Briavel Holcomb, Professor Emeritus at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, died on September 27, 2025, at age 83. Holcomb joined Rutgers University in 1972 and held various leadership roles throughout her career. She was Chair of the Department of Urban Studies and Community Health from 1980 to 1986 and again from 1991 to 1995. She also served as Acting Director of the Women’s Studies Program in 1987 and led the Graduate Program in Geography during two separate terms.
Holcomb coordinated several fellowship programs at Rutgers, including acting as University Coordinator for the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program at the Bloustein School beginning in 2001 and then serving as its coordinator from 2004 to 2006. From 2008 to 2010, she managed the Voorhees Public Service Fellowship Program.
Stuart Shapiro, Dean of the Bloustein School, said: “We use many compliments when describing academics. They include ‘brilliant,’ ‘industrious,’ and ‘inspirational.’ But the best and most appropriate compliment for Bria was an even more important one, ‘kind.’ She was kind to her students, to her colleagues, and to our staff. That is why we will all miss her so much.”
Holcomb's academic work extended beyond Rutgers. She was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Malta and taught at institutions such as the University of Exeter (UK), The New School (NY), University of Colorado, and participated in Semester at Sea with the University of Pittsburgh. Her professional service included roles on councils for both the Association of American Geographers (AAG) and American Geographical Society; she also served as President for AAG’s Middle States Region.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus Michael R. Greenberg reflected: “As a colleague, Bria was someone whom we could count on to take on tasks that others avoided. One of these was department chair, a position she held for many years.” He added: “When the college looked for faculty to live in the early dorms, Bria and her husband, Michael, lived in a dorm to help guide the students.”
Greenberg also recalled Holcomb’s focus on tourism studies after teaching numerous courses abroad: “She truly enjoyed teaching. Several times, she taught extra courses to test some new ideas… It came as no surprise to us when she began to focus on tourism as her specialty,” referencing her collaborative paper “Gender, tourism, and development in Latin America” with Antonia Casellas.
Holcomb was born in England where she earned a Bachelor’s degree with honors from Nottingham University followed by a Diploma of Education from Oxford University before teaching secondary school geography in London. After moving to Colorado for graduate studies—where she completed both M.A. and Ph.D.—she researched cultural perceptions of urban environments.
Her publications include three books plus articles spanning topics such as public policy impacts on women’s lives—highlighted by co-authoring "Women’s Lives and Public Policy: The International Experience" with Meredith Turshen—as well as research into gender roles within cities.
Holcomb received multiple awards recognizing excellence in teaching including Rutgers’ Warren I. Susman Award for Excellence in Teaching; Livingston College Distinguished Fellows Award; National Council for Geographic Education Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award; and Association of American Geographers’ Distinguished Teaching Honors Award.
She advised numerous doctoral candidates while maintaining undergraduate engagement through Byrne Seminars like “R.U. Happy?” which explored concepts around happiness through philosophical perspectives culminating with walking tours introducing students to New Brunswick’s evolving landscape—a theme further recognized when one tour was archived by Rutgers’ Department of Geography during its anniversary celebration.
Holcomb retired from academia in May 2017 before relocating from Highland Park, NJ., to Croton-on-Hudson NY., where she spent time with family.
Dean Shapiro stated that Holcomb is greatly missed by colleagues at Bloustein School.
