Our Mission
The mission of the Office of Graduate Student Life (OGSL) is to enhance the educational experience and quality of life for Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduate and professional students by serving diverse needs, fostering community and a sense of belonging, and helping students navigate the vast array of resources available at Rutgers.
As a unit in the Division of Student Affairs, the office works in partnership with university leadership, departments, graduate schools and academic programs, Graduation Student Association (GSA), and affiliated Graduate Student Organizations (GSOs) to focus on:
- Advocating for the unique and complex needs of the graduate student population.
- Connecting graduate students to support services and resources available at Rutgers University.
- Sharing information with the university community on the graduate student experience.
- Creating programs that connect students with each other and build communities outside their disciplines, classrooms, and labs.
- Fostering an institutional culture that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of graduate students.
- Providing gathering spaces for graduate students to engage with each other.
Our History
The Office of Graduate Student Life was created in August of 2016 in the Division of Student Affairs in response to data from the 2013 survey, “Rutgers Strategic Planning Survey which reported that there was a moderate to high need for changes at the institution for graduate students future success. Mark Schuster served as the inaugural Dean for Graduate Student Life until his passing in November 2021.
The Graduate Student Life Office is located in rooms 207 and 207a in the Graduate Student Lounge (GSL). We are located behind Panera and to the left of the College Avenue Student Center at 126 College Avenue in New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
Tribute to Dean Mark Schuster
Dean Mark Schuster was the inaugural Dean for Graduate Student Life and passed away on November 18, 2021. Dean Schuster was a beloved Rutgers community and family member for over 30 years. He was a fierce advocate for undergraduate and graduate students to ensure that our students were supported throughout their time at Rutgers and could benefit from a vibrant student experience.
We honor his legacy by continuing his excellent work he built for the Office of Graduate Student Life and by uploading the care and advocacy he exhibited daily to our students.
We thank Francine Conway, Ph.D., Chancellor, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, for her message to the Rutgers community about Dean Schuster’s passing and his impact, On the Passing of Mark Schuster, Dean for Graduate Student Life.
Read more about Dean Mark Schuster's Impact on the RU Community here.
This page was last updated on August 25, 2024.
