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Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Opportunities

Opportunities are special programs that support student success. They usually require an application and, once selected, students engage in meaningful activities such as meetings, projects, and events.

Students work together in community garden.

Advancing Community Development Program (Collaborative Center)

The Collaborative Center offers various ways for the Rutgers community (staff, faculty, students, and student organizations) and the general public to engage in the surrounding community. Volunteers can assist non-profit organizations and government agencies in food distribution and community clean-ups, among other opportunities.

Two students in labcoats analyze petri dish.

Aresty Research Center

New Brunswick Undergrad-Opportunity Programs that provide Rutgers–New Brunswick students opportunities to engage with scholarly research at any stage in their undergraduate careers.

Students pose during FIGS Recognition Ceremony

First-Year Interest Group Seminars (FIGS)  

One credit courses in various disciplines (over 30 topics) for first-year students + Opportunities to serve as Peer Instructors in their sophomore or junior year.

Student stands in front of Rutgers Bonner Leaders sign.

Bonner Leaders (Collaborative Center)

Rutgers Bonner Leaders at Rutgers–New Brunswick are part of the national Bonner Foundation Network of college students committed to community engagement and social justice. At Rutgers, Bonner Leaders are involved in every major New Brunswick community event as they learn to serve within an orientation to social change. Students participate in community engagement activities and attend national and state leadership conferences.

Students demonstrate projects during RU Health Hack event.

Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA)  

The mission of the Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA) is to integrate design and entrepreneurial thinking into the student experience.  During the program, students take part in research, design challenges, and entrepreneurial thinking, as well as contribute to interdisciplinary projects focused on solving complex societal challenges

Students stand around piano during Byrne Seminar.

Byrne Seminars

 

Byrne provides students with a hands-on classroom experience. Many seminars feature field trips to labs, theaters, museums, and historical sites. Students can hear from a range of guest speakers, including authors, political leaders, and research scientists. Byrne Seminars are small, one-credit courses limited to 20 students.

ODASIS students wearing white coats jumping.

Office for Diversity and Academic Success in the Sciences (ODASIS)  

The goal of the Office for Diversity and Academic Success in the Sciences (ODASIS) is to increase the recruitment and academic success of students who are interested in pursuing careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professions.

Student wearing safety goggles behind beakers in science lab.

The Douglass Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

New Brunswick Undergrad-Opportunity The Douglass Women in Science and Engineering community provides high-impact experiences that cultivate one’s STEM identity in the pursuit of a STEM degree and career. At the core of WiSE’s mission is the support for persistence in majors with a historical and continued gender disparity at the university level and in the workforce, including engineering, formal sciences, physical sciences, and natural sciences.

Large group of students pose with President Jonathan Holloway and Anna Branch during Paul Robeson Success Institute.

Paul Robeson Success Institute and  Paul Robeson Living Learning Community  

A 3-day interactive Institute with virtual and in-person programming.  The program also offers students a chance to be part of a cohort/community with academic and life skills workshops and a Living Learning Community in which members will live on the College Avenue Campus.  Students participate in workshops, discussions, cultural activities, and mentoring.

RISE at Rutgers Logo.

RISE at Rutgers

RISE at Rutgers is a nationally acclaimed summer research program for outstanding undergraduates from diverse backgrounds. Scholars participate in cutting-edge research in the biological, physical, and social/ behavioral sciences, math, engineering, and exciting interdisciplinary areas under the guidance of carefully matched faculty mentors. A robust professional development component, including optional GRE preparation, complements the research.

Rutgers student Yiraldo Campos talks to clients during RSSI internship

Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship (RSSI) Program

The Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship (RSSI) Program offers students from Rutgers-Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick the chance to earn up to $5,000 while completing at least 150 hours over 10-12 weeks in a summer internship at a public service non-profit or government office. These in-person internships require 75-100% of work onsite. Students also take a virtual, asynchronous course to explore public service, enhance career readiness, and build professionalism skills.

Resources

Resources at Rutgers involve supportive systems designed to help students navigate challenges and grow. Whether it’s guidance for mental health, career counseling, tutoring, or personal and professional development, these resources are always there to provide encouragement and assistance when students need it most.

Q-mmunity is an extended orientation and leadership development retreat designed for the LGBTQIA+

Empowering first-generation students from financially challenged backgrounds to achieve their graduation goals through one-on-one academic tutoring, advisement, academic coaching workshops, and assistance with the graduate admissions process.

We are committed to assisting students make connections between their academic experience and career paths. We provide career-related resources to help individuals discover themselves, explore careers and academic pathways, develop skills, and pursue their post-graduate goals. We build relationships with external partners to optimize opportunities while creating strategic partnerships with campus departments to assist students in articulating co-curricular experiences that will make them competitive in their future pursuits.

The Office of Distinguished Fellowships helps Rutgers undergraduates and alumni (not yet in graduate school) as they pursue nationally and internationally competitive scholarships and fellowships. These awards are external, funded opportunities tied to experiential learning, such as research, study abroad, service, and professional development.

Student Groups and Organizations

Student groups provide a space for students to unite and promote shared interests, goals, or identities. These groups can focus on cultural affinity, career networking, social connections, or academic collaboration.

GetINVOLVED  

The GetINVOLVED site is a comprehensive resource for students seeking to engage with campus activities and organizations. It features a wide array of student groups, clubs, and events, making it easy for you to find opportunities that match your interests in academic organizations, cultural groups or recreational clubs.

Student raises Future Teachers Association sign over her head during Rutgers involvement fair.