family and school simultaneously. Proceeds from the golf classic support the TESU Scholarship Fund that provides resources for students who are on their way to earning a life changing degree.
Join us as TESU shines a light on our students and alumni in recognition of National Volunteer Week on Tuesday, Apr. 19, at 2 p.m. ET.
In recognition of National Volunteer Week and as part of our 50th Anniversary Speaker Series, Dr. Merodie Hancock, president of Thomas Edison State University, will be joined by students, staff and alumni who share the University’s strong commitment to community.
Hear why Jennifer Hutchinson, Gabriela Mendoza, Melody Ward and DJ Weltch are invested in giving back to their communities as they discuss their commitment to the importance of volunteerism in their professional and personal lives.
Jennifer Hutchinson, TESU Student Trustee, Board of Trustees
Jennifer serves as the chair of the local Burlington and Camden Board of Directors for the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. With a 100 year legacy of driving change, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey plays a unique role breaking down barriers as they work together to end poverty and expand opportunities throughout our community.
Gabriela Mendoza
Gabby has been actively engaged in her community both personally and professionally over the years, giving of her time to numerous organizations, volunteering with her alma mater and now serving in the role of Community Engagement Coordinator at TESU. In her current role, she helps build connections between the University and the surrounding community creating opportunities to give back and get involved.
Melody Ward, AAHS ’18, BSHS ’20
Melody works at the Center for Family Services which operates more than 70 programs – among them, the Services Empowering the Rights of Victims (SERV) program. She and fellow SERV members routinely provide crisis intervention counseling, connection to resources and professional support to victims of sexual violence, domestic abuse and human trafficking through the program’s 24-hour hotline, virtual support groups and emergency shelters. Melody’s role allows her to focus on her passion of providing a voice to the voiceless. Read more about Melody’s story.
DJ Weltch, BA ’16
DJ grew up in Trenton and worked as a social worker helping the youth in the city. He remains involved today, joining in the initiative dedicated to restoring the historic Locust Hill Cemetery, the largest African American burial ground in Trenton. Weltch now works as operations manager at the Amazon site in Florence, where he is also community liaison and a leader in Amazon’s Black Employee Network.
Duncan Harris - A Virtual Celebration of Black History Month
Duncan Harrison Jr. is the assistant director of Regional Affairs at Princeton University. In this role he identifies and advances opportunities for Princeton to engage in community partnerships in Trenton and throughout Mercer County.
Previously, he served as the associate executive director of the Father Center of New Jersey (formerly UIH Family Partners). The Father Center of New Jersey is a nationally recognized pioneer in the emerging field of fatherhood programs and serves men from all walks of life. The majority of its program participants are unemployed, noncustodial fathers who face multiple systemic barriers to self-sufficiency.
Prior to his role at the Father Center, Duncan was the center coordinator at Rutgers University, Transitional Education and Employment Management (T.E.E.M.) Gateway, a program that provides education and employment assistance and mentoring to at-risk youth throughout New Jersey. Additionally, he worked as a job developer and instructor at Mercer Street Friends in Trenton and special assistant to the vice president and chief program officer for the Northwest Area Foundation in St. Paul, Minn.
Join us as TESU Celebrates Thomas Edison's Birthday with a Distinguished Keynote Speaker
As part of our 50th Anniversary Speaker Series, Aisha Thomas-Petit has been invited to deliver a keynote presentation at noon on Feb. 11. Thomas-Petit, chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion officer at AMC Networks Inc., will speak about her work in the film and media industry as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, followed by a question and answer session from the audience. Students, alumni and friends of the University are invited to join us.
Join us for TESU’s Second Annual Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. ET:
Join the virtual discussion with Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer, pastor of Greater Mt. Zion AME Church Trenton and founder of Salvation and Social Justice, as he addresses health equality, diversity, equity and inclusion issues, the pandemic’s effect on Trenton residents and MLK’s mission as it relates to the Trenton community.
Please join Dr. Merodie Hancock, President of Thomas Edison State University, for our inaugural Edison Speaker Series:
Leveraging America’s Talent to Meet the Needs of an Evolving Workforce
Our expert panel will explore the innovative ways top employers are identifying, preparing and retaining diverse talent for the workforce of today and tomorrow.
- Maurice Jones, CEO, OneTen.org
- Dr. Lillian Lowery, Vice President, ETS Former Delaware Secretary of education
- Michele Siekerka, President and CEO, New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA)
Visit the President’s Studio on Edison Sound Stage
Listen as Thomas Edison President Merodie Hancock discusses wide-ranging topics with expert guests in areas like women in leadership, diversity and inclusion, planning for a 21st century workforce, building a better Capital City and everything in between from the perspective of a university president.
