Lampitt Named Chair of Assembly Education Committee

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin has chosen Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt to chair the Assembly Education Committee.

“Assemblywoman Lampitt has been a champion for children and education as the former chair of both the Women and Children and Higher Education committees in the Assembly,” said Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “I have every faith in her ability to lead and spearhead measures that will help strengthen our schools and allow students to thrive academically, emotionally and socially.”

“I am thankful to Speaker Coughlin for trusting me to lead such a critical committee. Education has the power to transform lives, and every child deserves the opportunity to be great,” said Lampitt (D-Camden/Burlington). “I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure our schools are properly equipped not only to educate and challenge our children, but to address their social, emotional and behavioral needs so that they are able to achieve academic success.”

Efforts to increase college affordability and expand aid to students have been a hallmark of Lampitt’s legislative record. Lampitt helped author key reforms of the NJ STARS program, saving it from major funding cuts and potential elimination and ensuring the program would continue to offer the most opportunity to the widest number of students possible. She was also the author of major bill which streamlined the process and requirements for higher education transfer credits—ensuring New Jersey’s college students have better access to quality, affordable higher education.

Lampitt has been a leading voice in New Jersey’s efforts to combat bullying, and she was a prime sponsor of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, in addition to sponsoring innovative legislation that would create support systems to stop bullying before it starts. Lampitt also authored the law to reduce teen “sexting” in a way that prioritizes education over prosecution – an effort that has drawn national attention and has since been copied by other states.

Lampitt, who has represented the Assembly’s 6th legislative district since 2006, will also continue to serve as vice-chair of the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

Lampitt is currently the Director of Business Services, Hospitality Services at the University of Pennsylvania, where she has been acknowledged as a model of excellence winner for Supervisor, and for her participation in the ARCH building renovation and Quaker Days program for newly admitted students. She received a degree in Culinary Arts and Management from Johnson & Wales University.

A longtime resident of Cherry Hill Township, Lampitt got her start in public service by serving on the Township’s Zoning Board. Elected to the Township Council in 2003, she served from 2004-2006 in municipal government. As a Councilwoman she worked on several priorities, including cutting down on bureaucracy and red-tape in the township management. She also was a business-friendly leader, spearheading a push for economic development and facilitating inter-business communication in the township to ensure Cherry Hill’s small businesses would not just succeed, but flourish.