Stockton University has announced a transformative $2 million initiative aimed at revolutionizing STEM education access for Atlantic County students. The Levine-Gormley STEM Scholars Pathway Program, launched in partnership with the Levine and Gormley Family Foundations, will provide significant financial aid and a structured support system for local students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The program offers eligible students up to $10,000 per year in scholarships, renewable for up to four years, totaling a potential $40,000 in support per graduate.
The initiative is designed as more than just a financial grant; it is a “cohort-based” model intended to build community and ensure long-term academic success.
Key features of the program include:
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Early Identification: A selection committee will identify high-achieving juniors at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) and other local schools for early decision admission.
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Accelerated Degrees: Students can utilize dual enrollment courses to earn college credits while still in high school.
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Cohort Support: Up to 10 students per year will move through their degree programs together, receiving aligned advising and peer support.
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Professional Integration: Students will have access to internships at AtlantiCare and exposure to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Strategic Innovation Center.
The donors—former State Senator Bill Gormley and his wife Ginny, along with Lee and Sandra Levine—are longtime Atlantic County residents with a history of local philanthropy. For Lee Levine, a graduate of Atlantic City High School, the goal is simple: keep local talent at home.
“This program will help local gifted kids become educated here,” Levine said. “And if they’ve been educated here, maybe some of them will stay here, and we can develop a city and a county that’s tech-oriented.”
President Joe Bertolino emphasized that this partnership reinforces Stockton’s role as a regional “Anchor Institution.” By centering enrichment programming at the university’s Atlantic City campus, the program connects students directly to the urban heart of the region.
“Today, we’re celebrating a gift that goes far beyond dollars,” President Bertolino said. “It tells students: You matter. You belong here. And Stockton is here for you.”
Local leaders, including State Sen. Vince Polistina and AtlantiCare CEO Michael Charlton, praised the move as a vital component of the region’s “Vision 2030” strategy. By funneling qualified local residents into sectors like healthcare, gaming enforcement, and social innovation, the program aims to fuel long-term economic mobility.
The Levine-Gormley STEM Scholars Pathway Program follows a previous $100,000 donation from the families last November, which established a fund for Stockton’s Master of Social Work students.
