Ramapo College Officially Welcomes New President To Campus

MAHWAH, NJ — The beginning of a new era for Ramapo College began on Tuesday as Cindy Jebb began her tenure as the Mahwah college's fifth president. She is the first woman to serve in the role.

The College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Jebb as president on March 5, and the college announced the decision shortly thereafter. The college posted about the beginning of her role on Tuesday.

Jebb comes to Ramapo after a nearly 40-year career in the United States military, including roles at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

She retired from the U.S. Army this summer with the rank of Brigadier General after 39 years of service.

Her career has been varied. She taught college courses, published three books, served as a member on the Council on Foreign Relations and conducted human security research in Africa as part of her various command and staff positions in the military.

Academically, Jebb served as Professor and Head of the Department of Social Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point before assuming the duties as Dean of the Academic Board there. She earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from Duke University, an M.A. in Political Science from Duke, an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Jenn replaces the retiring Peter Mercer, who served in the role for 16 years. Mercer led the college in "substantial physical and academic growth" during his 16-year tenure. Mercer was also tasked with handling the coronavirus pandemic at Ramapo, the remnants of which Jebb will likely have to navigate during the early days of her presidency.

To that end, Ramapo College is mandating that students seeking to return to campus in the fall receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The college will allow for religious and medical exemptions, but residential and commuter students "will need to show proof that they have completed the final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine" by mid-August.

Read more: Cindy Jebb Is The 5th President Of Ramapo College

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