News
Elizabeth (Libby) Vinson (MPAP ’02) Named CEO of NJACP
“This feels like a full-circle moment,” said Vinson. “I have had the privilege of working with NJACP through efforts like the Coalition for a DSP Living Wage and the NJ Legislative Disability Caucus – experiences that deepened my commitment to the field. Now, in this role, I’m grateful for the opportunity to dive deeper into this meaningful work: lifting the voices of individuals with disabilities, their families, and the dedicated community-based providers who support them. I recognize the challenges facing the field and am committed to meeting this moment by listening, learning and leading, all with compassion and collaboration.”
From Fear to Freedom and Hope: A Venezuelan Student’s Journey
“My goal was college,” said Escalante, who hopes to attend law school. “That was my dream in Venezuela, and my goal was to continue following on my dreams as much as I could.”
From Fear to Freedom and Hope: Rafael Escalante (UG PP ’26)
“My goal was college,” said Escalante, who hopes to attend law school. “That was my dream in Venezuela, and my goal was to continue following on my dreams as much as I could.”
Finding Voice, Building Change: A Path to Policy and Community
“Don’t be intimidated by the small size of the public policy major. There are a lot of opportunities at Rutgers that policy students would be interested in. Use the resources available and don’t limit yourself. I started my college career thinking I would only be willing to work in LGBTQ+ policy, but through the work I’ve done and the classes I’ve taken at Rutgers, I realized I want to focus on the broader topics of social justice and community action.”
From Transit Curiosity to Urban Impact
“My experiences using public transit in NJ and NY made me curious about how towns and cities were designed and why certain places are more car-dependent than others. After taking Methods of Planning and Analysis, I began discussing ideas and existing research on basic needs insecurity with Professor Bernadette Baird-Zars. Joining her research team and studying integration and affordable housing helped shape my interest in pursuing a career that works with underserved communities to create change at the local scale.”
Real Problems Inspire Real Solutions: Transforming Healthcare
“I really like when professors make you think critically and apply real-world situations to the lectures. Healthcare is complicated, and making things easy isn’t doing anyone any favors. Thinking critically is important in this field. Independent doctor offices are being swallowed up by corporate medical chains, and running a medical practice has become so convoluted and confusing that it’s almost impossible to be independent. I want to make things better and make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and fair—for doctors and patients alike.”
Bridging Technology and Policy Through Public Service
If you’re interested in public service in any form, give the public policy major—or at least the intro classes—a try. It’s a comprehensive major with a variety of courses that target different policy areas, such as healthcare, disability, education, and more. Students can discover new pathways that may be intriguing to them. I also learned how to adapt my writing and communication skills more efficiently for a policy or public service-oriented space, which is invaluable no matter your career.”
Weaving Policy, Purpose, and Possibility
“I can’t remember exactly what caused it, but I can remember feeling incredibly connected to defending my environment. The stubborn nihilism and anger I had when I was young became critical and curious about the practicality of a clean energy transition or protecting forests. I fell in love with navigating stakeholders and impacts—and the art of compelling someone to choose the right decision. Public Policy is the most practical major for those considering work in a state/federal agency or legislative body. The professors are incredibly passionate about making policy changes and are filled with expertise—go to their office hours!”
Meshing Creativity and Community with Placemaking and Equity
“My strong foundation in writing and critical thinking, paired with my interest in community engagement and social justice, launched my Planning and Public Policy career at Rutgers. As much as I love picnicking in the green space of Hoboken’s waterfront Pier A Park or strolling along the walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge, I am most passionate about ensuring that all communities have access to vibrant, sustainable, and equitable cities. So be open to trying everything—even if you may not initially be interested in a specific class or internship, give it a chance.”
Advocacy and Action Through Public Health
An aspiring health policy advocate, Aayla Khan was drawn to Rutgers not just because it’s New Jersey’s state university, but for the opportunity to engage in meaningful academic and personal growth.
NJSPL: Mapping Corporate Landlords in New Jersey
Using parcel-level property tax data, we tracked changes in ownership from 2012 to 2022 to understand where corporate landlords are active, how they are acquiring properties, and what this might mean for housing access and stability.
Samuel and Colleagues Examine the Rise of AI Phobia
Contemporary public discourse surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) often exhibits a disproportionate level of fear and confusion relative to AI’s factually documented capabilities and implications. This study examines how the systematic use of alarmist and fear-inducing language by news media outlets contributes to negative public perceptions of AI.