Features

Honors College student Aasha Shaik (’20/RBS, DRC) was accepted to attend the 18th annual Public Policy and Leadership Conference (PPLC) at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government next February in Cambridge, MA.

This year, PPLC received more than 800 applications from 220 different colleges and universities, and invited 73 students in all to attend the three-day conference, which will provide an introduction to the field of public policy and include a series of distinguished speakers, policy workshops, and exposure to possible public service careers.

The Honors College Forum challenges first-year students to tackle real-world issues through social innovation, synthesizing interdisciplinary solutions to problems faced by populations in need. Simultaneously, students are developing their abilities to move their ideas forward through critical thinking, teamwork, and communication—essential skills for a life with purpose.

Six HC students were among 14 Rutgers students in all who were invited this October to the Clinton Global Initiative University to share their ideas for social innovation. Dean Matsuda joined the students in Boston for this exciting event!

Their design of a cancer-diagnosing smartphone app able to classify breast tissue as benign or malignant with 96% accuracy captured first place for Rutgers’ Team Patho-ML in the Rice 360° Institute for Global Health student design competition. 

Now in its 11th year, the prestigious international competition,  drew a record number of semifinalists from 23 universities in six countries.

HC Students Receive Top Honors

The Rutgers University Mock Trial Association made an outstanding showing at the American Mock Trial Association National Championship Tournament in Los Angeles, making it the second time ever that Rutgers has advanced to the national level and the first time in five years. Rising from a pool of more than 650 college and university teams, the Rutgers team competed among the top 48 in the country where they took 15th in their division with an Honorable Mention. 

Tutoring Project Helps New Brunswick Elementary School Students

Jessica Birk, a Rutgers Business School sophomore, and Lauren Krasnoff, a Mason Gross School of Arts sophomore, are fighting back against funding cuts to music and art education programs through their children’s book, “When Ellie Sang a G.” 

The importance of art education has steadily been decreasing in schools, according to the National Educational Music Company. In the face of growing budget cuts, music and art programs are often the first to go.

Honors College students Rob Helsel ('19, SEBS/HC) and Charlotte Singer ('19, SAS/HC) were awarded scholarships to attend the Smithsonian Institution's inaugural Earth Optimism Summit this April in Washington, DC. Positioned as a master class in saving the planet, more than 150 speakers and 1,000 thought leaders, scientists, artists, environmentalists, and civic and business leaders from around the world, as well as students and young professionals, gathered over three days to share stories of what's working in conservation.