Building a welcoming, diverse, inclusive community is a good thing for everyone—but it doesn’t often happen naturally. Or without asking hard questions. Or without focusing expertise and resources to help everyone be their best selves.

That’s why Rowan was among the first colleges and universities in the nation to create an entire division dedicated to building a united campus community where everyone feels welcome, a place where every person is respected, supported and heard. 

Founded in 2019, Rowan’s Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion mission is to promote inclusion and belonging regardless of ability, age, faith, gender, race, national origin, political perspective or sexuality.

“Our belief in developing Rowan as a place of acceptance and diversity goes well beyond a clichéd perception that this is just about race,” said Dr. Monika Williams Shealey, senior vice president of the division. “We’re focused on every student, faculty member and staff member on campus, every one of whom wants to be valued for who they are, without having to worry about identity being an issue.”

It’s not enough to hope for a diverse, inclusive community. It’s an urgent responsibility—and we’re making it a reality.

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For three years running, Rowan has been recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education as the nation’s fourth fastest-growing public research university. 

Enrollment nearly doubled between 2008 and 2021, the result of a careful investment in research, while remaining focused on building high-quality undergraduate programs designed to meet the needs of a fast-changing world. To get here, Rowan broke norms, operated like a business and maintained a laser focus on controlling costs—for both the University and its students. 

“Affordability is critical,” said President Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D. “As a state institution, we have the obligation to provide access, affordability and a quality education to everybody.”

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Hands-on learning is a powerful Rowan advantage. With experiential education woven throughout the curricula through each semester and during breaks, students get the feel of working with industry and professional partners who ask Rowan experts to help investigate and solve real-world problems. As our faculty nurture and guide students on research and project teams, in classrooms and professional settings, they give the next generation of scholars and innovators a head start with a portfolio often begun in Rowan undergraduate programs. Engineering clinics, funded research and professional development school partnerships are just a few of the ways Rowan students experience real-world work—and learn more by doing year-round.

Every year, more students want to be at Rowan University. With enrollment up nearly 89 percent to 19,080 students in 10 years, Rowan University keeps bucking downward trends in higher education by creating effective alternatives for lower-cost, high-quality programs.

Through creative options including 3+1 programs with county colleges, Rowan is providing more access to college credentials for students to become entrepreneurs, educators, engineers, communicators and more.