As Gov. Mikie Sherrill reaches her first 100 days in office, Seton Hall students are hopeful about the direction of New Jersey, even if many have yet to feel the administration’s impact personally.
The first 100 days of a politician’s term are often viewed as an early measure of leadership, offering insight into their policies and agenda.
For many students, however, the issues shaping their lives—such as affordability and transportation—are long-term challenges that will take more than a few months to address.
Khalil Crumes, a junior accounting and criminal justice major and incoming Student Government Association (SGA) president, said that while the work Sherrill has done so far could eventually be impactful, it is too early to truly determine the effect of her term.
“Change does take time and its impacts will show for itself,” Crumes said.
Other students echoed that sentiment, saying they have not yet seen noticeable changes in their personal finances or daily routines since Sherrill took office.
“Similar to how it was before she was governor, I’m still having to pay the same amount in taxes,” Prachet Trivedi, a freshman diplomacy and international relations major, said.
Affordability and Cost of Living
Affordability—a longstanding issue in New Jersey—emerged as one of students’ most pressing concerns.
Since taking office, Sherrill has centered affordability in many of her initiatives. Faced with a $3 billion structural deficit, Sherrill proposed $2 billion in spending cuts and “over $700 million in new revenue from closing corporate tax loopholes,” in a March budget address regarding the 2027 fiscal year.
Sherrill’s budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal year would also provide nearly $4.2 billion in property tax relief—the most property tax relief in state history.
Most recently, Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 17 on Monday, convening the Housing Governing Council to accelerate housing production and increase access to affordable housing opportunities.
“Signed within our first 100 days, this action underscores our commitment to lowering costs, strengthening communities, and delivering real results for New Jerseyans,” Sherrill said in a press release announcing the order.
Nicholas Ruffel, a sophomore diplomacy and international relations major who voted for Sherrill, expressed a similar acceptance of New Jersey’s affordability.
“Living in the state for my whole life, I have accepted that it is always going to be expensive, but you do see the fruits of that,” Ruffel said in reference to state rankings in education.
The cost of living is a major concern for New Jersey residents, Crumes said, citing stagnant, high taxes as well as rising gas prices, although he acknowledged the latter are a result of the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Senior communications major Justin Lotito said he, too, hopes to see gas prices lower.
“It’s more of a national issue, but I am still hoping she can bring change,” Lotito said.
Looking at New York City, Lotito said he looks at Mayor Zohran Mamdani as someone Sherrill can model herself after.
“He did a great job of prioritizing affordability, which is an issue for a lot of people, so I want to see her keep going into that,” Lotito said. “Whether that be lowering the cost of rent or direct food costs.”
Transportation and Infrastructure
For some students, early changes in transportation have been among the more visible aspects of Sherrill’s administration.
Lotito, who regularly uses NJ Transit to travel into New York City, said he has noticed small but meaningful improvements like cleaner windows and updates to the service’s mobile app.
“While it might be simple, it’s kind of annoying looking out the window on my commute home or to work and there’s a really dirty window,” Lotito said. “Even though it’s something small, I am happy we’re putting money and funding into that.”
Freshman political science major Salma Osman also commended Sherrill for her work with NJ Transit.
“As someone who still relies on public transit and has family and friends who depend on it daily, it's genuinely exciting,” Osman said. “We're talking about 40 new railcars, 250 new buses, and 30 new accessible vehicles….That's not a small thing. Public transit infrastructure has been neglected for decades, and a commitment of this scale signals that the administration is serious about modernizing it.”
Transportation has been a focus of Sherrill’s proposed budget, which includes increased funding for NJ Transit capital projects and the State Transportation Capital Program for “investments in State, local highway, and bridge projects.”
At the same time, Sherrill has publicly pushed back against the financial burden New Jersey could face ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, arguing that FIFA should cover transportation-related costs connected to the tournament—not taxpayers or commuters.
“As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans,” Sherrill said in a press release. “If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ Transit every day.”
Still, some students said broader transportation and infrastructure concerns remain unsolved.
Osman pointed to potholes as a recurring issue.
“Where I drive, there are dozens of potholes, some nearly seven inches deep, that look like they've been there for years,” she said. “I've had to take my car to the mechanic twice this semester alone because of tire punctures from those potholes. Not only is it an inconvenience, but it's also a recurring cost that adds up.”
Trivedi also noted the poor condition of the state's roads and buildings, claiming they worsen the livelihoods of New Jersey residents.
“These are things that can have tangible solutions that just need to be implemented by someone,” Trivedi said.
Higher Education
Higher education affordability and access also emerged as key concerns, especially among students considering long-term career paths.
Crumes said the increasing cost of education makes it harder for students to access stable careers without pursuing advanced degrees.
“Right now, a bachelor’s degree is the new high school diploma, and a master’s is what everyone is going for,” Crumes said. “Because things are getting more expensive, there are only so many ways we can go about getting more money, which is getting better jobs by getting a better education.”
Osman echoed those concerns, saying she has seen even college graduates struggle to find employment.
“I've watched people with bachelor's degrees struggle to get hired at even fast food chains,” Osman said. “Whether that's a product of oversaturated fields, the rise of AI, or a disconnect between what employers actually want and what academia is producing—I genuinely don't know the full answer. But someone needs to be honest with young people about it.”
Still, Osman said she hopes New Jersey invests more heavily in programs that make higher education more accessible and directly connect students to careers.
“Other states have made serious moves…investing tens of millions into dual enrollment programs, free tuition initiatives for working adults, and pipelines between higher education and high-demand industries,” she said. “New Jersey has room to do the same.”
These concerns come as Sherrill’s proposed state budget has sparked debate over higher education funding in New Jersey. While the plan increases overall spending on need-based tuition aid grants, it also keeps operating aid for public universities flat amid rising inflation.
Overall Outlook
While students expressed a range of concerns, many said they remain hopeful about the direction of Sherrill’s administration.
Crumes and Lotito both said they are optimistic that the governor can make meaningful progress on long-standing issues affecting New Jersey residents, even if the impact of her policies may take time to reveal itself.
Osman described herself as “cautiously optimistic,” saying the administration’s first 100 days have given her hope, though she remains skeptical about whether young people will be prioritized politically.
“My main reservation is that youth engagement tends to be treated as an afterthought in New Jersey politics, and I haven't seen enough yet to feel confident that this administration will be different,” Osman said. “But I do have hope.”
More than Sherrill’s leadership itself, Osman said she is concerned about the federal government's influence on New Jersey’s agenda, citing disputes over funding for the Hudson River tunnel project as an example of how national political battles can stall state policy initiatives.
“Even strong state leadership can be hamstrung by forces beyond its control,” Osman said.
Megan Pitt is the head editor of The Setonian’s News section. She can be reached at megan.pitt@student.shu.edu.
Solomon Lee is the advertising manager for The Setonian. He can be reached at solomon.lee@student.shu.edu.
