Senior Success: HCSLA Awardee and Math Tutor Thomas Omiatek Pursues Mathematics Ph.D. at NJIT

Concluding our Senior Success series on honorees from the 2026 HCSLA Awards, we spotlight Thomas Omiatek ahead of Commencement 2026.

Academic excellence helped earn Thomas Omiatek the HCSLA Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award in Mathematical Sciences — but it was the hundreds of hours he spent tutoring peers in the Central King Building that set him apart.

We asked him to reflect on his commitment to mentorship, his most memorable experiences at NJIT and what lies ahead after graduation.

What’s next after graduation?

After graduating with my B.S. in Mathematical Sciences, I will be returning to NJIT to obtain my Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences. I enjoy the graduate courses I've taken and the faculty and current graduate students I have worked with, so it made sense to continue working here for the foreseeable future.

Where did you grow up, and what first brought you to NJIT?

I grew up in Hamilton, New Jersey. The incredible opportunities and resources provided by the Albert Dorman Honors College, along with the faculty and students I met at open houses and tours, encouraged me to study at NJIT.

How did you prepare academically for your field, and what were you most involved with at NJIT before receiving the award?

My academic focus has been in statistical and stochastic methods. I have taken several courses outside my degree requirements, such as Graph Theory, Probability Theory, and Advanced Applied Methods, to build a well-rounded mathematical foundation in preparation for graduate school.

In Spring 2023, I began working at the NJIT Math Tutoring Center, helping students with math at all levels. Since then, I have spent over 800 hours helping students improve their math skills. I have also served on the NJIT Student Senate since Fall 2024, serving as the Mathematical Sciences representative and as Vice President of Academic Affairs.

These opportunities allowed me to hone my leadership and teaching skills while contributing to initiatives that will have a lasting impact on students at NJIT.

Looking back, what’s the most important experience or lesson you’ll take with you from your years at NJIT?

The most important lesson I've learned is to talk with as many people as possible. Over the past four years, I have worked with students from many different backgrounds, each with unique reasons for coming to NJIT. Those conversations helped me better understand what I wanted to pursue after graduation.