To make the most of your graduate experience at Rensselaer, you are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous on-campus extracurricular opportunities and explore the innovative and energetic Troy community. In addition to your graduate program faculty and staff, the Division of Student Life at Rensselaer offers resources and support for your success.
Dean of the Graduate Experience
Colleen Smith, Dean of Graduate Experience
As part of Clustered Learning, Advocacy, and Support for Students (CLASS), the Dean of the Graduate Student Experience provides support, resources, and advocacy for graduate students throughout their graduate tenure at Rensselaer.
Get Involved on Campus
Graduate students are encouraged to become active members of Rensselaer's vibrant campus community. Join a student club, the Graduate Student Council, or the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA); attend events or unwind in the Clubhouse Pub and the Off-Campus Commons; explore the region's natural beauty, and participate in the many activities on campus throughout the year.
Read the Morning Mail to keep up with campus events and activities, and check out the Rensselaer Events Calendar and upcoming events at EMPAC.
Life in Troy
Troy is home to numerous restaurants, small businesses, The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, the Tech Valley Center of Gravity, and the Troy Innovation Garage. The Downtown Troy Business Improvement District hosts events year-round, including Wednesday evening outdoor concerts during the summer and Troy Night Out the last Friday of each month. Annual events include Troy River Fest, Troy Pig Out, Chowder Fest, and the Troy Makers Market. During the warmer months, the community is invited to participate in the free Fitness in the Park program, which takes place along the Hudson River waterfront. Every Saturday, the Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market is a destination for many in the area; it features more than 80 food growers, bakers, chefs, and artisans.
If you are relocating to the Troy area, we recommend exploring housing options through College Suites City Station and Places4Students.
Off-Campus Commons
1525 15th Street, Off-Campus Commons Located on First Floor
Learn more about living in the Troy area by visiting the Off-Campus Commons page.
The Off-Campus Commons provides a space for students living off campus to gather and find connections. The building provides work stations and meeting places, in addition to professional development and help navigating life in Troy.
