Dr. Anita Voogt Named Finalist for Prestigious ATHENA® Leadership Award

Brookdale Community College proudly announces Dr. Anita Voogt, associate vice president for Strategic Partnerships, is named a finalist for the 2025 ATHENA® Leadership Award, one of the most distinguished honors recognizing women leaders around the world.

Presented by the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce, the ATHENA® Award celebrates individuals for their outstanding business and professional accomplishments, community service, and, most importantly, their mentorship and support of women striving to reach their leadership potential. With its rich history, international reach, and emphasis on mentorship, the ATHENA® Leadership Award remains one of the most prestigious recognitions a leader can receive.

“I am so thrilled, humbled, and quite honestly shocked,”  Voogt shared. “My heartfelt thanks to the Monmouth Regional Chamber and everyone involved in this incredible award. And congratulations to my fellow finalists. I am deeply honored to be considered in your company.”

For over 30 years, Voogt has dedicated her career to education, leadership, and service, always focusing on the underdog individuals. She began her journey in the classroom as a grade 7 science teacher, where she discovered her passion for reaching and inspiring the students in the back of the classroom. The ones who needed someone to believe in them. That same calling led her to work as an academic counselor for adult learners at Marist College, located within a maximum-security correctional facility, further deepening her commitment to education as a transformative force. From her early experiences to her decades of leadership in higher education, she has built a legacy grounded in compassion, creativity, collaboration, and courage.

At Brookdale, Voogt has spearheaded initiatives that have significantly expanded student access and opportunities. She introduced the Cost of Poverty Experience, embedding poverty-informed practices across the institution, and secured a $1.5 million NJ Transit grant to provide free bus transportation for students across Monmouth County, a critical step for removing barriers to higher education.

Her commitment to community extends beyond the campus. As a two-term president of the Long Branch City Council, Voogt co-founded the Mayor’s Task Force on Substance Use Disorders, also known as HEARS, and helped establish the first Recovery Diversion Program in Monmouth County, offering alternatives to incarceration and pathways to recovery. She has also championed civic engagement and civil discourse, working tirelessly to model leadership that uplifts communities and strengthens democracy.

In honor of her immigrant parents, Voogt established the Dr. Anita Voogt Endowed Family Scholarship, which provides annual awards to Long Branch students who are women in STEM fields, single parents, first-generation college students, and transgender students. “It’s one of the most gratifying things I do,” she said. “The scholarship celebrates who students are as people, not just their academic achievements, and will continue to support them long after I’m gone.”

Her leadership and service have earned widespread recognition, including the 2019 Senator Gopal Community Public Servant Award and the Remarkable Women Award from Trinity AME Church, honors that reflect her unwavering dedication to improving lives, strengthening communities, and championing opportunities for all.

Voogt holds a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in counseling, and a Ph.D. in educational administration, with her dissertation nominated for Dissertation of the Year. This strong academic foundation has shaped her lifelong commitment to teaching, mentoring, and creating programs that expand opportunity and empower others.

She is the stepmother of four outstanding, now-adult children; “Granita” to ten grandchildren; and resides in Long Branch with her husband of more than 40 years.

Reflecting on her journey, Voogt shared a guiding metaphor: “When we take a step forward, we must always turn back to help the next person through the lemon squeezes of their life. That’s what leadership is about.”

Brookdale congratulates Dr. Voogt on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her extraordinary contributions to education, public service, and mentorship. Her work embodies the very spirit of the ATHENA® Award, by inspiring others to lead, serve, and make a difference.