Governor Murphy Visits Brookdale Class for Candid Civic Dialogue

It was a class day unlike any other for students in Professor Micah Rasmussen’s American National Government course at Brookdale Community College. On April 10, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stepped into the classroom, transforming a typical lesson into a memorable exchange on civic leadership, policymaking, and the responsibilities of public service.

The visit was more than ceremonial. Students and the Governor engaged in a spirited and wide-ranging discussion that touched on the heart of the semester’s curriculum—real-world governance. Topics included the Governor’s constitutional powers to issue pardons and commutations, his role in nominating judges to the New Jersey Supreme Court, and the intricacies of crafting his final state budget. No question was off limits, as students asked about congestion pricing and the future of NJ TRANSIT, energy affordability, and climate impacts on the New Jersey coast.

“One student told me afterward that she was shaking—she was so moved by the chance to ask the Governor her own question and have him really listen,” said Rasmussen.

Governor Murphy later shared his reflections online, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “Inspiring morning at Brookdale Community College, speaking with students in Professor Micah Rasmussen’s American National Government course. New Jersey’s top-notch colleges and educators are shaping our nation’s next generation of public servants.”

For Rasmussen, a former press secretary to Governor James E. McGreevey and a longtime adjunct instructor at Brookdale, the visit bridged his professional past with the students’ futures. In addition to teaching at Brookdale, Rasmussen serves as director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University and brings a wealth of firsthand political experience to the classroom.

“This was a terrific experience for our students,” Rasmussen said. “It brought their studies to life in a way that only firsthand interaction can. I’m deeply grateful to Governor Murphy for taking the time to inspire and challenge the next generation of leaders.”