Dr. James W. Hughes is dean emeritus of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. He served as dean for 22 years (1995-2017) and was named University Professor in 2017 by the Rutgers Board of Governors. As University Professor, he has the university-wide privilege of conducting research and educational activities across the disciplines and schools of his choice. He is also a Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Policy Development. Dr. Hughes is a nationally recognized expert on demographic and economic issues and is author or co-author of 35 books and monographs and more than 150 articles. Among his books are The Atlantic City Gamble, published by the Harvard University Press and four published by the Rutgers University Press, including Population Trends in New Jersey, New Jersey’s Postsuburban Economy, and America’s Demographic Tapestry: Baselines for the New Millennium. He also directs the Rutgers Regional Report which he established in 1989. It has produced more than 100 studies on both New Jersey and the broad multistate metropolitan region centered on New York City. Dean Hughes is a military veteran who served as an artillery officer in the U.S. Army.