William Waldman

B.A. degree in English, The Pennsylvania State University; M.S.W. degree in administration, policy, and planning, Rutgers University

Bill Waldman has served as a professor of professional practice, visiting professor, lecturer and executive in residence at the Rutgers University School of Social Work since 2001. He retired from this position in July of 2019 but continues to serve as a Professor Emeritus. From 1998 to 2000, he was the executive director of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) in Washington, D.C. APHSA is a non-profit organization whose members include the health and human service agencies in the 50 states, as well as many agencies in counties, municipalities and U.S. territories.

From 1987 to 1998, Waldman served as a director of the Division of Youth and Family Services, deputy commissioner and commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, for three Governors of New Jersey. The Department of Human Services is the largest public agency in New Jersey, and his responsibilities included administering a $7 billion budget, managing a workforce of 19,000 employees and serving over one million residents of the state. The Department encompassed seven operating divisions which included the Medicaid program, services to the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, the child welfare program, all public welfare programs as well as services to the blind and visually impaired and the deaf and hard of hearing. He also had responsibility for eighteen institutions including psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, children’s residential facilities and a residential program for the blind.

From 1975 until 1987, Waldman directed the Middlesex County Department of Human Services. In this capacity he was responsible for the administration of numerous county- based human services programs, managed a staff of sixty-five employees, and administered a budget in the amount of $8 million. Waldman was employed from 1965 to 1975 with the Essex County Welfare Board in Newark. He began as a caseworker and advanced through supervisory and administrative positions including the administration of the county’s food stamp and employment and training programs.

Waldman has been the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career, serves on various boards of directors of community agencies, has made numerous presentations at professional conferences, the New Jersey Legislature, the U.S. Congress, foundations and business and industry groups, and has consulted for both government and private agencies. He has a B.A. degree in English from Penn State and a M.S.W. degree from the Rutgers School of Social Work with a focus on administration, policy and planning.

Waldman retired from his position at Rutgers University effective July 1, 2019 but remains active with the University in various endeavors and continues to serve on the boards of a number of community organizations.