The Trenton BTE initiative involved a unique consortium of local institutions, including the College of New Jersey/Bonner Center for Civic and Community Engagement, Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Trenton Central High School, and the City of Trenton. Built on four guiding principles that promote student success—academic enrichment, applied learning, career exploration and linkages with higher education—the program worked with 25 students from the Medical Arts Academy at Trenton Central High School’s West Campus.
Specifically, the site provided the following opportunities for students:
- Life Skills Program
- Tutoring
- PSAT/SAT Prep Course
- Service Learning Project
- Company Tours & Workshops
- Internships & Job Shadowing
- Professional Mentoring by Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- TCNJ (Bonner Community Scholars) Mentors
- TCNJ Summer Institute
Many of these activities, such as the Life Skills Program, Tutoring, and Service Learning Project, took place during the school day in a “BTE Course.” TCNJ Bonner Scholars facilitated the activities and provided an interesting intergenerational component. Additional activities were held at TCNJ (Summer Institute) and Ortho-McNeil-Janssen (Internships).
