Dr. Robert Blaine is the senior executive and director for the National League of Cities’ Leadership, Education, Advancement, and Development (LEAD) Center. LEAD consists of the Institute for Youth, Education and Families (YEF Institute); the Local Infrastructure Hub; and the National League of Cities University. LEAD is dedicated to building opportunities in communities through technical assistance, leadership development, and engagement.Most recently, Dr. Blaine served as the City of Jackson’s Chief Administrative Officer under Mayor Chokwe Lumumba. In that role, he oversaw the City’s 2,200 employees and managed an annual budget of more than $350 million. Dr. Blaine also led the development and efficient implementation of the City of Jackson’s Strategic Plan which promotes a “dignity economy” – an economic model in which municipal investments were made towards the inherit dignity of every citizen in Jackson through early childhood success, financial empowerment and equitable workforce development. A nationally-recognized thought leader in the areas of public service, education and music, Dr. Blaine has presented on the TEDx stage on the topics of New Environments for New Brains and The Dignity Economy and was recognized as an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2013. He previously served as the Associate Provost at Tougaloo College and as Dean of Undergraduate Studies and CyberLearning, Director of Orchestral Studies, and Professor of Music at Jackson State University.

Chief executive position for the City of Jackson. Managed an organization of over 2,200 employees and a budget in excess of 350 million dollars. Facilitated growth in human dignity in the City of Jackson through initiatives in early childhood, economic, and workforce development. Designed and implemented a two-generation strategy to increase economic mobility through “Ready to Learn”, a program designed to ensure that every child enters kindergarten prepared for the learning environment, and “Economic Pathways to Human Dignity”, a program focused on workforce development and economic growth.Designed and implemented the TECH JXN Conference and Festival, a three-day event organized to increase economic development and encourage growth in the sectors of Technology, Education, Creativity, and Healthcare in the City of Jackson. Lead efforts to build a more nimble and efficient city government through the development and implementation of an enterprise resource planning system, which revolutionized the manner in which City programs are administered. Lead the implementation of a new salary plan to bring all salaries to a living wage and build a system of merit-based promotions. Fostered relationships with international organizations and philanthropies, such as the Social Progress Imperative, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Lincoln Institute, Heron Foundation, Kauffman Foundation, Kapor Foundation, Aspen Institute, Milken Institute, Sesame Street Foundation, and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

Executive position with responsibility for the learning and living experiences of all students. Academic and Student Affairs is comprised of: the Dean’s Council, four academic divisions, the Faculty Senate, and the following programs: Recruitment, The First & Second Year Experience, Honors Program, Student housing, Campus Safety, Student Activities, Career Services, Center for Undergraduate Research and all summer programs. The division has an annual budget in excess of $12 million.Developed and implemented the redesign of the general education curriculum branded as CORE - Curriculum Outcomes Redesigned for Engagement. CORE is an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to empower innovative teaching and and foster autonomous student learning through student engagement and creativity.Awarded a $6 Million cluster grant from the United Negro College Fund for the development of the ConneXions Career Pathways Initiative.

Executive position with responsibility for all undergraduate first and second year students. Undergraduate Studies is comprised of four major programs: The First Year Experience, W. E. B. Du Bois Honors College, University College, and CyberLearning; and six ancillary programs: Freshman/Transfer Orientation and Welcome Week, First-Year Assessment, First-Year Advisement, Student Retention Services, Transfer Services, and Comprehensive Academic Support Services. Undergraduate studies sponsors the programs of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Summer Bridge Program. Thedivision has an annual budget in excess of $4 million.