Danna Valentina Sanchez Hernandez’s path to becoming a researcher began long before she arrived at NJIT. Growing up in Colombia, she developed an early fascination with science by attending medical conferences alongside her parents — both physicians — and learning about clinical trials and biological research. But her passion for biomedical engineering didn’t crystallize until she enrolled in dual-enrollment courses at Universidad CES.
When Larissa Cavalcante walked across the stage to receive her civil engineering degree from NJIT, she didn’t just celebrate personal achievement. She sent a message to the next generation of girls who dream big but might not yet see themselves in the picture: You can do this and more.
Katya Cunha took the stage at Commencement 2025 amid a wave of major honors — NJIT’s Presidential Award, selection as Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts' gonfalon carrier and the sole national recipient of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Undergraduate Award, a distinction that may now help launch her career as a forensic chemist.
Alexis Palmere is riding the wave of excitement from commencement day, and with good reason. The biochemistry major from West Orange graduated summa cum laude and is set to begin her chemistry Ph.D. studies at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall.
When asked about her personal NJIT highlight, Palmere pointed to her research.
Persevere, be authentic, remain flexible and make a difference in the world, speakers told the Class of 2025 at New Jersey Institute of Technology’s undergraduate commencement.
Of the thousands of students graduating from New Jersey Institute of Technology today, many will bring their families to take pictures on the grassy hill in front of Eberhardt Hall — it's a university tradition.
A line quickly formed at noon as students made their way back from official commencement ceremonies at Newark's Prudential Center. Several new alumni spoke about their memories and next steps.
New Jersey Institute of Technology served up a full day of fanfare as its advanced degree graduates walked across the stage in the Bloom Wellness and Events Center in three commencement ceremonies. The 2025 master’s and doctoral class exemplifies the institution’s commitment to research and scholarship across a diverse range of disciplines.
Gabriel Rapoport’s journey into industrial design began long before he knew the field had a name. From a young age, he was curious about how everyday objects were designed, constructed and refined to improve life.
That childhood fascination evolved into a drive to become one of the creators shaping that world. Now, as he prepares to graduate from NJIT’s Hillier College of Architecture and Design, Rapoport reflects on a college experience marked by resilience, creativity and growth.
Alessandro Negri’s road to business came through volleyball.
When he arrived at New Jersey Institute of Technology in January 2022, he planned to major in biology. But two teammates on the volleyball team, Joseph Kennedy and Martin de Chavarria, shared their textbooks on finance and economics and Negri was intrigued.
Time management and discipline were key to Arina Babkova’s success as a graduate student at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Why? Because she completed her master’s in management at NJIT’s Martin Tuchman School of Management in two semesters while playing Division I tennis at a high level in the spring and fall. Her mentors were impressed.
