Student Spotlight

For girls, by girls: joining the global fight for gender equality

As the United Nations prepares to commemorate the International Day of the Girl, on October 11, three Rutgers-New Brunswick students reflected on their recent work as advocates for the rights of girls around the world.

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!

On November 1, innovators from across Rutgers and industry gathered for the first-ever Rutgers Innovation and Entrepreneurship Expo, featuring keynotes, career panels, exhibits, networking, and a pitch competition. With expert independent judges from law, business, design, and industry, undergrad students competed with three-minute pitches, slides, and Q&A for cash prizes, mentorships, and bragging rights.

The Honors College represented well taking home the top three spots. Congratulations to:

The recent push for greater focus on the humanities in schools has resulted in the evolution of STEM into STEAM: Science Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. But what about art for art’s sake? Can we also appreciate artwork simply for its value in creative expression? Here at the Honors College, we wanted to support another side of our students beyond academics, a side that gives form to their unique passions.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker’s (D-N.J.) proposal to pass legislation that requires colleges and universities to play an active role in student civic engagement is reminiscent of efforts taken by Rutgers students to improve voter involvement earlier this year.

Last week Booker, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) announced the Help Students Vote Act — new legislation that ensures higher education institutions are supporting student-voter registration, according to Young Invinsibles.org. 

Since I was young, I have always had a fascination with flight. For a time, I even wanted to be an astronaut (ok, I still do). In high school I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work in the aircraft maintenance shop of a local airport and take flight lessons—I was able to say I flew a plane before I could drive a car! Flying is an experience like no other. From my first time in a small plane seeing the trees drop away as the plane climbed during takeoff, I became hooked. On a clear day, I could often see the ocean, New York, and Philadelphia at the same time.

How Research and Critical Thinking Skills in the Humanities Can Lead to Unexpected Opportunities

Nicholas Page was just 14 when he started working in the lab of a Rutgers–Robert Wood Johnson Medical School professor.

He landed that gig by simply asking for it. Page was participating in the Brain Bee, a competition for high school students hosted by the Medical School.

“I was mingling with faculty and asking about research opportunities for high school students,” he says.

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.

Unlike the cloudy skies that welcomed me into the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women that first February morning, my experiences tutoring incarcerated women have been crystal clear. I was an eager freshman at the start, inspired by the opportunity to learn from those facing different challenges than my own. My first time tutoring at New Jersey’s only female prison took me by surprise. I passed by a woodworking class, a library, and even a gymnasium - reminding me much of my own high school in Paramus, New Jersey. I was led into a classroom, where I would meet my students.