Douglass Residential College of Rutgers University

Points of Pride

Douglass Residential College is the women’s college of Rutgers University, offering a distinctive academic and co-curricular experience for undergraduate students of all majors and gender identities who are passionate about exploring women’s leadership, feminist scholarship, and equity in society. Through a vibrant and close-knit residential community, interdisciplinary programs, and a curriculum that centers women’s lived experiences, Douglass empowers students to lead with purpose, think critically about systems of inequality, and make meaningful contributions in every field.

History

Founded in 1918 as the New Jersey College for Women, Douglass was established to provide women with access to higher education at a time when few opportunities existed. Renamed Douglass College in honor of its first dean, Mabel Smith Douglass, the institution became a powerful advocate for women’s academic advancement. Today, as Douglass Residential College, it continues to honor its legacy as Rutgers University’s women’s college while expanding its reach to students of all identities who are committed to exploring women's roles, perspectives, and leadership in a rapidly evolving world.