
Dr. George A. Pruitt has been president of Thomas Edison State College since 1982. He is a nationally recognized leader in higher education whose expertise is routinely sought by national, state, county and local organizations. Dr. Pruitt has served in an advisory capacity to four Secretaries of Education under three Presidents of both parties. The Exxon Education Foundation identified him as one of the most effective college presidents in the United States, and he has been recognized as one of the nation's most entrepreneurial college presidents in a study funded by the Kauffman Foundation.
Dr. Pruitt is active in the forming educational policy nationally and in New Jersey, and consults widely for business and government. He has served as:
- Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning; Chairman of the Committee on Alternatives and Innovation of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities; Chairman of the New Jersey Presidents' Council; Chariman of the New Jersey Capital Region Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Chairman of the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce.
- A member of three national American Council on Education commissions; the New Jersey State Planning Commission; and advisor to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation National Fellowship Program.
- A consultant to the University of Transkei in Umtate, South Africa, for the American Council on Education.
Dr. Pruitt currently serves as:
- A member of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity of the United States Department of Education; the Board of Directors of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities; and the New Jersey Presidents' Council.
- A Board member of Sun National Bank, Vineland, NJ; Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ; Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation (SEEDCO), New York, NY; and The Union Institute and University, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Prior to coming to the College, Dr. Pruitt served in executive leadership positions at Illinois State University, Towson State University, Morgan State University, Tennessee State University, and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. In addition, he is the recipient of three honorary degrees and numerous awards, honors, and commendations.
Dr. Pruitt has an adult daughter, Shayla. He resides in Lawrenceville, NJ, with his wife, Pamela.