Program helps ‘scholars’ advance in classroom

Without opportunity, there is no hope.
At least that is the standard Aramis Gutierrez thinks is true as the Rutgers Future Scholars Program Director.
The program provides the opportunity of a college education at any three of the University’s campuses for first-generation, low-income and academically promising middle school students mostly from the University’s four communities: New Brunswick, Piscataway, Newark and Camden.
“We are nearly 400 scholars strong across our four neighboring communities,” Gutierrez said. “Scholars are determined, but what RFS provides is the guidance and support necessary in taking their hope and offering an opportunity.”
University President Richard L. McCormick said the goal of the program is to increase the number of students who complete high school and pursue higher education, especially those students who come from urban areas.
“The reason we started this is because it’s the right thing to do, but also because — although our student body is extremely diverse — most of that diversity comes from suburban New Jersey, not urban New Jersey, and especially not from the older, industrial cities like the ones that our University is located in: New Brunswick, Newark and Camden,” he said.
The program — which began last summer — is seeing significant progress, he said. Students completed writing, mathematics, humanities and writing courses taught by University professors, and they performed exceptionally well.
“We have built strong academic alliances with the English department, writing
program, the law schools, School of Arts and Sciences, Camden’s School of Fine and Performing Arts, and [we] have partnered with other pre-college outreach programs,” he said.
Various schools also reported significant improvement in students’ performance overall, Gutierrez said.
“Scholars’ grades have improved, [and there is] increased participation in classroom discussions, attendance rates [and] assumed leadership roles in their respective schools,” Gutierrez said. “But what is immeasurable is their newfound or greater sense of self and their wisdom regarding what it takes to be successful.”
But the success does not come that easy.
There are a number of requirements students must meet in order to remain in the program, Gutierrez said.
Students enrolled in the program are required to complete summer enrichment programs and weekend seminars, as well as maintain a B average and 98 percent attendance rate, he said.
“Scholars understand what is at stake and all are committed to their futures,” Gutierrez said.
To be eligible to apply for the program, students have to be strongly recommended by their teachers, he said. Students must also be in the seventh grade, demonstrate financial need as well as academic potential, and be in good academic standing to be admitted into the program.
Kelvin Rogers, a guidance counselor at Conackamack Middle School in Piscataway, said the program helps students learn to cope with the vigorous and challenging college lifestyle such as being punctual and keeping up grades.
“All these things come with going to college,” he said. “You have to be on time, you have to be responsible — the program shows all of these things.”
Rogers said he saw significant progress in many of the students in the program and parents informed him that they saw big changes in their children’s overall performance.
Students also have the opportunity to show off their other talents.
One scholar is currently designing limited edition T-shirts for the program in collaboration with Marc Ecko’s Sweat Equity Enterprises, Gutierrez said.
Vice President for Enrollment Management Courtney McAnuff said the program has done a remarkable job in securing funds to help the program grow.
“We’ve garnered a lot of community and a lot of business support,” McAnuff said. “I think this year we raised about $1.2 million in outside contributions for [Rutgers] Future Scholars, and quite a few corporations are coming on board to assist.”
He said the program started with 186 students and only lost two, who moved out of state.
“Our contention is that if we are successful with these kids, it’s going to be a significant boost to the state and to their communities — not to mention changing their lives,” McAnuff said.
Gutierrez said program participants — like those in Upward Bound and the Educational Opportunity Fund Program — reflect a community of learners underrepresented at the University.
“The state University of New Jersey should be reflective of its people and collectively we are working towards that goal,” he said. “A diverse community of critical thinkers and innovators will only further enrich our classrooms, our state and the nation.”

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