University Presidents
Learn more about our presidents and their roles in shaping Thomas Edison State University.
Throughout the University’s 50 years of serving adult learners, more than 60,000 alumni have earned their degree going on to have a meaningful impact throughout our communities.
The actions of our alumni are woven into the stories of those around them whether it is encouraging others to pursue their degrees, inspiring children or family members to reach their goals, re-entering the workforce or earning a promotion, helping those less fortunate by volunteering locally or internationally… the list goes on. Each seemingly small action has a larger impact, not just on our alumni but in the lives of all those around them.
Join us on Thomas Edison State University’s social media channels and here on the 50 in 50 site to celebrate alumni from each year of TESU’s 50-year history. Each Thursday we will feature a graduate from a different year. TESU graduates contribute to their families, their communities, their workplaces and the University. Celebrate them and this remarkable milestone!
Meet 50 of our amazing alumni from each of our 50 amazing years!
1972: It was a very good year!
- Home Box Office, better known today as HBO, became the first premium cable television subscription service in the country. Before that, most homes only had access to network and public access television.
- The Space Transportation System, better known today as the Space Shuttle program, was formally launched. Before that, space travel had been limited to cumbersome rockets and capsules that could be not be reused.
- Hewlett-Packard, better known today as HP, introduced the first scientific, hand-held calculator. Before that, the only portable, hand-held device that could perform trigonometric and exponential functions was a slide rule.
Also in 1972, Edison College, known today as Thomas Edison State University, was established by the New Jersey State Board of Higher Education. Before that, no institution quite like it had ever existed.
According to the resolution establishing the school, Edison College was created to “…enable individuals to receive academic recognition for skills and knowledge acquired in a variety of ways and would permit New Jersey residents to complete part or all of their work toward a baccalaureate or associate degree without formal attendance at a campus.”
History of Thomas Edison State University
1972
July
- Edison College is established, named after the famous New Jersey inventor who gained extensive knowledge in several technical subject areas without attending college classes.
- Dr. James D. Brown is named director.
September
- The institution opens its doors to the public in a second-floor office in the McShain Building, located at 1750 N. Olden Ave., in Ewing, N.J.
November
- The first student enrolls.
1973
May
- The Board of Trustees is established.
June
- The board holds its first meeting at the Nassau Inn in Princeton, N.J.
- The board appoints Dr. James D. Brown as the school’s first president.
- The board also changes the school’s name to Thomas A. Edison College.
- On June 15, Thomas Edison holds its first Commencement ceremony at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, N.J. The first class includes 70 graduates who earn Associate in Arts degrees.
September
- Dr. Arnold Fletcher is named as the school’s first vice president. He would serve as acting president on two separate occasions in 1978 and 1982.
1974
January
- The first Academic Council is appointed to ensure academic integrity of all academic programs and credit assessments.
March
- The Thomas Edison College Examination Program (TECEP®) is established.
- Thomas Edison becomes a founding member of the Cooperative Assessment of Experiential Learning, precursor to the Council on the Assessment of Experiential Learning (CAEL). The cooperative would develop improved methods in the assessment of experiential learning, which become the standards that govern many of today’s prior learning assessment programs.
1975
May
- Thomas Edison awards its first baccalaureate degrees: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
1976
January
- The Thomas A. Edison State College Foundation for Nontraditional Education, Inc. is founded as a component part of the institution.
March
- Thomas Edison moves to the Forrestal Campus in Princeton, N.J.
1977
June
- The institution earns full accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
1978
July
- Dr. Larraine R. Matusak is named Thomas Edison’s second president.
September
- The institution moves into the historic Kelsey Building in Trenton, N.J.
1980
July
- The N.J. State Board of Higher Education approves the school’s new name to Thomas A. Edison State College.
1981
August
- Thomas Edison completes a major reorganization creating three divisions headed by vice presidents.
1982
September
- The first independent study course is launched, a precursor to Guided Study courses.
December
- Dr. George A. Pruitt becomes Thomas Edison’s third president.
1983
October
- The Foundation is restructured as the Thomas A. Edison State College Foundation, Inc., an independent, charitable organization benefitting the College.
1984
December
- The Center for Learning and Telecommunications is established, forerunner to the Center for Directed Independent Adult Learning (DIAL).
