While housing costs in New Jersey continue to be among the highest in the nation, the state growth rate of 4.8% for median owner costs for housing with a mortgage was among the slowest in the country (43rd) and well below the national rate of 7.2%.
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Stephanie Gomez-Vanegas (PPP minor ’25) in Rutgers Today
The 23-year-old, who is bolstering her major in social work with a minor in planning and public policy through the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, said her goal is to eventually pursue a career in macro social work so she can focus on large-scale issues and making systemic changes. But before getting into the field, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work at Rutgers.
Leah Furey Bruder–Community Centered Urban Planning
This week on EJB Talks, Dean Stuart Shapiro speaks with Bloustein School alumna and Bloustein Advisory Board member, Leah Furey Bruder, MCRP ’06 about her journey into urban planning and her experiences working in municipal and redevelopment planning. Leah explains how her background in international studies shifted to local planning after working on community development in Camden, NJ. She discusses her work in Cherry Hill, her time as an in-house municipal planner in Evesham Township, and her decision to start her own firm to focus on impactful projects.
Announcing the Passing of Professor Lyna Wiggins
The Bloustein School is saddened to announce the passing of Lyna Wiggins, Associate Professor Emerita, on November 10, 2024. Lyna retired from teaching and research in May 2020 and was able to spend time working on her quilting projects and riding her horse, Marilyn Monroe, whom she loved dearly.
Heldrich Report: Educational and Employment Outcomes
A new report from the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, Educational and Employment Outcomes for the New Jersey High School Classes of 2014 and 2015, utilizes the New Jersey Statewide Data System to analyze the trajectories of New Jersey high school graduates.
Jagannathan Receives Chancellor Award for Global Impact
Bloustein School Professor Radha Jagannathan was recently named the recipient of the Rutgers Chancellor Award for Global Impact.
The award honors a faculty member whose research, teaching, or service has catalyzed global partnerships or generated global impacts and exceptional public engagement.
Faculty Contribute to Wealth Disparity Task Force Report
Last week, in commemoration of Black History Month, Gov. Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way announced the release of the state’s Wealth Disparity Task Force report, “New Jersey – Building a State of Opportunity: A Report of the Wealth Disparity Task Force to Close Opportunity Gaps and Repair Structural Disparities.”
Announcing the Passing of Arlene Pashman, CUPR Senior Editor
Arlene Pashman, a long-time senior editor for the Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR), passed away on March 1, 2025 after a brief illness. Arlene retired from the Bloustein School in May 2011.
Watson: Lessons from a City Planner
Dr. Pipas discussed the importance of well-being and drivers of burnout for all health professionals. By applying evidence-based well-being strategies to advance personal health, she sought to help professionals create their own personal health improvement plan (PHIP) to sustain well-being over a lifetime.
NJSPL: Affordable Housing Database for Older Adults in NJ
A collaboration between the New Jersey State Policy Lab and the Rutgers Hub for Aging Collaboration addressed this gap by compiling a census of all housing apartments available for older adults with low income. The census is available to the public to view here and includes a searchable database and an interactive map of New Jersey, representing existing and potential assisted living program sites throughout the state.