Bergen College Dean Named Enterprising Woman in Commerce
The statewide honor signals the growing commercial influence of community college administrators in New Jersey.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People
In August 2026, the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey honored 42 women as Enterprising Women in Commerce. Mi Na Ahn, dean of business and social sciences at Bergen Community College, was the only community college professional recognized among the cohort.
Why it matters
The program, established six years ago, highlights the influence of leadership within New Jersey's diverse economic sectors. Such recognitions provide operators with visibility into the academic and institutional leaders shaping regional workforce development.
The program recognized 42 leaders this year, marking the sixth iteration of an initiative launched to spotlight influential women in New Jersey. Mi Na Ahn received the distinction following a tenure of nearly 20 years at Bergen Community College.
The players
Mi Na Ahn
The dean of business and social sciences at Bergen Community College who has maintained a nearly 20-year career in higher education.
Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey
A statewide trade association that represents New Jersey business interests and manages the Enterprising Women in Commerce awards.
Bergen Community College
A public community college serving as a primary provider of vocational and academic instruction in Northern New Jersey.
The details
The recognition follows Ahn’s extensive academic leadership, which includes founding the Center for Community Learning at Bergen Community College. The awards are documented in a special edition of COMMERCE Magazine, which profiles each honoree's contributions to the state's commercial landscape. This selection process emphasizes the integration of academic institutional strategy with broader community and business outcomes.
Timeline
The awards program was established 6 years ago.
Ahn accepted the award at a ceremony in August 2026.
Market Landscape
The Enterprising Women in Commerce program continues a pattern of professional recognition intended to foster networking between state industry leaders and educational institutions. This development updates the annual roster of honorees previously established by the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey.
Operators looking to align private sector interests with regional workforce development should monitor the leadership profiles highlighted in the current issue of COMMERCE Magazine. Tracking such industry recognitions can provide useful signals for potential educational partnerships or regional economic outreach.
The takeaway
The selection of a community college dean underscores the increasing importance of vocational and academic administration in driving local commerce. Businesses can track these profiles to identify institutional partners for future talent development or community-based initiatives.
Further reading
For broader trends regarding executive leadership in the state, visit New Jersey People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New City Daily Voice.
