Boakye to be inaugurated as Essex County College’s 9th president on May 5

Essex County College President Augustine A. Boakye

NEWARK, NJ — Augustine A. Boakye will be inaugurated as Essex County College’s ninth president in a ceremony on Thursday, May 5, at 10 a.m. in the Cleo Hill Sr. Physical Education Building on the college’s Newark campus.

Boakye was appointed interim president on July 21, 2020. He was officially appointed president by the college’s board of trustees effective Nov. 1, 2021.

“We look forward to a long and productive relationship with our new president, one that will certainly continue to put students first,” board Chairperson Marion A. Bolden said. “The inaugural ceremony shows the commitment that everyone has at Essex County College to move our proud institution into our next chapter of service to the community.”

The event’s theme is “servant leadership,” a philosophy in which the goal of the leader is to serve. 

Boakye started his Essex County College career in 2009 as an associate professor of economics. He has also served as chairperson of the Division of Business, and acting dean of liberal arts and business. He earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Dundee in Scotland.

Following the inauguration, there will be a community reception at the college. In the evening, the college will hold its Presidential Scholarship Gala at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston.

For more information, visit essex.edu/inauguration.