NJIT Educational Opportunity Program Conference Brings Students, Alumni and Industry Together

NJIT’s Education Opportunity Program (EOP) recently hosted a marquee conference with over 100 attendees that brought together students, alumni and industry leaders. The conference featured speakers, panel discussions and Q&As regarding challenges and opportunities in the modern workplace and ways to provide benefits for first-generation college students.

To bring this conference to life, a steering committee was formed in 2021 and was composed of EOP alumni Lawrence Pelham ’74, David McMillan ’76, Co-Vice Chair of the NJIT Board of Trustees Norma Clayton ’81, Clifford Samuel ’88, ’19 (Hon.), Leon Baptiste ’91, and EOP alumni chair Mawulom Nenonene ’07. Further support was provided by Crystal Smith, executive director of the EOP; Kenneth Alexo, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations; and Marybeth Boger, VP for Student Affairs and dean of Students and Campus Life.

“Having entered the EOP program at what was then Newark College of Engineering in 1970, it was great to see that the program has survived and has continued to provide educational opportunities for more than 50 years,” Pelham said. “The number of students served each year has increased and it was notable how many current students are the first to go to college in their family.”

The conference began to take shape in early 2022 when Corie Pauling, senior vice president and chief inclusion and diversity officer at TIAA, accepted an invitation as keynote speaker. Pauling, a nationally recognized speaker on corporate and diversity issues wanted students to take away three words: “You. Got. This.” That sentiment turned out to be a throughline for the entire conference.

Joining the line-up of events was an alumni panel reflecting a variety of career paths. The panel featured David Morris ’75, Quovella Maeweather (Spruill) ’94, director of Public Safety, Franklin Township Police Department; Naseed Gifted ’01, vice principal at Newark Public Schools; Anita Hurtado-Strok ’03, director and chief of staff, Global Vaccines Operations at Merck; and Keicey Castle ’06, director of Student Recruitment for EOP.

“I wanted to let the students know that one of the great things about being young is that you can change,” said Maeweather (Spruill). “If you told me in 1994 that I’d be the director of a Police Department, after serving as the chief of detectives at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, I wouldn’t have believed you. A degree from NJIT allows you to develop a thinking process to decide what you want in life.” said Maeweather (Spruill).

“I believe that these [students] are this city's elite of tomorrow. These are the type of people we will need five, 10, 15 years from now.”

Paul Hoffman, chairman of NCE's physics department to The New York Times, Jan. 7, 1973

On the day of the conference, alumni of the first graduating EOP classes arrived early and reconnected, reminisced and swapped stories with Laurence (Tony) Howell, NJIT’s longtime EOP director. For many, it was their first time returning to NJIT’s campus since graduating.

Meanwhile, fresh from class, students began to filter in. Arriving in separate groups, they signed their names, and proudly added — without prompting — their own EOP cohort years.

Introducing keynote speaker Pauling was Elisa Charters ’92, ’93, EOP alumna, NJIT trustee and nationally-recognized speaker on creating economic opportunities for women and minorities: “I’m a first-gen EOP alumna, I’m here as a testament that NJIT’s educational support and mentorship, along with good old determination, which each of you has deep down inside, will lead you to success.”

Pauling picked up on that theme in her keynote address. “You are in seats now that will propel you to places where you can be the change you wish to see. … For example, I am a first-gen. I was raised to get a ‘good job.’ I’m an underrepresented minority, and African-American female. I’m most often in a room where I’m the only one. And I know the feeling of not having a safety net, not having a trust fund, and having that on my shoulders. … I believe that 30 years from now, you’ll be able to send a similar message to students who sit in front of you. You. Got. This.”

She connected with the audience through personal stories about her grandmother and mother, her later-in-life training and successful participation in 14 marathons, and her experience as both a civil rights lawyer and in her various roles at TIAA. She concluded her remarks with a clear message: “Do one thing to be the change you want to see.”

Following a Q&A with students, the alumni panel took the stage. Smith moderated the panel from the floor. She posed a question that clearly gripped the audience: “How, exactly, did you pivot to where you are now?”

Each panelist shared their personal journey from undergraduate student to their chosen career paths, and each was unique, with one clear commonality — EOP prepared them to make tough choices and succeed through any challenge.

“It can be hard, sometimes,” said Hurtado-Strok. “You can be dealing with so many personal issues, and professional and career challenges, and feel like you don’t know how to overcome them. But the thing you need to remember is that — what did we say before? —You. Got. This.”

Following the conference, the conversation continued at a reception in Eberhardt Hall. 

“Having the opportunity to connect with successful individuals like that is something I am extremely grateful for,” said Tammy Pelaez ’25. “As a first generation, Latinx-American, woman in STEM student, I was so thankful for … meeting people who were able to provide me details on future jobs, internships and more!”