Rutgers University-Newark Honored with National College Attainment Network Award

Rutgers-Newark has been awarded the prestigious 2024 NCAN (National College Attainment Network) Partner of the Year Award, a testament to its exceptional commitment to supporting underrepresented students and fostering collaborative partnerships.

The NCAN Partner of the Year Award is a distinguished honor that recognizes unparalleled excellence and impact in the field of college access and success. This accolade is reserved for organizations that have demonstrated remarkable dedication, innovation, and results in helping students—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—achieve their higher education goals. The nomination was submitted by the nonprofit Braven and supported by a letter of recommendation from Prudential Financial.

At Rutgers-Newark, over 11,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in the arts and sciences, business, nursing, criminal justice, public administration, graduate school, and law. The student body is one of the most ethnically diverse in the country and the campus serves many first-generation college students, many of whom are Pell Grant recipients.

At the heart of the collaboration with Rutger-Newark and Braven, a national nonprofit organization working to equip students with the skills, networks, confidence, and experiences that will allow them to put their hard-earned degrees to work, lies a commitment to equity in access. By focusing on diverse student populations, especially those from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college students, Rutgers-Newark ensures that educational opportunities extend to all.

“Rutgers University-Newark stands out as a beacon of opportunity, particularly for students from historically underserved backgrounds,” said Dr. Jeffrey Robinson, Rutgers University-Newark Interim Chancellor. “Our partnership with Braven beautifully exemplifies how an anchor institution can collaborate to advance our shared missions. This award is a true recognition of the measure of hope that partnerships like ours can instill in students.” 

The partnership has yielded impressive results. Rutgers-Newark Braven 2023 Fellows achieved a remarkable 68% quality opportunity attainment rate in strong first economic opportunities (or entrance into graduate school), exceeding national averages of graduates of color from four year public institutions by 25 percentage points (68% vs 43%) and 96% overall were employed of pursuing graduate school. Braven’s focus on career success is evident in the impressive outcomes of their graduates. 

“It’s a testament not just to the dedication of the students, but also to the collaborative spirit and shared resources fostered by Rutgers-Newark, Braven, and dedicated employers like Prudential to connect education to employer needs,” said Samantha Crockett, Executive Director of Braven Newark. “By proactively introducing Braven to a broader student population, Rutgers-Newark has reinforced its role as an anchor institution. This demonstrates a commitment to sharing best practices, investing in a shared vision of student success, and cultivating robust partnerships within the community.”

Furthermore, the collaboration between Rutgers-Newark and Braven boasts a 94% on-time graduation rate for Rutgers-Newark Braven Fellows. This demonstrates the program’s effectiveness in supporting students throughout their academic journey, compared to 8 in 10 of their peers nationally graduating on-time. 

Compared with their peers of color nationally, the 2023 Rutgers-Newark graduates were 24 percentage points more likely to have at least one internship during their college experience (65% vs 41%). The American Association of Colleges and Associations include internships as a High-Impact Practice, based on evidence of significant educational benefits for students who participate in them, and is an important part of the Braven model.

“Rutgers University-Newark is honored to receive this recognition,” said John Gunkel, Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs and Services, Rutgers University–Newark. “Winning this award signifies not only our commitment to educational equity but also leadership in advancing practices that shape the future of college attainment. Our partnership with Braven exemplifies our commitment to providing our students with the support they need to succeed. Together, we are creating a brighter future for our community.”

The award highlights Rutgers-Newark’s role as a catalyst for change, empowering students from all backgrounds and fostering a collaborative environment that prioritizes equity and access.