William Rodgers III, Ph.D. has resigned from his position as Professor at the Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and Chief Economist of the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Dr. Rodgers will continue his association with the Heldrich Center as a Visiting Non-Resident Scholar. He will remain in his role as Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis--a position he has held since 2022 while on leave from Rutgers. He will also maintain the position of Director of the Bank’s Institute for Economic Equity.

Dr. Carl Van Horn, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Heldrich Center commented:

“I am deeply appreciative of the many contributions Bill made to the research and impact of the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. I am certain he will continue to make important contributions to understanding the dimensions of economic equity in the U.S. economy.”

Dr. Rodgers joined Rutgers University in early 2004 and has been a vital member of the faculty for the past two decades, providing both New Jersey and the nation with important research on the economics of social challenges and the impacts of the jobless recovery of the Great Recession.

Dr. Rodgers commented:

“I am grateful to Rutgers for its sustained support of my research, service, and teaching activities. This steadfast and unwavering support enabled me to fulfill my mission which is to empower people and communities with economic thought and analysis; in particular, helping our students become lifelong learners, independent thinkers, and responsible citizens. One highlight was giving the faculty welcome at the 2014 and 2015 New Student Convocations. I look forward to my continued collaboration with Dr. Van Horn and the Heldrich Center.”

Dr. Rodgers is an elected member of the National Academy of Social Insurance. In October, he will be a 2024 recipient of the Academy’s Bob Ball Award, which is presented to an individual whose recent work has made a significant impact on the U.S. social insurance system. He also served as Treasurer for the Institute for Women's Policy Research, and prior to his position at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis , he was a Non-Resident Fellow at The Century Foundation. Rodgers has served in many public capacities, including on President Obama’s U.S. Department of Labor transition team, and as Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor from 2000 to 2001. He is a former Board member of the United Way of Northern New Jersey and the U.S. Board of United Way Worldwide. He has published articles in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, the Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, the Review of Black Political Economy, and Family Economics and Nutrition Review. He is also the author of the book, The Handbook on the Economics of Discrimination.