1986
July
- The New Jersey Legislature approves state college autonomy, empowering Thomas Edison and eight other senior public institutions to control resources and daily operations.
- The N.J. Board of Higher Education awards Thomas Edison a three-year $1.8 million challenge grant to create a network that will enable students to access services and courses via a computer network, known as the Computer Assisted Lifelong Learning (CALL) Network.
1987
March
- The first courses using the CALL Network are launched to students; courses are known as Guided Study on CALL courses and are a precursor to online courses. These courses were made available to all students by 1990.
1989
July
- Thomas Edison holds the first National Institute on the Assessment of Experiential Learning as a resource for educators interested in the learning the best practices of assessing adult and experiential learning.
September
- The RN to BSN program receives initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
1991
April
- The Trenton Office of Policy Studies is launched, forerunner to the Institute of Public Policy, which was created in 1995.
1992
October
- The Foundation hosts its first Gala at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton, N.J.
- The institution awards a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology degree to Thomas Alva Edison 61 years after the great inventor’s death. Edison’s great-grandson accepts the degree on his behalf.
- Thomas Edison adds the Academic Center at 167 W. Hanover Street to its Trenton, N.J., campus.
1993
August
- Thomas Edison adds the Kuser Mansion at 315 W. State Street to its Trenton, N.J., campus.
1994
February
- The New York Times calls Thomas Edison "one of the brightest stars of higher learning."
May
- Thomas Edison gains approval for its first graduate program, the Master of Science in Management.
December
- The Foundation awards the first Spirit of Edison Awards.
1995
- The On-Line Computer Classroom is introduced, enabling students with a computer and modem to take classes via the CALL Network.
1996
July
- The New Jersey State Library is made an affiliate of Thomas Edison State College.
- The award-winning townhouse preservation project begins, which will restore five historic townhouses on West State Street.
- The Institute for Public Policy is renamed to honor the outstanding record of public service of the late N.J. Assemblyman John S. Watson, the nation’s first African American chairman of an appropriations committee.
- The Institute establishes a partnership with the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association to provide public policy and research support to New Jersey mayors.
1997
June
- Forbes magazine recognizes Thomas Edison as one of the top 20 institutions in the country to use technology to create learning opportunities for adults.
1998
- Blackboard is implemented as the institution’s learning management system for all online courses.
2000
- Thomas Edison is one of only 60 institutions in the country selected by PBS as a partner in the "Going the Distance" program where students can earn a degree through courses televised on PBS stations.
October
- Thomas Edison partners with the University of South Africa to share resources and expertise and explore the development of new programs.
2001
January
- Thomas Edison is selected by the U.S. Navy as a participating institution in its Navy College Rating Partnership Program.
2002
April
- Thomas Edison is selected by the U.S. Army’s University Access Online Program.
2003
- The Martinson Family Foundation awards the Foundation a $125,000 grant to develop the first interactive, online undergraduate courses that utilize flash technology. The courses earn Thomas Edison a Telly Award for outstanding achievement in video and film production.
2004
- Thomas Edison announces a major academic restructuring with the establishment of schools led by deans that will lead the academic enterprise of the institution.
- Gary and Diane Heavin make a landmark $2 million gift to establish the Gary and Diane Heavin Endowed Fund and the Heavin School of Social and Behavioral Sciences is named in their honor.
- The Canal Banks Building is opened at 221 W. Hanover Street in Trenton.
2005
- The School of Nursing launches its Diversity in Nursing program to recruit and prepare minority nurse educators after being awarded a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Health Resource and Services Administration.
August
- Sun National Bank becomes the first company to enroll in Corporate Choice® program, which maximizes tuition assistance programs for businesses and organizations.
2006
- Thomas Edison launches the Alumni Ambassador Program, which invites graduates to help identify and develop relationships with potential students, donors and businesses.
2007
- UPS enrolls in the Corporate Choice® program, becoming the first major international corporation to participate in the program.
2008
- Thomas Edison launches the Mobile Learning Initiative and pilots the FlashTrack® course delivery format and an online proctoring service; funding is provided by the Foundation.
- The RN to BSN/MSN receives initial accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Accreditation.
2009
June
- Thomas Edison is selected by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a participating institution in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program.
October
- Thomas Edison received a $250,000 competitive FIPSE grant from the Department of Education for the FlashTrack initiative.
December
- The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership is granted initial accreditation from the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.
