Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, will be hosting the 2025 BTAA Summit from March 12-14 in New Brunswick, NJ. The BTAA Summit is dedicated to advancing international student inclusion and engagement, a vital element of campus internationalization. Through presentations and roundtable discussions, we’ll share insights and best practices across a range of topics. Both experienced and new professionals are encouraged to attend. 

Register Here

When:

March 13-14, 2024, with an optional networking reception the evening of Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Where: 

The Summit will be held in the College Avenue Student Center (CASC) Multipurpose Room (126 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901) on the College Avenue Campus of Rutgers-New Brunswick. 

To get to the CASC from the Heldrich Hotel, the walk will take about 15-20 minutes.  You can also take one of the free Rutgers Buses to the CASC (bus stop is located 2 minutes away from the Heldrich on New Street just past The George Apartments – in front of the gated parking lot); this should take about 10 minutes – buses run every 15-20 minutes and will finish their route in front of the College Avenue Gym which is next door to the CASC).  Your final option is to take an Uber/Lyft or taxi which should take no more than 10 minutes. 

Agenda:

Wednesday, March 12: Optional networking reception in the evening

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

Location: Steakhouse 85 (85 Church Street, New Brunswick, NJ)

Join us for drinks and lots of hors d’oeuvres to meet others attending the BTAA Summit

Thursday, March 13:  BTAA Summit sessions 9am to 5pm

8:15am – Check-in and Breakfast

9am – Welcome

9:30am – Creating a Foundation for Student Success: Re-examining the Basics to Help Students Navigate the Complexities (Presented by Elizabeth O’Connell-Ganges, Associated Dean for Student Success Initiatives at Rutgers University-New Brunswick).

In the midst of all that is evolving and changing, it is essential that we periodically step back and look at everything through a new lens. Campus partners can help us with perspective, focus, and clarity to build new, or shore up old, foundations for student success.

10:30am – Break

10:45am - Programming Best Practices to Enhance International Students' Inclusion and Belonging (presented by University of Maryland, Indiana University, and Rutgers)

11:30am – Working with Campus Partners to Support International Faculty and Scholars (presented by University of Wisconsin and Rutgers)

12:15pm – Lunch Break; Announcement of the 2026 BTAA Summit location

1:15pm - Let’s Talk about workshops promoting mental health awareness and cultivating resilience (presented by Rutgers)

2:15pm - Global Families, Local Campuses: Navigating Support for International Students & Scholars with Dependents (Presented by University of Michigan and Rutgers)

3:00pm – Break

3:15pm - Engaging Student Stakeholders: Working with Student Advisory Boards (Presented by University of Minnesota, University of Iowa, and Rutgers)

4:15pm - Collaborating with Campus Partners Throughout the Student Life Cycle (Presented by University of Minnesota, Penn State University, and University of Wisconsin)

5:30pm – Dinner (Summit attendees are on their own for dinner; Rutgers will provide some suggestions)

Friday, March 14:  BTAA Summit sessions 9am to 12:30pm

8:30am – Campus Tour (optional - details TBA)

9:15am - Breakfast 

10:00am - Engaging International Graduate and Professional Students (Presented by University of Iowa, University of Indiana, and University of Minnesota)

11:00am - Supporting International Scholars and Faculty (presented by Rutgers), followed by open table discussions

12:30pm – BTAA Summit ends

Lodging: 

There are two large hotels in downtown New Brunswick that we recommend:

The Heldrich Hotel

Hyatt Regency

These are both within walking distance (or a short taxi/Uber ride away) of the College Avenue Student Center, where the BTAA Summit will take place.  Other hotels in the greater New Brunswick area will require a car, Uber/Lyft, or some other form of transportation to reach our campus. 

Please make sure you reserve the correct dates for your stay.  If you are coming for the full BTAA Summit, you will want to arrive on Wednesday, March 12 and checkout on Friday, March 14.  If you are coming earlier for the BTAA Directors meeting, you will want to reserve a room starting Tuesday, March 11. 

*Please note that the hotel block we had previously secured is now full.

Transportation: 

Summit attendees should book flights to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR); this is the closest airport to our campus.  Flying into JFK, LaGuardia, or Philadelphia Airports is not recommended as there is no direct public transportation to Rutgers from these locations. 

New Jersey Transit Northeast Corridor provides direct train service to New Brunswick.  Upon arrival at the gate, follow signs to the AirTrain which will transport you to the NJ Transit Newark Liberty International Airport Station. Take a Northeast Corridor Train (red line) westbound (towards Trenton) to New Brunswick, about 25-30 minutes. The New Brunswick train station is located a short walk from the Heldrich Hotel and the New Brunswick campus. Pro-tip: If using the train, keep your train ticket with you after going through the turnstiles at the airport station; you will need to show it again on the train.

If you’d prefer to not take a train, taxi stands can be found outside each of the three terminals at Newark Airport.  There are also designated areas outside each terminal for Lyft and UBER pickups.

Questions? Email events@global.rutgers.edu