Dear Highlanders,

I am pleased to announce that, following Holly Stern’s decision to retire this fall, NJIT has successfully completed a national search for a successor general counsel and vice president of legal affairs. Sandy Curko, who brings more than 25 years of extensive legal experience and has represented both corporate entities and educational institutions throughout her career, will join NJIT on October 2, 2024.

Sandy comes to NJIT from Iona University, where she has served as general counsel. Prior to Iona, Sandy served as general counsel and assistant vice president at Queens College of The City University of New York. She holds a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Boston University. Sandy is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and the United States District Court, District of Massachusetts.

At NJIT, Sandy will oversee and manage NJIT’s legal affairs, providing counsel on a wide range of legal, regulatory, policy and governance issues. She will be responsible for advising on contracts, labor and employment law, intellectual property and risk management. She also will serve as a thought leader and advance initiatives in legal operations and processes — all essential to our Strategic Plan 2030 to become a nexus of innovation that is a physical and intellectual focal point for ideas, actions, and people focused on innovation, including researchers, learners, entrepreneurs, and partners from government, industry, and the community. 

Please join me in welcoming Sandy to NJIT and in supporting her important work once she arrives in October. Also, please join me in thanking Holly Stern, who has agreed to delay her retirement until she can help facilitate a smooth transition. Holly has been a highly respected member of NJIT’s senior leadership team for many years and has provided distinguished service to NJIT throughout her tenure.

Sincerely,

Teik C. Lim

NJIT President