STEM Innovation Academy Graduates Coming to NJIT
The inaugural class at the STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges held a graduation ceremony on June 25 at the NJIT Campus Center, capping four years of cooperation between Orange Public Schools and NJIT's Center for Pre-College Programs (CPCP) that aims to create a pathway to college for students historically underrepresented in technical majors and careers.
Every student in the class of 2021 has been accepted to college, including five who will start at NJIT in the fall.
The idea to invest in a STEM program started with then-Superintendent of Orange Public Schools, Ronald C. Lee, and Tina Powell, the director of mathematics, science and STEM at Orange Public Schools and Orange Mayor Dwayne D. Warren. In 2017, NJIT CPCP signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate the students into the university’s Options program allowing high school juniors and seniors to take courses at their high schools with NJIT-approved instructors, syllabi and course materials. Students who successfully complete an Options course receive college credit, high school credit and an NJIT transcript. The students are considered to have dual enrollment.
Four years later, speeches and cheers filled the room of weepy and elated students, families and educators. NJIT, the program’s first home, was an appropriate location for the event. Fresh out of middle school, the students attended class together on the NJIT campus in 2017 while their facility in South Orange underwent renovations. A school bus crash forced an early return to their high school, but the students persevered, as the program meant more to the community than just an inside track to college.
“When I was told that students of color don’t have the capacity to conduct scholarly research, I said they can. When I was told that many of our students don’t have a true passion for STEM courses. I said they do,” Powell said from the podium. She was the liaison between the district and NJIT. “I feel like I’m graduating with you.”
In May of 2020, the current Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh announced that the STEM Innovation Academy was rewarded with its own County-District-School code, certifying it as the district's newest standalone high school.
"Education is about preparation and inspiration." - Ismael Ituarte Perez, NJIT '25
“This program is a good environment to gain exposure to more opportunities,” said Bradley Petit, an incoming NJIT freshman planning to study computer science. “I wouldn’t have done computer science without the STEM Innovation Academy.”
Celine Jobson, who plans to study biomedical engineering at NJIT, likes the idea of earning college credits now. She’s already eager to graduate college. “It’s financially healthy,” said Jobson. “It also helps my career come faster.”
“Dealing with everything from the bus crash to building credits, I had to stay dedicated and disciplined,” said Tairi Johnson, another incoming freshman. “We roll with the punches, and it gets easier.”
“All throughout, we faced challenges,” said Junior Morocho, another computer science-hopeful at NJIT. “We were freshmen here. Everyone helped each other and we became a real family. We succeeded together.”
“You started here, and NJIT will always be here for you,” Jacqueline Cusack, executive director of pre-college programs, told the students after the ceremony. “You’re family now.”
“I’m proud of them, especially when I think about their rocky start and how they persevered through it all to get here,” Cusack added. “Seeing them graduate was a very special moment.”
