New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance (NJSAA)

Organized in 1992, the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance (NJSAA) promotes the teaching of New Jersey studies, collaboration on projects, and sharing of materials. The Alliance received an Award of Recognition for their role in promoting New Jersey history from the New Jersey Historical Commission in 1997. 

Awards

The NJSAA recognizes notable work in New Jersey studies by presenting awards for a variety of categories: 

• Author Awards
• Teaching Award
• Roger McDonough Librarianship Award
• Stellhorn & Waldron Undergraduate Research Project in New Jersey History Award
• NJSAA Graduate Student Research Project in New Jersey History Award
• Marc Mappen Student Research Scholarships
• Maxine Lurie Distinguished Service Award

Mission

The Alliance's mission is to bring together individuals involved in the study of New Jersey to further knowledge and act as a clearinghouse for information about teaching and research on New Jersey.  The Alliance is by its very nature interdisciplinary and involves people at every level of teaching and research.  Members include teachers (kindergarten through college), historians, geographers, museum and historical organization personnel, archivists, and librarians.  However, anyone is welcome to join NJSAA who has an interest in the study of New Jersey.

Meetings

The Alliance meets four times a year (October, December, February, April).  Meetings have been held on Zoom.  While attendance is not mandatory, connecting with colleagues is invaluable.  Our meetings and programs are open to all.

News and Events

News of our organization's recent activities include announcements of award winners and statements of endorsements.   For a more detailed account of NJSAA activities, read our history.  For upcoming events, see our Calendar of Events.

What We Do

Providing educational programs

• convention sessions
• conferences
• film festivals
• lectures
• workshops

Cosponsoring events

• Monmouth County Archives and History Day
• National History Day at William Paterson University
• New Jersey History Issues Convention

Representing the New Jersey studies community

• testified before the Task Force on New Jersey History
• testified before the Department of Education and State Legislature budget hearings
• communicating with politicians and state agencies

Presenting awards for outstanding contributions to New Jersey studies

Resources

In 1994, the Alliance worked with the New Jersey Historical Commission to produce Guide to Resources for New Jersey Studies, which was updated several times. At present, it is out of print.

NJSAA member Dick Waldron has updated Mary Murrin and Richard Waldron's New Jersey History: an Annotated and Selected Introductory Bibliography (4th edition, 2015 June). It is available online or as a free PDF on this page below.

Membership

Membership to the NJSAA is $5.00 for one year, $15.00 for three years. To join, print out and send the Membership form. For questions answered, contact the Membership Chair, Tara Maharjan.