FDU Names Jennifer Soyka General Counsel

May 19, 2026 — Fairleigh Dickinson University today announced the appointment of Jennifer Soyka as the new general counsel and chief compliance officer, effective June 1. She succeeds Edward Silver who will retire at the end of June.

Jennifer Soyka

Soyka has most recently served as the assistant deputy general counsel of the Transactional Practice Group at Rutgers University. Prior to that role, she was associate general counsel and acting director of procurement at Kean University and director of project management at the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority (NJEFA).

“Jennifer brings a strong range of skills and experiences that will serve FDU very well,” said President Michael Avaltroni. “This is a pivotal time in our history. FDU has charted a path toward distinction with new programs and partnerships that respond to critical workforce needs and we seek to create a groundbreaking living and learning environment that integrates health and wellness across the landscape. In these and all our endeavors we will rely on strong counsel and insights from Jennifer, and we greatly look forward to her contributions to our vision.” 

“I am very excited to be joining the team at FDU,” Soyka said, “and hope to continue Ed’s legacy of professionalism and steady counsel to the University community.” As Silver did, Soyka will also serve as secretary to the Board of Trustees.

Soyka’s experience includes federal compliance, finance, development and corporate legal support at Rutgers including the management of all international legal work and the establishment of an affiliate in the United Kingdom and European Union. During her time at Kean, she managed all transactional matters, including Kean’s first public/private partnership. She also worked as acting procurement director to improve procurement processes and ensure compliance with New Jersey law. At the NJEFA, she successfully managed the NJEFA’s 2013 Grant Program, which was the first new state-funded capital for higher education in several decades.

Soyka earned her juris doctor at Washington University School of Law and is currently a member of the Bar in the State of New Jersey.