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 University proudly welcomed over 1,200 new international students this fall during its three-day International Student Orientation (ISO), held August 25–27, 2025, at Jersey Mike’s Arena and across campus. Nearly 150 parents and family members also attended, many of whom first connected with Rutgers through admitted student events and pre-departure programs hosted this summer in India and China.

Rutgers University was honored to welcome a distinguished delegation of senior leaders from O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), one of India's top private universities, to the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus on July 22. Led by Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, President & Vice Chancellor, and founder of JGU, the group discussed potential collaborations including student and faculty exchanges and dual degree programs. A diverse group of faculty and staff from across Rutgers joined the meeting, including deans and senior faculty from the Rutgers Law School, Rutgers Business School, the School of Engineering, the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, the School of Social Work, and the Bloustein School, as well as key members of enrollment management, and Rutgers Global.

Thierno Moustapha Diallo, a Fulbright Rutgers Health student originally from Guinea, received his Master of Public Health (MPH) in Global Public Health from the Rutgers School of Public Health in the spring and was granted the 2025 Stanley S. Bergen Medal of Excellence Award, the school’s highest student honor. As the Bergen awardee, he also delivered the graduate keynote address at the school’s 2025 Convocation ceremony. Additionally, Diallo was also the recipient of the 2025 Bernard D. Goldstein Award for Global Public Health, which recognizes exceptional academic achievement among masters-level Rutgers School of Public Health students in their concentration.