Department of Institutional Engagement

Department of Institutional Engagement

At Raritan Valley Community College,

 

It is central to our mission as an educational institution to ensure that each member of our community has the opportunity to prosper in our environment. We believe that the advancement of knowledge is key to educational excellence.

Raritan Valley Community College values our shared ground: Respect, Empowerment, Belonging, and Responsibility. We rely on the contributions of each individual to enrich the intellectual environment for students and employees.

We support educational opportunity by recruiting and retaining a dynamic college community. We commit to this by developing and maintaining curricular and social programs that infuse the contributions of all people, and by preparing students to excel and lead in a global society. 

Our Shared Ground

Respect

We respect each other. We commit to engage with and listen to our community in meaning-making and purposeful diverse perspective and dialogue. 

Empowerment

We commit to integrity, fairness and good faith. We empower our community by believing that through collaboration and participation, each of us has an important role in determining the direction and well-being of the community.  An empowered community leads to an innovative community. We know that new strategies and initiatives are necessary to further enhance our work and commitment to being a community that is always learning and growing.  

Belonging

We encourage open dialogue and commit to ensuring that all members of our community feel heard and included. We provide equitable access and the opportunity to every member of our community to be true exemplars of our values. We commit to actively and intentionally promoting participation and co-design to invoke a sense of belonging and a "sense of place" for every RVCC community member. 

Responsibility

We commit to gaining continual awareness of our campus climate and culture, articulating our collective perspectives, identity, and institutional values; continuing to evaluate our experiences of power and privilege and adapting our approaches to stand together as a community.  

RVCC graduate smiling for a photo at comencement.
RVCC student smiling for a photo at the club involvement fair.
RVCC student smiling for a photo while sitting on a bench studying.
INITIATIVES LED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Institutional Engagement Awards

RVCC’s Institutional Engagement Awards recognize an outstanding student, staff member, and faculty member (ALL employees) who has gone above and beyond to bring RVCC values to life! It honors the leadership and outstanding service and dedication to community members and the College in creating a more welcoming and inclusive sense of place. They do it with care, meaning and purpose, and it shows! 

Reflection Room

The Reflection room is a very important space on campus for many. Spaces like these help to foster a deeper sense of belonging and an ethic of care on our campus.

Services for Students and Employees

The Department of Institutional Engagement is active in working with the College community to offer the following:

  • Annual Day of Inclusive Excellence/ Act of Existence
  • Employee Affinity Groups
  • "At The Table" College-Wide Newsletter
  • Restorative Practices Trainings and Framework
  • Departmental Professional Development Trainings
  • Paid Student-Fellowships with a Justice/Service Lens in partnership with The Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement
  • Coffee & Inclusion June Professional Development Series
  • Train the Trainer 5-Week Program

Any questions about the other items listed above can be sent through email to doie@raritanval.edu.

RVCC Identity Centers

Paul Robeson Institute
Paul Robeson Institute  →
Holocaust & Genocide Institute
Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies  →
Center for Gender & Sex Equity
Center for Gender & Sex Equity  →
Center for Accessibility & Inclusive Education
Center for Accessibility & Inclusive Education  →
Student
More than 150 Annual Events!
Cultural Clubs
RVCC students lounging on the grass.
Cultural Clubs  →
FAQs

Where is the Department of Institutional Engagement located and when is it open?

College Center, C-110

The Office of DOIE is open M-F from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.

Who leads the Department of Institutional Engagement?

Dr. Windy Paz-Amor is the Director of the Department of Institutional Engagement; You can contact her via email at Windy.Paz-Amor@raritanval.edu.

Tamara Jones is the Institutional Engagement Specialist. You can contact her via email at Tamara.Jones@raritanval.edu.

How do I plan a collaboration with the Department of Institutional Engagement?

Simply email doie@raritanval.edu.

How do I volunteer for the Department of Institutional Engagement?

Email doie@raritanval.edu. Please include "Volunteer" in the subject line.

Does the Department of Institutional Engagement offer Spanish speaking services?

Yes! The Department of Institutional Engagement can offer Spanish translation/ Si, Aqui Se Habla Español.

Be Seen. Be Heard. Belong.
Meet Our Students
Student Profile
rvcc student yanely
Yanely

Graduating from RVCC means a lot to me because as a first-generation student, an immigrant, a proud Hispanic woman, and a survivor, I am so happy to present what diligence and determination can accomplish in times of hardship.

Major:

Liberal Arts – Social Science and Tax Preparer Certificate of Completion

Plans After RVCC:

Transfer to Rutgers University

Accomplishments & Community Building:

ESL Club President
Non-Profit Civic Engagement Award 
EOF Outstanding Achievement Award
Pepsi Scholarship 
New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant 
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Training

How did you benefit from attending RVCC?

