DR. SOJI ADELAJA is the John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy and Director of the Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University.

He also directs the Michigan Higher Education Land Policy (MIHELP) Consortium, a network of university researchers involved in metropolitan policy research and outreach, and he co-directs the Michigan People and Land (PAL) Initiative, focused on regional prosperity in the state of Michigan. Dr. Adelaja holds joint faculty appointments as Professor in the departments of Agricultural Food Resource Economics, Geography, and Community, Agricultural and Recreational Resource Studies. Prior to his work at MSU, he served as the Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dean of Cook College, Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Director of Rutgers Cooperative Extension at Rutgers University, where he was on the faculty for 18 years. He previously served as Department Chair of Agricultural Food and Resource Economics and Dean of Research at Cook College at Rutgers University.

Dr. Adelaja is an eclectic scholar and team builder whose research and outreach programs span a variety of areas. He is best known for his work in Land Use Policy, Agricultural and Food Policy at the Urban Fringe, Asset-Based Economic Development and Emerging Issues in the New Economy. A committed land grant scholar, his work has impacted on public policy in a variety of areas.

Dr. Adelaja sits on the boards of various organizations and companies, and he has served on several commissions, advisory committees and task forces.

Among the recognitions he has received for his work and impact are the Outstanding Alumni Award from Penn State's College of Agriculture, the Person of the Year Award from the National Prepared Foods Association, New Jersey Governor's Recognition for Outstanding Contributions to New Jersey, the State of New Jersey General Assembly's Citation for Outstanding Scholarship and Exceptional Service, the NAREA Excellence Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Policy through Economics, Rutgers Presidential Award for Distinguished Public Service, and various excellence awards in research, outreach and teaching. In recognition of his service to Rutgers, he holds special status as the George Hammel Cook Dean Emeritus.

Dr. Adelaja is the founder of the Land Policy Institute (2006), the Rutgers Food Innovation Center (2001), the Food Policy Institute (1999) and the Rutgers Eco- Policy Center (1994).

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