Yolanda Ciccone, the first woman to serve as Middlesex County Prosecutor, has been named the 2024 Paige D. L’Hommedieu Award recipient by Middlesex College.
Named for the founding chair of the Middlesex College Board of Trustees, the award, established in 1974, recognizes community leadership and is the highest honor given by the College. The award was presented during Fall Convocation on August 26.
Ciccone has spent a majority of her 44-year legal career serving Middlesex County—first as an assistant prosecutor, where she acted as chief of the Juvenile Division and advisor to the Narcotics and Gambling Task Force, and oversaw the Hate Crimes Task Force, among other duties—and then as a Superior Court Judge in the civil, criminal, and family divisions.
In 2006, she was appointed as the Assignment Judge for Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren counties—the first woman in this role, as well.
Ciccone began her five-year term as Middlesex County Prosecutor in 2020.
(Photo provided by Middlesex County College)
“Prosecutor Ciccone is a pioneer who has spent her entire professional career in the court system, dedicated to public safety and thoughtfully leading local law enforcement,” said Middlesex College President Mark McCormick. “Her commitment to serve the residents of Middlesex County exemplifies the spirit of the L’Hommedieu Award—citizenship, leadership, and humanity.”
As county prosecutor, Ciccone has a direct role in strengthening partnerships within the community and connecting with constituents. Several programs have been launched under her leadership with significant impact on improving the lives of Middlesex County residents, including Blue Cares, an addiction support hotline, and Safe Place, which designates local safe havens for anyone experiencing a bias crime, discrimination, or harassment.
Other programs serve to improve responses to 911 calls, including Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE), which pairs New Jersey law enforcement with mental health professionals to respond to calls relating to mental or behavioral health emergencies.
The latest initiative established by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, a Special Needs Registry, launched in March to inform first responders to a registrant’s special needs, such as physical or mental impairment.
“I am honored for this recognition by the Middlesex College Board of Trustees,” said Ciccone. “This award is an acknowledgment of the work of the men and women of Middlesex County Law Enforcement, and to their dedication to enhance the quality of life with empathy and sensitivity.”
Ciccone’s work extends to several student-focused initiatives that recognize the importance of emotional and social well-being and the challenges that young people face in these areas.
In 2021, the Prosecutor’s Office partnered with Middlesex County and the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey (ESCNJ) to host an Educators’ Summit on Student Mental Health to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and young adults.
Ciccone moderated a panel discussion among educational leaders, elected officials, administrators, and students to speak about topics including learning loss, chronic absenteeism, and anxiety.
In 2022, Ciccone moderated another panel to address emergency management, school drills, and cybersecurity in schools across Middlesex County at the Educators’ Summit on Partnerships for School Safety, presented with the county and ESCNJ.
“Prosecutor Ciccone’s focus on creating meaningful connections between law enforcement and the community feels especially important during these last few years,” said Praful Raja, chair of the Middlesex College Board of Trustees. “Her work and expertise in these areas will have a lasting impact on the safety and quality of life for citizens of all ages.”
Ciccone earned her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark, NJ, and is a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.
For more information, visit middlesexcollege.edu.
