Hendricks, Rochelle R. (Rochelle Robinson)
biographical statement
Rochelle Robinson Hendricks
Secretary of Education
State of New Jersey
Rochelle R. Hendricks was named the first Secretary of Higher Education for the State of New Jersey in May 2011. As Secretary she is responsible for policy and program development to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of New Jersey’s higher education institutions. Since starting the position, Secretary Hendricks has engaged the agency in the national higher education reform agenda while focusing on advancing the blueprint for reforming higher education recommended by the Governor’s Higher Education Task Force chaired by Governor Kean, as well as the report issued by the UMDNJ Task Force chaired by Dr. Sol Barer.
She recently served as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Education; provided critical leadership during the search for a new State Superintendent of Newark Public Schools; and was instrumental in helping the Governor’s education reform plans, including the creation and appointment of the Educator Effectiveness Task Force.
She joined the Department of Education in 1987, and has previously served in various capacities within the department, including Acting Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner.
Prior to joining the Department of Education, she worked for over 15 years at Princeton University in numerous capacities, including Assistant Dean of Students, Director of the Educational Opportunities Program and Interim Director of the Women’s Program.
Secretary Hendricks graduated from Temple University, garnering the Emma Jean Johnson Scholarship for “outstanding potential in the field of education” and Princeton Theological Seminary with the Edler Hawkins Prize for Academic Excellence. She is also an alumna of Princeton University’s Graduate Teacher Program and Bryn Mawr University’s Institute for Women in Higher Education. Centenary College awarded her an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in January 2012.