Program Spotlight

Specialized Programs and Student Engagement

During the January Program Spotlight, Matt Peyrek, Program Coordinator II, shared a presentation introducing the Specialized Programs at RBS, along with more information about the many Student Engagement opportunities available for 2022.

Matt and the Student Engagement Team, led by Vice Dean Can Uslay and Madhavi Chakrabarty, Director of Academic Advising and Student Counseling, are responsible for enhancing the student experience and promoting a positive, inclusive, and welcoming community for over 10,00 students across both the Newark and New Brunswick campus. Working closely with Undergraduate Advising, the Office of Career Management, Road to Success programs, and Marketing and Communications, Student Engagement also serves as the liaison between school leadership and RBS students outside the classroom.

For example, REAL (RBS Engagement & Leadership Program) is a data analytics and student engagement platform designed to track activities and measure student participation outside the classroom. The REAL program was first implemented in the spring of 2018 in the Business Forum class to enhance the classroom experience through extracurricular activities. In the spring of 2020, the REAL program was rebranded and relaunched, and it is now required in the Business Forum class. This one-stop calendar for all RBS events has shared over 250 events this past fall and boasts over 1,500+ activity completions by students.

The RBS Distinguishes Speaker Series features role models for our students who share insights, expertise, and advice with our students to help shape their academic experience. The series is primarily designed to inspire our undergraduate students and help them make better major, internship, career, and life decisions. With a similar objective, the Rutgers Business School Peer Mentoring Program links current RBS students with incoming first-year students and transfer students who are looking to gain support and encouragement regarding their academic and personal growth.

The Office of Student Engagement supports over 40 student clubs and organizations representing numerous major, cultural, and professional development and special interest clubs, three co-ed business fraternities, 2 honor societies and more. For example, the Deans’ and President’s Councils are cross-campus student forums whereby the Presidents of each RBS student organization meets with to discuss important RBS activities and report back to the Deans and other senior leaders of RBS on each organizations’ plans. This is an exciting way for student leaders to come together and plan school-wide events with support from the Dean’s Office to create community activities by students, for students.