Braven Helps Rutgers-Newark Students Find Professional Success as it Expands in NJ
The Braven career accelerator program at Rutgers-Newark continues to help students find career pathways and job opportunities as it expands statewide.
Braven recently opened a new headquarters at 550 Broad Street in Newark — part of the city’s arts and education district — and is extending its reach across New Jersey, beginning with a new partnership with Kean University.
At an event celebrating Braven’s expansion, Rutgers-Newark graduate student Xena Agbolou, who volunteers as a Braven Leadership Coach, described how the program helped her succeed.
“When I was a student here, Braven wasn’t just another program; it was a turning point,” said Agbolou, a Rutgers-Newark alumna who is pursuing her masters in Neuroscience at RU-N. “It gave me the confidence I needed to enter my field, and it gave me the confidence to step in front of you guys today.”
Agbolou said the relationships built through the program have continued as she pursues her degree, mentoring students and other alumni. “They all show up every day, they still ask questions, and we still keep in contact,” she said of the students she mentors. “They still inspire me.”
The new Newark headquarters reflects Braven’s deepening roots in the city and state. Located in a building that serves as a hub for foundations, nonprofits, startups and educational organizations, it pays tribute to New Jersey legends such as Paul Robeson, Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, as well as Jon Bon Jovi and Shaquille O’Neal. Celia Cruz, who lived in Fort Lee for many years, is also recognized, in addition to Asian activist and author Helen Zia, a Newark native.
Since it began at RU-N in 2015, Braven has served more than 2,300 students, assisting many in landing internships and jobs with New Jersey employers in the Newark area and beyond. It's been particularly successful in supporting first-generation students and those with financial need.
Since the fall of 2024, all Rutgers-Newark second-year students have been pre-enrolled in the Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator, which includes a 3-credit career acceleration course and additional post-course career support through graduation.
Braven, which fuses coursework, mentorship, networking and real-world experience, has delivered strong outcomes for students.
The program emphasizes building social capital — connecting students to mentors, peers and industry professionals — while developing career-readiness skills like problem-solving and communication that translate directly to the workplace.
Among 158 students in the Braven Class of 2024 cohort, 93 percent were employed or enrolled in graduate school after graduation, with 90 percent securing what Braven defines as “quality” or “pathway” outcomes. Quality outcomes include roles that require a bachelor’s degree, offer competitive salaries and benefits, and provide clear advancement paths. Pathway outcomes, while not always requiring a degree, align with students’ career goals and support long-term financial stability.
In the 2024–2025 academic year, 507 students completed the course, with 77 percent coming from limited financial backgrounds and 57 percent identifying as first-generation college students. Braven participants also outperform national benchmarks in career preparation, with 66 percent securing internships compared to a national average of 48 percent. The program’s students achieve a 91 percent six-year graduation rate, well above the national average of 72 percent.
Program leaders say the expansion is driven by a decade of partnership and proven results.
“I really think about the past ten plus years of building together, believing in Newark’s talent and proving what’s possible when people come together across sectors, across businesses and industries to really think about how to support and expand opportunity for others,” said Samantha Crockett, Executive Director of Braven New Jersey. “It takes a village, and our village is incredibly strong.’’
