Alumni News

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.

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) celebró un día completo de ceremonias, mientras los graduados de programas avanzados cruzaban el escenario en el Wellness and Events Center durante tres actos de graduación. La clase de maestría y doctorado de 2025 ejemplifica el compromiso de la institución con la investigación y la excelencia académica en una amplia variedad de disciplinas.

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.

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.

A bolt bounced off the floor and echoed throughout the makeshift construction zone erected in NJIT's Central King Building. The former theater hall has been repurposed into an engineering playpen, and sitting front-and-center is a 20-foot long bridge — and a cadre of frenetic undergraduates racing against a stopwatch to finish the build. "That's a deduction," said Thomas Hickey, the faculty advisor and former two-time student captain holding a stopwatch and click counter. A few more bolts wandered away from the bridge. A couple more clicks of the counter.

by Briana Foxx and Evan Koblentz

A passion for business grew for Pablo Perez Ramos at New Jersey Institute of Technology and spurred him to now pursue a master’s in finance at the University of Florida. His choice of graduate school also reveals his love for tennis, as UF won a national team championship in 2021 when now 13th ranked pro Ben Shelton played there. You see, Perez Ramos, who tallied an impressive 73-21 record in singles matches as a Highlander, will continue to compete as a Gator.

Standout seniors from NJIT’s Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts (HCSLA) are capping off their undergraduate journey with one last accolade for achievements across academics and research, athletics and campus leadership. Fresh from receiving the Outstanding Student Award at the HCSLA Awards Ceremony, these four students share their proudest NJIT moments, future goals and the lessons they’ll carry into the next chapter. Gala Krsmanovic, B.S. Cyberpsychology

Every year, NJIT’s detachment of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps graduates several successful cadets into the military officer ranks. Three members of the Class of 2025 spoke about their backgrounds that led them to the program, experiences during their time as Highlanders and future plans. The young men who will soon receive their commissions as second lieutenants are Fredy Aleman Jr., a computer engineering major from Elizabeth; Irvin Hoyos, an architecture major from Paterson; and Michael Ruzzi, an industrial engineering major from Trenton.