GOALS Program (Goal Oriented Advocates Leaders and Scholars)

GOALS Program Picture

GOALS Program logo

The GOALS GEAR UP Program serves over 180 students in grades 7 through 12 at Atlantic City and Pleasantville Public School Districts. We are actively recruiting new students from our partner schools! Please click ‘Apply Today’ to join our GOALS GEAR UP Program! Laptops may be borrowed from our accepted students to participate in virtual programming!

Book an Appointment with GOALS Staff

Mission

The GOALS GEAR UP Program (Goal Oriented Advocates Leaders and Scholars) at Stockton University mission is to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GOALS Program serves over 180 students, 7th through 12th grade from the Atlantic City and Pleasantville Public School Districts.

Program Objective

To provide participants with a solid foundation to create a school-to-college pipeline designed to empower and equip students with skills and academic ability to successfully complete postsecondary programs leading to careers in fields, in which persons from minority and/or disadvantaged backgrounds are underrepresented.

GOALS have an Academic Year program and a Summer Enrichment program, which is designed to enhance students’ intellectual abilities in math, science, English, public speaking, and computer science. Also, an emphasis is placed on socio-emotional learning, cultivating self-esteem, and developing leaders who will be prepared to navigate postsecondary education and enter the workforce. The academic year program includes a collaboration with the target school to provide academic and career counseling, mentoring, Saturday Academy, which consists of instructional classes, assisting with college applications and financial aid forms, and visits to universities in the tri-state area.

GOALS Program at Stockton University - Atlantic City Campus is supported by funds from New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, GEAR UP, Pleasantville Public School District, Atlantic City School District, and Stockton University.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the program offer?

Academic and Summer enrichment program on Stockton University-AC Campus
Academic and career counseling
Assistance with college applications and FAFSA completion
Educational field trips and college visits for exposure to post-secondary education;
Financial aid information workshops
Standardized test preparation
Mentoring
Parental Activities
Saturday Instructional classes
Extensive "knowledge on" college admission process and assistance for all seniors

What are the requirements?

Students must attend one of the target schools listed

Atlantic City Public School District:

Atlantic City High School
Sovereign Avenue School
New York Avenue School
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School Complex
Uptown School Complex
Richmond Avenue School
Texas Avenue School
Chelsea Heights School
Pennsylvania Avenue School

Pleasantville Public School District

Pleasantville High School
Middle School of Pleasantville

GOALS Program Staff

Destiny Talley, Director
Destiny.Talley@stockton.edu

Roxana Perez Nieves, Lead Academic/Career Counselor
Roxana.Perez-Nieves@stockton.edu

Ty're Robinson, Academic/Career Counselor
Ty're.Robinson@stockton.edu

Johanna Holts, Program Assistant
Johanna.Holts@stockton.edu

Stockton 'GOALS Program'
Stockton University
3711 Atlantic Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
609-761-1229

Senior Information

In New Jersey, students have access to a variety of postsecondary institutions including two-year community colleges, four-year college and universities and proprietary schools. These institutions provide highly diversified programs of study to meet the individual needs of students as you prepare for future careers.

GOALS Program will provide students with college readiness to ensure they are ready to enter and graduate from post-secondary education.

At many institutions, the SAT/ACT test is now optional, but we encourage GOALS Program students to take this exam for academic scholarship consideration.
Review your transcript to see if you have taken the necessary courses for admission to college. Work with your counselor to adjust your roster if necessary.
Strive to maintain an “A” or “B” average.
Continue visiting college campuses. Meet with college admissions officers whenever possible.
Attend college fairs and admissions presentations in your area.
Select 3-6 colleges or universities and complete applications to those schools in the Fall. Process all college applications through your guidance counselor.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid in October.
Discuss scholarship opportunities with your guidance counselor and College Access Coordinator.
Research scholarships and apply for those that interest you.
Make sure you visit your most interested universities and carefully review financial aid data, consider all variables involved before selecting your college.
Keep abreast of any placement tests or orientation programs at your college. Don’t miss any important deadlines regarding enrollment and/or housing deposits.

Apply to schools that most suit your interests and your objectives. You can obtain applications by applying online through a college's web site or by The Common Application.

Essential Scholarship Resources

Choosing a Career is a difficult task but utilizing the links below will help you discover more about your interests and skills while assisting with your decision making.