It's no secret that discipline and structure are essential to the success of our military members.
The same can be said about adult students. It's the application of these fundamental skills that will help them succeed throughout their academic career and beyond.
Jerome Ingram Jr. knows the importance of discipline and structure firsthand, as a veteran and as an adult student.
As a captain in the New Jersey Army National Guard, program coordinator for athletes and veterans at Atlantic Cape Community College, TESU alum and current graduate student, Ingram can now add student trustee and role model to his growing list of accolades.
Meet Jerome Ingram Jr., Student Trustee
Jerome Ingram Jr. serves as a student trustee on the Board of Trustees at Thomas Edison State University and represents the student body. In this capacity, he vocalizes the opinions and perspectives of all TESU students at the highest level of University decision making.
Ingram was nominated in his role as student trustee by Dr. Linda Holt, mentor, and Dr. Burt Peretti, assistant dean, Heavin School of Arts, Sciences, and Technology, and ultimately chosen for the 2021-2022 fiscal year for his unique higher education experience, exceptional academic record and distinguished military career. He was awarded a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Thomas Edison State University in 2014 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in liberal studies in digital humanities. He is a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, the oldest and largest national honor society for nontraditional students engaged in professional careers who achieve and maintain outstanding scholastic standards and leadership, since 2014.
“I was very humbled and honored to be nominated and eventually chosen as the upcoming student trustee,” Ingram said. “I am usually a man of many words, but I was initially overtaken with emotions. As a baccalaureate alumnus, a current Thomas Edison graduate student, New Jersey Army National Guard member and higher education employee, I believe I can be the ears and eyes for the many faces of our students.”
Since 2018, Ingram has served Atlantic Cape Community College in essential student-facing roles, most recently as a program coordinator, where he advises, supports and assists a diverse body of Atlantic Cape students in each phase of their academic journey. Since 2005, Ingram has served as the primary logistics staff officer with the New Jersey Army National Guard, where he monitors the supply, maintenance and transportation among four subordinate units.
Ingram is active in higher education and military organizations and is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), National Guard Association of New Jersey (NGANJ) and the National Guard Association of the United States (NJAUS).
Ingram holds an associate degree in liberal arts from Atlantic Cape Community College.
The Role of a Student Trustee
Two student representatives – a voting member and an alternate – are elected by the Board of Trustees at the annual meeting each September. During their first year, student trustees attend and participate in discussion at all meetings but cannot vote. Students become a voting member of the Board in their second year.
All Thomas Edison State University Board of Trustee meetings are open for viewing to the public. Meetings are normally held in the Kelsey Board Room of the University, but due to the pandemic, are held via Zoom. To register for an upcoming meeting and watch the proceedings, visit the calendar, here.
Interested in sharing your thoughts and opinions with Ingram and the TESU Board of Trustees? Share your voice in the comments below.
Written by Thomas Edison State University