2010
June
- The School of Nursing is named in honor of the late W. Cary Edwards for the instrumental role he played in the 1980s to help establish a nursing program at the College.
- State leaders decide not to move forward with a proposal to merge the College with Rutgers University.
July
- Thomas Edison receives a $5.1 million federal grant to support the New Jersey State Library’s Broadband Technology Opportunity Program, which added computer workstations, upgrade internet connectivity and provide job search assistance and workforce development programs at libraries throughout New Jersey.
October
- Thomas Edison and The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy receive a $240,000 federal grant to conduct an economic analysis of a region that comprises 19 urban municipalities in New Jersey to help create sustainable economic growth.
2011
September
- Thomas Edison is awarded the 2011 Distance Education Innovation Award by the National University Technology Network for development of the FlashTrack® course delivery system.
- The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s 2010 candidate performance report indicates that the Thomas Edison’s graduates have the highest pass rates for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination among all regionally accredited senior institutions of higher education in New Jersey that offer accounting programs.
2012
March
- The associate degree program and undergraduate certificate in polysomnography is awarded initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
- Major renovations begin on Kuser Mansion, which Thomas Edison purchased in 2008.
2013
- The first graduates of the Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Program earn a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN).
February
- The New York Times calls Thomas Edison the "college that paved the way for flexibility."
September
- Thomas Edison and The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy receive a federal $320,000 grant to create a comprehensive economic development strategy for 19 urban municipalities in New Jersey.
- Demolition begins on Glen Cairn Arms, a blighted, vacant building that Thomas Edison acquired from the city of Trenton.
November
- The Martinson Family Foundation awards Thomas Edison a $450,000 grant to leverage the latest video and multimedia technology to create more interactive courses and develop a media creation studio.
2014
February
- The Center for the Assessment of Learning and the School of Business and Management partner to develop the Open Course Option, which enables students to complete an Associate in Science in Business Administration degree using free, open courses provided by the Saylor Foundation as well as TECEP® and other exam programs and portfolio assessment.
June
- The Helene Fuld Health Trust awards Thomas Edison a $650,000 grant to fund scholarships for students enrolled in the Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Program.
July
- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation selects Thomas Edison for its New Careers in Nursing Scholarship program, which supports underrepresented students in the accelerated BSN program.
- Thomas Edison is named the anchor institution of the New Jersey Prior Learning Assessment Network (NJPLAN), a consortium of New Jersey colleges and universities that will allow their students to earn credit via prior learning assessment.
2015
- The Lumina Foundation selects Thomas Edison to explore ways to develop and scale a national business model that helps more nontraditional students leverage their prior learning and complete their college degrees.
- Comcast partners with Thomas Edison, the Vietnam Veterans of America and the National Veteran Business Development Council to produce a national public service announcement aimed at helping veterans learn how to earn credits for military training to complete a college degree.
- Thomas Edison is selected by the American Council on Education to join The Alternative Credit Project, a consortium of institutions working to create more flexible pathways for nontraditional students.
- On Dec. 1, the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education granted university status to Thomas Edison State College.
2016
January
- The institution publically changes its name to Thomas Edison State University. University status was granted by the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education in early December 2015.
April
- JetBlue announces the launch of its JetBlue Scholars Program and partnership with the University as the sole higher education provider for the program.
August
- The University is selected as one of just eight institutions by the U.S. Department of Education as a site for the Educational Quality through Innovation Partnerships (EQUIP) program, an experimental federal pilot program aimed at promoting, expanding and measuring college access, affordability and student outcomes.
September
- The University opens Glen Cairn Hall, a 34,360-square-foot building that is home to the University’s W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and features state-of-the-art nursing simulation laboratories, lecture halls, conference rooms and the University’s student advising center.
October
- The first cohort of the University’s first doctoral program, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, begin classes.
- The U.S. Economic Development Administration approves a comprehensive economic development strategy coordinated by The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy focusing on 19 urban municipalities in New Jersey, opening up the possibility of federal funding investments for economic development projects in those towns and cities.
2017
June
- Dr. George A. Pruitt announces his plans to retire as president of the University after 35 years. The Board of Trustees begins a nationwide search to find the University’s next president.
July
- The School of Business and Management earns accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Management and Master of Science in Human Resources Management degree programs.
December
- The University announces that Dr. Merodie A. Hancock, president of SUNY Empire State College in New York, has been selected as the next president of Thomas Edison State University, following an extensive national search.
2018
March
- Dr. Merodie A. Hancock takes office as the University’s fourth president.
