NJIT Names Matthew Bonasia Chief of State Government Affairs

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has announced a restructuring of its government and community relations operations as well as the hiring of Matthew J. Bonasia as Chief of State Government Affairs. Aligning with NJIT’s 2030 strategic plan, which includes government and community engagement and partnerships among the university’s priority areas of focus on its path to becoming a nexus of innovation–a physical and intellectual focal point for innovative ideas, actions, and people–this enhancement will enable the university to expand its external relationships and impact at both the state and local levels.

Bonasia begins his NJIT tenure September 24, 2024, and will lead efforts to develop and implement strategies for representing the university’s interests at the state level while proactively identifying opportunities to advance key institutional priorities in collaboration with a broad range of campus and governmental partners. He will split time between Newark and Trenton, where NJIT has not previously had a physical presence, and be responsible for maintaining and cultivating strong and mutually beneficial relationships with government officials, legislators and staff, policy leaders, advocacy organizations, and others. In doing so, he will collaborate with a broad range of internal and external partners to advance NJIT’s goals and initiatives.

Having most recently served as Chief of Staff for New Jersey State Senator Joseph A. Lagana, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain and Assemblyman Chris Tully, Bonasia brings extensive governmental experience to his new role at NJIT. He also previously worked for the Democratic Committee of Bergen County, the transition team of County Executive-Elect James Tedesco, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee and as Campaign Manager for Linda Greenstein for Senate and Wayne DeAngelo and Dan Benson for Assembly, among several other posts.

Bonasia will work in partnership with our federal consultants as well as Dr. Angela Garretson, NJIT’s Chief of Public and Community Affairs, whose responsibilities center on representing the university and advocating for its interests at the local level, particularly as they relate to the City of Newark, Essex County, and community organizations.

NJIT President Teik C. Lim said of the new strategy, “NJIT is a university that is deeply committed to its public mission, which includes being a partner to the State of New Jersey and to our local community. In order to expand upon our impact at both levels and to develop the strategic relationships that will enable us to do so, this is a necessary and exciting step. I am very excited for Matthew to join our team and look forward to the work that he, Angela, and our federal consultants will do for the benefit of NJIT and for the people of our federal, state and local communities.”