Alumni News

As the federally supported COVID-19 Community Vaccination Center at New Jersey Institute of Technology entered its final days, leaders of the operation that ultimately delivered 221,450 vaccinations in 90 days recognized each other for their cooperation, professionalism and humanity. Officials from FEMA, the National Guard, U.S. Air Force, N.J. Department of Health, N.J. State Police and NJIT spoke during a ceremony inside the center, even while Air Force personnel continued to deliver vaccinations. 

A new program called “Blueprint” will launch this fall, with the aim to provide career readiness to selective students in the architecture and interior design programs at Hillier College and Kean University.  Advisory board member Brenda Nyce -Taylor, who is managing director and principal in Gensler’s Morristown office, in partnership with colleagues at Gensler and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Interim Director of the School of Art + Design, John Cays, have come up with a plan to work with college students on career preparation.

Tommy Rodrigues ‘16 came to Hillier College’s industrial design program while employed in the roofing industry. Now he is working at Tesla, based in California, in the role of staff mechanical design engineer. He is part of a team of engineers developing Tesla Solar Roof. He took some time out to share his experience and the value of an industrial design education.  AS: You were already working in the roofing industry when you came to NJIT, did you consider other program options such as architecture or engineering and how did industrial design win out?  

New Jersey Institute of Technology has accepted an invitation from the Southland Conference and will join the NCAA Division I league as an associate member in the sports of men's and women's tennis, effective for the 2021-22 academic year. "We are very happy to welcome NJIT tennis to the Southland, and we look forward to providing the Highlanders' men's and women's teams with an outstanding NCAA postseason experience," Southland Commissioner Tom Burnett said. 

Advances in building science to lower the carbon impact of the built environment continue to be made in architecture and construction; the use of smart and sustainable materials, renewable energy and efficient mechanical systems are consistently improving building performance.

Three teams of student engineers are showcasing their applied research this week at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Student Design Expo, as they vie for a second round of funding from the EPA’s People, Prosperity and the Planet program, which aims to spur new systems and technologies that advance sustainability.

Ying Wu College of Computing at its NJIT @JerseyCity location will offer new master's degrees in information systems and business information systems this fall, to meet demand from local technology professionals for graduate-level education. The new degrees will bring the number of master’s programs offered at NJIT @JerseyCity to five. The location also offers five graduate certificate programs.

Got a can’t-miss podcast idea that could be next Serial, Pod Save America or Ricky Gervais Show?  There’s a growing student-podcasting community for aspiring broadcasting personalities at NJIT thanks in part to a new podcasting production course launched this past spring by NJIT Communications and Media Program Director Christopher Funkhouser. Funkhouser is imparting his nearly 40 years of broadcasting expertise to students with flair for chatting on the mic and getting creative. 

NJIT baseball sophomore Ryan Fischer was named to the NCAA Fayetteville All-Regional Team, it was announced late Monday evening at the conclusion of the four-day event.  Fischer helped lead the Highlanders to their first-ever NCAA Tournament win on Saturday, tossing seven innings while allowing just one run as NJIT held off CAA Champion Northeastern 3-2 at Baum-Walker Stadium.