An S-STEM Alumnus Who Did It on His Own – With the Right Support
Rafael Abreu ’25 (Computer Science) came to the U.S. alone as a high school student from the Dominican Republic because he believed in the American dream: work hard, confront obstacles with grit and determination and create your destiny. He knew it would not be easy. But without risk there is no reward. Thanks to the S-STEM scholarship program and other forms of support he received while at NJIT, he was able to transform his ideas and ingenuity into a new — and better — reality.
“Educated people have power,” he said when asked what motivated him to apply to NJIT’s Ying Wu College of Computing (YWCC). He looked at other schools but wanted to be close to the heart of where tech was “booming” in New York City.
The fact that his uncle in Jersey City offered him an attic space to live in only made the prospect more attractive.
Today, Abreu works as a solutions engineer for Capital Group in Los Angeles, demonstrating how determination and a strong NJIT foundation can open doors across competitive markets.
“If I can do it, so can others!” he proclaimed with a smile.
His new reality did not come without challenges, but a passion for knowledge and a drive to succeed — with some help along the way — paid off in dividends.
The S-STEM Program and a 3.0 GPA
NJIT was one of five NJ institutions awarded a $1.38 million-dollar National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarship in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program grant in 2021. The program was designed to contribute to the national need for well-educated STEM professionals by supporting the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need.
Abreu is a proud alumnus of the inaugural NJIT cohort. However, he was initially not convinced that he could have been awarded out of so many other high-caliber students.
“I thought it was a scam!” he said with a laugh.
Professor Jim Geller, S-STEM program director for NJIT, assured him it indeed was not.
He was extremely grateful. But now, the stakes were higher: “Surviving meant I had to maintain that 3.0 GPA.”
Making a Difference
The S-STEM scholarship allowed him to quit several jobs, including being a cashier at Marshalls and a skateboarding delivery person, and devote time to the kind he knew would make a difference. He served as an English tutor for the EOP program at NJIT and as a substitute teacher for middle school.
It also afforded him the time to focus on his pursuit of becoming a great computer scientist – along with seeking mentorship from organizations such as America Needs You on how first-generation college students can prepare to understand workplaces, grow their networks, build resilience and launch vibrant careers.
“[They] gave me structure and guided me on how to listen and think,” he said.
Although Abreu loves his industry, he sees some of the latest advancements as more of a hindrance.
“My passion is technology, but some of it is trash! With platforms such as Instagram, Tik Tok – even ChatGPT to an extent - we have allowed ourselves to stop thinking,” he continued.
Determined to maximize opportunity and potential, Abreu also participated in summer research through the McNair Scholars program, which included attending conferences and workshops and building skills as a mentor for future incoming students.
Among NJIT student clubs and organizations, he helped to found the Hispanic Association of Computing College Students, (read the Spanish translation of the story here) and was a member of NJIT’s chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
The Journey Ahead
When Abreu received his job offer for Capital Group in February 2025, he once again had reservations about its authenticity: “It looked AI generated!” he laughed in what had now become a signature humble response when presented with something extraordinary.
The new job not only led him to the west coast but tasked him with “putting into practice what I had learned and learn more,” including a crash study in the finance industry.
Life has been a learning experience for Abreu beyond going to college. “I stay positive even when it gets tough,” he observed.
He credits NJIT and YWCC with giving him the guidance, support and inspiration to persevere and reach his goals and objectives despite several tests of will.
When asked what advice he would give to other first-generation college students seeking to study computing or any STEM field at NJIT, he replied simply, “Don’t ever give up.”