Melissa DeCunto is a senior at NJIT, pursuing two Bachelor of Science degrees in business with concentrations in marketing, entrepreneurship and cyber psychology. After graduating in 2026, she’ll pursue her Master of Science in management and business analytics at NJIT.
But that doesn’t begin to describe DeCunto — or her future plans.
The founder and president of the NJIT book club and a self-published author, De Cunto is an advocate for neurodivergent-friendly reading spaces. At NJIT, she has built and maintains the little free library on campus to promote accessible reading for all students.
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She is a future leader in the state, which is why she was one of five college students honored Wednesday as Rising Stars during the first day of the NJ Women Business Leaders Forum.
The annual event, organized by the N.J. Business & Industry Association, makes it a point to highlight the next generation of leaders. Students like DeCunto.
Of Argentine heritage, DeCunto said she draws inspiration from her family’s resilience and immigrant journey.
As for the future, she said she is passionate about making literature accessible, inclusive and welcoming for all readers. She aspires to one day open a neurodivergent, friendly bookstore that merges literature, pop culture and advocacy.
DeCunto was one of two NJIT students so honored.
Zeynep Nalan Kus, a senior majoring in financial technology, has a passion for empowering young leaders. It led her to create and lead the Over the Horizons initiative, which has provided scholarships for high school students through community driven efforts.
At NJIT Martin Tuchman School of Management, she serves as president of the Dean’s Executive Leadership Council, where she represents the student body to university leadership, develops initiatives that enhance campus life and organizes events that connect students with industry professionals.
Her dedication to fostering opportunity, amplifying student voices and creating pathways for professional growth, has made a lasting impact, both within her university and her wider community. She hopes to continue bridging educational and professional opportunities for young leaders worldwide.
Rutgers University also had two honorees:
Laasya Kandakurti: A junior doubling major in psychology and cognitive science, with minors in linguistics and South Asian Studies, Kandakurti participates in research at the Hamilton lab, studying risk and protective factors for depression, suicidal thinking and self-injurious behaviors among adolescents.
She aspires to become a clinical neuropsychologist and start a mental health organization dedicated to reducing stigma in minority communities.
Alicia Oilivier: A recent graduate from Berkeley College, she has a passion for advocacy and service. As president of the Berkeley College student activities board and student assistant, she worked tonight students and foster a welcoming campus environment.
Now in her junior year at Rutgers, she’s working toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She aspires to become an attorney, to continue to hurt voice back with others and strengthen her community.
The final honoree was Alicia Brownstein of Bergen Community College.
A second-year student, she is pursuing an Associate of Science degree in business administration. She’s gaining real world business experience in part time work at marketing firm, and she enjoys volunteering as a member of Phi Theta Kappa International College Honor Society and through the Bergen Community College Thrive program.
