NJIT Welcomes Paul Profeta to its Board of Trustees

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is proud to announce the appointment of Paul V. Profeta — a visionary in entrepreneurship, real estate and community development — to its Board of Trustees by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

Profeta's involvement with NJIT spans a decade, during which he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the university’s mission of fostering innovation and uplifting underserved communities.

Since joining the Board of Directors of the NJIT Foundation in 2014, Profeta has played an active role in guiding the university’s growth and engagement efforts. His insights have been instrumental in expanding NJIT’s reach, particularly in areas that serve both students and the Newark community.

In recent years, Profeta has been a key partner in NJIT’s initiatives aimed at advancing education and research in real estate and entrepreneurship. He helped NJIT secure a downtown Newark property for administrative use, creating space for expanded academic facilities. His passion for community support also is reflected in his efforts to supply fresh produce from his family’s organic farm to NJIT’s Food Pantry, which supports students in need.

Profeta’s appointment to the Board of Trustees, confirmed by the state Legislature on Sept. 30, underscores his dedication to NJIT’s mission. His leadership and expertise will further strengthen the university’s efforts to foster strong ties with its home city of Newark and address global challenges.

“Paul is an exceptional friend of NJIT, generous with his time, wisdom and expertise, and loves Newark as much as we do,” said President Teik C. Lim. “We are grateful to add his enthusiasm and experience to a diverse group of alumni and business leaders who serve generously as Trustees.”

“I have met and gotten to know most of the members of the Board of Trustees through my involvement with NJIT,” Profeta said. “Most of them are alumni. They care deeply about the school and work hard on committees and in board meetings to make NJIT the best it can be. They are an inspiring group.”

A commercial real estate investor and developer for nearly 50 years, Profeta brings extensive experience in business, education and philanthropy, with a focus on revitalizing Newark. His Profeta Urban Investment Foundation, established in 2008, supports minority-owned businesses by offering expertise, mentorship, and interest-free loans.

At NJIT, Profeta continues his efforts to nurture future entrepreneurs through the Paul Profeta Community Entrepreneurship Program at the New Jersey Innovation Institute, where he personally leads workshops for aspiring business owners in Newark and beyond.

The Paul Profeta Real Estate Technology, Design and Innovation Center at NJIT’s Martin Tuchman School of Management is another testament to his vision, serving as a hub for research and training in cutting-edge real estate technologies and construction techniques that are reshaping the industry.

Profeta, who holds a bachelor’s from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School, also serves on the Board of Trustees of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. In addition, his experience in higher education extends beyond NJIT: he has taught real estate at Columbia Business School, guest-lectured at Harvard Business School and established real estate centers at Columbia Business School and Rutgers.

“We greatly value Paul’s deep experience as a business leader and what he has accomplished in partnership with NJIT, particularly on behalf of students and local entrepreneurs,” said Board of Trustees Chair Robert Cohen. “We look forward to building on his relationship with NJIT as he begins his tenure on the Board.”