Four graduating seniors from the Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) have been named the inaugural recipients of the Levine-Gormley STEM Scholars Pathway Program scholarships at Stockton University.
The students—Sarah LoVullo, Shaina Mendonsa, Shabiha Wardi, and Azul Peralta Lopez—were surprised with the news earlier this month, marking the official launch of a major educational initiative aimed at fostering local talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The scholarship program was established in January following a $2 million donation to the Stockton University Foundation by longtime Atlantic County leaders Lee and Sandra Levine and Senator Bill and Virginia Gormley.
Beyond the four-year scholarships for the graduating seniors, the program provides funding for 22 ACIT juniors to enroll in dual-credit courses at Stockton’s Atlantic City campus over the next year. At a recognition ceremony held June 15, Stockton President Joe Bertolino praised the donors, calling the initiative a “powerful example of partnership” that strengthens the regional workforce.
The scholarship aims to break down financial and structural barriers for local students. “This initiative was created in response to a clear opportunity—to ensure that talented local students have not only access to STEM pathways, but that they also have the structure and resources they need to succeed,” said Dan Nugent, Stockton’s vice president for University Advancement.
The program’s reach extends beyond the classroom; through partnerships with regional anchors like AtlantiCare and Oracle, students will also gain access to internships and real-world professional experiences.
For the students, the scholarship represents a life-changing opportunity. Sarah LoVullo, who intends to major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, plans to pursue a career in pharmacy, while Azul Peralta Lopez aims to become a speech pathologist through Stockton’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program.
The donors emphasized that the program is intended to encourage the region’s best and brightest to build their careers locally.
“By educating talented local students right here, this program creates a real opportunity for them to remain in the area,” Lee Levine said. “Over time, that could help build a tech-focused city and county that attracts others.”
Senator Bill Gormley echoed this sentiment, noting that the initiative relies on a shared commitment to the future of Atlantic City. “When we all work together like this, we give the next generation a real chance to succeed and to give back to the community that shaped them.”
