Houshmand named to “ROI Influencers: People of Color 2020 list”
Houshmand named to “ROI Influencers: People of Color 2020 list”
September 30, 2020
ROI-NJ, a leading business publication, announced Sept. 29 its ROI Influencers: People of Color 2020 list, a group of highly accomplished individuals whose work is driving the state forward.
The special story, which included an honor for Rowan President Ali A. Houshmand, began with a mission two years ago to recognize corporate, government and education leaders of color throughout the state. This year’s announcement includes more than 150 honorees including U.S. Senator Cory Booker; Michellene Davis, executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer, RWJBarnabas Health; and State of New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.
Houshmand, ROI-NJ editors wrote, “has long established himself as a top thought leader in higher education — someone who runs Rowan like a business. Those attributes have been tested during this pandemic. Houshmand, however, has continued to lead by example, even finding a way to cut tuition.”
Under Houshmand, the University cut undergraduate tuition 10 percent this academic year to help offset financial difficulties to students and their families related to the pandemic.
Other 2020 honorees include Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway; Jeh Johnson, the former Secretary of Homeland Security under President Obama who now serves as special adviser to Gov. Phil Murphy; and State of New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver.
In August, the magazine recognized four Rowan educators among its Higher Education Influencers Class of 2020. They included Houshmand; Dr. Annette Reboli, dean of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University; Dr. Tabbetha Dobbins, interim vice president for Research and dean of the Graduate School; and Dr. Ben Dworkin, director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship.