First-Year Student Guide to Rocky

Welcome to the Rockefeller Center!

Our community is committed to the ideals of public service, civic engagement, and leadership. There is a place for students of all majors to find mentors, peers, and a collaborative learning environment. We encourage you to get involved early and stay involved throughout your Dartmouth Experience.

We have both curricular and co-curricular activities for everyone! As you have read here, we have a specially designed First-Year Fellows program for the Class of 2027. We are also the home to the Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop, a student-staffed, faculty-mentored research enterprise in which students conduct research at the request of New Hampshire and Vermont state, county, and local government officials. The Center offers leadership programs intentionally designed to develop the capacity of every student to lead while on campus and beyond Dartmouth. You can also plan a leave-term internship and apply for funding through the Rockefeller Center.

We host many special events with speakers and student groups related to leadership and public service, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship and with visiting distinguished scholars, prominent policymakers, and political figures. Students, faculty, and staff create this vibrant place we call "Rocky" and we look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Be sure to sign up for our This Week @ Rocky email mailing list here to stay informed of everything we have going on at the Center. Follow us on Instagram @RockefellerCtr.

You can get involved right away at the Rockefeller Center:

Dartmouth Leadership Attitudes and Behaviors (D-LAB)

D-LAB is a 7-week program during the winter term designed for first-year students to discover the relationship between leadership and personal values. Each session, participants engage in small group discussion and interactive activities facilitated by upper-level students. At the end, participants will walk away with closer ties to their classmates and a greater understanding of how they can put their values into action through leadership here at Dartmouth.

Public Policy Classes and Minor

Explore a public policy minor and learn how you can make a difference in the world.

Undergraduates who minor in public policy often describe it as the perfect way to better understand how policy affects all aspects of society—from urban development, international relations, and technological change to health care, education, and the law.

The Public Policy Minor is open to Dartmouth undergraduates from all majors who seek a coherent program of study in the broadly defined field of public policy. This program prepares students for careers in a variety of policy-related fields, including jobs in policy analysis, research and not-for-profit organizations, and as consultants for business and government entities.

First-Year Fellows

The First-Year Fellows program gives first-year students the opportunity to engage in public policy early in their Dartmouth careers. Each year, 20-25 students are selected for summer placement in a diverse range of policy internships in Washington, D.C. with Dartmouth alumni mentors. Students gain valuable professional experience, live with their peers, and develop leadership, writing, and critical thinking skills during the fellowships.

Public Programs

The Rockefeller Center hosts public programs throughout the year. These events are open to all Dartmouth students. See some of our recent programs and upcoming events here.

Download a PDF version of this guide here.