New Jersey / Commission on Higher Education

Agency file

Commission on Higher Education

Source file: New Jersey — YourMoney State Payroll / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Commission on Higher Education operates a public higher-education institution — instruction, research, and student services.

In 2024, this agency had 19 employees with median total compensation of $95,664; the highest distinct record was $208,282.

Year: 2024
Total payroll: $2M
Employees: 19
Median total: $95,664
Highest record: $208,282

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$14,773$208,282+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How 2024 total compensation is spread across the 19 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($95,664) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $101,503 (98%)
Overtime — $0 (0%)
Other — $1,574 (2%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$68,204

$73,548

$95,664

$123,395

$149,884

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $149,884 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $68,204. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Government Representative 2

6 · $108,526

Division Director

2 · $109,149

Executive Director

1 · $208,282

Chief of Staff

1 · $161,118

Director Indpndnt Inst & Licnsr

1 · $149,884

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Trend

Year over year

How this department's total payroll, headcount, and median pay changed across the 2 published years.

Year	Total payroll	Employees	Median pay
2023	$1.7M —	18 —	$87,603 —
2024	$2M ▲ 15.1%	19 ▲ 5.6%	$95,664 ▲ 9.2%

Every role here

Job titles in Commission on Higher Education

1 title has enough holders to report on, listed alphabetically with the number of people in each.

Government Representative 2 6

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Brian Bridges

Executive Director/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$208,282

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $206,936
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,346
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $208,282
Union / bargaining unit: Managerial - Unit M
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Bridges, Brian K
Payroll ID: 170818
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $210,000
Year-to-Date Earnings: $208,282

Brian Bridges is a Executive Director at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. 2024 total compensation came to $208,282. Their bargaining unit is Managerial - Unit M.

Sandra Gilotwest

Chief of Staff/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$161,118

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $161,118
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $161,118
Union / bargaining unit: Managerial - Unit M
Pay basis: Annual

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Gilotwest, Sandra
Payroll ID: 172011
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $169,050
Year-to-Date Earnings: $161,118

Sandra Gilotwest works as a Chief of Staff for Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. Sandra earned $161,118 in 2024. Their bargaining unit is Managerial - Unit M.

Eric Taylor

Director Indpndnt Inst & Licnsr/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$149,884

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $147,122
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,762
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,884
Union / bargaining unit: Managerial (Represented-Ibew)
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Taylor, Eric N
Payroll ID: 105376
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $150,901
Year-to-Date Earnings: $149,884

Eric Taylor is a Director Indpndnt Inst & Licnsr at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. 2024 total compensation came to $149,884. Union affiliation: Managerial (Represented-Ibew).

Stefani Thachik

Government Representative 2/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$144,943

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $143,307
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,635
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,943
Union / bargaining unit: Exempt - Unit X
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Thachik, Stefani L
Payroll ID: 160501
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $160,000
Year-to-Date Earnings: $144,943

Stefani Thachik holds the role of Government Representative 2 at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. In 2024, their total compensation was $144,943. Their bargaining unit is Exempt - Unit X.

Chad May

Government Representative 2/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$123,395

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $121,990
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,405
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $123,395
Union / bargaining unit: Exempt - Unit X
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: May, Chad L
Payroll ID: 158102
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $128,000
Year-to-Date Earnings: $123,395

Chad May works as a Government Representative 2 for Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. Chad earned $123,395 in 2024. Union affiliation: Exempt - Unit X.

Vance Stephens

Government Representative 2/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$121,387

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $121,387
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,387
Union / bargaining unit: Exempt - Unit X
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Stephens, Vance T
Payroll ID: 161643
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $127,363
Year-to-Date Earnings: $121,387

At Commission on Higher Education, Vance Stephens serves as a Government Representative 2 within Commission of Higher Education. Their 2024 pay totaled $121,387. Union affiliation: Exempt - Unit X.

Hasani Carter

Division Director/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$120,791

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $118,529
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,262
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $120,791
Union / bargaining unit: Managerial (Represented-Ibew)
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Carter, Hasani C
Payroll ID: 141480
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $128,000
Year-to-Date Earnings: $120,791

Hasani Carter works as a Division Director for Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. Hasani earned $120,791 in 2024. Union affiliation: Managerial (Represented-Ibew).

Seth Levin

Legislative Liaison/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$100,836

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $100,836
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,836
Union / bargaining unit: Exempt - Unit X
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Levin, Seth J
Payroll ID: 154931
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $105,800
Year-to-Date Earnings: $100,836

Seth Levin holds the role of Legislative Liaison at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. In 2024, their total compensation was $100,836. They are represented by Exempt - Unit X.

