Alumni and Mentors Help Newark Students Succeed as NJIT Undergrads
A new student persistence effort at NJIT caters to first- and second-year undergraduates from the City of Newark and provides them with mentoring, networking and scholarly skills.
The Newark Future STEM Leaders program, sponsored by The Prudential Foundation, saw about half of eligible students opt-in for the fall 2025 semester.
One of them is Cindy Senat, a sophomore information systems major out of Newark’s Weequahic High School. The program taught her to advocate for herself and to not fear group participation or speaking up.
Senat said all of the students had to develop their personal elevator pitch. “The first time I said it out loud in person to someone, I realized that I had to go back and work on that … When I met with [Dean of Students] Boger alone, she helped me get comfortable,” as fears of sounding unprofessional or stumbling over her words melted away.
Senat now wants to join NJIT’s Women in Computing Society or one of the cybersecurity clubs. “I want to experience what it's like to be around different fields before I choose the field I go in,” she said. For next year’s students in the same position, “I would say speak to people and make some friends, because people who have experiences with being a new student, they know what it's like to face the different challenges or obstacles. Building community with other people would really support them.”
One of her mentors was Angela Arroyo — an NJIT alumna, adjunct instructor and Prudential Financial senior business systems analyst — who, like Senat, studied information systems. She talked to students about her experiences as a Latina working in financial technology. Arroyo is also the faculty adviser to ALPFA, the Association of Latino Professionals for America.
Among the current crop of young Highlanders from Newark, “I think there's a lot of passion and drive. And I think they start off with questions I wasn't thinking of at their age. All this interest in networking and mentorship — I had no idea of seeking a mentor. I was very much quiet and introverted, and I went the traditional class route, stuck to myself. I would have never done anything like this,” Arroyo noted.
“So I think they're very brave, and they do have that edge that they're willing to take the chance and also be uncomfortable. I told them that was very scary for me at their age, and they're willing to do it.”
University president Teik C. Lim stated, “Prudential and NJIT are two major anchor institutions in Newark, so it's only right that we support students from Newark. Part of our strategic plan is really to expand the number of Newark graduates from high school here to NJIT.”
For students in the program, “You know what it takes to be successful. I always say this. This school is a school of opportunity. Talent is everywhere. All of you are talented, but opportunity is not everywhere,” Lim observed. “As you move through life, it's not if you get the opportunity, it is when. You have to be ready, and a program like this prepares you for opportunities that might come before you know it. It could be a promotion, a scholarship, an internship, a co-op. It could be an opportunity to give a presentation — you’ve got to be ready. This program prepares you for that.”
“Supporting the Newark Future STEM Leaders Program at NJIT means investing in our hometown of Newark and the next generation of its leaders,” added Jasmyne Beckford, director of inclusive solutions at Prudential Financial. “Newarkers are go-getters. They're determined, they love their city and when given the right tools and resources, they are unable to unlock incredible opportunities.”
“Through wraparound support like academic tutoring, mentoring, career advising, and access to professional networks, this program helps students build the foundation to thrive at NJIT and pursue STEM careers, contributing to economic growth in Newark. We are proud of this opportunity and hope others will join us in strengthening this initiative and expanding opportunities for local talent.”