Linden Resident Named Among Thousands of Applicants to Receive Regional Award

Dr. Jaime Segal, a Linden resident and NJ Vice President of External Affairs and Government Relations at Union College of New Jersey (UCNJ), was named the 2026 Northeast Regional Professional Board Staff Member of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) on August 7.

Dr. Segal is a finalist for the 2026 ACCT Professional Board Staff Member of the Year award, with the national honoree to be announced during the ACCT Leadership Congress in Chicago in October.

The award recognizes outstanding board secretaries and professional board staff members for exemplary leadership and service, selected from more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who serve on over 500 governing boards of community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States.

The ACCT annually names recipients from five regions: Central, Northeast, Pacific, Southern, and Western. Dr. Segal previously received this award in 2020.

Over the last six years, she has focused on supporting initiatives that create access to higher education and promote post-completion outcomes, helping ensure UCNJ students graduate with family-sustaining wages. She grew up in Union County, was born in Rahway, graduated from Rahway High School, and currently lives in Linden.

"My role is very behind the scenes, but it is nice that the ACCT recognizes the importance of helping make sure that your organization has good board governance that really helps the organization run well," Dr. Segal shared. She emphasized her commitment to helping lift the community through affordable higher education and ensuring graduates can use their degrees to improve their economic circumstances.

Union County Life covers Linden residents and community achievements. Find more Linden news on Union County Life.

Photo Credit: County of Union, New Je

FAQ

Q: Who is Dr. Jaime Segal?
A: Dr. Jaime Segal is a Linden resident and NJ Vice President of External Affairs and Government Relations at Union College of New Jersey (UCNJ).

Q: What award did Dr. Segal receive?
A: She was named the 2026 Northeast Regional Professional Board Staff Member of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) on August 7, 2026.

Q: What does this award recognize?
A: The award recognizes outstanding board secretaries and professional board staff members for exemplary leadership and service to community, technical, and junior colleges.

Q: Is this a national award?
A: The award is regional, but Dr. Segal is also a finalist for the national 2026 ACCT Professional Board Staff Member of the Year award, with the winner announced in October.

Q: How many organizations are represented in the ACCT award selection?
A: The award is selected from more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who serve on over 500 governing boards of community, technical, and junior colleges.

Q: How many regions are recognized by ACCT annually?
A: ACCT annually names recipients from five regions: Central, Northeast, Pacific, Southern, and Western.

Q: Has Dr. Segal received this award before?
A: Yes. She previously received this award in 2020.

Q: What has Dr. Segal focused on over the last six years?
A: She has focused on supporting initiatives that create access to higher education and promote post-completion outcomes, helping ensure UCNJ students graduate with family-sustaining wages.

Q: What are Dr. Segal's Union County connections?
A: She was born in Rahway, graduated from Rahway High School, grew up in Union County, and currently lives in Linden.

Q: When will the national award winner be announced?
A: The national honoree will be announced during the ACCT Leadership Congress in Chicago in October 2026.

Q: What is Dr. Segal's role at Union College?
A: She serves as NJ Vice President of External Affairs and Government Relations.