Berkeley College recently announced two new appointments for its leadership team in Newark, NJ, and system-wide. Iessa Sutton has been named Campus Operating Officer in Newark. “Ms. Sutton is a proven campus leader who works with students, faculty, staff, alumni, business and community organizations to strengthen access to opportunities for students’ success,” said Will Moya, Vice President, Operations, Berkeley College.
As Campus Operating Officer in Newark, Ms. Sutton will handle day-to-day operations and collaborate with many departments to ensure that the policies, procedures and goals of the campus and College are met. She also will continue to strengthen partnerships in the community that build pathways to internship and career opportunities for students.
Ms. Sutton joined Berkeley College in 2012. Her experience includes serving as Campus Operating Officer in Brooklyn from 2015 to 2019, and previously as Senior Director, Career Services. “In Brooklyn Ms. Sutton established pathways to the business community, and engaged the campus in initiatives with the Brooklyn Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and other organizations. She will continue these efforts in Newark,” said Mr. Moya.
Prior to joining Berkeley College, Ms. Sutton held management positions at The Harlem School of the Arts, The Hewitt School and The Julliard School. A longtime supporter of the performing arts, she served on the Board of Directors at the Theatre of Dance Movement Cultural Arts Academy, St. Albans, Queens, NY. Ms. Sutton was the 2019 recipient of the “Making a Difference Award” at the Fifth Annual Fierce Fabulous Unstoppable Conference in Brooklyn.
Ms. Sutton resides in Harlem, Manhattan, NY. She graduated from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA, with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and double minor in Music and Communications. She earned a Master’s degree in Arts and Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix, AZ, where she currently is enrolled in a PhD degree program in Higher Education Administration.
Earl Brown, former Campus Operating Officer in Newark, NJ, has been appointed to the position of Executive Director, Academic Partnerships and Community Relations for Berkeley College in New York and New Jersey.
Mr. Brown began his tenure at Berkeley College in 2012 as a Business Development Associate in Career Services. He was named Campus Operating Officer in Newark in December 2016. In his new role, Mr. Brown will establish and expand academic partnerships with high schools and community colleges in New Jersey and New York. He also will oversee workforce development initiatives pertaining to adult non-credit and credit certificate and degree programs.
“During his time in Newark, Mr. Brown elevated the College’s participation in college and career readiness programs through the Newark City of Learning Collaborative and other community-based organizations, including the Newark City Public Schools, businesses and nonprofit organizations,” Mr. Moya said. “He brings this experience to his new role, where he will continue to forge partnerships that expand equity and access to higher education in diverse communities.”
In June, Mr. Brown was appointed to a Working Group on Student Success for the State of New Jersey Plan for Higher Education under Governor Phil Murphy’s Task Force for Higher Education. He is a resident of East Orange, NJ.
Mr. Brown holds an MBA in Business Administration from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, and Bachelor’s degrees in both Economics and Business Management from Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, VA.
Berkeley College is an integral part of the Newark, NJ, community, and participates in initiatives with the Newark City of Learning Collaborative, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and the United Way of Essex and West Hudson, among other organizations. In 2018, the College joined the Obama Foundation, My Brother’s Keeper, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and more than 30 community partners as a sponsor of the Pathways to Success Opportunity Summit, which provided an opportunity for more than 1,300 young men of color to interview for jobs and build their professional skill sets.
In May, Berkeley College hosted its 2019 Commencement ceremony at Prudential Center in Newark, where a diverse class of more than 2,200 graduates received diplomas.
