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Welcome to Pioneer Family Corner, a monthly feature on the William Paterson University Family Portal that celebrates the voices, stories, and lived experiences of our WP community. Each month, we highlight a family, student, or campus partner who shares their unique journey and reflects on what it truly means to be part of the Pioneer family.

Through these stories, we hope to strengthen connections, elevate family perspectives, and highlight the many ways our Pioneer community shows up for one another.

Do you or your family have a story to share? We would love to hear from you!
➡️ Submit your story to be considered for a future Pioneer Family Corner feature

We look forward to celebrating more Pioneer stories throughout the year.

Meet the Rugira Family

Hometown: West Orange, NJ

The Rugira Family brings a global and deeply meaningful perspective to the William Paterson University community. Janvier Rugira, a professional with extensive experience in the international humanitarian sector, is the parent of Sylvie Rugira, a Nursing student in the Class of 2028.

With a background rooted in psychology, leadership, and resilience, Janvier’s work has focused on supporting individuals and organizations through crisis, wellbeing, and growth. Through his daughter’s journey at WP, he has come to appreciate the university’s commitment not only to academic excellence, but also to building strong connections with families.

The Rugira Family’s story highlights the importance of community, communication, and partnership in supporting student success — and reflects the powerful role families play in the college experience.

The following responses were shared by the Rugira Family as part of the Pioneer Family Corner Q&A and are presented in their own words.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your connection to William Paterson University.
“My name is Janvier Rugira. I have spent the past 10 years working in the international humanitarian sector, focusing on employee wellbeing, crisis response, and critical incident management. I am passionate about humanizing the workplace through mental health leadership and supporting individuals and organizations to remain resilient in the face of change. My connection to William Paterson University is through my daughter, who is currently a nursing student there. This has given me the opportunity to appreciate the university’s commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and preparing students to make meaningful contributions to their communities — and importantly, its commitment to engaging families.”

What does being part of the Pioneer community mean to you?
“As a parent, being connected to William Paterson University means much more than simply having my daughter enrolled there. I appreciate the university’s deliberate effort to create meaningful connections with families and to foster a genuine sense of community beyond the classroom. Through initiatives such as the book club and other family engagement opportunities, the university recognizes that student success is strengthened when families feel informed, welcomed, and connected.”

What made you or your family choose William Paterson University?
“To be honest, William Paterson University was not initially on our radar. We only became aware of it during our daughter’s college search. What stood out was its academic excellence, welcoming and diverse community, and the strength of its Nursing program. Our visit during Open House left a lasting impression — the campus felt welcoming, and the faculty and staff were approachable and supportive.
What began as a university we knew little about quickly became a leading choice for our family because of the strong sense of community and the care shown throughout the process.”

Share a memorable experience you’ve had as part of the WP community.
“One of my most memorable experiences has been seeing how intentionally the university engages families throughout the student journey. Participating in activities such as the Parent and Family Book Club, campus tours, and orientation events made me feel welcomed as a member of the community. A conversation with a Nursing professor during orientation — whose passion and commitment to students stood out — was especially meaningful.”

How have you seen growth — in yourself, your student, or the community — since becoming part of WP?
“I have witnessed remarkable growth in my daughter, Sylvie. She has become more confident, independent, and resilient. Her involvement in the Student Government Association has strengthened her leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. It has been rewarding to see her grow not only academically, but also as a leader within the university community.”

What support, resource, or program at WP has made a positive impact on you or your family?
“Constant and regular communication has had the greatest impact. Weekly recap emails, updates, and information about campus events help families stay informed and connected. These communications reinforce the idea that William Paterson values families as partners in student success.”

What do you appreciate most about WP’s community, culture, or mission?
“What I appreciate most is the university’s strong culture of communication and its intentional approach to engaging families. WP goes beyond educating students — it creates opportunities for families to stay involved through events, communication, and programs. This reflects a genuine commitment to both student success and community building.”

What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone just joining the Pioneer family?
“My advice is simple: you are not alone. Reach out, ask questions, and take advantage of the many available resources. The William Paterson community is supportive, welcoming, and genuinely invested in helping students succeed.”

The Rugira Family’s story reflects the strength of connection, communication, and partnership within the William Paterson University community. Their experience highlights how meaningful engagement between families and the university can support students as they grow academically, personally, and professionally.

Pioneer Family Corner exists to uplift stories like this — stories of connection, resilience, and shared purpose — and we are grateful to the Rugira Family for sharing their experience with our WP community.

Do you or your family have a Pioneer story to share? Submit your story!