Graduate Affinity Groups Join Now for Spring 2025 * Click HERE
The Office of Graduate Student Life in the Division of Student Affairs invites graduate students across disciplines to sign up to join a discussion-based affinity group designed and facilitated by a graduate student peer for the Spring 2025 semester.
Affinity groups provide space for graduate students to (1) Build community with peers who share experiences, backgrounds, & social identities; and (2) Connect with peers for personal and professional support.
Graduate Affinity Groups for the following grad student communities will run until April 2025:
- African students (Facilitators: Zainab Mustapha, Ph.D. student, Chemistry & Chemical Biology and Mazvita Chikomo, Ph.D. student, Earth & Planetary Sciences)
- BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ students (Facilitator: Veerja Mehta, they/she, MSW student, Social Work)
- Chinese students (Facilitators: Alvis Zhao, Ph.D. student, Mathematics and Yingtong Liu, MS student, Materials Science and Engineering)
- International students (Facilitators: Cassiana Batista da Rocha, Ph.D. student, Chemistry & Chemical Biology and Queency Agrawal, MBS student, Drug Discovery and Development)
- Neurodivergent students (Facilitator: Jules Vivid, Ph.D. student, Sociology)
Introducing Southeast Asian Graduate Student Affinity Group for fall 2025!
Learn more about each of the 5 groups, as well as the network of mentors who provide facilitator support, in the menu below.
The meeting times and format (in-person vs. Zoom) will be determined by the group facilitator.
Questions? Contact Ghada Endick, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Life in the Division of Student Affairs (gendick@echo.rutgers.edu).
~Graduate Affinity Groups emerged from the ideation and advocacy of students on the SGS DEI Graduate Student Advisory Committee.
- Affinity Group Meetings
BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ students (Veerja Mehta):
Monday February 10th from 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Monday March 3rd from 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Monday April 7th from 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Monday May 5th from 6:30pm - 7:30pmChinese students (Alvis Zhao & Yingtong Liu):
Wednesday February 5th at 7:30pm
Wednesday March 5th at 7:30pm
Wednesday April 2nd at 7:30pmInternational students (Cassiana Batista da Rocha & Queency Agrawal):
Friday February 7th from 7pm – 8:30pm
One meeting in March: Date and Time TBD
One meeting in April: Date and Time TBDAfrican students (Zainab Mustapha & Mazvita Chikomo):
Friday January 31st from 6pm – 8pm Welcome-back Mixer
Friday February 28th at 6pm
One meeting in March: Date and Time TBDNeurodivergent students (Jules Vivid):
Wednesday February 5th at 2pm on Zoom
Wednesday March 12th at 2pm on Zoom
Wednesday April 9th at 2pm on Zoom- Affinity Group for African Graduate Students
Affinity Group for African Graduate Students
Facilitators: Zainab Mustapha (Ph.D. student, Chemistry & Chemical Biology) and Mazvita Chikomo (Ph.D. student, Earth & Planetary Sciences)
Group Description:
Our group seeks to create a safe space and community for Graduate African students, both international and domestic, and all other students connected to and interested in Africa and the African diaspora along with its diverse cultures. We invite you to share your journey and learn from the experiences of others. Our affinity group provides a space where the unique challenges faced by African graduate students can be openly discussed and addressed.
Facilitator Bios:
Zainab Mustapha is a third-year PhD student in the Rutgers Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology. She uses solid-state NMR spectroscopy to study the atomic interactions of membrane proteins in lipid bilayers. She has a bachelor's and master's degree in Chemistry from Nigeria. Coming to grad school in the US is a significant leap in her career, and she's living her best moments at Rutgers. She is passionate about building and sustaining communities and is excited to be a facilitator for the African Graduate affinity group.
Mazvita Chikomo is an international student from Harare, Zimbabwe studying as a PhD student in the Earth and Planetary Science Department. As a hydrogeologist, Mazvita enjoys exploring groundwater surface water interactions. When Mazvita is not working she is in the kitchen trying all types of recipes, on the tele watching the latest TV Shows and Docuseries, or outside taking in the nature.
