The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is pleased to announce the winners of the second annual SGS Community Engagement Award, recognizing graduate students who have demonstrated ethical, collaborative engagement through their research, teaching, and advocacy to advance the public good. Each awardee will receive an honorarium and will be honored at the Collaborative Center for Community Engagement’s annual awards ceremony on April 10, 2025.
This year’s recipients exemplify how graduate students can integrate meaningful, socially responsible engagement into their academic work while making a tangible impact on their communities. Please join us in congratulating:
Allison E. Bond, Clinical Psychology PhD Candidate
Allison has made significant contributions to science communication and public outreach. As co-founder of the Science Simplified Network, she has helped disseminate over 230 research-based visual abstracts, making psychological research more accessible to the public. Through her leadership as co-director of RU Communicating Science, she has trained graduate students and faculty at Rutgers to translate their research effectively for policymakers, journalists, and community groups. Her work combats misinformation, promotes mental health awareness, and ensures that historically excluded communities have access to accurate, evidence-based information.
Rebecca A. Risman, Biomedical Engineering PhD Candidate
Rebecca is a dedicated leader, mentor, and advocate committed to fostering inclusive academic and professional communities. As Vice President of the Rutgers Graduate Biomedical Engineering Student Society, she has organized symposiums, industry panels, and wellness initiatives that support students, faculty, and professionals. She has also played a key role in mentoring early-career researchers through the Rutgers T32 Biotechnology Training Program and the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. Beyond Rutgers, Rebecca serves as Social Media Manager for the International Fibrinogen Research Society, amplifying scientific engagement on a global scale. Her outreach efforts include mentoring undergraduates, supporting wellness programming, and translating complex biomedical research for high school students.
These awardees exemplify how graduate students at SGS are advancing the public good through their scholarship and service. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the awards ceremony in April!
Thank you to all who applied and to the faculty, staff, and peers who submitted nominations. SGS remains committed to recognizing and supporting graduate students who use their academic expertise to foster meaningful community engagement.
With gratitude,
Mark Gregory Robson
Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Distinguished Professor
Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Ramazan Güngör
Assistant Dean for Professional Development, Outcomes Assessment, and Alumni Engagement | Rutgers School of Graduate Studies