01/ THE CHALLENGE
BUILDING BELONGING THROUGH STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Rutgers Future Scholars sought to strengthen student participation, foster a stronger sense of community, and improve engagement across its college-access program. The opportunity was to create meaningful experiences and communication strategies that would connect scholars beyond the classroom while supporting their academic and personal development.
Inconsistent student participation across programs and events
Maintaining engagement outside of required academic activities
Building community among scholars across multiple grade levels
Creating meaningful touchpoints for students and families
Demonstrating program impact through participation and engagement metrics
02/ THE APPROACH
CREATING CONNECTIONS THAT DRIVE PARTICIPATION
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Developed events, traditions, and engagement opportunities that strengthened relationships among scholars, families, alumni, and program staff.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Designed memorable experiences that celebrated milestones, encouraged participation, and reinforced a sense of belonging within the program.
CONTENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Created social media, email communications, and storytelling initiatives that kept students informed, connected, and engaged year-round.
PROGRAM OPTIMIZATION
Tracked attendance, participation, and engagement trends to continuously refine programming and improve student outcomes.
