Richey Piiparinen currently serves as Director of the Center for Population Dynamics. He developed a macroeconomic theory of change for Rust Belt cities that focuses on increasing regional global connectivity. He manages and directs a line of research for The Center for Population Dynamics at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs that centers on migration and economic development. The work he does informs a regional strategic framework focusing on growing and leveraging migration trends to advance the regional economy, while simultaneously attending to community development through the identification of local housing, transportation, and workforce assets and needs.