The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s statewide program, Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey (JAG NJ), was recently recognized for its work, and outstanding graduation rates of its students.
JAG NJ serves students in 18 programs across New Jersey. The program’s model includes classroom instruction, project-based learning, employer engagement, job and college placement services, and ongoing mentorship.
JAG NJ and its local chapters earned 12 national awards – nine “6 of 6” Awards and three “5 of 5” Awards at the 2025 JAG National Training Seminar held in Louisville, Kentucky from July 14-18. JAG NJ also took home regional awards for outstanding high school graduation rates.
“These awards reflect the commitment and passion of our educators, mentors, and, most importantly, our students,” Sandra Strothers, executive director of JAG New Jersey said. “JAG NJ is changing lives, and national recognition like this confirms that the work we’re doing is not only meaningful – it’s working.”
The “6 of 6” Awards are one of JAG National’s highest honors and are presented to state affiliates, regions, and school-based chapters that exceed six key performance metrics: graduation rate, employment rate, full-time employment rate, full-time positive outcomes, student connectivity rate, further education rate.
The “5 of 5” Awards are presented to programs serving middle school and high school underclassmen (freshmen and sophomores) that meet or exceed five nationally established benchmarks for student success and engagement.
“These results are driven by the trusting relationships our specialists build with students and the real-world preparation they provide,” Donna Custard, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation said. “We focus on career readiness, communication skills, leadership, and connection to caring adults – all things students need to believe in their futures.”
The 6 of 6 Award-winning programs for JAG New Jersey are:
- Barringer High School, Newark, NJ, Charles Shepherd, JAG NJ Specialist
- Camden High School, Camden NJ, Sheri Lowery, JAG NJ Specialist
- Eastside High School, Camden, NJ, Josephine Parr, JAG NJ Specialist
- Malcolm X Shabazz High School, Newark, NJ, Rafeeza Shahabudeen, JAG NJ Specialist
- New Brunswick Alternative School, New Brunswick, NJ, Joseph Kriete, JAG NJ Specialist
- Passaic High School, Passaic, NJ, Juan Izaguirre, JAG NJ Specialist
- Pinelands Regional High School, Little Egg Harbor Twp., NJ, Maureen Neuner, JAG NJ Specialist
- Plainfield High School, Cohort II, Plainfield, NJ, Jennifer Bogar-Richardson, JAG NJ Specialist
- Vineland High School, Vineland, NJ, Robert Rush, JAG NJ Specialist
The chapter 5 of 5 winners for JAG New Jersey are:
- Plainfield High School, Cohort I, Jennifer Bogar-Richardson, JAG NJ Specialist
- Rahway High School, Leon Bunion, JAG NJ Specialist
- Willingboro High School, Kenny Scott, JAG NJ Specialist
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JAG New Jersey has served over 1,000 students across the state this year and nearly 5,000 since the program was established in 2011. The 2024 cohort graduation rate is 99.5%.
Since its inception in 1979, JAG National has served over 1.7 million students nationwide. Currently, JAG is working with over 79,000 students in over 1,500 locations across the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
