Kimberly Burnett, Middlesex County native and resident, began her new role as Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at Middlesex College on July 10, 2023. She most recently served as senior manager in the Office of Communications under the Administration at Middlesex County local government
Focused on external communications, Ms. Burnett supervised all day-to-day communications engaging the media and County residents. She also worked on the redesign of the County’s website (middlesexcountynj.gov) and Your Middlesex Magazine that reaches every County household; assisted in crisis communications; and developed strategies for large-scale press announcements and events including the recent Community, Innovation, Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan led by the County, in collaboration with the College.
“I am excited to have Kim join the Middlesex College team. Her experience working in both higher education and government and her strong background in communications complement the talents of our Marketing and Communications team. I look forward to working with Kim and the entire Marketing and Communications team to continue to promote the College and tell the Middlesex College story,” said Middlesex College President Mark McCormick.
Burnett is no stranger to the world of higher education. She served as a public relations manager for Salem State University in Massachusetts from 2017 to 2019. Among her many responsibilities at that institution, she was the primary speechwriter for the president, acted as spokesperson for day-to-day media inquiries and during times of crisis, drafted and disseminated campus-wide communications, and counseled C-suite level leadership on matters of communications.
Early in her career, Burnett worked as a reporter for Star News Group in Point Pleasant Beach. Turning out nearly a dozen stories a week for that publication’s 12,000+ subscribers, she reported on topics ranging from eminent domain and beach replenishment to local elections and the implementation of town ordinances.
“Having spent the past four years working for the County, and growing up in Old Bridge, I am well aware of the incredible education and opportunities that Middlesex College offers our community. I am eager to work with College leadership to expand on the Marketing and Communications efforts already underway and look forward to taking both to new heights together with the team,” said Burnett.
Burnett holds a bachelor of arts in English from Monmouth University. Among her professional accolades, she has been honored with the “First Amendment Award” by the New Jersey Press Association in 2016 and 2017, and a Proclamation from The State of New Jersey for exceptional writing in 2016.