As Classes Begin, Meet 10 Highlanders Energizing Campus
NJIT welcomed its Class of 2027 during this year’s University Convocation, where first-year students from all schools were in attendance.
The new academic year has kicked off with a record number of students enrolled. Helping to fuel the new high water mark are 1,805 first-year students— an increase of 23% from the previous year — as of Sept. 1. This year’s incoming freshman class is the largest and most diverse in school history.
“We’re truly happy to have you join this community of learners, scholars, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs,” said NJIT President Teik C. Lim. “In choosing to enroll at NJIT, you chose to follow a path that will leave lifelong memories. Your decision to become a member of the NJIT community will serve you well in the years to come.”
Keynoting was Anuj Patel ’21, an Albert Dorman Honors College (ADHC) scholar. Patel is a mechanical engineer in design and manufacturing at the medical device firm Case Medical and gave advice to the first-year students and challenged them to figure out what they want in return for their investment during their studies at NJIT.
“What are you going to invest in NJIT and what do you want in return?” he asked the students. “You're investing your time, money, brainpower, social energy, and probably sleep. By the time you leave, what return do you want to get from NJIT?
Do you want to graduate with a high GPA? Do you want to become a student leader? Do you want to make lifelong friends and memories or do you want to land that dream job? You're in an incredible position here today,” he said.
This year’s freshman class includes students from 35 countries and 31 states, including Puerto Rico. Meet some of the students of this year’s incoming class:
Monica Vazquez and Kristin Shestko
First-year Hillier College of Architecture and Design students Kristin Shestko and Monica Vazquez both met in the Educational Opportunity Program.
Shestko, whose brother graduated from NJIT in 2018 and also went through EOP, says that her time at EOP has helped feel ready for the start of her college career. “It's been really helpful. I feel like I know way more stuff. I'm more prepared for classes.”
Vazquez, from West New York, New Jersey, is the first in her family to attend college. “It's something new, my mom was a bit worried since I'm her first daughter to go to college. There’s moments when it was a little difficult because I didn't have someone to help me as guidance, but thanks to EOP they helped me to prepare.”
Vazquez plans to join the club Society of Women Engineers, while Shestko is already part of the volleyball club.
“My grandfather and uncles were architects, and I really want to follow in their footsteps. I like the way buildings are designed and how things are made. I like knowing the process of things,” said Shestko.
Puja Bhavsar
Puja Bhavsar, a biology major, decided to come to NJIT because of its research opportunities. “Ranking as an R1 research university, NJIT has an impressive research funding that will allow me to focus on my area of interest. Furthermore, NJIT offers several combined degree programs, and as I was accepted into the 7-year BS/MD program, I had the opportunity to have admission in medical school as well. The close proximity to Rutgers Medical School in Newark offers me research and educational opportunities even before medical school,” she said.
From Troy, Michigan, Bhavsar has already performed research at the Case Western Reserve University laboratory through the Department of Biochemistry. Through reading and learning about DNA origami, she discovered nanotechnology's cutting-edge capability for medicinal drug delivery. She created a DNA origami report and worked on a podcast on DNA nanostructures. Over the past ten years she has learned Hindustani Classical Singing and recently held her debut concert this summer, earning her diploma in Hindustani Classical Music.
The Dorman scholar already has her eyes set on which research labs she wants to join in NJIT. “I have been interested in Spectroscopy since I learned some basics in high school IB Chemistry, and I would love to explore that further in the Chen Research Lab.
“Additionally, as an aspiring ophthalmologist, I am interested in the Vision and Neural Engineering Laboratory, directed by Dr. Tara L. Alvarez at NJIT,” she said.”
Audrey Kormann
Audrey Kormann, from Maple Grove, Minnesota, will be studying environmental engineering and make her debut with the women’s basketball team. In high school, she led the environmental club and also conducted research about recycling outside of school and interned at a local park working to protect invasive species, where she could continue expanding her passions for environmental protection.
She chose NJIT because she loved the balance between athletics and academics. She also enjoyed its proximity to NYC and all the opportunities this school will provide her. “I am looking forward to connecting with other freshmen, competing with my basketball team, engaging in my classes to learn new material, and finding new opportunities to explore my passions further,” said the Dorman scholar.
Anastasiia Volynska and Vasilisa Yukhno
For first-year ADHC students Anastasiia Volynska and Vasilisa Yukhno, it’s been an emotional journey to NJIT. Both have traveled far from home to forge futures, and yet, their thoughts often return to their native Ukraine.
“It is incredibly hard to be far away, especially because of the situation there. When the war started, my hometown was occupied and there was no means of communication with family and friends,” said Volynska, a Law, Technology and Culture major who left her home city of Bucha for Perkasie, Pennsylvania in 2021. “Fortunately, my parents were able to leave for safety but I’m still often thinking of home.”
“I’m constantly sharing video calls, messages and news updates with loved ones … I want to keep the spirit of my home city alive within me until I can reunite with them again,” said Yukhno, who left her home of Kharkiv for California more than two years ago as an exchange student. She’s now in NJIT’s forensic science program.
“Forensic science is something I’ve always wanted to study, and NJIT’s program is one of the best I've found anywhere. I've always dreamed of experiencing college life, so for me, this year is all about growth and making the most of every moment here.”
Similarly, Volynska sees NJIT as a place to grow, and perhaps, discover a home away from home.
“NJIT strikes me as a diverse school that supports all kinds of interests. … I’m excited about meeting new people and exploring Newark, and I know I’ll find a community that accepts me,” said Volynska, who is already planning to participate as a representative in the Student Senate and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. “I definitely feel like I can show my true self and be free to enjoy everything the university has to offer.”
Derrick Parker
First-year information technology major Derrick Parker, a commuter, chose NJIT because it’s relatively close to his home in Paterson, just outside of New York City and affordable.
Asked about his goals for the year, Parker said he wanted to “socialize, talk to new people, learn new culture.” To that end, he joined the Badminton Club — one of scores of student organizations on campus.
Arianna Chen and Alexis Colon
Arianna Chen and Alexis Colon both love making things.
Chen, from Cresskill, is a biology major. “I plan to do pre-med. I’m in the Honors College and I like the medical humanities track,” she said. Already a trained emergency medical technician, she plans to join the university first aid squad, so she can get started with helping people.
But she’s equally excited about mechanical and electronic hobbies. “I’m going to do the Baja racing club. I did robotics in high school. I’m planning on joining that too, if I have the time.”
“I like how small the campus is. I like how everything’s close by, there’s not a lot of walking to classes,” Chen said.
Alexis Colon also isn’t your typical wide-eyed freshman. He lives in Newark, attended Westside High School, and participated in NJIT’s Math Success Initiative. “I’m very familiar with this campus. I’ve been here for almost two years,” he noted.
Colon aims to achieve an architecture degree. “I’ve been wanting to study architecture since I was little, due to shows on HGT and stuff like that. I’m really interested in buildings and how they look,” he said.
“NJIT was a no-brainer for me,” the Educational Opportunity Program student said.
Colon is also looking to get involved with various clubs on campus. He is interested in physical fitness and tabletop gaming. His plan, to start: “In every class, make a friend.”
Peter Wala
Peter Wala is a financial technology major from Garfield. He selected NJIT because of its proximity to home and because he's excited about the school's scientific approach within Martin Tuchman School of Management.
Wala said he's joining the entrepreneur club, investing club, and Polish students club. Outside of school, his passion is acoustic guitar -- he likes the fast beat of flamenco music.
