Shanté Palmer, Vice Chancellor of External and Government Relations, Receives Essex County Pride Award

Shanté Palmer, Rutgers University–Newark Vice Chancellor of External and Government Relations, was among three honorees recognized by Essex County during a Pride Month event that celebrated her work protecting human rights and promoting understanding.

She received the Pride of Essex County Award, presented by Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., the Essex County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs and the Essex County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Advisory Board.

“Every year in Essex County, we celebrate Pride Month and our LGBTQ community. It is our opportunity to raise awareness about issues that affect this segment of the population and recognize outstanding members of our own LGBTQ community,” DiVincenzo said.

“Our honorees have done difficult work in their respective fields of providing support, protecting human rights and promoting understanding,” he said.

Palmer is a nationally respected government relations strategist, civic leader and higher education executive. She leads the university’s government affairs, strategic partnerships and civic engagement efforts, while advancing Rutgers–Newark’s role as a leading urban research university and anchor institution.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award. Progress is possible, but progress is not permanent. All people deserve equal dignity under the law. Laws are powerful, but people have the most impact, and equality needs true guardians,” Palmer said.

Over a career spanning more than two decades across government, higher education and public affairs, Palmer has built a reputation for bringing together public, private and nonprofit partners to advance policy solutions that strengthen communities.

She has secured more than $80 million in state and federal funding to support university initiatives, workforce development programs and community-based partnerships that expand educational opportunity and economic mobility.

Prior to Rutgers–Newark, Palmer served as Director of Government Relations at Montclair State University, where she advised senior leadership and helped secure the largest increase to the university’s state base funding in more than 20 years.

She has also held executive public affairs and business development roles advising corporations, nonprofit organizations and civic institutions on government strategy, community engagement and corporate responsibility initiatives.

Earlier in her career, Palmer served on the staff of three United States senators representing New Jersey, where she worked on initiatives related to housing, education, economic development and small business growth. She began her career in compliance at the National Labor Relations Board.

Palmer serves on several nonprofit and community boards and has been honored by InsiderNJ and other statewide organizations as one of New Jersey’s most influential women in public leadership, including the inaugural BINJE’s Best in Higher Education 2026.

She holds an Executive Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University–Newark and is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor at Rutgers Law School.

Other honorees included David Alan Lopez, a published queer author and transgender man who has helped to shift the conversation of transgender identities represented in children’s books and other media.

Steven A. Johnston, another honoree, has a long history of LGBTQ advocacy, having worked with the National LGBTQ Task Force, the Human Rights Campaign, the Mazzoni Center and various local organizations.

The Essex County LGBTQ+ Pride Month Celebration is part of a yearlong cultural series created by County Executive DiVincenzo to highlight Essex County’s diversity.
“We are delighted to celebrate the Essex County LGBTQ+ Pride Month Celebration, which is a time to recognize our community's strength, resilience and unity,” said Reginald Bledsoe, Director of the Essex County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs.

“County Executive DiVincenzo's unwavering support and leadership have helped Essex County make significant progress in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, setting a great example for other governments and the State of New Jersey. We are working together to create a more inclusive and diverse society, where everyone can thrive, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”