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Atlantic City, N.J. — Angelica Medrano applied for ��˾��������’s Engelberg Leadership Scholarship Program because she wants to be a part of something bigger than herself.

“Atlantic City is a beautiful city, don’t get me wrong, but it does need a lot of improvement,” said the sophomore Health Science major. “It needs people to actively work and contribute toward making it better. I just want to give back to people. I want to be of use.”

That’s the core purpose of the leadership program, which was established in 2019 through a $1 million commitment to the ��˾�������� Foundation from Alfred Engelberg, a 1956 Atlantic City High School graduate who became a successful lawyer after receiving a generous scholarship from the Avoda organization.

Medrano is part of the seventh cohort of students selected for the 2025 program, which covers four ��˾�������� students’ full tuition, room, board, fees, books and other expenses beginning their sophomore year. 

In addition to Medrano, the other students in this year’s cohort are Aaron Simpson, of Brigantine, Rubi Reyes Hernandez, of Atlantic City, and Timaya McGowan, of Pleasantville.

Currently there are 11 Engelberg Leadership Scholars at ��˾�������� representing every school at the university, said Susan Davenport, an associate professor of Business Administration and the faculty liaison for the program.

“This diversity brings a multitude of strengths to the experience and facilitates the scholars’ development of leadership skills,” Davenport said. “These skills are focused on civic engagement and learning how to be good stewards of our community as we work together to make a positive impact on Atlantic City.”

Each cohort in the program is charged with creating a capstone project designed to support the city. Medrano is the youngest of five siblings and was raised by a single mother. She mentioned how her family often couldn’t afford food and needed to use area pantries. Both she and McGowan have volunteered at Sister Jean’s Kitchen, Pantry and Garden in Atlantic City for years. Now, they are excited to be in a position to contribute further.

“I’ve always had a desire to give back to other people that are less fortunate or don’t have the resources that I’ve had to learn,” said McGowan, an Accounting major with a minor in Africana Studies. “One of the things that I really like about the program is that everything you do is for a reason to give back and make the city better.”

Simpson said he’s excited that the scholarship will allow him to now live on campus. He felt like he missed out on a lot of on-campus activities and clubs last year, and now he can take full advantage of everything that ��˾�������� offers.

“I also really liked the idea that I would have a group of people that were standing by me all the way to graduation,” said the Environmental Science major. “I also like that we have three years to build momentum on our project.”

Hernandez grew up in the Chelsea section of Atlantic City and her home is just a short walk from Kesselman Hall where she will live this year. One possible idea she has for the capstone is to create a place for teenagers to hang out in the city.

“Maybe a coffee shop or something like that. Just a safe place to go after school and do homework,” said the Health Science major who has an interest in speech language pathology.

Davenport said she has seen tangible results from the capstone projects of previous cohorts that have focused on literacy, research on improving health outcomes in the city and early career intervention efforts for middle and high school students.

All four students agreed the Engelberg program has given them an opportunity to do something they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to do.

“The idea of having a group that supports me, not only financially, but emotionally, it’s something I’ve really desired,” Medrano said. “I’m excited to be a part of this community, and I’m very excited to start this journey.”

-- Story by Mark Melhorn, photo by Lizzie Nealis

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