- Affinity Group for BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ Graduate Students
Affinity Group for BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ Graduate Students
Facilitator: Veerja Mehta (they/she), MSW student, Social Work
Group Description: The BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ affinity groups is for anyone who identifies as Black, Brown, Indigenous, Melanated, person of color, as well as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We also welcome anyone who is an immigrant, refugee, any displaced person from outside of the US and Canada, and may have a different experience navigating queer spaces in the US from their country of origin. This group was born out of necessity to create a safe, nurturing and validating space for those who feel left out of queer spaces that do not acknowledge race, ethnicity and our varied cultural backgrounds. Many pioneers of LGBTQ+ movements around the globe have been BIPOC people, which should be deeply acknowledged and appreciated. We also pay respects to our queer ancestors who have may have been erased from history due to historical traumas. My utmost intention for this group is that we collectively create a space of queer joy, empowerment, and imagination.
Facilitator Bio: Veerja Mehta (they/she) is a MSW student in the social work program. They were drawn to this field specifically because of her passion for racial justice, caste justice, and LGBTQIA2S+ rights. As a first-generation graduate student, oldest sibling, being queer and a person of color, so many parts of their identity has shaped them into who she is today. She believes the biggest power we have is how we heal with others through co-regulation and community care. Because of her keen interest in the global perspective, they have been working as a research assistant in the global social work program. They are also a part of the IIDEA committee for Rutgers University representing the traditional MSW student.
- Affinity Group for Chinese Students
Affinity Group for Chinese Students
Facilitators: Alvis Zhao (Ph.D. student, Mathematics) and Yingtong Liu (MS student, Materials Science and Engineering)
Group Description: This group aims at enhancing the overall experience of Chinese graduate students. This group is not just an academic hub but also a supportive network for various aspects of student life. Recognizing the multifaceted challenges of graduate studies, especially for those far from home, we dedicate ourselves to providing a nurturing environment where academic support, life advice, and cultural exchange flourish. Our activities and initiatives are diverse, ranging from academic workshops and career development sessions to social gatherings and cultural celebrations. We understand that settling into a new environment can be daunting; therefore, we offer guidance and resources to help students navigate housing, understand local customs, and integrate into the university life seamlessly. The Chinese Grad Student Group is more than a community; it's a home away from home. We are committed to ensuring that every member feels supported, connected, and empowered to achieve their full potential, both academically and personally, during their journey at Rutgers University.
Facilitator Bios:
Alvis Zhao: As a third-year Ph.D. student in Mathematics at Rutgers University, I am deeply committed to supporting and enriching the experience of my fellow Chinese graduate students. Understanding the unique challenges and opportunities we face, I strive to be a pillar of support and guidance. I am hoping to organize events that foster academic collaboration, cultural exchange, and professional development. My aim is to create an inclusive and empowering environment where every member feels valued and motivated. I believe that through collective effort and shared wisdom, we can all thrive and make our mark in the academic world.
Yingtong Liu: As a first-year master student in materials science and engineering, I really want to help my fellow Chinese graduate students. I understand and know that there are a lot of challenges for Chinese students who are studying in the United States for the first time. I hope my experience can help the Chinese students who come to the Rutgers for the first time. My aim is to create an environment where every member can share their experience. At the same time, group members can make friends with each other. I believe we can build a friendly and excellent group through our effort.
Express your interest in participating!
- Affinity Group for Rutgers International Graduate Students (RINGS)
Affinity Group for Rutgers International Graduate Students (RINGS)
Facilitators: Cassiana Batista da Rocha (Ph.D. student, Chemistry & Chemical Biology) and Queency Agrawal (MBS student, Drug Discovery and Development)
Group Description: This affinity group is open to international graduate students at Rutgers who are looking for a space to build community by sharing their knowledge and experiences about being an international student. The affinity group will meet monthly, and each session will deal with one topic that directly affects international students, such as navigating advisor-Ph.D. student relationships as an international student, disrupting deficiency-based ideas around the international student identity, or advantages and disadvantages of using CPT or OPT as an international student (additional topics can be suggested by members). While these sessions are not meant to replace official advice from the Rutgers Global Office, they aim to provide a space for international students to engage informally with their peers and listen to each other’s experiences as international students at Rutgers.
