Welcome to Our New Students
August 31, 2020
Below is an excerpt of Chancellor Molloy's remarks at the New Student Convocation Ceremony. View the entire program.
To our newest Scarlet Knights, I would like to officially welcome you to Rutgers–New Brunswick!
You are about to embark on one of the most exciting journeys of your life. The fall of 2020 will have tremendous historical significance for many reasons, because you, and many students throughout the country, are attending college in a unique remote learning environment. However, we believe in you and all that is possible for your future, and we are here to support your dreams and aspirations.
We have adapted our approach to instruction, communication, and engagement to ensure that despite our physical distance, you will still receive the world-class education that will set you apart from others.
There are many members of the New Brunswick leadership team who, along with supporting faculty and staff, have worked hard to develop this incredible academic and student experience. I’d like to introduce you to them now.
These members of my cabinet and academic leadership team oversee all aspects of Rutgers University–New Brunswick including academic instruction, admissions, initiatives that support your health and well-being including our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Prabhas Moghe, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Research and Academic Affairs - Carolyn Moehling, Vice Provost
Undergraduate Education - Felicia McGinty, Executive Vice Chancellor
Administration and Planning - Courtney McAnuff, Vice Chancellor
Enrollment Management - Anna Branch, Vice Chancellor
Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement - Salvador Mena, Vice Chancellor
Student Affairs
Some of you are part of unique specialized learning communities such as the Honors College in which this year we are welcoming 340 new students, and the Douglass Residential College, a community for women that celebrated its centennial in 2018.
- Matt Matsuda, Academic Dean
Honors College - Paul Gilmore, Administrative Dean
Honors College - Jacquelyn Litt, Dean
Douglass Residential College
We are also welcoming international students representing 62 countries who will be supported by Rutgers Global initiatives as you transition to the university.
- Rick Garfunkel, Vice President
Rutgers Global Affairs
And your academic school deans who have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Each school provides an academic community with a faculty and advising staff where you will complete your major and graduation requirements. This year at Rutgers, we have 7,000 new first-year and 2,500 transfer students from 31 different states.
- Wanda J. Blanchett, Dean
Graduate School of Education, - Francine Conway, Dean
Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology - Adrienne Eaton, Dean
School of Management and Labor Relations - Thomas N. Farris, Dean
School of Engineering - Jason Geary, Dean
Mason Gross School of the Arts - Jerome J. Kukor, Dean
School of Graduate Studies - Laura Lawson, Dean
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences - Lei Lei, Dean
Rutgers Business School - Peter March, Dean
School of Arts and Sciences - Cathryn Potter, Dean
School of Social Work - Jonathan Potter, Dean
School of Communication and Information - Piyushimita Thakuriah, Dean
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
And finally, I’d like to introduce you to our two deans who represent schools that are part of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.
- Joseph A. Barone, Dean
Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy - Linda Flynn, Dean
School of Nursing
These teams have been working diligently in preparation for your arrival to Rutgers and have developed the essential tools and resources needed for your success, beginning with your very first day.
A few of these include myRutgers, your customizable student dashboard that will provide everything you need from class schedules to email, grades, and term bill updates. A brand-new Student Success website with the resources and services for academic, personal and co-curricular success, and getInvolved, which will introduce you to student organizations and opportunities for involvement.
Starting tomorrow, you will come together in an online classroom setting and begin making connections with your peers who will become your friends, and professors who will become your mentors.
As you settle in, I encourage you to be active participants in your education – stay curious and explore all your opportunities. You now have all the virtual tools and materials needed for your success right at your fingertips. And while physical distance may separate us for the time being, know you are welcomed by a vibrant community of peers, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and family at Rutgers who share a love for this great university.
You will now hear from some of our student leaders, who will share ways you can begin practicing the values of the Knight’s Call this Fall. Again, I welcome you to Rutgers. I am looking forward to the days we can be on campus, together.