GOALS’ Student to Leader Pipeline is Successful
Jamiah Bailey (third from left) participated in GOALS/GEAR UP's six-week Summer Academy as a high school sophomore. She is now a student mentor within the program, which helps to introduce middle and high schoolers to life on campus as a university student.
Galloway, N.J. — This time next year, the students who joined Stockton University’s college-preparedness program, GOALS/GEAR UP, as seventh graders will have applied for and been accepted to colleges and universities as high-school graduates, armed with the knowledge and skills that were earned through completing the program.
GOALS/GEAR UP — which stands for Goal-Oriented Advocates, Leaders and Scholars – Gaining Early Awareness for Undergraduate Programs — is a program that enables students in grades 7-12 to envision themselves in college before taking the leap and applying.
They do this through various programs that allow middle- and high-school students to explore the campus, participate in academic and social enrichment activities and build relationships with each other and the program’s counselors.
Through the six-week Summer Academy, students Jamiah Bailey and Ahnjeles Maldonado grew from high school students to university student leaders who are active and involved on Stockton’s campus. This year, both decided to return to the program as student mentors, sharing what they have learned and helping students get on the same trajectory as them.
Bailey heard about the GOALS program through Atlantic City High School (ACHS)’s morning announcements during her sophomore year. She knew she wanted to go to college, so she applied to the program and was soon on her way to learning more.
Unfortunately, imposter syndrome made Bailey feel like she didn’t belong in the program. Luckily, the counselors and her peers were there for her throughout it all, and her fears “drifted away by the end of the first week.”
Bailey always thought being a counselor would be fun, but she’s starting to see the kind of impact she could make on students in the program as a mentor, like how counselors influenced her.
“They really helped me get out of my comfort zone and pushed me to advocate for myself,” Bailey said. “They helped open new doors and guided me down unfamiliar and challenging paths. They believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. I truly can't thank them enough, so I'm doing my best to give back and make them proud!”
Maldonado was a high school senior and part of Atlantic City’s Leaders in Training program when she heard about the GOALS program. Soon after, she built several close friendships with other first-generation ACHS students that soon became a “valued system of support” during her senior year.
However, it was her mentorship bond with Roxana Perez-Nieves, a former counselor for the program, that truly had the largest impact on her growth.
“The counselor who had the biggest impact on me was Ms. Roxy (as we called her in the program). I was able to see myself in her through her vulnerability and openness in her advice and character,” Maldonado said. “Even now, we have a relationship that has developed into a life-long mentorship. I am blessed to have had an experience that equipped me for a lifetime of breaking generational cycles.”
Bailey started her mentorship journey this summer. For the next six weeks, she will host activities, learn important lessons in leadership and conflict resolution and serve as inspiration for the program’s middle and high school students.
Maldonado will continue her work as a student mentor during the academic year. Beginning in October, GOALS/GEAR UP will hold events and activities geared toward academic and socioemotional development, offer individualized counseling, assist students with college and FAFSA applications and more during its Saturday Academy.
Alexis Jenkins, director of GOALS/GEAR UP, and Tyre Robinson, a counselor for the program, both expressed their pride in the student mentors and their work thus far.
“It has been great to see both Ahnj and Jamiah's growth in such a short amount of time,” Jenkins said. “I believe their journey through the GOALS program has attributed them to be the leaders that they are today. It is truly beautiful to see their progression, and I cannot wait to see what will be in store for them in the future.”
“Witnessing them develop into young professionals has been one of the most fulfilling experiences I've had professionally. Jamiah and Ahnjeles were able to recognize the school-to-college pipeline the program provided and gracefully navigated through. Additionally, they thought it robbery to not give back to the program, working as mentors to current GOALS Scholars,” Robinson said.
GOALS/GEAR UP – Grit 'N Wit 2024
Bailey has made it her goal to make sure students like her don’t experience the same self-doubt she did when she was in their shoes.
“I want to show my mentees that with hard work and dedication, they can do anything they set their minds to. I want them to find the courage to do scary things and always keep an open mind. I believe that young people have so much potential, and I want my students to see that in themselves,” Bailey said.
Maldonado believes that being able to relate to the students in the program is beneficial for the students’ development within the program – and hopes that other Stockton students will consider roles such as this one.
“I want to let students know that there are resources available for Atlantic City residents and that we are more than the systems in place against people of color. My peers should consider mentorship roles, even as university students, because students can truly see themselves in you. You may be able to inspire someone just by the way you carry yourself and these are the moments of exposition that can help to shape a student's future,” Maldonado said.
– Story by Loukaia Taylor
GOALS Program Enables Students to Look Toward the Future
August 2, 2023
Galloway, N.J. – Happiness and excitement filled the room as rising Atlantic City and Pleasantville high school seniors in the GOALS/GEAR UP program found out if they were accepted to Stockton University through an Instant Decision Day (IDD) program on Tuesday, Aug. 1.
“When I opened my folder, and I saw that it was an acceptance letter, I was really proud of myself,” Andres Bayona said. Bayona, a first-generation student originally from Colombia, plans to study Music next fall.
“I just can't wait to tell my parents because this is something that they wouldn't expect from me without their help. I'm a first-generation student, so I did everything by myself and with my friends. We all helped each other out. We got this far and we finally got accepted to our first college. We're just really happy about that.”
“I feel really happy inside, even giggling,” Shadley Trezil said. Her older brother’s experience in Stockton’s Educational Opportunity Fund program and her experience being in GOALS since the sixth grade is what made Stockton her top choice once she graduates from high school.
She anticipates joining Stockton’s dual-degree, seven-year program with the Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine and becoming an emergency room physician.
“When I officially go here, I will apply to EOF because (my brother) has had so many opportunities, teachers and mentors, and he’s been so lucky so far,” Trezil said. “This is my top school because it feels like home. I know this place, my family and community are here and there are amazing people who want to give someone like me so many opportunities to succeed in this world.”
