Natalie Passov

Natalie Passov is an innovative and dynamic communications professional, public relations specialist, and graphic designer. Her work is rooted in using storytelling, research, and strategic communication to shape policy and practice.

Currently, she serves as the Senior Public Relations Specialist at the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs. In her role, she manages and oversees all communications and public engagement efforts. 

Prior to joining WRI, she worked with the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice as the Assistant Director for Communications, Programs, and Research. While there, her work focused on amplifying the educational contributions of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and increasing rigorous scholarship on higher education to ensure a more just and equitable education landscape. She remains involved with the Center and the Institute as a Research Associate (by courtesy).

A native of Boston, Massachusetts, she is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she obtained her B.A. in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Communication, as well as a certificate in Nonprofit Operation. She also holds a Master of Communication and Media with a specialization in Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility from Rutgers University. A first generation scholar-practitioner, Natalie is an advocate for K-12 and postsecondary education reform and continues to fight for this in her personal and professional life.