MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ – The Middlesex College Foundation’s Board of Trustees has elected Mary-Pat Maciolek, Middlesex College Professor Emerita and founder of Food is Health LLC, to its Board of Trustees. Maciolek joins the Board following years of supporting the College’s mission through various advisory roles.

“I am proud to continue my connection with Middlesex College through service on the Foundation Board of Trustees,” said Maciolek. “My career has been committed to education and student success, and I am honored to support the Foundation’s mission to empower students to thrive both in and beyond the classroom. I look forward to contributing in this new capacity by advancing initiatives that provide critical resources and help ensure continued success for future generations of students.”

Maciolek was a professor at Middlesex College for 23 years, retiring in 2025. She began her career at the College in 2001 as the acting director of the Dietetic Technology Program. She transitioned to full-time director and chair of what is now the Hospitality, Culinary Arts, and Dietetics Department until her retirement. Maciolek was also an active contributor to the campus community, serving students as the advisor to the Dietetic Technology Club. She participated in College governance, serving on numerous committees including as chair of the Division Council and the Educational Resources Task Force.

Maciolek has a sustained career in leadership and advisory roles, specifically focusing on nutrition, dietetics, and student success. To ensure a clear and effective pathway for students, Maciolek helped develop the Associate in Science in Dietetics Transfer program at Middlesex College in collaboration with the Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS)—the first community college in New Jersey to establish this initiative that has since become a model for other institutions. Maciolek has served as an advisory board member for several other collegiate nutrition and dietetics programs, including at Rutgers University and Saint Elizabeth University.

She was also involved in the planning, layout, and design of a new, state-of-the-art culinary lab coming to Middlesex College, as part of the Middlesex County Community, Innovation, and Opportunity Strategic Investment Plan (CIO Plan).

Middlesex College Foundation Executive Director Lisa Kelly said that Maciolek has been a longtime supporter of the Foundation and its fundraising events, including Casino Night, which will be held this year on June 4.

“We are so fortunate to have Mary-Pat join our board with a unique perspective from her 40 years of experience at Middlesex College,” Kelly said. “I know Mary-Pat will bring energy to her new role.”

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Middlesex College, established in 1964, is a public, two-year institution of higher education located in the heart of New Jersey. With a main campus in Edison and centers in New Brunswick and Perth Amboy, Middlesex College offers over 90 degree and certificate programs encouraging its more than 10,000 students to explore, grow, and thrive. Middlesex College, through dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art educational facilities, and holistic student supports, is committed to providing a high-quality, affordable college education that provides every student an opportunity for growth and achievement. Middlesex College is Middlesex County’s premier destination for lifelong learning and workforce training. Learn more at middlesexcollege.edu.

Since 1967, the Middlesex College Foundation has been committed to providing access to education, distributing more than $21 million in scholarships, financial aid, and grants to over 19,000 deserving students. From offering immediate assistance through the Student Emergency Fund and Resource Hub Food Pantry, to launching the Chromebook Ownership Program to bridge the digital divide, to supporting donor-funded initiatives that enhance academic programs and student life—the Foundation serves as the compassionate heart of Middlesex College and the vital support system that helps students achieve their educational goals. Learn more at middlesexcollege.edu/foundation/.