Late last month, President Christopher L. Eisgruber sent his annual State of the University letter to faculty, students and staff, highlighting the completion of significant projects on bcampus and a commitment to transparency as the University works to ensure that all
Princetonians flourish and feel welcome on campus.

He discussed Princeton’s leadership in national conversations on college affordability and the essential role of charitable higher education endowments, and he expressed the University’s continued commitments to free speech, to attracting talented people from all sectors of society, and to Princeton’s tradition of institutional restraint. In the letter, Eisgruber called on Princetonians to work together to “celebrate fresh
beginnings and remarkable achievements, rise to meet difficult challenges, and energetically pursue this University’s mission of teaching, research, and service in the year ahead.” Read the full letter here.

This issue of the Capital Connector highlights several stories about the University energetically pursuing its mission, including a major announcement about new NJ AI Hub partners, a laptop donation to New Jersey correctional facilities, and an award-winning New Jersey student. 

Princeton and New Jersey

Governor Murphy and President Eisgruber announce Microsoft and CoreWeave as founding partners in the NJ AI Hub 

The NJ AI Hub, announced last winter by Governor Phil Murphy and Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber, has added two founding partners: Microsoft and NJ-based CoreWeave. The NJ AI Hub will help position New Jersey as a leading East Coast center for AI innovation. Read more here.

Princeton donates laptops to two New Jersey correctional facilities to support higher education and digital literacy

The University has expanded its commitment to higher education for incarcerated individuals with a donation of 52 laptop computers to the New Jersey Department of Corrections. The laptops and related equipment like headsets and printers will be used in two state prisons as part of the New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education in Prisons (NJ-STEP). The Prison Teaching Initiative (PTI) is a key member of NJ-STEP. Read more here.

Princeton University visits the New Jersey State House

The Office of State Affairs was pleased to lead our first Wintersession class by hosting 20 students and staff for a talk about our favorite state, followed by a bus trip to Trenton for a tour of the State House. During the visit, several special guests surprised our group with brief visits, including Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Executive Director of the Assembly Majority Office Seth Hahn, Assemblyman Bill Moen, and Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy. All of our guests emphasized the value of public service and engagement.

Princeton University News

Princeton’s commitments to excellence, belonging and diversity highlighted in annual report

The University has released “An Inclusive Princeton,” the 2023-24 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Annual Report, highlighting how Princeton’s commitment to excellence is supported by creating an environment of success and belonging for all members of the University community. Read the report here.

Basking Ridge, New Jersey native and Princeton University senior named Schwarzman Scholar

James Zhang from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, has been named a Schwarzman Scholar and will attend a one-year, fully funded master’s degree program in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Read more about James here.

Princeton's growing community of transfer students bring a wealth of experience. Check out the "Life as a transfer student at Princeton University" 

The Class of 2028 enters Princeton amid a four-year undergraduate expansion that will increase the student body by 500 students. The expansion includes an increase in the transfer student community on campus. Twenty-six transfer students matriculated from community colleges, such as Union County College, Mercer County Community College, and Rowan College at Burlington County. Watch the full video here.