Students end vacation early for a valuable head start on college

A new cohort of high-achieving diverse students entering Rutgers Business School as B-STARs celebrated the completion of a program that offers them an early start to classes and campus life.

The summer bridge session is considered “Phase One” of Rutgers Business School’s Business Student Transition, Access and Retention Program. This year, there are 70 new B-STAR students on Rutgers Business School’s two campuses, nearly double the size of the program 10 years ago.  

In his opening remarks, Assistant Dean Charles Brown, who leads Rutgers Business School’s Social Mobility, Access, Innovation and Leadership Office, described the ceremony as a time “to celebrate achievements and potential.”

The celebratory dinner ceremony inside Ruth Bader Ginsberg Hall was crowded with family members of the students as well as Rutgers Business School leaders, faculty and staff.

With a mix of introspection and humor, four of the students – Oluwafunmiola Jegede, Sean Dockery, Wesley Chu and Karol Agila – described the experience of forging friendships, gaining confidence and acknowledging the supportive network around them.   

B-STAR alumnus Joshua Christie, who graduated in 2016, shared his career journey as a visual strategist. He is currently a marketing and communications coordinator at the Morristown Beard School.

“Purpose begins with curiosity,” Christie told the students. “As you begin this journey, stay curious.”

Muqkadeem Poole and Diana Alzate, senior program coordinators, who guided the students through the six-week program, introduced the student speakers and continued cheering the students on.

“We’re not done,” said Poole told the students. “This is just the beginning,” he said.

In September, the students begin phase two of the B-STAR Program, which continues through their graduation.