An Invitation To Access Week

February 17, 2020

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Today is the kick-off for Rutgers 7th annual Access Week, which offers a series of programs to help us better understand the unique needs of first-generation, low-income, and/or historically underrepresented students, including how to best serve them.

As the first person in my family to attend college, my commitment to Access Week is personal. I understand the obstacles that students face as they navigate institutional complexities in the attainment of a college education. As a land-grant university, it is our mission to promote access and open opportunities for those previously excluded from higher education. I believe that these principles still ring true today, and colleges and universities have the power to help improve the human condition when all stakeholders take an active role and see themselves as change agents. I extend my sincere thanks to the various units, faculty, and staff who have signed up to participate in these events and those who partnered with the Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement to embrace our shared commitment to this work.

In the spirit of partnerships, I also would like to thank everyone who applied for the Diversity Innovation Grants. This initiative is a new mechanism of program support to help us achieve our goal of an inclusive campus culture, and I am pleased to congratulate our first cohort of Spring 2020 Grant Awardees. Applications for the upcoming academic year are now available and I urge everyone to embrace the opportunity to move our community values from ideas to actions.

Finally, I encourage you to attend the introductory reception for the Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, on Tuesday, February 25th. At this event, you will hear from the newest member of my cabinet, Dr. Enobong (Anna) Branch, about this newly formed division, the ways we can work together, and opportunities to take an active role in building an inclusive community on and off campus at Rutgers–New Brunswick.

Thank you,
Chancellor Molloy