Facilitator Bios:
Cassiana Batista da Rocha: Cassiana Batista da Rocha (she/her/hers) is an international Ph.D. Candidate in Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University. Born in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, she is currently in her fourth year of doctoral studies. Her research focuses on developing novel photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT), a promising cancer treatment. PDT combines three key elements: a photosensitizer molecule, light, and oxygen. When light activates the photosensitizer in cancer cells, it triggers the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS cause targeted cancer cells to die, making PDT a precise and less invasive therapeutic option. Cassiana’s dissertation evaluates the properties of fullerene- and metallofullerene-based compounds, exploring their potential applications in cancer research. Her work aims to uncover the photophysical processes behind ROS production and enhance the therapeutic efficiency of PDT.
Queency Agrawal:
- Supporting Neurodiversity at Rutgers (SNR)
Supporting Neurodiversity at Rutgers (SNR)
Facilitator: Jules Vivid, Ph.D. student, Sociology
Group Description: Supporting Neurodiversity at Rutgers (SNR) is an affinity group for neurodivergent graduate students. This group will offer an intentional, supportive space for students with neurodivergent identities or experiences to connect and build community. Monthly meetings will be held over Zoom and are welcome to all neurodivergent graduate students, including those with Autism, ADHD, OCD, Sensory Processing Sensitivity, Dyslexia, Tourette’s, and other neurological differences. Please reach out with any questions, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Facilitator Bio: Jules is an interdisciplinary artist and community builder living in Brooklyn. She recently returned to school to pursue her research interests in identity, culture, and inequality through a PhD program in sociology at Rutgers. Before this, Jules spent ten years in the research and nonprofit sectors developing social justice and community healing initiatives, with her work contributing to policy reform in the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development and the growth of two social impact nonprofits, The Dinner Party and The People's Supper. Jules cares a lot about building intentional community around shared identities and experiences and looks forward to connecting with other neuroatypical graduate students at Rutgers. Outside of school, her interests include cats, yoga, floral design, baking bread, and making video art.
Facilitator Support: Coordinators and Staff Mentors
Graduate Affinity Group student facilitators are supported by a network of faculty, staff, and peer mentors who provide guidance on equity-focused facilitation, content development, and community-building.
Program Coordinators
Coordinators manage overall implementation, outreach, and evaluation of the affinity groups. They also coordinate initial participant recruitment. Throughout the year, they organize monthly check-ins with facilitators and periodic check-ins with faculty/staff mentors.
Coordinator: Ghada Endick (she/her), Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Life, Division of Student Affairs, gendick@echo.rutgers.edu
Graduate Student Assistant: Zoey Eddy (she/her/hers), Ph.D. student, Psychology, ze26@scarletmail.rutgers.edu
Staff Mentors
Staff mentors hold experiential, professional, and/or academic knowledge in the affinity group topic area with which they’ve been matched. These mentors support facilitators in planning and implementing their groups, from developing content and facilitation strategies to troubleshooting challenges. Facilitators and their designated faculty/staff mentor should meet twice per semester at a mutually agreed upon time.
Keywuan Caulk (he/him), Director, The Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities (Affinity Group for BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ Graduate Students)
Dr. Mohini Mukherjee (she/her/hers), Executive Director of International Student Services, Rutgers Global (Affinity Group for International Graduate Students)
Jakora Thompson (she/hers/sis), Director, Paul Robeson Cultural Center (Affinity Group for African Graduate Students)
Dr. Ayanna Towers (she/her/hers), Counseling Psychologist, Counseling, Alcohol and Drug Assistance, and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) (Supporting Neurodiversity at Rutgers)
Yang You (she/her/hers), International Student Advisor, Rutgers Global (Affinity Group for Chinese Graduate Students)
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Additional Affinity Group Resources
GSA-Affiliated Groups
Visit the Graduate Student Association GSO Directory for the following groups organized around social identity and life experience:
- Christians on Campus
- Council of Black Graduates
- Rutgers GRADient
- Rutgers Graduate Christian Fellowship
- Rutgers Graduate Students for RAR NORD Chapter
- Rutgers Korean Graduate Student Association
- Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native American in Science (RU Chapter)
- Supporting Parents and Caregivers at Rutgers
- Women’s Leadership Coalition
- Rutgers Hillel
Cultural Centers
The Cultural Center Collaborative, within The Division of Student Affairs, is committed to supporting the needs of Rutgers’ campus communities by creating a welcoming and holistic learning environment for all community members, inclusive of all identities and allies.
The Paul Robeson Cultural Center, the Center for Latino Arts and Culture, the Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities, and the Asian American Cultural Center come together to form the Cultural Center Collaborative
