Executive Director, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)

Dr. Cusack is Executive Director of the Center for Pre-College Programs at NJIT. Prior to her 2015 appointment, she served NJIT as a Consultant to the President, Interim Executive Manager of the Center for Pre-College Programs, and Consultant to the Vice President for Academic Support and Student Affairs.

Before NJIT, Dr. Cusack‘s career was centered in the public school arena where she served in positions ranging from classroom teacher, principal, and curriculum supervisor to acting assistant commissioner of education for the New Jersey Department of Education, assistant superintendent of schools, and superintendent of schools.

She has also taught educational administration and foundations courses at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels at Teachers College, Columbia University, Virginia Tech, New Jersey City University, and Saint Peter’s University. Dr. Cusack is the founder of My Sister’s Keeper, Inc., a non-profit organization with the mission of providing mentoring services and scholarships for girls. Established in 1986, My Sister’s Keeper, Inc. also provides emergency financial assistance to families, especially female-headed households.

Her state and community activities also include an appointment as a public member of the Supreme Court of New Jersey’s District Ethics Committee, District VA; emeritus trustee for the Columbia High School Scholarship Fund, South Orange and Maplewood School District; and membership in the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.

 Dr. Cusack earned a B.A. from Elmira College, M.A. and Ed.M. from Teachers College, Columbia University, and Ed.D. from Virginia Tech.