A Commitment to Educational Access

February 15, 2021

Dear Members of the Rutgers–New Brunswick Community,

Our 8th Annual Access Week begins today. This year’s theme, “Unlocking Pathways to Success,” is designed to help us better understand the unique needs of first-generation, low-income, and historically underrepresented students. The programming also examines the role we have played in exacerbating opportunity gaps and what must be done to close them. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who have collaborated to create this week’s programming and embrace our ongoing commitment to this work.

Educational access is a value I champion not only professionally but also personally. As the first person in my family to attend college, I understand the obstacles students face as they navigate institutional complexities in the attainment of a college education. I also appreciate the power of education to positively change an individual’s life trajectory.

In the video below, I share the university’s commitment to educational access.

Provost Conway joins me in her video below by expanding on her personal connection to educational access and commitment.

As the state university for New Jersey, we have a duty and mission to promote access and ensure educational opportunities. This will require a paradigm shift in how we think of the traditional role of higher education, those who pursue it, and the supports needed to enable success. The current pandemic has highlighted our shared commitment to educational access; we quickly adapted, redesigned, and embraced new teaching and learning methods to meet the needs of our students. I believe that Rutgers can continue to be a national leader in bridging educational opportunity gaps. In fact, we must be, as it is the only way we can truly live up to our university’s values, and support an economy and society committed to improving the human condition for all.

Finally, in the spirit of building an inclusive academy and beloved community, I encourage you to complete the Diversity Strategic Planning Assessment Survey. Your feedback is essential to provide us with an understanding of where we are now and the change needed to shape our future. Your participation is strictly confidential, and the survey will take only 15–20 minutes to complete.

Sincerely,
Christopher J. Molloy, Ph.D. (PHARM '77, GSNB '87)
Chancellor, Rutgers–New Brunswick