Steven Goldstein Named Associate Chancellor for External Relations

Goldstein is a prominent New Jersey leader who has held senior positions in government, the media and civil rights. At Rutgers-Newark, his portfolio will include government relations, building strong relations with the communities of Rutgers-Newark, and communications for the campus.

“This is an exciting moment for the Rutgers-Newark community,”  Yeagle said.  “Steven has long been among New Jersey’s most compelling voices and steadfast leaders for the public interest.   His political savvy and legendary tenacity have made him known in Trenton and across the state for making big things happen.”

Newark Mayor Cory Booker stated, "Steven Goldstein is an inspired choice to be an associate chancellor at Rutgers-Newark.  He is a transformational leader who has shaped one of the most powerful civil rights movements of our time, producing some of the most important civil rights laws of our time.  He has brought thousands into the political process and helped to empower their dreams of a better world.  It's been a joy to work with him at Garden State Equality and it will be an joy to work with him in our city."

“Working at Rutgers-Newark, and especially for Interim Chancellor Yeagle, will be a dream come true,” Goldstein said.  “Last semester, I had the honor of teaching at Rutgers School of Law-Newark and getting to know administrators, faculty and students – they’re extraordinary.  I’m thrilled to join one of the nation’s finest urban research universities, and to help it partner with its great home city in every way it can.”

Before founding Garden State Equality in July 2004, Goldstein, 50, worked in senior positions as a television producer and on Capitol Hill.   He has been a television news producer who has won 10 regional Emmy Awards, and went on to serve as a lawyer for the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and later as communications director for U.S. Sen.  Frank R. Lautenberg.  

As Garden State Equality’s founder and leader, Goldstein built one of the country’s best-known statewide civil rights organizations.   On Garden State Equality’s watch, New Jersey has enacted some of the state’s most path-breaking civil rights laws to advance equality not only for the LGBT community, but for others facing discrimination as well, including all students vulnerable to bullying in schools. 

Each year over the past several years, PolitickerNJ.com has ranked Goldstein as one of the most powerful people in New Jersey politics.  New Jersey Monthly ranked him as one of the state’s 101 most powerful people in all walks of life.  The Harvard Law and Policy Review published an academic treatise on Goldstein’s work at Garden State Equality, citing his “vision, energy and determination” in building “a model organization.”  And in 2008, the Academy Award® for Best Short Documentary went to Freeheld, a film chronicling Garden State Equality’s grassroots advocacy.

Steven Goldstein is a summa cum laude graduate of Brandeis University, holds master’s degrees from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and a J.D. from Columbia Law School.  He lives in Teaneck with his partner of 20 years, Daniel Gross.