NJ Lt. Gov., Rutgers-Newark Leader Honored At African American History Gala

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — New Jersey’s new lieutenant governor and the chancellor of Rutgers-Newark each earned leadership awards during the 2026 Essex County African American History Month Celebration.

Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell was awarded with the Essex County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award on Wednesday.

“It is an honor to be getting an award in front of so many people that I know,” said Caldwell, the founding executive director of the Newark Alliance.

“As your lieutenant governor, with Gov. Mikie Sherrill, we are committed to build on what Essex County has been doing for so many years,” he added.

Rutgers-Newark chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson was awarded with the Essex County Coretta Scott King Leadership Award.

“As a member of the NAACP, I have been in this fight for justice and equality for a long time,” Smith-Jackson said.

“Where we are now is because of people like Coretta Scott King,” she added. “We stand on her shoulders because she was an agent of change.”

The African American History Month Celebration is part of a year-long cultural series that highlights Essex County’s diversity. Other celebrations highlight Irish, Italian, Jewish, Latino and Portuguese heritage, and women’s history.

“We are proud to recognize Dr. Dale Caldwell and Dr. Tonya Smith-Jackson for their unwavering commitment to public service, educational excellence and equity,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“Through their leadership, they continue to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve the quality of life for residents throughout Essex County and New Jersey,” he added.

County administrators offered some background about each of this year’s awardees:

DALE CALDWELL

Lt. Governor Caldwell has dedicated his life to serving the people of New Jersey through leadership roles in public service, higher education, the private sector, and faith-based community work. He was elected with Governor Mikie Sherrill in November 2025 and sworn into office in January 2026.

He previously served as President of Centenary University and held numerous senior leadership positions, including Executive Director of the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University, President of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey (ESCNJ), Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Founding Executive Director of the Newark Alliance, and Senior Manager at Deloitte Consulting. A lifelong advocate for education and community engagement, Lt. Governor Caldwell also volunteered on the New Brunswick Board of Education for 26 years, serving six years as board president. His commitment to mentorship, economic opportunity, and equitable development has guided his work across sectors.

In addition to his professional career, Lt. Governor Caldwell serves as pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, where he has built an inclusive congregation rooted in community, service, and acceptance. He is guided by Proverbs 31:8–9, which calls on leaders to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Service to others was instilled in Lt. Governor Caldwell from an early age. His mother was a teacher, and his father, the late Rev. Gilbert Caldwell, was a prominent leader in the Civil Rights Movement who marched alongside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This legacy continues to shape his lifelong commitment to justice, opportunity, and service for all New Jersey residents.

TONYA SMITH-JACKSON

Dr. Smith-Jackson, PhD, CPE, serves as Chancellor of Rutgers University – Newark and is a nationally recognized industrial and systems engineer with extensive experience in academic leadership, research, and public service. As Chancellor, Dr. Smith-Jackson is committed to advancing student success, research excellence, and community-engaged scholarship, while strengthening the university’s role as a driver of innovation, equity, and opportunity.

Prior to her appointment at Rutgers University – Newark, Dr. Smith-Jackson served as Provost at North Carolina A&T State University. Her career spans leadership roles in higher education, industry, and government, including service with the National Science Foundation, as well as appointments at universities and community colleges in North Carolina, New York, Virginia, and Germany. A Fellow of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Dr. Smith-Jackson has led research laboratories and centers focused on human factors in human-computer interaction and human-systems design. Her work advances accessibility and usability across a wide range of sectors, including consumer products, health care, construction, transportation, and communication technologies.

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