| Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey (JAG NJ), a statewide program operated by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation that prepares high school students for success in post-secondary education and the workforce, was recognized nationally for its outstanding work and impact on student outcomes. At the 2025 JAG National Training Seminar held in Louisville, Kentucky from July 14-18, JAG NJ and its local chapters earned 12 national awards, including nine “6 of 6” Awards and three “5 of 5” Awards – a testament to the program’s success across the Garden State. JAG NJ also took home regional awards for outstanding high school graduation rates. “These awards reflect the commitment and passion of our educators, mentors, and, most importantly, our students,” said Sandra Strothers, executive director of JAG New Jersey. “JAG NJ is changing lives, and national recognition like this confirms that the work we’re doing is not only meaningful – it’s working.” The “6 of 6” Awards are one of JAG National’s highest honors and are presented to state affiliates, regions, and school-based chapters that exceed six key performance metrics: graduation rate, employment rate, full-time employment rate, full-time positive outcomes, student connectivity rate, further education rate. These awards highlight the exceptional achievements of JAG programs in high schools that help students not only graduate but thrive after graduation — whether in college, the military, or the workforce. The “5 of 5” Awards are presented to programs serving middle school and high school underclassmen (freshmen and sophomores) that meet or exceed five nationally established benchmarks for student success and engagement. “These results are driven by the trusting relationships our specialists build with students and the real-world preparation they provide,” said Donna Custard, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “We focus on career readiness, communication skills, leadership, and connection to caring adults — all things students need to believe in their futures.” JAG NJ serves students in 18 programs across New Jersey, many of whom face significant barriers to graduation and employment. The program’s model includes classroom instruction, project-based learning, employer engagement, job and college placement services, and ongoing mentorship. The 6 of 6 Award-winning programs for JAG New Jersey are: Barringer High School, Newark, NJ, Charles Shepherd, JAG NJ Specialist Camden High School, Camden NJ, Sheri Lowery, JAG NJ Specialist Eastside High School, Camden, NJ, Josephine Parr, JAG NJ Specialist Malcolm X Shabazz High School, Newark, NJ, Rafeeza Shahabudeen, JAG NJ Specialist New Brunswick Alternative School, New Brunswick, NJ, Joseph Kriete, JAG NJ Specialist Passaic High School, Passaic, NJ, Juan Izaguirre, JAG NJ Specialist Pinelands Regional High School, Little Egg Harbor Twp., NJ, Maureen Neuner, JAG NJ Specialist Plainfield High School, Cohort II, Plainfield, NJ, Jennifer Bogar-Richardson, JAG NJ Specialist Vineland High School, Vineland, NJ, Robert Rush, JAG NJ Specialist The chapter 5 of 5 winners for JAG New Jersey are: Plainfield High School, Cohort I, Jennifer Bogar-Richardson, JAG NJ Specialist Rahway High School, Leon Bunion, JAG NJ Specialist Willingboro High School, Kenny Scott, JAG NJ Specialist JAG New Jersey also received national recognition for meeting combined program outcomes for its 2024 graduating classes of multiyear programs, grades 9-12. They are: |
| Graduation Rate: 90% [JAG national standard] 99.55% [JAG NJ outcome] Employment Rate: 60% [JAG national standard] 68.02% [JAG NJ outcome] Full-time Employment Rate: 60% [JAG national standard] 74.83% [JAG NJ outcome] Positive Outcomes: 75% [JAG national standard] 84.23% [JAG NJ outcome] Further Education Rate: 35% [JAG national standard] 54.05% [JAG NJ outcome] Connectivity Rate: 95% [JAG national standard] 97.75% [JAG NJ outcome] |
| The National Training Seminar in Louisville, Kentucky, is where JAG Specialists (program teachers), managers, trainers, and administrators gathered for workshops to enhance their skill sets designed to fulfill JAG’s mission of empowering our nation’s young people with the skills and support to succeed in education, employment, and life. JAG New Jersey has served over 1,000 students across the state this year and nearly 5,000 since the program was established in 2011. The 2024 cohort graduation rate is 99.5%. Since its inception in 1979, JAG National has served over 1.7 million students nationwide. Currently, JAG is working with over 79,000 students in over 1,500 locations across the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands. About Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG): Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people stay in school and acquire the academic, employability, and technical skills they need to lead successful lives. With a proven track record of success, JAG operates in schools across the country, providing comprehensive support and guidance to students facing significant barriers to graduation and employment. For more information about the National Training Seminar or Jobs for America’s Graduates, please visit jag.org or follow us on social media. Corporate Support The New Jersey program receives support from a diverse range of public and private funding sources. Numerous companies and private foundations contribute to JAG NJ through both financial donations and volunteer efforts. Corporate partners stay actively engaged year-round, serving as guest speakers, conference judges, trainers, advisory board members, and leading job-readiness initiatives. Key supporters include: Deloitte Foundation Maher Charitable Foundation Santander Bank, N.A. Withum PSE&G Foundation AT&T Colgate-Palmolive M&T Bank Foundation Additional support is provided by the State of New Jersey. For a full list of sponsors, please visit: https://njchamberfoundation.org/sponsors The New Jersey program this year had 18 cohorts in Newark, Little Egg Harbor, New Brunswick, Woodbury, Willingboro, Passaic, Plainfield, and Vineland, and an out-of-school program in Newark, NJ. |
| About the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy association based in Trenton that lobbies key stakeholders for legislation and policies designed to make New Jersey a desirable state to operate a business and establish good-paying jobs. Chamber member companies receive exclusive invitations to events that offer valuable networking and educational opportunities. Additionally, the Chamber regularly disseminates legislative updates, industry insights, and employer-related news critical to conducting business in New Jersey. The organization unites local and regional chambers of commerce across the state to address significant business issues. The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation is committed to equipping New Jersey’s future workforce with the essential skills required for success in both college and employment. For more information, visit njchamber.com |