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
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+

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.

Record list

Employees

Highest-paid first / 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Records show a hire date of null. 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
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: MANAGERIAL - UNIT M
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: GILOTWEST, SANDRA
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Records show a hire date of null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Records show a hire date of null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Records show a hire date of null. 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
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: EXEMPT - UNIT X
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: SHANKLIN, STEPHANIE
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: MANAGERIAL - UNIT M
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: PATEL, HEMA
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: MANAGERIAL - UNIT M
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: COMANTO, KATHLEEN
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. In 2024, their total compensation was $73,548. Their bargaining unit is EXEMPT - UNIT X.

Tiffany Hazzard

Adminv Anlt 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
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: PROFESSIONAL UNIT (CWA) - UNIT P
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: HAZZARD, TIFFANY
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 170899
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $75,038
Year-to-Date Earnings: $70,527

Tiffany Hazzard holds the role of Adminv Anlt 1 at Commission on Higher Education within Commission of Higher Education. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: EXEMPT - UNIT X
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: ROBINSON, YASMIN
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Records show a hire date of null. 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
Hire date: null
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
Paid Section Description: null
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. Their hire date on record is null. In 2024, their total compensation was $14,773. Union affiliation: PROFESSIONAL UNIT (CWA) - UNIT P.