The workshops were designed and conducted by members of NBEF’s College & Young Professional Network’s Training Team. This group of NBHS and New Brunswick Health Sciences Technology High School (NBHSTHS) alumni included Jessica Varela, MBA (Team Leader), NBHSTHS Class of 2007, Edson Martinez, MSW, LSW, NBHS Class of 2011, Tahj Burnette, MSW, LSW, NBHS Class of2014, Melanny Acuna Diaz, NBHS Class of 2017, Hugo Alexis Martinez and Ayanna Slacum, both from the NBHS Class of 2021. 

The training for the AVID seniors was titled “Pathway to First Day.” During this session, the NBEF facilitators outlined the important milestones students can expect over the summer leading up to their first day of college. These checkpoints included applying for FAFSA, attending orientation, and receiving their first term bill. Students were also engaged in discussion regarding their hopes and fears in anticipation of starting college.

The workshop for the AVID juniors was called “A Goal without a Plan is just a Dream”,where they were exposed to SMART Goal planning, participated in hands-on scenarios for planning out goals, and created their own goal map. This workshop served as an additional motivation and encouragement for students to believe in themselves.

The event, which ran from 6-8 pm, included dinner for the 50+ participants, a presentation by Evelyn Rosa (Director of the Middlesex College-New BrunswickCenter and staff) that oriented students on the academic programs and student life of the MC-NB Center; and the evening culminated with a raffle drawing with gifts cards (i.e., Stop & Shop, Walmart, Restaurant, etc.) and NBEF CollegeScholarships.    

This awesome program marked the second year that NBT partnered with NBEF to implement exposures for NBHS AVID students that focuses on College and Career Pathways; and is part of a multifaceted collaboration between the two organizations. A key initiative of this exciting partnership are 10 annual scholarships (totaling $12,000.00) that NBT is sponsoring through NBEF’s Scholarship Program (see the 2022 recipients below). NBT is proud to join in with NBEF and its donors to deliver much-needed financial support for NBHS and NBHSTHS graduates to pursue higher education. NBEF launched its Scholarship Program in 2007 with $5,000.00 awarded to 5 students at$1,000.00 each (3 from NBHS, and 2 from NBHSTHS). The program has since grown to over $800,000.00 (including NBEF’s presentation of 86 scholarships at its Awards Gala held on June 9th at the Pines Manor in Edison, totaling $86,000.00!!!). Stay tuned for what NBEF and NBT has planned for College and Career Pathways designed to equip and empower New Brunswick youth and young adults.

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