15 Years of Empowering Local NJ Students & Communities
A Summary of “Encouraging young New Jerseyans: 15 years of Rutgers Future Scholars“
For 15 years, Rutgers Future Scholars (RFS) has provided a transformative path to higher education for first-generation and low-income students throughout New Jersey. Starting in seventh grade, participants receive a comprehensive array of support, including mentoring, academic coaching, social-emotional enrichment, early college credits and summer programs. The initiative, led by University-wide Program Director Kim Williams, primarily serves students from Newark, New Brunswick, Piscataway, Camden and Rahway.
RFS’s impact is evident in its approximately 70% college acceptance rate to Rutgers per cohort, and the success stories are plentiful. One Piscataway family, for example, saw three siblings complete the program—two of whom became software engineers at Google. The program’s nine-year commitment (from middle school through college graduation) is made possible through partnerships with donors like P. Roy Vagelos, a Rahway High School graduate and former Merck CEO, who significantly expanded the program to Rahway in 2016.
The support extends well beyond academic achievement. Participants often return to guide younger cohorts, hosting career fairs and workshops that empower the next generation. School of Arts and Sciences senior and RFS participant, Briana Rosa, underscores the program’s importance in helping her navigate complicated processes like financial aid and personal statement writing. As a first-generation student, she relied on RFS to fill the gaps her parents could not address.
By offering a supportive community and critical resources, Rutgers Future Scholars continues to level the educational playing field for students, ensuring they have every opportunity to thrive both at Rutgers and beyond.
For the original Daily Targum article by Riddhi Patel, please check out Encouraging young New Jerseyans: 15 years of Rutgers Future Scholars.