- The PSEG Foundation awards a $200,000 grant to support a career enhancement initiative for military and veteran students and to support the advancement of science, technology, engineering and math courses at the University.
- The University announces the formation of the Center for Leadership and Governance, which will focus on the development and guidance of emerging leaders as well as strengthening the effectiveness of those already serving in leadership positions. Upon leaving the presidency of the University, Dr. George A. Pruitt serves as board distinguished fellow at the center.
September
- The inauguration of Dr. Hancock is scheduled for Sept. 29, 2018, in conjunction with the University’s 46th annual Commencement.
December
- The University renames its Center for Learning and Technology to the ‘W. J. Seaton Center for Learning and Technology’ in honor of the provost and vice president’s years of commitment to TESU and educational technologies that support adult learning.
2019
May
- The NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) awards The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy at Thomas Edison State University a $155,000 grant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the DCA’s Urban Enterprise Zone program (UEZ).
July
- Thomas Edison State University launches its second doctoral program, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with courses that begin in January.
- Thomas Edison offers 3+1 Bachelor Degrees to NJ Community College students, allowing them to transfer up to 90 community college credit.
August
- Thomas Edison State University receives $100K Signature Grant from The Provident Bank Foundation to program promotes experiential learning as TESU’s nontraditional and distance-learning adult students support New Jersey nonprofit organizations in the form of 12-week Capstone Projects.
- Graduates of Thomas Edison State University’s April 2018-2019 Accelerated Program cohort achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
December
- Wells Fargo donates historic N.C. Wyeth Painting, largest gift in the University’s history.
2020
January
- TESU becomes innovative partner providing college credit for edX’s MicroBachelors® Programs, a novel undergraduate-level credential.
March
- TESU staff is moved to working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
October
- The University held its first virtual Commencement ceremony and helped the Class of 2020 celebrate by mailing Commencement Celebration Boxes with items that have previously been given exclusively to graduates who attend a TESU Commencement in person.
- TESU Foundation hosts the 29th Annual Grande Ball 2020 virtually.
My name is Elizabeth Ewing, and I am the proud first graduate of Thomas Edison State University, then College.
I am very pleased to be able to share my story in celebration of the University’s 50th Anniversary. In 1973 I was a young mother and a student at Monmouth University. Finding the time to attend class and care for my son was difficult at times, and when he had an unfortunate accident resulting in a broken leg, I was no longer able to physically attend class. I was frustrated and disappointed because I was so close to earning my degree.
A friend told me about a new state college that was allowing students to transfer credits from other institutions. Having enough credits to earn an associate degree, I transferred all my credits to Thomas Edison and graduated on June 15, 1973, at the College’s first commencement ceremony. We lined up alphabetically and with my last name being Barry at the time, I became the very first alumni.
The University has grown so much in the last 50 years, but its mission has not waivered. Today, the University is still as dedicated to providing flexible higher education for working adults as it was in 1972. With new and innovative approaches, the University is focused on responding to the needs of working adults and their employers and ensuring that the impact of a TESU degree extends into our communities.
I have been supporting the University over the years with an annual gift and am delighted to be able to give back so that others might have the same wonderful experience as I did. As part of the University’s 50th Anniversary celebration, please join me in making a meaningful gift to support the University that truly transformed my life and the lives of so many others!
A Campus with History
Thomas Edison State University’s campus comprises six buildings located in the historic district surrounding New Jersey’s state capitol building in Trenton.
The Ripple Effect
Your TESU story didn’t end when you earned your degree. Your impact had only begun. Tell us how earning your degree started a ripple effect in your life and the lives of those around you.
Why Choose Thomas Edison State University?
Since 1972, TESU has been a leader in adult education, focusing exclusively on you. We understand the importance of providing flexibility with structure, and it’s our goal to provide a learning environment that is right for you and your needs. As a result, at TESU we strive to meet our ultimate goal – helping you to achieve a degree that will lead you to career advancement.
100+ Degree Programs
Choose from associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, plus certificates.
Year-Round Enrollment
Undergraduate courses start monthly. Graduate courses have multiple start dates per year.
Online Classes
Study when and where it’s convenient for you with online classes.
Friendly to the Military
As a Yellow Ribbon school, we offer tuition discounts to service members and their families.
Transfer Credits
We accept eligible transfer credits – from prior education, prior learning, and military training.
Fully Accredited
Accreditation matters. TESU is accredited by the Middle States Commission and has programmatic accreditation. Learn more »