The Russell Sage Foundation is saddened to report the passing of noted economist Rodney J. Andrews on Friday, May 12, 2023, at the age of 47. He was a tenured Associate Professor of Economics and the Endowed Fellow, Vibhooti Shukla Professor of Economics and Political Economy at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he had been a faculty member since 2009. He received an undergraduate degree in Economics with Highest Honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan and was a postdoctoral fellow in Health Policy in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program at Harvard University. 

Rodney's research on higher education policy influenced economists, education researchers, and policymakers and was recently cited in the 2023 Economic Report of the President. He focused on understanding ways to increase collegiate attainment and economic mobility by those from disadvantaged backgrounds. He was the recipient of a Russell Sage Foundation Grant, “Does Attending an Elite University Help Low-Income Students.”

He was the Director and then Research Director of the Texas Schools Project at the University of Texas at Dallas, where his leadership helped provide access to unique data for scholars across the social sciences. His work generated data and research infrastructure that has led to volumes of research, which will continue to be an essential resource for scholars in the future. 

Rodney's leadership extended to board positions in the Association for Education Finance and Policy and the National Economics Association. He was an editor at the Economics of Education Review, a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a member of the steering committee of its Race and Stratification Working Group.

As an African American scholar and faculty member in a field historically lacking in diversity, Rodney was a passionate advocate for enhancing diversity and supporting scholars from traditionally marginalized backgrounds. He was a mentor and an empathetic role model who understood their challenges and was always willing to listen and help. He supported dozens of underrepresented scholars, who themselves have had a significant impact on the economics profession. Through his scholarship, his advocacy, and his leadership, Rodney’s impact on the field of economics and the diversity of economists will endure.

RSF President Sheldon Danziger, who was co-chair of his dissertation committee, said, “I mourn Rodney’s early death and am flooded by fond memories of getting to know and admire him. Our many conversations during his years at Michigan and later focused on economic research methods and public policies, professional norms, sports, and family. I am proud of his academic success and impressed by his mentorship of so many early career scholars from underrepresented groups.” 

Rodney leaves behind a legacy of academic success and inspiration to his many mentees, students, colleagues, friends. He is survived by his wife, Tanya Andrews; his children, Taylor, Radha, Rodney II, and Brendan; his granddaughter, Fallon; and his parents, Brenda Wade and Freddie Andrews. The Russell Sage Foundation extends its deepest sympathy to Rodney’s family, friends, and colleagues for their loss.