Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey again earns national recognition

Program, led by foundation of State Chamber, honored for high school career readiness program that has big impact

August 3, 2026

Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey, a program administered by the New Jersey
Chamber of Commerce Foundation, received multiple national awards recognizing its
success in preparing New Jersey students for college, careers and life.

The honors were presented on July 13 during the Jobs for America’s Graduates EDGE
Conference in Long Beach, California, where JAG affiliates from across the country
gathered to celebrate excellence and share best practices.

For the fifth consecutive year, JAG NJ earned the prestigious ‘6-of-6 Award’ for meeting
or exceeding all six of JAG National’s core performance metrics. Four programs also
met all five national performance benchmarks for non-senior JAG participants, grades
10-11.

The metrics recognize achievement in graduation rates, employment rates, full-time
employment, total positive outcomes, student connectivity and postsecondary education
enrollment, highlighting JAG-NJ’s commitment to helping young people successfully
transition from high school to higher education and the workforce.

Several JAG New Jersey educators and leaders received individual national honors for
their outstanding contributions to student success.

Leon Bunion, JAG Specialist at Rahway High School, was named 2026 New Jersey
Specialist of the Year, recognizing his exceptional leadership in delivering the JAG
program. Bunion also received the Employer and Community Impact Award for
connecting students with meaningful career opportunities and cultivating strong
partnerships with local employers.

Jennifer Bogar, JAG Specialist at Plainfield High School, and Maureen Neuner, JAG
Specialist at Pinelands Regional High School, each earned the JAG Advantage
Implementor Award for excellence in implementing the JAG model and helping students
achieve positive outcomes.

The JAG Cornerstone Award – New Jersey was presented to Elizabeth Clark, a former
JAG faculty member and specialist who now serves as a management consultant for
JAG New Jersey. The award recognizes individuals whose behind-the-scenes
leadership strengthens the JAG mission by building trust, fostering a sense of belonging
and ensuring students feel supported, valued and prepared for success beyond high
school.

Donna Custard, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation, said
the impact of the program cannot be overstated.

“Each year, about 100,000 students enter their senior year of high school in New
Jersey, and roughly 91,000 graduate,” she said. “JAG New Jersey is focused on the
students who are at risk of not crossing that stage. We help them earn their diplomas
while equipping them with the skills, confidence and support they need to succeed in
college, careers and life.”

Sandra Strothers, executive director of Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey,
agreed.

“For more than 40 years, Jobs for America’s Graduates has transformed the lives of
young people across the country, and for more than a decade JAG New Jersey has
helped more than 5,000 students gain the skills, support, training and mentoring they
need to succeed after high school.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our students and grateful for our outstanding JAG specialists,
employer partners, funders, advisory board members and volunteers. Their commitment
has opened doors for countless young people, and these national awards reflect both
the remarkable achievements of our students and the dedication of everyone who helps
them reach their goals.”

Here’s how the JAG NJ program works.

Students chosen by teachers and guidance departments study leadership and
employment skills. They also receive academic support, access to inspiring guest
speakers, tours of local businesses and mentoring as they consider pursuing college or
a career.

Students take the program as an elective course and have the opportunity to attend
statewide and national conferences where they befriend and compete with program
participants from all over the nation. Graduates of the program continue to receive
support for 12 months after high school graduation to help them as they transition into
college or a career.

JAG New Jersey has served more than 1,000 young people annually across the state
and over 5,000 since the program was established in 2011. The 2025 cohort graduation
rate was 100%.

Since its inception in 1979, JAG National has served over 1.8 million young people
nationwide. Currently, JAG is working with over 80,000 students in over 1,500 locations
across the U.S. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Also receiving the ‘6-of-6 Award’ were JAG-NJ chapters in the following schools: