The Honors College Affinity Groups are student-led communities intended to provide a place for students to gather and share their experiences at the Honors College and in the greater Rutgers community. The groups are culture-based and work in collaboration with the Honors College staff and Rutgers Cultural Centers: The Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities, Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Asian American Cultural Center, and the Center for Latino Arts and Culture.
Our Honors College Affinity Groups include the:
- Asian Affinity Group
- Black Affinity Group
- Latinx Affinity Group
- LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
- International Student Affinity Group
Meet Affinity Groups Leaders
Justin Lee
Asian Cultural Connection Lead
Rachel Toepfer
LGBTQ+ Cultural Connection Lead
Vanassa Lafleur
Black Affinity Group Lead
YeJu Lee
First-Gen/International Cultural Connection Lead
Anh Hyunh (she/her) is a junior double majoring in Economics and Public Health. Besides serving as an Affinity Group Lead for the academic year 2023-2024, she is a Research Assistant at the Aresty Center and a member of GlobeMed and Douglass Governing Council organizations. In her free time, Anh enjoys working out, trying new foods, traveling, and hanging out with friends.
This information is forthcoming...
Justin Lee (EMSOP '27) is a junior in the 6-year PharmD program with aspirations to do research in the pharmaceutical industry. Besides serving as an Affinity Group Lead, he is an Honors College Ambassador and he works as a research assistant at the Rutgers Institute of Translational Medicine and Science. Justin enjoys hiking and the gym in his free time but often watches doumentaries in the Busch dining hall.
Rachel Toepfer (they/them) is a non-binary junior majoring in Political Science and double minoring in Women and Gender Studies and History. With aspirations in pursuing a law degree and working towards equality, they have spent the last four years advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, presenting at the HRC’s annual Time to Thrive Convention, and working with MassDems to elect progressive representatives for Massachusetts. In their free time, this junior spends time drawing, practicing their photography skills, and watching Dungeon and Dragons campaigns.
Tatiana Sarmiento (she/her, Class of 2026) is a first-generation student double majoring in Criminal Justice and Public Policy with a minor in Medical Ethics and Health Policy. In addition to serving as an Affinity Co-Lead at the Honors College, Tatiana is an Honors College Ambassador. Activities and organizations that Tatiana participates in outside of the Honors College are the Marching Scarlet Knights and Pep Bands as a member of the baritone section, the Latinx Pre-Law Society as their Programming Chair, and as an Aresty Research Assistant. When Tatiana is not engaged with a club or a class, you will find her binging her new favorite TV show, spending time with friends and family, going to the gym, and playing Pokemon Go.
Vanassa Lafleur is a rising senior, majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Psychology. She hopes to one day become a physician assistant. In addition to being a Lead Changemaking Mentor for First–Year Students and Black Affinity Group Lead at the Honors College, she is a member of Stitch for Life, Rutgers Pre-PA Club, and WISO Dance Troupe. Outside of school, Vanassa loves to crochet, watch television, play the piano, and listen to music.
YeJu Lee (she/her, Class of 2025) is a first-generation student majoring in Finance and Computer Science with a certificate in Korean-English Translation & Interpreting (KETI). Besides serving as an affinity lead at the Honors College, she is also an eboard of the Honors College Book Club. In her free time, you can find her learning dances at the College Ave Gym, eating sushi, reading, and singing.
Application
Application to join in the 2023-24 academic year available now.
Questions?
Questions may be directed to honorscollege@echo.rutgers.edu
