Stevens Institute of Technology received a $100,000 charitable donation from Johnson & Johnson to further expand its successful Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) program and prepare talented high school students with aptitude in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields to excel in college.
The ACES program debuted in 2017 to provide pathways to higher education in STEM areas for students from under-resourced communities. The Stevens program partners with 18 high schools in New Jersey and New York to identify qualified candidates and enroll them in the program.
Students get scholarship funding to participate in Stevens’ Summer Pre-College and year-round programs. They receive mentorship, hands-on learning through career workshops and lab internships, conference attendance, SAT test prep, and college application support along with other extracurricular activities and opportunities to engage with Stevens faculty and peers. Students can also participate in the Pre-College Summer Residential Program, allowing them to experience campus life while they are involved in academic programs.
Johnson & Johnson’s contribution will provide financial support for talented high school students who otherwise would not be able to access such enriching experiences. The donation will fund the participation of up to 30 students during the summers of 2025 and 2026. Graduates from the ACES Pre-College program – along with other first-year students who meet the ACES program’s qualifications – can further benefit from support and academic opportunities during their Stevens undergraduate college experience.
“ACES would not be as effective as it is today without corporate support,” said Nariman Farvardin, president of Stevens Institute of Technology. “Relationships like this enable us to identify talented young students within our community and empower them to develop their talents and explore careers in science and technology.”
“As the costs of tuition are rising, accessing higher education, particularly in STEM fields, is becoming increasingly difficult for families with limited means and resources,” said Edlyn Thompson-Mettle, director of high school enrichment programs at Stevens.
Chris Guiton, head of New Jersey initiatives at Johnson & Johnson said, “We know firsthand the positive impact that STEM and college readiness programs have on our local students and communities. We have a responsibility to support them by providing greater access to education and opportunity so that we continue building a strong, thriving pipeline of talent in our industry and beyond.”
Since 2018, ACES has provided 286 pre-college scholarships and helped successful applicants pursue higher education. In 2024, the program disseminated 78 scholarships and had a record number of 93 summer students from participating high schools. ACES also provides 10 undergraduate scholarships a year for qualifying students. On average, ACES graduates achieve a 3.4 GPA or above.
