Cranford – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ celebrates 11 students who have been accepted into the highly competitive Princeton Transfer Scholars Initiative (TSI), a prestigious program designed to support high-achieving community college students as they prepare to transfer to selective four-year institutions.
The TSI offers community college students the unique opportunity to study on Princeton University’s campus from June 28 to August 14, 2026, where they participate in a rigorous academic curriculum and earn credit through a Princeton course at no cost to the student. Through the program, students gain valuable insight into the transfer process and participate in experiences designed to support long-term academic success with Princeton staff and faculty. TSI students also receive a stipend to cover expenses.
The eleven scholars from UCNJ attending Princeton’s TSI include:
- Leandro Batista, from Union, psychology major
- Sharon Dimbo, from Bloomfield, biology major
- Xarik Izaguirre Hernandez, from Linden, architecture major
- Alani Leopisi, from Westfield, architecture major
- Christiam Mejia, from Summit, mathematics major
- Jeyla Mutapcic, from Elizabeth, psychology major
- Almeïda Racine, from Elizabeth, biology major
- Steve Ruiz, from Plainfield, computer science major
- Allison Saucedo, from Elizabeth, chemistry major
- Jenna Serrano, from Newark, chemistry major
- Bryan Velasquez, from Elizabeth, engineering major
“Being selected for the Princeton Transfer Scholars Initiative is a remarkable achievement and a testament to our students’ hard work, perseverance, and commitment to academic excellence,” said UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin. “At UCNJ, we are dedicated to creating pathways that expand opportunity and advance student success. This prestigious program will provide our students with valuable resources and guidance as they pursue their educational and career aspirations. We are proud of these 11 scholars and look forward to all they will accomplish in the years ahead.”
UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.