The professors here are willing to mentor you, provide advice, and help you make contacts.

Student Profile
RVCC student Alyssa
Alyssa

RVCC’s sense of community sets it apart from an average community college experience. There’s always someone there to help you if you’re struggling. You feel like you’re seen and your voice is heard.

Major:

Liberal Arts/Social Science

Plans After RVCC:

Earn a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, followed by a Master’s and Doctorate

Accomplishments & Community Building:

VP of Scholarship & Service, Phi Theta Kappa
Head of Communications, To Write Love on Her Arms
Orgullo Latino/Latin Pride Club
RVCC Foundation Student Representative
Sanofi Corporate Mentor Program

How did you benefit from attending RVCC?

There are leadership, internship, job, work study, and transfer opportunities available—along with different events focused on self-growth.

Student Profile
rvcc student oreoluwa
Oreoluwa

I was able to build a sense of belonging within the RVCC community. I made friends and participated in clubs and organizations that were of interest to me.

Major:

Pre-Medicine and Pre-Pharmacy

Plans After RVCC:

Transfer to Saint Peter’s University Honors Program

Accomplishments & Community Building:

Jack Kent Cooke Semifinalist
Phi Theta Kappa
National Society of Leadership and Success
Scholarship for Fundamental Fairness Honoring the Life of John J. Grossi, Jr.
Academic Award for Pre-Medicine and Pre-Pharmacy
Achievement Center Intern/Volunteer
Graduated Summa Cum Laude

How did you benefit from attending RVCC?

It made me realize my hidden potential and opened doors of opportunity.

Student Profile
rvcc student Ana
Ana

I came to the United States without knowing what to expect. Sometimes I felt scared of the obstacles I had to face, but RVCC helped me to gain my confidence back and helped me find myself in the U.S.

Major:

Communication Studies

Plans After RVCC:

Transfer to Rutgers University

Accomplishments & Community Building:

Phi Theta Kappa 
Downtown Somerville Alliance Internship 
National Society of Leadership and Success 
Graduated Summa Cum Laude

How did you benefit from attending RVCC?

"I benefited from all the guidance and advice from RVCC staff. The benefit [and privilege] to know my professors and advisors, and for them to know me as well and to build a relationship with them, has been the biggest takeaway from my experience at RVCC."

Student Profile
rvcc student henry
Henry

RVCC provided me with a second chance. ... I continued to work aggressively at RV and now have been accepted to one of the top universities in the country and world.

Major:

Chemical Engineering & Chemistry

Plans After RVCC:

Transfer to Princeton University

Accomplishments & Community Building:

Phi Theta Kappa
Honors College
Engineering Club President
NJ STARS Scholar
Academic Award for Engineering Science
American Society for Engineering Education Mid-Atlantic Conference Presenter
Graduated Summa Cum Laude

How did you benefit from attending RVCC?

"RVCC is a very intimate environment, allowing me to pursue independent research programs and service-learning opportunities which would have been almost impossible at a four-year school. I was able to save money and get an acceptance to a school I am excited to attend."

Student Profile
rvcc student gerardo
Gerardo

I achieved as much as I sought out to achieve, because I put my heart into it.

Major:

Business Administration

Plans After RVCC:

Transfer to Rutgers Business School

Accomplishments & Community Building:

Honors College
Academic Award for Business Administration - General Business
Enactus Executive Vice President
Student Government Association Vice President of Finance
Alpha Beta Gamma
Phi Theta Kappa
President’s Volunteer Service Award Gold Category

Graduated Summa Cum Laude

How did you benefit from attending RVCC?

"I walked away from RV a completely different individual, where I cannot remember the last day I woke up without being ready to give my everything to what I do."

Student Profile
rvcc student anabela
Anabela

I am overwhelmed with gratitude and pride to belong to the RVCC family, where racism and hatred have NO place and where everyone is given a chance at education, despite their race, gender, beliefs, age or social status.

Major:

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Plans After RVCC:

Work as an OTA with geriatric population

Accomplishments & Community Building:

Student Commencement Speaker
Phi Theta Kappa
SOTAA Secretary
Graduated Magna Cum Laude

How did you benefit from attending RVCC?

"I believe education is something no one can ever take away from you, and for that I am profoundly grateful to RVCC."

RVCC does not discriminate in its educational programs or activities regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy and childbirth or related conditions), marital status, veteran status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, disability or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state and local laws. For information regarding Title IX and Section 504, please visit our Title IX page. Use the Bias & Discrimination Incident Report Form to report an incident.

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