Posted July 24, 2025
BGSA 2024–2025 Academic Year Achievements
- Graduate School Application Webinar (July 13, 2024)
BGSA hosted a virtual webinar for prospective graduate students who identify as Black Americans, Africans, Jamaicans, Latinos, and other underrepresented minorities. The session provided critical guidance on navigating the application process and offered application fee waivers to all attendees.
Impact:
- 860 live participants via Zoom
- 5,621 total viewers via LinkedIn Live (live + replay)
- HBCU Recruitment Trips
In collaboration with the Director of Graduate Admissions, BGSA members visited three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) — Tuskegee University, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), and Alabama A&M University (AAMU). These visits highlighted the academic excellence and supportive community that BGSA fosters at RPI.
- Fall 2025 Recruitment Outcomes for Black Graduate Students
As a direct result of outreach and recruitment efforts:
- Applications increased by 50.7% over Fall 2024 — the largest jump in five years
- Admits rose by 78.6%
Student confirmations surged by 154.5%
This growth reflects BGSA’s strategic role in strengthening diversity and inclusion in graduate education at RPI.
- Fireside Chat with BGSA Alumni (March 1, 2025)
BGSA organized a powerful conversation with distinguished alumni: Dr. Janet Rutledge, Gerald Jackson, and Dr. Anqesha Murray-Cody. The discussion focused on career navigation, leadership, and giving back to the academic community.
- Community & Engagement Events
BGSA hosted a variety of fun, wellness, and networking events throughout the year—creating space for joy, connection, and resilience among members.