Jeffrey Robinson, Past Interim Chancellor, Rutgers University – Newark

In an interview with Invest:, Jeffrey Robinson, interim chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark, emphasized the institution’s continued commitment to social mobility, diversity, and innovation amid a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. “Last year, we were proud to be ranked No. 4 in the country for diversity and No. 5 for social mobility. These rankings are especially meaningful to us because they reflect the core values of Rutgers University–Newark.”

What have been some of the key highlights or achievements for Rutgers University–Newark in the past 12 months?

Over the past 12 months, we’ve experienced several noteworthy accomplishments. Rutgers University–Newark, the northernmost university in New Jersey, has a long-standing tradition of being a hub for social mobility. Many of our students are children of immigrants, immigrants themselves, or first-generation college students. They come to our institution seeking access to higher education and leave equipped for careers, graduate studies, or fields in science and technology.

Last year, we were proud to be ranked No. 4 in the country for diversity and No. 5 for social mobility. These rankings are especially meaningful to us because they reflect the core values of Rutgers University–Newark. Additionally, we received our largest applicant pool to date, enrolled our biggest first-year class ever, and celebrated the 50th anniversaries of our Graduate School, School of Criminal Justice, and Master of Public Affairs program. Overall, it’s been a strong year in terms of accomplishments.

What would you say are the biggest challenges the university is facing?

The biggest challenges stem from the changing landscape of federal funding and regulatory policies. Higher education has deep ties to the federal government, and when policies shift, it significantly complicates our operations. We’re working to navigate new funding models for federal grants, adapting to evolving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) guidelines, and trying to understand how immigration changes will affect both our current and prospective international students — two areas we deeply care about at Rutgers–Newark. These simultaneous shifts have created a highly unpredictable environment.

What are the biggest obstacles your students are facing right now?

Everything ultimately comes back to the students. When I speak about institutional challenges, I’m really thinking about how they affect students’ ability to access quality education and career opportunities. For example, federal program cuts directly hinder professional development for many of our students. Changing immigration policies have left international students uncertain about visa validity or their ability to re-enter the country if they leave. This affects not only those already here but also prospective students from abroad.

Many of our students are the first in their families to attend college, often born in the United States to immigrant parents. Some families may have mixed documentation statuses, and shifting immigration enforcement adds stress and uncertainty. We’ve historically been able to support these students, but many of those support systems are now in flux. All of this creates a challenging environment for students trying to focus on their education.

Rutgers–Newark is exploring a new partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands. What do you expect from this collaboration?

We are working on a partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands, though it hasn’t been finalized yet. Partnerships like this aim to provide educational opportunities to some of their most promising students, particularly in STEM fields. We have similar collaborations with institutions like Florida A&M University, Southern University, and the University of South Carolina–Beaufort.

These partnerships are part of our effort to diversify science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines. Through them, we offer fully funded graduate fellowships to top-tier students. These individuals are already excelling at their universities, and we’re fortunate to have world-class scientists here who are eager to mentor them. The synergy not only benefits our institution but also contributes meaningfully to innovation at the national level.

What steps is Rutgers–Newark taking to encourage recent graduates to stay and contribute to the local workforce?

We’re actively working to supply top-tier talent to industries across New Jersey, especially in life sciences and pharmaceuticals. As a diverse campus, we provide industry leaders with access to students who are deeply interested in their fields. Our career resources department hosts major job fairs, internships, and networking opportunities.

We also support students through a career accelerator program called Braven. It begins as a course in their sophomore year and continues with mentorship and coaching throughout their academic journey. It helps students build not just technical expertise but also the soft skills they need to succeed professionally. Braven gives students a competitive edge whether they’re pursuing careers or graduate studies. We’re not just focused on academics; we’re preparing students for life beyond the classroom.

Could you talk more about the university’s role in community engagement and how it impacts the surrounding area?

Historically, universities have been quite separate from the communities they reside in, which often leads to resentment or missed opportunities. At Rutgers–Newark, we take the opposite approach. As a publicly funded institution, we feel responsible for using our data, innovations, and faculty expertise to benefit the broader community.

We work closely with organizations, city entities, and local groups in Newark and throughout New Jersey. Our goal is to align our academic resources with the needs of the community to help create lasting social impact. We take pride in our community engagement; it’s something we excel at and are passionate about.

Given how closely technology is tied to innovation, what role does emerging tech like AI play in shaping your curriculum and programs?

AI is impacting every industry, and higher education is no exception. While we may have been slow to adopt it initially, we’re catching up quickly. Many of our faculty members are now integrating AI into the classroom. Students, unsurprisingly, have been early adopters, using AI tools to be more efficient with their time.

We’re moving beyond rote memorization and instead focusing on teaching students how to use AI strategically in their chosen careers. AI is also transforming research. Tasks that were once labor-intensive and mechanical — like trial-and-error lab testing — can now be expedited through predictive AI modeling. That means we can fast-track drug development, molecular research, and innovations in fields like neuroscience.

We’re even launching an AI chatbot for student affairs later this year to assist students with campus information, event updates, and light academic advising. AI is becoming an integral part of every university function.

How is Rutgers–Newark working to make education more affordable and demonstrate its long-term value?

That’s a question we take seriously. First, we aim to keep tuition lower than most institutions, thanks in part to support from the state of New Jersey. Many of our students receive financial aid from federal and state sources, reducing their need to take out large loans.

But the bigger conversation is around value. While there are now alternative career paths that don’t require a degree, we believe higher education offers something unique: long-term upward mobility. You might enter the workforce at the same level with or without a degree, but your trajectory with a degree, especially a four-year one, is far steeper.

Universities like ours offer opportunities you won’t find elsewhere — access to advanced labs, expert faculty, and cutting-edge research. That’s why we position ourselves as a launchpad for students’ futures. If you want to explore your full potential, Rutgers–Newark is where you want to be.

What are your top priorities for ensuring Rutgers–Newark continues to be a leading educational institution in New Jersey?

First and foremost, it’s about survival in this rapidly changing landscape. Higher education is facing disruptions we haven’t seen in the last 50 years. Second, we must continue to make the case that Rutgers–Newark offers both a top-tier and affordable education.

We also have to address demographic trends. The number of high-school graduates is declining nationwide, leading to more competition for a shrinking pool of students. However, in New Jersey, we have an advantage: a growing population of immigrant families whose children are now reaching college age. We need to harness that opportunity, communicate our value, and continue evolving to serve future generations.