Manuela Gomez, a recent graduate of the M.A. program in Peace and Conflict Studies and an alumna of the Political Science program at Rutgers University–Newark, is forging a powerful path in international relations; one rooted in personal experience, global engagement, and a steadfast commitment to sustainable peace.

Originally from Colombia, Manuela grew up amid decades of armed conflict, witnessing the profound toll violence takes on communities and individuals. Those realities sparked her early interest in peacebuilding and motivated her to pursue academic work that could help illuminate global pathways to conflict resolution.

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) welcomed its first student from Seoul National University School of Dentistry (SNUSD), Jae Hyeok (Jerry) Lee, marking the beginning of a new international collaboration.

“This program allows for an academic and cultural exchange between our students and visiting students, simultaneously facilitating their professional and personal growth,” said Rosa Chaviano-Moran, associate dean for admissions. RSDM has several other exchange programs around the globe, stretching from Ireland to Spain to Albania to India. 

Rutgers Global, in partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), hosted a 2-day academic program for 26 undergraduate students from South Korea majoring in biotechnology, health sciences, computer science, and engineering.  The program’s theme, “AI & Biotechnology in Healthcare,” highlighted how artificial intelligence is reshaping biomedical innovation and interdisciplinary research. Here are photos from the program.