New Jersey State Policy Lab Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary

On April 23rd, the New Jersey State Policy Lab marked its five-year anniversary with a celebratory dinner and networking event. The evening was festive as guests learned more about our work, gained insights from policy leaders, and fortified connections with each other.

Joined by elected officials, faculty, students, alumni, and corporate and nonprofit leaders, we reflected on the Policy Lab’s many accomplishments and the continued importance of nonpartisan, evidence-based research supporting policymaking in New Jersey.

We were honored to recognize four distinguished guests who have made notable contributions to advance the well-being of New Jerseyans:

• Brian Bridges, former New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education
• Christiana Foglio, Founder & CEO of Community Investment Strategies, Inc.
• Senator Vin Gopal (D-11), New Jersey State Senator, Chair, Senate Education Committee and Founder/President of Vin Gopal Civic Association
• Senator Andrew Zwicker (D-16), New Jersey State Senator, Physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Chair of the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee and Vice-Chair of the Higher Education and Labor Committees

The honorees delivered compelling remarks that animated the evening. One honoree noted how the Policy Lab’s work “touches people” and has “changed the world,” while another observed, “If the Policy Lab didn’t exist, I’d want to establish it,” and a third stated that the New Jersey State Policy Lab has “unequivocally” lived up to expectations. Another honoree recalled a quote from Margaret Mead, observing that thoughtful, hard-working individuals have the power to change the world.

Working with affiliated faculty and staff at universities across New Jersey, the Policy Lab has produced more than 60 reports on a wide array of policy topics, which are regularly presented to policymakers as part of our Policy in Practice sessions at the New Jersey State House in Trenton. Through the Policy Collaboratory, we gather graduate students from across the state to tackle urgent challenges like sea level rise, affordable housing, and access to higher education.  Additionally, our summer internship program, soon to begin its fifth year this June, strengthens students’ research skills and encourages them to pursue their interests in policymaking. More information on the NJSPL’s accomplishments can be found within our latest annual report.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for this special celebration, and especially the sponsors and donors whose generosity supports the work of the Policy Lab. It was an inspiring evening. Event proceeds will support hiring students as research assistants and summer interns and reinvest in a variety of student-focused programs. Thanks also to our small but mighty Policy Lab team, whose creativity and attention to detail made this celebration so memorable.

Looking ahead, the New Jersey State Policy Lab remains committed to deepening its engagement with communities, expanding opportunities for students, and continuing to serve as a trusted resource bridging research and policymaking in New Jersey.

The New Jersey State Policy Lab is funded by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and functions as a collaboration between the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers-New Brunswick and the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers-Newark. The principal investigator is Stuart Shapiro; the co-principal investigators are Charles Menifield, Greg Porumbescu, and Kelci Ralph.

Thanks to everyone who believes in our work and helps to carry it forward.

Photo credit: Jason Martin, JM Multimedia Group.

Author

Elizabeth Cooner

Dr. Elizabeth Cooner is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Policy Lab, which conducts rigorous, nonpartisan research and analysis of policy issues facing the state with an eye toward equity and social justice. With more than twenty years of professional experience, Dr. Cooner has worked in higher education, survey research, and management consulting.  As the Vice President of Social and Public Policy at Louis Harris & Associates, she focused on policy issues related to health, well-being, and access to care. She also served as the Executive Director of Assessment, Planning & Research at Union College-NJ for more than six years and managed the Grants Department on an interim basis. Relying on evidence-based research to guide strategic planning, improve outcomes, and increase institutional effectiveness throughout her career, Dr. Cooner also worked at other educational institutions and research firms.  She has a doctorate in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from Georgetown University, and a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Humanities from Villanova University.

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