Rutgers University-New Brunswick’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy has appointed Laura R. Peck, Ph.D., as Associate Professor, effective September 1, 2025. Dr. Peck will also serve as a Principal Faculty Fellow at the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, which is part of the Bloustein School.
Stuart Shapiro, Ph.D., Dean and Professor at the Bloustein School, commented on the appointment: “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Peck to the Bloustein School. Her extensive expertise in social policy, including workforce development, will enrich our academic environment and also help drive innovative research at both the Bloustein School and the Heldrich Center.”
Dr. Peck was previously a Principal Scientist at MEF Associates, where she led work in income security and economic mobility. Her areas of focus included food and housing assistance, safety net services, economic security, and workforce and postsecondary education.
She is recognized nationally for her expertise in program evaluation and specializes in designing experimental and quasi-experimental studies to assess public programs’ impacts. Her research has informed evidence-based policy decisions across sectors such as education, employment, housing, and income support.
Dr. Peck currently serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Evaluation. She has held leadership roles at Abt Associates—including Principal Scientist and Global Director for Research—and served as Associate Professor in the School of Public Affairs as well as Associate Dean of Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University. She earned her M.P.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. from New York University.
“I am honored to join the Bloustein School and the Heldrich Center,” said Dr. Peck. “I look forward to collaborating with its vibrant community of scholars, students, and policy professionals committed to driving meaningful change.”
Carl Van Horn, Ph.D., Director of the Heldrich Center and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers stated: “Dr. Peck brings extraordinary knowledge and energy to our team. We’re excited to work with her on groundbreaking research and policy initiatives.”
The Edward J. Bloustein School is known for its programs in urban planning, public policy, public health, health administration, and public informatics.
