José Miguel Román, JD, DMin

José Miguel Román, JD, DMin, is Vice President for Research Administration and Chief Research Security Officer at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where he is a senior leader within one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive public research universities. He provides executive leadership for research administration and research security across Rutgers’ four major academic and health divisions and 29 decanal units, supporting an increasingly complex research enterprise approaching $1 billion in annual activity.

Throughout his career, José has specialized in building, transforming, and leading organizations at the intersection of research, higher education, public service, and social impact. At Rutgers, he has helped lead a period of substantial growth and modernization of the research enterprise, including the transformation of research administration and human research protections; expansion of industry-sponsored research; development of a comprehensive research security infrastructure in response to rapidly evolving federal requirements; and implementation of new technologies, operating models, and institutional partnerships designed to make Rutgers a more innovative, responsive, and trusted research institution.

Before joining Rutgers, José spent nine years at New York University, where he served as Assistant Vice President for Sponsored Programs Administration and helped support the extraordinary expansion and globalization of NYU’s research enterprise. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Columbia University, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). These experiences placed him at the intersection of academic research, global health, humanitarian assistance, and international development and provided José with extensive experience working across institutional, cultural, and national boundaries. His work has taken him to nearly 20 countries, while his leadership responsibilities have extended to programs operating in dozens more.

José began his professional life in public and community service. His accomplishments include helping establish one of New York City’s pioneering Beacon Schools, transforming one of the nation’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS harm-reduction organizations, supporting international efforts to advance HIV vaccine research, and helping develop community-based medical clinics in Uganda, Kenya, and India. Across these roles, he has built organizations, strengthened institutional infrastructure, managed complex change, and brought together diverse stakeholders around ambitious missions.

José’s commitment to public service has also extended throughout his career to board and civic leadership. He has served on the boards of leading nonprofit, cultural, educational, and public-service organizations, including the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Philanthropy of New York (PNY), and the United Palace of Cultural Arts. Through this service, he has contributed his experience in strategy, governance, organizational transformation, and mission stewardship to institutions working to strengthen communities, expand opportunity, advance inclusion, and enrich civic life.

Born and raised in the Bronx, José is a graduate of the City University of New York, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics. He earned his Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law and, in 2016, a Doctor of Ministry from New York Theological Seminary, where his scholarship focused on modern spiritual movements.

Across more than three decades of leadership, José’s work has been guided by a consistent commitment to public service and to building institutions that are more effective, innovative, humane, and capable of creating lasting impact.