R. Barbara Gitenstein

With over 40 years of experience as a college professor and administrator in both the public and private sectors, Dr. Gitenstein was the first woman provost and executive Vice President at Drake University (6 ½ years) and the first woman president at The College of New Jersey (19 years). 

Upon her arrival at TCNJ in 1999, Dr. Gitenstein immediately set about enhancing academic rigor and faculty-student engagement, which led to a transformation of the entire undergraduate program. This was accomplished in fewer than 3 years. The high number of students who graduate on time, for example, has led to TCNJ ‘s being ranked 5th in the nation among all public colleges and universities for having the highest four-year graduation rate. TCNJ ranks 2nd only to Princeton for New Jersey institutions for successful admission of undergraduates to graduate programs. 

Since retirement in 2018, Dr. Gitenstein has been an active consultant with the Association of Governing Boards, focusing on issues of good governance, presidential/board relations, and effective presidential leadership. She has recently written two memoirs on her leadership journey and edited a book on effective retreats for boards of trustees. 

Born in Florala, Alabama, Dr. Gitenstein received a BA with honors in English from Duke University and a PhD in English and American Literature from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her research focus as a professor was Jewish-American Literature.