When Nicol Rodriguez took her seat earlier this month on the front lawn of the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse at Saint Elizabeth University in Morris Township, the sun was shining, a cool morning breeze moved across the grass, and she and her fellow soon-to-be graduates were all smiles.
But this was no ordinary graduation.
They were waiting for the bishop to bless their futures and for the university president to hand out their diplomas. They were also waiting to be inspired by the commencement speaker — the man whose administration made it possible for Rodriguez, 22, to go to college: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
Wearing a cap and gown and receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in English was simply unfathomable four years ago.
“I never would’ve expected to go to college,” she said. “A lot of people don’t have the opportunity to go to college, and [receive] more or less, a full ride for free.
“I was planning on dropping out of high school, and now to even fathom that I’m graduating is a really big thing. I’m very grateful.”
Rodriguez is one of 18 students sent to college by the Baraka administration’s Guaranteed Education Program. During the mayor’s commencement address, he acknowledged Rodriguez and the other graduating GEP students. They all stood as the crowd applauded to honor their accomplishments.
Baraka, as only he can do, delivered just the right words.
“I would like to tell you that today you made the devil a liar,” he said. “That every hole they dug for you, you climbed out of, every trap they set for you, you released yourself from and every stronghold, God has torn down for you. Today I want you to bathe in this moment and glorify yourself in this minute here and remember that this is your beginning and not your ending.”
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Eighteen Newark residents — 17 from Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown and one from Rutgers University-Newark — represent GEP’s first graduating class.
A collaborative effort between the mayor’s office, the Brick City Peace Collective, a coalition of 52 community-based organizations united to reduce violence through a public health lens, and other partners, this scholarship program gives at-risk Newark youth an opportunity to attend college and fulfill their career aspirations without amassing student loan debt. To date, approximately $2 million, from both public and community sources, has been invested in the program.
Launched during the summer of 2022, GEP was designed to help at-risk Newark high school students get accepted into and graduate from college.
Reports from the Newark City of Learning Collaborative stated that approximately 17% of Newark residents held a postsecondary degree. So, the city leadership set out to raise Newark residents’ graduation rates to 25% by 2025. BCPC director at the time, Kyleesha Wingfield-Hill, led the charge.
“Research has shown that there is not always a direct correlation between high school performance and success at the collegiate level. The goal of this initiative is to create opportunities where opportunities may not have previously existed,” Wingfield-Hill said.
BCPC was seeking to support students who had low GPAs with a parent who was currently incarcerated or recently released, first-generation college students, youth who lost a parent or sibling to gun violence or were themselves a victim of violence.
The popularity of the program saw over 150 students apply. It also was a window into future career opportunities. Wingfield-Hill, now the director of the City of Newark’s Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, remains an integral part of the program, providing social services and support ensuring the success of enrolled students.
“The individuals we serve through the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery often face significant challenges; however, we firmly believe that, with the proper support, guidance, and resources, they are capable of achieving extraordinary outcomes,” Wingfield-Hill said. “This program stands as a testament to that belief and to our commitment to investing in their potential.”
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A few days before graduating from Saint Elizabeth University, Rodriguez reflected on her time at school and living on campus.
“It’s amazing, honestly,” she said. “I see the mountains when I step out, and there’s a lot of trees, and you hear the birds.
“This is a small school and that’s a good thing. I know my professors.”
The transformative program’s approach was purposeful. Students were required to pursue academic study in one of four majors: social work, education, psychology, or nursing, ultimately filling the gap in the city’s employment needs. Graduates can find meaningful employment while the city builds a pipeline of homegrown talent that supports Newark’s economic growth.
“I want to give back. I want to come back to the city and just help out,” new grad Jaidyn Smith, 21, said.
Smith, earning a bachelor’s degree in social work, plans to return home to Newark and become a social worker.
“It’s also just like lending a hand, being kind, caring about your neighbor. Those are the principles I was raised on.”
The students excelled during their undergraduate experiences, with some finishing courses early, making the dean’s list and pursuing graduate school.
“When you invest in young people’s education, you invest in their future,” Jessiah Paul, the current Brick City Peace Collective director, said. “[GEP is] something we feel very confident about — investing in young people who were not even considering college.”
The next cohort of scholarship recipients is expected to graduate in 2027.
When her name was called that bright and breezy May morning, Rodriguez proudly walked to the podium with the confident stride of someone who knew what the moment meant. There, she accepted her diploma from Saint Elizabeth University President Gary Crosby.
Rodriguez plans to look for a job and work toward her substitute teacher certification, carrying with her a belief shaped by her own experience: Education can improve everyone’s quality of life.
“Being educated is the key to freedom,” she said.
The Newark News Bureau produces stories about the city, its businesses and its residents.
