September 14, 2026

Ramapo College of New Jersey President Cindy R. Jebb has once again been named to NJBIZ’s 2026 Power Education List, recognizing New Jersey leaders making an impact across the state’s education sector. Jebb has been recognized on the list multiple times during her tenure as Ramapo’s fifth president.

Jebb, who became president in 2021 following a 39-year career in the U.S. Army, including service as the first woman dean of the Academic Board at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, continues to focus her leadership on developing students as adaptable, purpose-driven leaders.

“I am most proud of serving and mentoring generations of purpose-driven leaders of character across 39 years in the U.S. Army – including service as West Point’s first woman academic dean – and now as president of Ramapo College, N.J.’s premier public liberal arts college,” Jebb told NJBIZ. “Supporting students as they grow into agile, empathetic thinkers who serve with integrity never gets old.”

The 2025-26 academic year was marked by several milestones for Ramapo, including the College’s first-ever Truman Scholar and first-ever Goldwater Scholar. Sarah Glisson ’26 was named a 2026 Truman Scholar, placing Ramapo among a select group of institutions whose students have received the prestigious national award. Just weeks earlier, Franco Miyashiro ’27 became Ramapo’s first Goldwater Scholar, one of the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate awards for students pursuing research in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.

The College also celebrated more than 1,500 graduates at its 2026 Commencement and continued to earn national recognition for student outcomes and social mobility. In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings released during the academic year, Ramapo rose to No. 8 among public regional universities in the North and reached its highest-ever regional social mobility ranking at No. 85 nationally.

Looking ahead, Jebb told NJBIZ that higher education must demonstrate its value as artificial intelligence reshapes careers and families increasingly weigh the return on their college investment.

“The biggest shift is restoring public trust by delivering a clear ROI in the age of AI,” Jebb said. “At Ramapo, that ROI shows in our graduates’ upward social mobility, efficient time to degree, and strong service and earnings.”

NJBIZ’s Power Lists are compiled by the publication’s editorial staff based on reporting from the past year, with input from experts and readers. The lists recognize individuals whose professional accomplishments and public service contribute to the advancement of New Jersey.