News
B.S. in Health Administration Achieves AUPHA Certification
The Bloustein School’s Bachelor of Science in Health Administration recently achieved the status as a Full Certified Undergraduate Program with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). AUPHA certification is the national standard of...
Trump administration stalled a survey of PFAS in wastewater, former EPA officials say
“This is sufficiently unusual and a very long period of time that it is worth asking the question: Is OMB just sitting on it?” said Stuart Shapiro, a former OMB staffer and dean at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University-New Brunswick in New Jersey. He said reviews typically take around 60 days.
Atlantic City’s Planning Director Brian Kempf (MCRP ’17) Reflects on Jersey Shore’s Future
“I would spend summers digging elaborate trenches and walls to keep our beach chairs safe from the incoming tide,” Kempf said. “I lost that battle many times.” Now, as Atlantic City’s planner, Kempf still builds seawalls, now to hold increasing tides and rising sea-levels at bay while protecting 40,000 residents and scores more tourists.
Congress Delays OMB Grantmaking Rule with Stopgap Funding Bill
Based on the wording in the funding bill, it seems that OMB staff could still work on finalizing the rule and drafting their response to comments, said Stuart Shapiro.
Afterschool Program Access: Unresolved Issues in a Changed World
Despite the demand, approximately 80% of New Jersey children remain shut out of access to afterschool programs, largely due to cost and logistical hurdles, according to an October 2025 report from the Afterschool Alliance.
Nurturing a Passion to Create Resilient Communities
“When deciding to apply to graduate school, it was important that I started with the end in mind.I knew what my goal was, so I had to figure out what path would get me there. I was delighted to learn that my alma mater offered the very program that I needed to achieve my goals, with one of the best urban planning programs in this region. I chose the urban planning/public informatics track at Rutgers’ Bloustein School because it bridges the ideas and plans for what can be done with the technical skills needed to put them into action. With every class that I take, I immediately see the practical application and feel more equipped to step out into the workforce.”
University Graduate Shifts From Student Leader to Civic Educator
“I am so excited to see Rida continue to create spaces for young people to be change agents in this new role,” said Longo, noting how Kadri’s role as a civic educator builds on her studies and engagement as a student at Rutgers.
Leadership Change at Heldrich Center
Andrea Hetling, Ph.D., has been appointed director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, effective September 1, 2026. She succeeds Carl Van Horn, Ph.D., who founded the Heldrich Center in 1998.
Bloustein Graduate Studio Report Wins 2026 NJPO Achievement in Planning Award
A Bloustein School spring 2026 graduate studio report, Advancing Climate Resilience Through Municipal Land Use Planning, is the recipient of a 2026 New Jersey Planning Officials Achievement in Planning Award.
Why Trump wants H-1B skilled worker visas to cost employers more than $100,000
“These wage levels that are set, they don’t reflect what is the actual market wage – meaning what employers are paying in markets for the given level of talents,” Salzman said.
Comments on OMB research rule mysteriously removed from federal website
“It’s very weird because there’s no legal implication to those [comments] being on or off of regulations.gov,” said Stuart Shapiro
Sharanya Sahu (MCRP ’27) Named FCNY Community Planning Fellow
Sharanya Sahu, MCRP ’27, was selected as a Community Planning Fellow for the Fund for the City of New York (FCNY) for the 2026-27 academic year. Sharanya is a student research associate with the Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement and interested in affordable housing, land use, and environmental analytics.