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Dr. Jeffrey S. Lowe

A native of Harlem, N.Y., Lowe earned a bachelor of business administration degree from Howard University. He completed a master of city and regional planning at Morgan State University and a Ph.D. in urban planning and policy development from Rutgers.

Lowe has published numerous scholarly articles and book chapters related to economic and community development, the role of philanthropy and African-American churches and historically black colleges and universities in community transformation, and the politics of post-disaster planning. His first book, Rebuilding Communities the Public Trust Way: Community Foundation Assistance to CDCs, 1980-2000, was published in 2006.

Appointed as a visiting associate professor, Lowe will be responsible for developing the research agenda, publishing program, and conference schedule for the Mid-Sized Cities Policy Research Institute, which will focus on the unique challenges and opportunities confronting cities with populations between 100,000 and 1 million.

“While there are numerous research centers focused on the future of small towns, rural areas, mega-cities, and regions, the University of Memphis Mid-Sized Cities Policy Research Institute will be the only interdisciplinary research center in the USA focused on the experience of medium-sized cities, which is where most Americas actually live and work,” said Dr. Kenneth M. Reardon, professor and director of the Graduate Program in City and Regional Planning. “The University is delighted to have Dr. Lowe.”

The University of Memphis is in the final stage of a national search for the permanent director of the center and expects to fill the position by Sept. 1.