Bridgewater RVCC Student Selected For New Princeton Transfer Scholars Initiative

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A Bridgewater resident is among 11 Raritan Valley Community College students to be selected to participate in Princeton University’s Transfer Scholars Initiative (TSI), a summer pilot program for community college students based at Princeton’s Emma Bloomberg Center for Access & Opportunity.

RVCC has the most students selected for the program among the seven New Jersey community college partners participating in the initiative. All tuition costs are being covered by the program, and participants will receive a stipend for travel and other expenses.

The RVCC students selected to participate in the Princeton TSI are:

• Ryker Chauhan (Lebanon)
• Steven Crawford (Somerville)
• Karla Guevara Duarte (North Plainfield)
• Benton Hellwig (Bridgewater)
• Ahmad Insanally (Somerville)
• Damian Juth (Bernardsville)
• Sokhna Niang (Califon)
• Olivia O'Donnell (Basking Ridge)
• Robert Pagliaro (Dunellen)
• Lucia Robertiello (Scotch Plains)
• Jared Smith (Hillsborough)

"We are very proud of our students who have been selected to participate in Princeton University’s Transfer Scholars Initiative this summer. The TSI program will offer them a wonderful opportunity to get acclimated to a prestigious, four-year university; grow from the academic experience; and learn more about the transfer process as they continue their higher education journey after RVCC," said Dr. Karen Bearce, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Raritan Valley Community College.

The 11 students, nominated by RVCC faculty, were selected for their academic excellence. The program, which will be held June 26-August 18, will offer students the opportunity to take two Princeton University courses and receive information about the transfer application process. The commuter program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university in the fall 2024 semester.

The RVCC participants will enroll in “Research and Argument in the Humanities & Social Sciences,” as well as another course focusing on quantitative/STEM subjects, based on their academic interests. Students may choose among such classes as “The Arts and Science of Computer Programming,” “Foundations of Engineering,” “Humanistic Approaches to Media and Data,” “Laboratory Research in the Life Sciences,” and “Visualizing Data.”

In addition to taking the Princeton courses, participants will receive support services surrounding the transfer process to four-year colleges and universities by participating in a number of workshops that continue through the fall. Workshops will focus on such topics as learning about financial aid; gathering information and recommendation letters; researching four-year institutions; drafting a personal statement; and selecting the right college. Participants also will be able to network with fellow students and faculty members, receive information about other programs on Princeton’s campus, and attend university events to learn more about life outside the classroom.

For additional information about the Transfer Scholars Initiative, visit tsi-ebcao.princeton.edu.