From Math Success to NJIT Graduation: The Journeys of 4 Students from Newark

Speaker after speaker reinforced what Kevin Belfield, dean of the College of Science and Liberal Arts at New Jersey Institute of Technology, said about the university’s Math Success Initiative: “It takes a village to put a program like this together.”

The speakers were at a campus ceremony celebrating the first students to experience MSI and graduate from NJIT: Okyere Boateng, Brian Herrera-Calle, Catherine Ochoa and Steff Pitti.

The students exemplify the best of Newark, as each attended high school in the city before enrolling at NJIT. So, that’s why City of Newark Chief Education Officer Sharnee Brown and Assistant Superintendent of High Schools Maria Ortiz were among the speakers. Also, those city branches were key partners in creating MSI, as another speaker, former NJIT President Joel Bloom, pointed out.

The MSI experience

Math educators from the College of Science and Liberal Arts welcomed the first MSI enrollees during the summer of 2019. They experienced what it’s like to be on a college campus, taking courses taught by math faculty and attending college prep sessions provided by the Talent Search staff of NJIT’s Center for Pre-College Programs. That’s how MSI primes Newark high school seniors for higher education — regardless of where they enroll. 

The program continues during the academic year, with more classes and college prep on campus and culminates in a ceremony during the spring semester. A total of 131 students have completed MSI since the first cohort in 2019-20, and of those, 74 have enrolled at NJIT, according to Levelle Burr-Alexander, senior director of strategic planning and community initiatives at the center, which co-administers MSI with the College of Science and Liberal Arts.

The 2023-24 cohort of 21 is still deciding on where to attend college in the fall. All but two of them, however, have earned admission to NJIT.

At the ceremony, Burr-Alexander introduced the soon-to-be graduates and handed each a certificate and a gift. The center’s executive director, Jacqueline Cusack, served as a heartfelt emcee, personally thanking attendees by name for their support, including NJIT President Teik C. Lim and Provost John Pelesko. 

Once Boateng, Herrera, Ochoa and Pitti enrolled, they had the same hopes and fears of other first-years, excited about the opportunity but wondering if they could handle all the work, as Dean of Students Marybeth Boger recalled. Fortunately, they had not only the fortitude but also financial and emotional support, including scholarships and student services. And not only did they make it; they thrived.

The journeys

Boateng, who came from Science Park High School, majored in computer science at NJIT’s Ying Wu College of Engineering as a Newark Mayor’s Honors Scholar who became part of NJIT’s Albert Dorman Honors College. He also served on a subcommittee on community engagement for the development of the university’s new strategic plan. He’d like to start a business, ideally in Newark.

Herrera-Calle, from Technology High School, majored in mechanical engineering technology at NJIT’s Newark College of Engineering with support from NJIT’s Educational Opportunity Program. His next goal is big: become mayor of Newark.

Ochoa, also from Technology High School, earned a Jenny Scholarship and majored in civil engineering at the Newark College of Engineering. She has been admitted into NJIT’s master’s program for the same discipline, with a focus on construction management.

Pitti, yet another Technology High School alum, earned a Hanini Group Endowed Scholarship and majored in digital design at NJIT’s Hillier College of Architecture and Design as a first-generation college student. He’s creating a digital platform for personal animation and artwork, hoping to break into the video game and animation world.

Tenacity and grit 

Regardless of their pursuits, the first MSI students to reach the finish line at NJIT are well-equipped to deal with any challenges they may face, said Monique Paden-Hutchinson, director of TRIO, which provides the Talent Search college prep component of MSI.

“What tenacity and grit you’ve shown,” Paden-Hutchinson said. “You are ready to change the world — all of you!”

Certainly, a village of Highlanders helped change their worlds as well.