Jessica Cortese ’08 2016 Alumnus Of The Year For Contributions To The College/alumni Association/foundation

Jessica Cortese – Class of 2008

Each year, the Middlesex County College Alumni Association honors one of its graduates for his or her outstanding career, professional and community service achievements, and positive contributions to the College, its Alumni Association, or its Foundation.

Jessica Cortese arrived at MCC in the fall of 2006 as a nervous student in the Project Connections Program. She left as a graduate with highest honors.

After completing MCC, Ms. Cortese continued her education at The College of New Jersey where she earned a dual Bachelor’s Degree in English and in Women and Gender Studies. Jessica continued her studies at TCNJ where she earned her Master’s Degree in English, graduating with a 3.95 grade point average. In 2012 she published an article, “Third World Feminism: Finding Solidarity in the Global Market,” in TCNJ’s Journal of Student Scholarship.

While attending grad school, Jessica was also an adjunct English and Student Success instructor at MCC and she worked in the First-Year Experience Department helping students register for classes and piloting the Summer Scholars Program. She was then an administrative assistant at the MCC Foundation.

She is now assistant to the director of the Plainsboro Township Recreation Department. She assists with grant writing, public relations, and program development and implementation. She also teaches yoga.

Jessica is very active in the community. She is the treasurer of the Human Relations Council of Plainsboro, which addresses the social needs of the community and plans events that celebrate Plainsboro’s diversity. A member of MCC’s Alumni Association Board, she participated in the Association’s Habitat for Humanity building project last summer, worked at MCC’s 50th Anniversary Community Day Celebration, and, for the past two years, has entertained guests as “Lady Luck” at the MCC Foundation’s Casino Night.