From Rutgers to London: Expanding What’s Possible for Our Students

Eight Rutgers University–New Brunswick students recently returned from London, where they applied what they have learned, worked across disciplines, and gained experience that can shape what comes next.

August 3, 2026

For many students, imagining a future begins with entering a room where their ideas are taken seriously. This summer, eight Rutgers University–New Brunswick students had that experience in London.

They shared their work with professionals, learned from classmates who approach problems differently, and saw that what they study at Rutgers has value beyond the classroom.

They also learned how to speak up, listen closely, take feedback, and find their footing in a new environment. Those moments matter. They help students build confidence, form relationships, and begin to see more clearly where their education might take them.

That is the goal at the heart of our Academic Master Plan: to prepare students to be thoughtful citizens of the world and ready for what comes next, whether that is a career or graduate study. Delivering on that promise takes more than good intentions — it takes intention built into how the university works.

Those opportunities should begin early. Students should not have to wait until their final year to explore careers or put their knowledge to work. An early experience can help a student recognize a strength, discover an unexpected path, or understand which skills they want to develop next.

That approach is reflected in the Career Journey Model developed by the Office of Career Exploration and Success. The model helps students discover their interests, explore career pathways, build skills, and pursue their goals.

The inaugural pilot of the Global Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA) Design Research Institute brings that model to life. It gives students the chance to test their interests, apply what they’re learning, and begin to see where their strengths might lead.

To make experiences like this possible by design rather than by chance, we put the pieces in place deliberately. We partnered with the Rutgers University Foundation on a shared commitment to connect students to our global network of alumni. We are working with Steve Cousins, general director of engagement and operations for Rutgers UK, to provide local support for our students and programs in London. I appointed Chuck Keeton as our first Vice Provost for Experiential Learning to lead this work. The Global IDEA pilot is one of the first programs to launch from that effort.

Starting with a Real Challenge

The idea started with a simple question: How could Rutgers give students real professional experience, including the chance to work abroad, while building on the people and partnerships already around them?

Chuck Keeton and IDEA Director Veronica Armour turned that question into a program centered on career exploration, interdisciplinary learning, alumni mentorship, and global experience.

Before traveling to London, the students spent several weeks working with Rutgers alumnus Christopher Maizys, who graduated from Rutgers’ former Livingston College in 1993, and colleagues at J.P. Morgan in New York and Jersey City. They examined how professionals are using artificial intelligence in the workplace.

The students interviewed professionals about how they use artificial intelligence at work and the challenges they face with AI tools and prompting. Drawing on what they heard, the students developed a practical framework and workshop. They tested their ideas, revised them based on feedback, and learned how to explain their work clearly as a team.

In London, they shared their findings with professionals and saw how the same challenge can look different across teams, offices, and cultures.

Their experience abroad also extended beyond J.P. Morgan. With support from the Rutgers University Foundation and other partners, the students took part in additional professional and cultural experiences that offered a broader view of London as a global center of business, history, and ideas.

Meet the Inaugural Global IDEA Cohort

The inaugural cohort includes the following Rutgers–New Brunswick students:

• Imania Mohamed, Communication, School of Communication and Information
• Pallavi Biswas, Computer Science and Data Science, School of Arts and Sciences
• Faith Hu, Economics and Data Science, School of Arts and Sciences
• Adam Wilson, English and Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences
• Anthony Pannucci, Information Technology and Informatics, School of Communication and Information
• Jack Adams, Information Technology and Informatics and Cognitive Science, School of Communication and Information
• Jessica Faltas, Linguistics and Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences
• Graham Walter, Political Science, School of Arts and Sciences

Their different academic backgrounds were central to the experience. Complex challenges rarely fit within one discipline. They require people who can analyze information, understand human behavior, communicate clearly, and see a problem from more than one point of view.

The students learned that their fields of study do not limit where they can contribute. In fact, the different perspectives they brought reflect the kinds of multidisciplinary teams they are likely to join after graduation, and they made the team’s work stronger.

Making the Rutgers Network Personal

The pilot also shows what the Rutgers alumni network can make possible for students. One alum helped connect each student with a mentor, many of whom are also Rutgers graduates. They answered questions, offered career guidance, reviewed presentations, and helped students understand how to navigate a large global organization.

Mentors can do more than describe a career. They can help students picture themselves in it. These relationships also give alumni a personal way to remain part of Rutgers. By sharing what they have learned and making time for students, they help the next generation see opportunities that may not yet be visible to them.

Looking Ahead

This pilot is one example of Rutgers–New Brunswick’s broader commitment to career-connected learning. That work includes internships, research, community-engaged learning, field experiences, study abroad, and opportunities to work with professionals on real challenges. Earlier this year, Rutgers–New Brunswick received a 2026 EAB Experiential Learning Award in recognition of its work to expand access to these kinds of experiences.

The next step is to take what we learn from this first group and make opportunities like it easier for more students to find. That will take new partners, more alumni willing to mentor, and more chances for students from different fields and backgrounds to work together.

I am grateful to Chuck Keeton, Veronica Armour, Christopher Maizys, Steve Cousins, the alumni mentors, and the professionals who invested their time and experience in our students.

Most of all, I am proud of these eight students. They carried their curiosity, creativity, and Scarlet pride from New Jersey to London and brought home new skills, relationships, and perspectives. Their experience shows what can happen when students are welcomed into new rooms, trusted with meaningful work, and given the chance to discover what they are capable of.