From November 28 to December 1, 2017, approximately 40 hand-selected Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates students from Newark, Philadelphia, Carteret, New Brunswick and Vineland attended the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) National Student Leadership Academy (NSLA) in Alexandria, VA.
The 2017 NSLA was the largest in the history of the JAG program, bringing together more than 900 JAG students from 34 states across the country to engage in leadership and job readiness development.
Student delegates were organized into teams and purposely placed with students from other states in order to facilitate cross-state interactions and friendships. The students participated in high-energy leadership sessions facilitated by JAG Specialists from around the country. Individual students and teams were able to participate in competitive events in public speaking, employability skills, math skills and project-based learning. In addition, students had the opportunity to participate in a twilight tour of Washington, D.C.’s historical landmarks and monuments.
Students and JAG Specialists from the Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates program were given a special opportunity to meet with US Senator Cory Booker at the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Senator Booker actively engaged with students, asking them about the JNJG program and their hopes and aspirations for the future, while providing sage advice along the way. Students shared inspirational messages, challenges they face in pursuing their dreams and their optimistic outlook on their futures.