Building on Our Progress, Creating Lasting Impact

Chancellor Francine Conway reflects on what Rutgers–New Brunswick has accomplished through its Academic Master Plan, the people who have helped make that progress possible, and what comes next following an October 27 campus gathering.

October 29, 2026

At Rutgers–New Brunswick, we're seeing real progress in areas that matter to our students and communities across New Jersey. More students are graduating on time, our research is growing, and we're finding new ways to work with partners across the state.

Behind these accomplishments are the efforts of faculty, staff, students, and partners who care about what Rutgers can achieve and the difference our university can make.

On October 27, I joined university leaders, faculty, staff, and students for a gathering to reflect on the progress of our Academic Master Plan and the work ahead. It was especially meaningful to hear directly from students about their experiences and to recognize the many people who have helped make this progress possible.

When we first developed the Academic Master Plan, we received more than 4,000 responses from across our university community. People shared their ideas about what Rutgers could do better, where we could build on our strengths, and how we could make a greater difference for our students and New Jersey.

Those conversations helped shape our priorities. Now, our new Academic Master Plan Progress Report lets us see what we've accomplished and where we still have work to do.

Helping More Students Succeed

One of the most meaningful signs of our progress is that more students are graduating on time. Since 2019, our four-year graduation rate has risen from 61 percent to 70 percent, and our six-year graduation rate is now 84 percent. Each of those numbers represents students reaching an important milestone, with the support of faculty and staff who have helped them along the way. We've worked to strengthen advising, create more opportunities for students to learn beyond the classroom, and make sure they have the support they need throughout their time at Rutgers.

But there's much more to a Rutgers education. We heard from students about their research in areas ranging from physics and emerging technologies to community health. They spoke about the faculty who have mentored them, the interests they've discovered, and how these experiences are shaping their thinking about their futures.

What stood out to me was hearing students talk about the opportunities they've had to explore their interests, work closely with faculty, and discover new possibilities for their futures. It's encouraging to see what those experiences can mean for students. At the same time, we know that students come to Rutgers with different backgrounds, experiences, and needs. We have a responsibility to listen to them, understand where we can improve, and ensure more students can take full advantage of the opportunities available here.

Advancing Research and Discovery

We're also seeing progress in research. Our faculty are doing important work across a wide range of fields, and their achievements continue to earn national and international recognition.

This year, Rutgers physicist Eva Andrei became the first Rutgers faculty member to receive the Kavli Prize in Nanoscience. It's a remarkable achievement and one that brings well-deserved recognition to her work and to Rutgers.

Our research activity continues to grow. Spending on sponsored projects increased from approximately $263 million in fiscal year 2022 to more than $324 million in fiscal year 2025.

That growth represents research taking place across many fields, including work that can improve health, advance technology, and help us better understand the world around us.

Through our Arts in Health initiative, researchers are examining how the arts can contribute to health and well-being. The Rutgers Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Collaboratory is giving students opportunities to participate in research and gain experience with technologies that are becoming part of nearly every field.

What I find especially encouraging is how much of this work brings people together across disciplines. It also gives students the chance to learn directly from faculty, contribute to research, and see where their own interests might lead.

Making a Difference Beyond Rutgers

As New Jersey's flagship public research university, we have a responsibility to put our knowledge and resources to work for the people of our state. One example is the Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program, where researchers are studying how farmers can use land for both agriculture and solar energy. The work explores ways to generate clean energy while keeping farmland productive.

We're also building stronger connections with communities across New Jersey. The Collaborative Center for Community Engagement, which helps connect Rutgers with community organizations, has tracked an increase in active partnerships from 76 in the 2022-23 academic year to 162 in 2025-26. That's more than double in three years.

These numbers are encouraging, but the relationships behind them are what matter. They bring our students, faculty, and staff together with people and organizations throughout New Jersey to address local needs, share knowledge, and learn from one another. For students, these experiences can also be an important part of their education. They get to see how what they're learning at Rutgers connects to the lives and challenges of people beyond our campuses.

This is the kind of work I want us to continue strengthening. Our university has so much to contribute, and we also have much to learn from the communities we serve.

Building on Our Progress

Rutgers–New Brunswick now ranks No. 14 among public universities nationwide, our highest ranking to date. I'm proud of that recognition, but what matters most is what we're doing for our students and the communities we serve.

At our October 27 gathering, we also discussed some of the challenges facing higher education, including affordability, the growing role of technology, and how we can better prepare students for life after graduation.

These are conversations we need to keep having. We need to listen to our students, learn from what's working, and continue thinking about how Rutgers can best serve them in a changing world.

The Academic Master Plan grew out of ideas from people across our community. What we're seeing today is the result of so many people coming together to turn those ideas into action. I'm proud of what we've accomplished together and grateful to everyone who has contributed. We still have work to do, whether it's improving the student experience, supporting our faculty in their teaching and research, or finding new ways to make a difference across New Jersey.

I encourage you to explore our Academic Master Plan Progress Report and AMP Impact Report webpage to learn more about the people, programs, and accomplishments behind this work.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Academic Master Plan and continues to advance this work. What we've accomplished gives us a strong foundation, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can build on it together.

Francine Conway
Chancellor, Rutgers University–New Brunswick