Irene Trowell-Harris and Luke Visconti Appointed to NJCU Board of Trustees
New Jersey City University (NJCU) announced the appointment of Irene Trowell-Harris and Luke Visconti to its Board of Trustees.
NJCU President Sue Henderson noted, “We are delighted that Irene and Luke will be joining the Board. Their wisdom will help us to advance our strategic plans to innovate for the future, and we look forward to their insights and participation.”
Irene Trowell-Harris, R.N., Ed.D., FAAN, Maj Gen, USAF, Ret.
Dr. Irene Trowell-Harris is the former Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Women Veterans. In this role, she was the primary advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on legislation, programs and issues related to women Veteran and White House appointee serving two presidents. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Trowell-Harris served as Director of VA’s Office of Inspector General’s Healthcare Inspections Regional Office in Washington DC. In this position, she directed a multidisciplinary staff of inspectors responsible for conducting oversight reviews to improve the economy, effectiveness, and efficiency of VA’s programs.
Dr. Trowell-Harris served 38 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard (ANG), retiring as a Major General in September 2001. She was the first female and nurse to command a medical clinic and first African-American female in the history of the National Guard to be promoted to general officer. She is also the first to have a mentoring award and a Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Chapter named in her honor.
Dr. Trowell-Harris is the recipient of numerous awards, most notably the Air Force Distinguished Service and Legion of Merit awards; the Dr. James D. Weaver Society Award, named for the distinguished Pennsylvania Congressman and Air National Guard Flight Surgeon; the Eagle Award from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for her contributions to aviation; the Air Force Association’s National Aerospace Award for Department of Veterans Affairs Employee of the Year 2010, given for the most outstanding performance of duty as a VA employee and her consistent dedication to the well-being of our Veterans, the VA Outstanding and Invaluable Service to the Community Award; and numerous Outstanding Performance awards. She is a Distinguished Alumna of Yale University, Columbia University, NJCU and was inducted into the Columbia University Nursing Hall of Fame and the Yale University School of Medicine Honor Roll for her dedication to public service.
Dr. Trowell-Harris received an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from New Jersey City University 2014, Medical University of South Carolina 1997 and University of Pikeville in 2017.
She was honored as one of the “21 Leaders of the 21st Century” by Women’s eNews in NYC. Dr. Trowell-Harris was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of nursing November 3, 2018 as one of 195 highly distinguished nurse leaders from 29 countries around the world. Recognized as one of 4 accomplished Yale women pioneers in public health October 2019 (Yale Magazine Fall 2019).
Dr. Trowell-Harris is an alumna of New Jersey City University (then Jersey City State), having graduated Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of arts in health education.
Luke Visconti
Luke Visconti is the founder and Chairman of DiversityInc. He launched DiversityInc as a website in 1997 and has guided it to be the leading measurement of corporate diversity efforts.
Luke created the DiversityInc Top 50, the leading corporate diversity list. Entering its 20th year, the competition had more than 1,200 participants for 2019.
Luke also created the DiversityInc Foundation, a 501(c)(3), which primarily funds endowed scholarships for economically underresourced students.
Luke was past chair of New Jersey City University Foundation and has been on the board for 14 years. He is also vice chairman of the National Organization on Disability.
Luke holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Rutgers University. He is a veteran, having served as a Naval Aviator for more than eight years on active duty and another 18 months in the reserves. He served as a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel for almost ten years. He was awarded an honorary Ph.D. by New Jersey City University in 2013.