Patricia Lee

Division Director/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$97,506

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $97,506
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,506
Union / bargaining unit: Managerial (Represented-Ibew)
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Lee, Patricia A
Payroll ID: 172122
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $115,000
Year-to-Date Earnings: $97,506

Patricia Lee is a Division Director at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. 2024 total compensation came to $97,506. Their bargaining unit is Managerial (Represented-Ibew).

Stephanie Shanklin

Government Representative 2/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$95,664

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $94,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,093
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,664
Union / bargaining unit: Exempt - Unit X
Pay basis: Annual

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Shanklin, Stephanie
Payroll ID: 162379
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $96,627
Year-to-Date Earnings: $95,664

Stephanie Shanklin works as a Government Representative 2 for Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. Stephanie earned $95,664 in 2024. Union affiliation: Exempt - Unit X.

Cecilia Williams

Cmmctns Manager/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$93,701

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $93,701
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,701
Union / bargaining unit: Professional Unit (Cwa) - Unit P
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: O

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Williams, Cecilia O
Payroll ID: 162831
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $95,738
Year-to-Date Earnings: $93,701

Cecilia Williams holds the role of Cmmctns Manager at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. In 2024, their total compensation was $93,701. They are represented by Professional Unit (Cwa) - Unit P.

Hema Patel

Assistant Division Director/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$93,164

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $93,164
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,164
Union / bargaining unit: Managerial - Unit M
Pay basis: Annual

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Patel, Hema
Payroll ID: 168548
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $97,750
Year-to-Date Earnings: $93,164

Hema Patel works as a Assistant Division Director for Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. Hema earned $93,164 in 2024. They are represented by Managerial - Unit M.

Kathleen Comanto

Deputy Executive Director/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$85,873

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $69,173
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $16,700
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,873
Union / bargaining unit: Managerial - Unit M
Pay basis: Annual

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Comanto, Kathleen
Payroll ID: 139630
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $172,500
Year-to-Date Earnings: $85,873

Kathleen Comanto works as a Deputy Executive Director for Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. Kathleen earned $85,873 in 2024. They are represented by Managerial - Unit M.

Lauren Banks

Confidential Secretary/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$85,109

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $84,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $969
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,109
Union / bargaining unit: Exempt - Unit X
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Banks, Lauren A
Payroll ID: 137118
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $88,000
Year-to-Date Earnings: $85,109

Lauren Banks works as a Confidential Secretary for Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. Lauren earned $85,109 in 2024. They are represented by Exempt - Unit X.

Jessica Steiger

Government Representative 2/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$73,548

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $73,548
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,548
Union / bargaining unit: Exempt - Unit X
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Steiger, Jessica L
Payroll ID: 170762
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $97,750
Year-to-Date Earnings: $73,548

Jessica Steiger holds the role of Government Representative 2 at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. In 2024, their total compensation was $73,548. Their bargaining unit is Exempt - Unit X.

Tiffany Hazzard

Administrative Analyst 1/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$70,527

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $69,577
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $950
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $70,527
Union / bargaining unit: Professional Unit (Cwa) - Unit P
Pay basis: Annual

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Hazzard, Tiffany
Payroll ID: 170899
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $75,038
Year-to-Date Earnings: $70,527

Tiffany Hazzard holds the role of Administrative Analyst 1 at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. In 2024, their total compensation was $70,527. Their bargaining unit is Professional Unit (Cwa) - Unit P.

Yasmin Robinson

Government Representative 2/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$68,204

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $67,424
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $779
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $68,204
Union / bargaining unit: Exempt - Unit X
Pay basis: Annual

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Robinson, Yasmin
Payroll ID: 171748
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $68,890
Year-to-Date Earnings: $68,204

Yasmin Robinson holds the role of Government Representative 2 at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. In 2024, their total compensation was $68,204. Their bargaining unit is Exempt - Unit X.

John Miller

Auditor 3/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$49,761

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $49,761
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,761
Union / bargaining unit: Primary Level Supervisors (Cwa) - Unit R
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Miller, John S
Payroll ID: 131485
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $82,467
Year-to-Date Earnings: $49,761

John Miller is a Auditor 3 at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. 2024 total compensation came to $49,761. They are represented by Primary Level Supervisors (Cwa) - Unit R.

Kelechi Unegbu

Accountant 3/Commission on Higher Education

2024 total comp

$14,773

Sub-department: Commission of Higher Education
Base pay: $14,773
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $14,773
Union / bargaining unit: Professional Unit (Cwa) - Unit P
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: I

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Unegbu, Kelechi I
Payroll ID: 142228
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $64,262
Year-to-Date Earnings: $14,773

Kelechi Unegbu holds the role of Accountant 3 at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. In 2024, their total compensation was $14,773. Union affiliation: Professional Unit (Cwa) - Unit P.