Learning Assessment

                                                                                        Community Engagement

                                                                                                                          Alumni Outreach

                                                                                      Professional Development:     

SGS LEAD: Learning, Engagement, Alumni, Development

At the School of Graduate Studies, LEAD is more than an acronym, it is our framework for supporting graduate students and programs. Learning, Engagement, Alumni, and Development represent the interconnected areas through which we help students lead: in their studies, in their communities, and in their careers.

Learning Assessment

We oversee initiatives that ensure graduate education at Rutgers meets the highest standards. This includes:

• Individual Development Plans (IDPs): tools that help students chart their academic and professional progress.
• Accreditation and Assessment: coordination of SGS’s contributions to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, program reviews, and the Assessment of Learning Outcomes (ACLO) survey.
• Graduate Program Reviews: supporting programs in setting clear goals and documenting student success.

These efforts provide both students and programs with a framework for continuous improvement.

Community Engagement

We amplify the voices and impact of our graduate students through:

• Student Spotlight Series: stories of resilience, scholarship, and achievement featured on the SGS website.
• SGS Community Engagement Award: recognition of students whose research or service makes meaningful contributions beyond Rutgers.

These initiatives celebrate student achievement and help programs demonstrate the real-world value of their scholarship.

Alumni Outreach

Strong alumni connections enhance graduate education and career pathways. SGS fosters these ties by:

• Hosting alumni career panels highlighting opportunities beyond academia.
• Featuring distinguished graduates through the Alumni in Focus series.
• Launching Research Café+, a new event bringing alumni and students into dialogue about research, careers, and community impact.

These efforts strengthen the SGS network and provide current students with valuable perspectives and mentorship.

Professional Development

We offer a wide range of programs that prepare students for diverse career pathways and strengthen interdisciplinary connections, including:

• Grad CareerCraft: a professional development initiative offering workshops, panels, online courses, and toolkits to help students prepare for careers both within and beyond academia.
• Research Café: a monthly gathering where graduate students present their research to interdisciplinary audiences, building skills in communication and scholarly exchange.

All together, these areas form a cohesive portfolio of student and program support. From a student’s first IDP to graduation and beyond, SGS provides resources that prepare graduates for success in diverse careers. At the same time, our initiatives benefit programs by sharing best practices in assessment, deepening alumni ties, and showcasing student and alumni excellence.

Get Involved

SGS LEAD is a collaborative effort. Graduate directors, faculty, alumni, and students are encouraged to participate and share ideas. For questions or opportunities to get involved in Learning Assessment, Engagement, Alumni Outreach, or Development, please contact:

Ramazan Güngör
Assistant Dean for Professional Development, Alumni Engagement, and Outcomes Assessment