Newmark Associates recently hosted its third annual summer mentorship program for high school students in Newark public schools, offering participants hands-on exposure to commercial real estate and career opportunities beyond the classroom.
The program is spearheaded by Newmark Associates CRE President & CEO Susanne Newmark, Vice Presidents Jeannette Melillo and Ebony Parham, and Sales Associate Jack Maier, in partnership with Ernest Pope, an English teacher at University High School.
Their collaborative efforts aimed to educate, inspire, and empower students through direct mentorship from seasoned professionals, site visits, and practical deal-making mechanics.
The Newmark Associates team hosted weekly sessions framed around this year’s overarching theme “Believe, Behave, Become,” which challenged 12 Newark high school students to believe in their potential, behave with professional discipline, and become leaders and visionaries in their communities.
The four-week program started in Newark, where students toured 915 Broad St., a five-story, building featuring 84 mixed-income residences above ground-floor retail and restaurant spaces. Students had lunch at Cornbread with developer Adenah Bayoh, a Newark schools graduate, who shared the importance of hard work, commitment, appreciation for those who paved the way before us, and gratitude for mentors who continue to provide guidance.
The students also visited the Newmark Associates CRE office for hands-on deal simulation where they role-played as buyers, sellers, brokers, attorneys, lenders, zoning officials, and tradespeople to learn how a commercial transaction comes together.
Additionally, the students also visited New Jersey Institute of Technology's Hillier College of Architecture and Design to learn about architecture, environmental impact, and CRE-adjacent college pathways.
The final session welcomed guest speaker Spencer Pascal, an industrial commercial real estate leader, who shared his entrepreneurial journey, underscoring how drive, discipline, and mentorship build lasting success.
“Our mission is to contribute to the communities around us,” said Susanne Newmark. “This program reflects our belief that real transformation happens when we provide young people with access, education, and mentorship. We were excited to welcome Newark’s future leaders into our offices and help shape their paths forward.”
The Newmark team thanked Newark Public School Superintendent Roger León and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Maria Ortiz for championing initiatives that create meaningful pathways for Newark students.
Newmark Associates, CRE, located in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, is certified as a woman-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and is an affiliate of CRESDA (Commercial Real Estate Supplier Diversity Alliance), servicing the supplier diversity requirements of Fortune 100 companies across the country.
Celebrating more than 35 years in the commercial real estate industry, Newmark is one of the top brokerage companies in the state, specializing in lease and sales transactions of office, industrial, retail, land, healthcare, and mixed-use properties.
