Our alumni are superstars. We interviewed these six alums to learn more about their lives post-KIPP New Jersey—and how our KIPP Through College team continues to offer support to help them meet their ambitious goals. Here's what they said:

Name: T’Shawna S. N. Techeira
KIPP School Attended: KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy
College and Graduation Year: Hudson County Community College
Major/Area of Study: Culinary Arts
Employer: Legends Catering Company 

How has KIPP Through College and/or Career Persistence Team supported your success after graduation?

After graduation, my go-to school was Culinary Institute of America, but I encountered a hard situation that made applying difficult. Then I remembered that I could rely on my counselor Ms. Extavour— she took her time and had so much patience with my situation and helped ensure that I could attend school in fall of 2018 at Hudson County Community College, which is where my journey to study culinary arts began! 

Name: Tyra E. Asberry
KIPP School Attended:  KIPP TEAM Academy and KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy
College and Graduation Year: Ramapo College of New Jersey 2021
Major/Area of Study: Psychology w/ Minor in Crime and Justice Studies 

What did you learn at KIPP NJ that you still use today?

I learned that if we want to see change in our cities within our communities, we must be the change we want to see. This means that we need to do whatever is necessary to become the leaders who will make that same change in the community in the near future. This idea of "be the change" is what keeps me motivated in college and persevering through any obstacles that I face daily, because not only am I doing this for myself, but also to be an inspiration for the youth in Newark who are coming from the same community I came from.

KIPP NJ also models what it means to be in a community. My KTC counselor Ms. Arlea-Francois has been a great help during the Coronavirus outbreak. She has consistently checked in with me by texting me and emailing me offering remote support and resources to assist me.

Name: Monasia Goods
KIPP School Attended:  KIPP TEAM Academy and  KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy
College and Graduation Year: Virginia State University, May 2020
Major/Area of Study: Criminal Justice, Social Work minor

What academic or extracurricular passions do you have today that began during your time at KIPP NJ?

KIPP NJ helped me become a leader—I carried the lessons from my involvement with student life activities at KIPP NCA to Virginia State University, where I was a Resident Assistant and the Secretary of The T.R.U.E. Foundation Inc.— a mentoring organization on VSU campus.

Name: Jamiah Dunson
KIPP School Attended: KIPP TEAM Academy and KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy
College and Graduation Year: Seton Hall University, Class of 2021
Major/Area of Study: Nursing

What have you enjoyed the most about your college experience?

My favorite part of college is independence. College gives everyone a lot of room to grow as a person without hand-holding. College teaches you which strategies help you to learn best and which strategies help you to effectively study. College also leaves room for recreational activities, which also gives you time and space to make friends and meet new people.

Name: Dage Girault Albert
KIPP School Attended: KIPP Rise Academy and KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy
College and Graduation Year: Lycoming College, Class of 2017
Major/Area of Study: Corporate Communications

What advice would you give to current KIPPSters in our schools?

The advice I would give to KIPPsters is to make the most of the opportunities KIPP gives you because it could end up helping you in the long run. For example, with the support of the KTC Career Team, I interned for the KIPP Foundation in San Francisco, where I was a part of the Research and Evaluation team.

Name: Tashir Davion Byers
KIPP School Attended: KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy
College and Graduation Year: Lincoln Technical Institute  2020
Major/Area of Study: Automotive
Employer: Finkle Trucking 

How has KIPP Through College and/or Career Persistence Team supported your success after graduation?

Consistently meeting with me when I needed support with anything.  When I was still at school I never needed to ask them for help—because they were always on top of it! KTC connected me with Finkle Trucking—and the program I attend at Lincoln Technical Institute.