Rutgers University is set to honour Indian American civic leader Rajiv Vinnakota with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during its 259th commencement ceremony on May 18, 2025. The recognition honors Vinnakota’s lifetime commitment to civic education and youth leadership.
Currently serving as the president of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, Vinnakota has spearheaded initiatives that empower Americans to become active citizens. His previous roles include executive vice president at the Aspen Institute, where he led youth engagement programs, and co-founder of the SEED Foundation, the nation’s first college-preparatory public boarding school network for underserved youth.
A son of Indian immigrants and a Princeton University alumnus, Vinnakota is also actively involved in national civic initiatives, including the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and the Partnership for American Democracy. His efforts continue to shape civic learning, with frequent contributions to media and policy discussions on Gen Z engagement.
This honorary degree adds to a long list of accolades for Vinnakota, who remains a key figure in promoting inclusive civic participation and educational reform across the U.S.
