RBS DiversityLAUNCH Institute

Rutgers Business School – DiversityLAUNCH Institute (DLI) is offered by the RBS Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access. The program is a signature program included in the RBS – PLUS (Pathways Leading to Undergraduate and Graduate Success) portfolio.

DiversityLAUNCH Institute supports and encourages incoming first-year students, first-generation students, and transfer students from historically underrepresented and underserved backgrounds as they transition from high school and community college into Rutgers Business School. DLI offers opportunities to create connections and engagement within diverse groups, thereby enhancing the student experience and fostering a strong sense of belonging and empowerment to ensure student success at RBS. DiversityLAUNCH scholars represent academic majors across Rutgers Business School and share a commitment to excelling academically and professionally.

This introductory three-day accelerator leadership program is designed to empower and better equip incoming students to successfully navigate the higher-education landscape and the fast-paced and rigorous RBS environment. Participants will have opportunities to explore key business concepts and sharpen leadership skills that prepare them to tackle the course work ahead and set expectations for participation in future RBS CEO Network programs and activities. Through a series of program enrichment sessions and roundtable discussions, incoming participants network and are exposed to counsel from RBS faculty, staff, students, alumni, and corporate partners from the broader business community. Topics covered include higher-ed survival strategies, self-exploration, cross-cultural communication, internship essentials, etc.

The DiversityLAUNCH Institute embodies three essential foundations for student success:

Academic Excellence

• Students are provided resources for academic support and advising resources to ensure retention, persistence, and graduation.

Leadership Development

• Students participate in informative program enrichment workshops and activities facilitated by distinguished students, alumni, faculty, staff, and corporate partners who provide leadership education and training to ignite self-discovery and evoke positive change.

Social Engagement

• Students are provided opportunities and activities to learn about themselves and others in a comfortable and inclusive environment.

Who should participate?

• Students identifying as a member of a historically underrepresented or underserved group who also have been admitted to Rutgers Business School as a first-year undergraduate or transfer student with confirmed Admit Coming (AC) status
• First-generation college students, meaning the applicant's parent/guardian has not completed a four-year bachelor's degree in the United States
• Low-Income Indicator: Family annual gross income $75,000 or below based on information reported on the FASFA application.
• Students not enrolled in the RBS B-STAR Program*

*Students enrolled in the RBS B-STAR program are not eligible for the DiversityLAUNCH Institute due to scheduling conflicts.