[1] He started his academic career at the State University of New York at Oswego, where he became full professor and Dean of the Alumni College.
[1][4] He then served as Dean of the Nesbitt College of Design Arts at Drexel University for fifteen years.
[1] Among his innovations at Fairleigh Dickinson University was in 2001 the inauguration of PublicMind, an independent survey research group which quickly gained a national reputation;[5] launching the United Nations Pathways program, which brings members of the diplomatic corps to campus for interaction with students; helped the institution gain nongovernmental organization (NGO) status at the United Nations; making Fairleigh Dickinson University the first university in the world to earn "Special Consultative Status" with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
In addition, Dr. Adams spearheaded numerous innovative offerings including the Spanish-to-English degree program Puerta al Futuro, community college partnerships, as well as a national model support program for veterans.
He was a member of the Governing Council of the United Nations University, Steering Committee of the World Bank's Researchers Alliance for Development and the Editorial Advisory Board for International Educator, the flagship bimonthly magazine of NAFSA: Association of International Educators.