Patricia Morgan Joins Autism New Jersey Board

We are pleased to welcome new board member, Patricia Morgan, who joined Autism New Jersey’s Board of Trustees in March 2022.

“We’re happy to have Patricia join the Board of Autism New Jersey,” noted Board President Tom Curtin.  “She brings to our board her knowledge, skills, experience and her compassionate heart. I know she will be an excellent addition to the board and help us better serve the autism community in New Jersey.”

A statewide leader in education advocacy, Patricia is the former Executive Director of JerseyCAN, an organization dedicated to ensuring that all families, regardless of their zip code, cultural background or socioeconomic status, have access to high-quality schools and that students receive continuous support with appropriate resources and excellent teaching.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Drew University and then joined Teach For America in New York, where she discovered the importance of advocating for students with disabilities.

A graduate of Seton Hall School of Law, she clerked with Chief Justice Rabner of the New Jersey Supreme Court and the Honorable Peter G. Sheridan of the U.S. District Court for New Jersey and then pursued private practice at several law firms.

In 2013, Patricia joined Governor Chris Christie’s administration, serving as an assistant counsel in the Governor’s Counsel’s Office, advising on K-12 and higher education legislation, regulations, and strategic litigation. The next year, she became the chief legal and external affairs officer for the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE), overseeing implementation of key policy initiatives, communications, and legislative and legal affairs. During her time at the Department, she was named an assistant commissioner and oversaw the offices of Charter Schools and Interdistrict School Choice.

We had the pleasure of working with Patricia during her tenure with the DOE when Autism New Jersey was advocating for a job code for behavior analysts who work in public schools. She was instrumental in securing this job code sending a clear message to districts that behavior analysts had a recognized role in public schools.

Patricia brings her deep experience in educational policy, knowledge of state government, and passion for educational advocacy to Autism New Jersey.

Her lessons learned from her roots in the classroom drive her commitment.

“I attended public school as a child and had the privilege to serve as a first-grade special education teacher in New York. The faces and memories of my students, their parents and the community will be forever with me and serve as a constant motivator to ensure that all students can attain educational success.”

We welcome Patricia to our board and look forward to her many contributions!