Who is Rodney Harrell (bio)

Rodney Harrell, PhD

Addressing Our Toughest Societal Challenges Through Partnerships, Research and Innovation

Education

PhD, Urban Planning & Design
University of Maryland

Dual Master’s (MPA/URP)
Princeton University

BA, Political Science
Howard University

Connect

📧 drurbanpolicy@gmail.com

🐦 @drurbanpolicy

👤 DrUrbanPolicy

Rodney Harrell, PhD is a leader in understanding issues facing people and communities, using a holistic approach that involves innovation and collaboration across sectors to address persistent social issues.

As the Vice President of Family, Home and Community for AARP, he leads a team within the Public Policy Institute that creates innovative research and policy solutions in Livable Communities, Family Caregiving, and Long-Term Services and Supports. He also serves as the Housing and Livable Communities Enterprise Lead, directing AARP's Future of Housing initiative.

Dr. Harrell is the architect of the AARP Livability Index™, the world’s first neighborhood-based, nationwide tool measuring community quality of life across every neighborhood in the United States. His work has earned him recognition as one of the Top Influencers in Aging by Next Avenue.

Public Service & Leadership

Rodney maintains a deep commitment to service, currently serving on the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, as Chair of the Champions Council for the Coalition for Smarter Growth, as a Trustee of the National Building Museum, as a Juror for the Anthem Awards of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Maryland Advisory Council of Historic Preservation.  He represents AARP on the Leading Suppliers Council of the National Association of Homebuilders and the National Advisory Council of the National Housing Conference.

His previous appointments include the Largo (MD) Town Center Development Board, the Policy Committee for Living Cities, and Vice Chair of Policy for the Planning and the Black Community Division of the American Planning Association, amongst others.

Personal

A native of Washington, D.C. and Prince George’s County, Dr. Harrell is a charter fan and season ticket holder of the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals and a steadfast supporter of all D.C. sports. He is a "recovering" track athlete, having competed as a collegiate triple and long jumper. He lives in Greenbelt, MD with his wife and daughter.