Panelists: Desyra A. Highsmith Holcomb RC’94, Racquel Benford LC '98, SPAA '02, Jhon Henry Velasco NCAS'94, Adam Taliaferro RLAW’08
Rutgers Professionals of Color Reception Series
Visionary Leaders. Courageous Conversations. Real Impact.
Champions Who Inspire
The Rutgers Professionals of Color Reception Series brings together Rutgers alumni, staff, and students for the purpose of building community and strengthening the network. These receptions showcase extraordinary Rutgers community members, who are leaders in industry, discussing how we can shape the workplace and the world for the better.
Join Us for the 2025-2026 Season
The Rutgers Professionals of Color Reception series will return for its 6th season this fall! Click here to update your information to make sure you’re the first to know when new events are announced!
Register for an event:
2024-2025 Season
In 2024-2025, we hosted receptions in several cities in the northeast region featuring trailblazers and change agents in areas like advocacy, business, civil rights, finance, health equity, higher education, law, media and entertainment, and policy.
Panelists: Kayla Brantley, SAS’17, Lance McPherson, NLAW’96, Natalie Monegro, SPH’13, RBS’13
Panelists: Dr. Denise Anderson, SPH'07, RU-NJIT'20, Keywuan Caulk, Dr. Mariam Rashid NCAS’12, SPH’16, GSNB’23, Javier Robles RC’89
Panelists: Jasmyne Beckford, SPAA' 16, Jacqueline Gutierrez NCAS’06, RBS’06, Lois V. Greene SN’86, Jeffrey D. Hsi, Ph.D. NLAW’97
Panelist: Marsha B. Henderson GSNB’76, Wade J. Henderson NLAW’73, Tyrus Jackson EJB’17, Rashida MacMurray-Abdullah NLAW’02
Panelists: Natalie Cox, SBC'22, Dr. Oscar Holmes, IV, Stacy Hawkins, Krystal Burgess, SAS'14
Panelist: Parul Khosla SAS’16, RBS’23, Toacca Rutherford ENG’94, Arturo E. Osorio Fernandez
Celebrate the Graduating Class
As the class of 2026 prepares to cross the graduation stage, we invite you to share words of wisdom, encouragement, and congratulations with our graduating seniors. Your message could be the inspiration they need as they take their next big step.
Let them know their connection to Rutgers is lifelong —submit your message today and help us celebrate the Class of 2026!
Advance Student Access and Success at Rutgers
Rutgers serves nearly 20,000 students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, including the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program and first generation. Each campus provides its students support in academics, college life, community connections, and financial aid opportunities, to meet their college goals and graduate. Alumni participate in a variety of opportunities to enhance the student experience, providing valuable personal and professional development. Select your campus to learn more about ways to be involved.
Make an Impact - Support Rutgers Student Initiatives
Scarlet Promise Endowment - Contributions to this fund build an endowment to ensure long-term support for the Scarlet Promise initiative, providing essential annual aid to students for whom a Rutgers education would otherwise not be possible.
Center for Latino Arts and Culture Student Excellence Fund - supports opportunities that advance student’s ability to prepare, advance and succeed in their academic journeys and beyond.
The Dwayne J. Middleton Memorial Scholarship was created in remembrance of RAAA former president Dwayne's generous spirit. Dwayne was a champion of success, devoting himself to uplifting others through his professional and volunteer efforts. Pursuing an educational journey that was extremely important to him, he graduated from the School of Arts and Sciences with B.A. in Africana Studies in May 2019. This program is a reflection of Dwayne's attention to the wellbeing of others at every turn.
Discover all of the giving opportunities that support Rutgers core values.
This series is co-sponsored by:
