RPI-BGSA Alumni Engagement Initiative 2025–2026
BGSA Alumni Form: Click to Join RPI-BGSA Alumni Community
BGSA 2024–2025 Academic Year Achievements
Graduate School Application Webinar (July 13, 2024)
BGSA hosted a virtual webinar for prospective graduate students identifying as Black Americans, Africans, Jamaicans, Latinos, and other underrepresented minorities. The session provided crucial guidance and application fee waivers for all attendees.
- 860 live participants via Zoom
- 5,621 total viewers via LinkedIn Live
HBCU Recruitment Trips
In partnership with RPI’s Director of Graduate Admissions, BGSA visited:
- Tuskegee University
- University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
- Alabama A&M University (AAMU)
These visits showcased RPI’s inclusive graduate environment and BGSA’s strong community culture.
Fall 2025 Black Graduate Students Recruitment Outcomes (Compared to Fall 2024)
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%
- Confirmations surged by 154.5%
This reflects BGSA’s direct impact on advancing diversity in graduate education at RPI.
Fireside Chat with BGSA Alumni (March 1, 2025)
A powerful session featuring Dr. Janet Rutledge, Gerald Jackson, and Dr. Anqesha Murray-Cody. Topics included leadership, career strategy, and giving back.
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.
Goals for the 2025–2026 Academic Year
BGSA continues its mission to support the academic journey of Black graduate students by launching the BGSA Alumni Engagement Initiative, focused on:
- Structured alumni-student mentorship
- Alumni-driven career pipelines
- Professional development workshops
- Mental wellness & belonging programs
- BGSA history and legacy archive
- Long-term networking infrastructure
BGSA Strategic Visions Requiring Alumni Support
1. Structured Mentorship Program
Create a lasting alumni-student mentorship network focused on academic, research, and career support.
2. Career Access & Industry Pipeline
Use alumni networks to open doors for internships, jobs, and professional growth.
3. Student Support Fund
Provide microgrants and sponsorships for research, travel, and academic resources.
4. Alumni-Led Development Series
Host workshops, panels, and masterclasses led by BGSA alumni in diverse fields.
5. Wellness & Belonging
Promote mental health and resilience through culturally grounded programming.
6. BGSA History & Legacy Project
Archive and preserve stories, milestones, and contributions of Black graduate students at RPI.
7. Innovation & Entrepreneurship Support
Support student-led ventures through mentorship, funding, and pitch opportunities.
8. Sustained Alumni Engagement Platform
Develop systems to ensure long-term connection, giving, and mentorship between students and alumni.