Marc Pfeiffer was ranked #47 and Policy Fellow Bob Gordon was ranked #94 in the Insider 100 Power List for 2025. The InsiderNJ.com list reflects the backbone of government and political power in the state of New Jersey, minus judges, former governors, and current elected officials.
Topic
Public Policy
Bloustein School Joins National Service to Service Initiative
The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University–New Brunswick is pleased to announce its participation in Service to Service, a national initiative led by the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans and Military Families. The program connects veterans and military families with public service education pathways, helping them transition into impactful careers in public leadership.
NJSPL Report: Health Insurance Literacy Initiatives
Researchers with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, in collaboration with the New Jersey State Policy Lab, have developed a report which is intended to serve as the first comprehensive state-by-state guide of health insurance literacy educational resources and/or interventions available across the U.S.
Bloustein School Brings Policy Expertise to Second Gubernatorial Debate
In co-hosting the final debate before Election Day, Rutgers scholars worked to elevate the public policy discourse.
For the policy wonks from Bloustein, the focus will be on the candidates’ promises and how, after months of collaborating with ABC7/WABC-TV New York, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, Noticias Univision 41, and the performing arts center, millions of New Jersey voters were better informed as a result.
Understanding Awareness and Perceptions of Palliative Care
Conducted in partnership with the Goals of Care Coalition of New Jersey (GOCCNJ) and the Rutgers Cancer Institute (CINJ), the research aims to inform patient-facing education, identify barriers to care, and support equitable implementation of New Jersey’s Medicaid palliative care initiative. D
Dr. Ignaccolo New Book: Small-Town Renaissance
Whether you’re a policymaker, urban planner, designer, tech innovator, or heritage advocate, this book offers fresh insights, actionable strategies, and a compelling vision for the future of rural development in the digital age.
Dean Shapiro: Simplifying Research Regulations & Policies
Dean Stuart Shapiro served on a committee for a report titled “Simplifying Research Regulations and Policies” for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Evaluating Policies that Serve New Jersey
Working with more than 180 faculty members and staff, 100 students, and experts from more than 20 centers, schools, and universities across New Jersey, the New Jersey State Policy Lab has launched more than 60 research projects and published over 350 research blogs and 50 reports since 2021.
One of its key objectives has been to establish a network of scholars and research centers within New Jersey institutions of higher education to coordinate state policy research and facilitate collaboration. The NJSPL has forged connections with dozens of universities, schools, and centers within the Garden State and beyond. Its guiding mission is to identify and respond to state government and community needs for effective policy solutions through firsthand research and coordination with relevant experts across the state.
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.”