NJ Secretary of Higher Education Visits Seton Hall University

New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Margo Chaly, Esq., visited Seton Hall University on September 16 for a series of conversations with University leaders and students focused on the future of higher education in New Jersey.

During her visit, Chaly met with President Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly, S.T.L., and members of the University’s Cabinet to discuss priorities and challenges facing higher education institutions and the students they serve. She also joined a smaller group of Seton Hall students for a conversation in Presidents Hall, offering students an opportunity to share their perspectives directly with the state’s higher education leader.

Across the discussions, participants addressed several issues shaping the student experience and the future of postsecondary education, including accessibility and affordability, student well-being and belonging on college campuses and preparing graduates to enter and succeed in the workforce.

Later in the day, the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute welcomed Chaly, a Seton Hall Law alumna, for a fireside chat with the broader University community as part of its Distinguished Speaker Series.

The event came at the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a season of programming across Seton Hall recognizing Latino culture, history and contributions. Through its Distinguished Speaker Series, the Unanue Institute provides students, faculty and administrators opportunities to engage directly with leaders whose work is shaping their fields and communities.

During the fireside chat, Chaly reflected on her professional journey and her transition into a role leading higher education policy for the state. Rather than describing her career as a carefully mapped path, she spoke about the unexpected opportunities and decisions that shaped her professional life and encouraged students to remain open to possibilities that may fall outside their original plans.

“Sometimes opportunities present themselves, and they have nothing to do with your plan. Sometimes those opportunities are exactly the ones that need to be explored, so keep yourself open,” encouraged the Secretary.

The conversation also gave students insight into the responsibilities and challenges of supporting higher education across New Jersey. Building on themes raised throughout her visit, Chaly discussed the broader higher education landscape, institutional priorities and the evolving needs of college students.

Following the conversation, students had the opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A session.

“Our team is listening and responding to the concerns of our students and institutions of higher education,” Chaly shared, reinforcing the importance of ongoing dialogue among state leaders, colleges and universities and the students they serve.

Chaly’s connection to Seton Hall added another dimension to the visit. As a graduate of Seton Hall Law, she returned to the University as both an alumna and a state leader, sharing with students how a career can develop in unexpected ways as new opportunities emerge.

Her visit brought together conversations at several levels of the University, from institutional leadership to small-group student dialogue and the larger campus community, providing opportunities to exchange perspectives on the challenges and possibilities shaping higher education in New Jersey.

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