RU professor Robinson named provost for Rutgers University-Newark

Jeffrey Robinson, a Rutgers Business School professor, author and co-founder of the Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, is Rutgers University-Newark’s new provost and executive vice chancellor.

“Jeff has earned a reputation as a thought leader, author, sought-after speaker and trainer working at the intersection of economic development, social problem solving, inclusive innovation and workforce diversity,’’ Chancellor Nancy Cantor said in a statement accompanying the school’s June 23 announcement of Robinson’s appointment. “We are thrilled to welcome him to his new role on our leadership team.’’

Robinson’s appointment is effective July 1.

He joined Rutgers-Newark in 2008, specializing in management and entrepreneurship. He holds the Prudential Chair in Business and is a professor of Management and Global Business at Rutgers Business School.

“I am excited to contribute to the mission of Rutgers University-Newark as an anchor institution in the city and region,” Robinson said. “Specifically, I look forward to focusing on innovation and economic development along with faculty recruitment and retentions. I am particularly drawn to RU-Newark’s strengths in the arts, STEM, and entrepreneurship.”

According to the announcement, the New Jersey native has extensive experience with major grant writing and managing — including multimillion-dollar support from the National Science Foundation for building and expanding inclusive pathways to STEM. Robinson has also secured funding across federal and state agencies, in addition to operators in the private sector, to engage entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. His most recent publication is the 2022 Harper Collins guide “Black Faces in High Places: 10 Strategic Actions for Black Professionals to Reach the Top and Stay There,” which he co-authored with Rutgers alumnus, and season 4 winner of “The Apprentice,” Randall Pinkett.

Thanks to his extensive and publicly engaged scholarship, Rutgers said Robinson has created “vitally important” programs as the academic director for CUEED. Those qualities have also made the academic in demand as a consultant for Fortune 1000 corporations, foundations and social sector organizations, according to the school, like KIPP Schools, Legrand North America, The National Urban League and the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC). Robinson has also played a part in building bridges across sectors to serve shared interests with events like the New Inclusive Innovation Summit, Global Social Venture Research Conference, and International Social Entrepreneurship Research Conference.

Robinson holds five academic degrees — spanning engineering, urban studies and business: He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies at Rutgers College and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Rutgers School of Engineering, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering Management from Georgia Institute of Technology as a GEM Fellow, and an M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Management and Organizations from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. He is also board chair of the nonprofit Support Center, which specializes in organizational development, consulting and executive transition, and chair of the board of trustees of the Sphinx Scholarship Fund.

“Jeff’s work exemplifies Rutgers-Newark’s strategic commitment to social mobility, publicly engaged scholarship, and anchor institution collaboration as a major urban research university where cross-disciplinary collaboration is paramount and where we are profoundly committed to leveraging our strengths with partners locally, statewide, nationally, and globally to move the needle on the most pressing challenges facing our communities and our world,” Cantor added.