Raritan Valley Community College students recently participated in a scholarship contest that helped bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world business challenges.
Launched through the collaboration of Element Logic of Carlstadt, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), and the Bergen Logistics of North Bergen, the scholarship contest empowered students by providing them with the chance to solve industry-specific challenges and gain valuable experience in material handling, logistics, and data analysis.
The contest, now in its third year, has become a key initiative in fostering innovation, education, and career development for RVCC students. Faculty members in the College’s Business and Public Service department are a vital part of the program’s success, as they mentor and assist the scholarship contest participants throughout the process.
The six finalists—Roland Hofmann, Christian Vandergoot, Emily Cherubino, Bryce Baucom, Eva Guastella, and Abida Zaidi—demonstrated exceptional creativity, critical thinking, and perseverance throughout the competition. Their efforts highlighted the skills needed to succeed in a competitive and dynamic industry.
Christian Vandergoot, the first-place winner, received a $3,500 scholarship, while second place winner, Emily Cherubino, won a $1,500 prize. The other four participants each received $500 cash prizes for their efforts in the competition; the combined $2000 award was donated by RVCC Professor William Klinger and his wife, Sheila. The awards were presented at a Jan. 20 ceremony, held at the Bridgewater Manor and hosted by Element.
The true value of the scholarship contest went beyond the prizes; it was about the opportunities for personal and professional growth, as well as the skills and confidence the participants gained. But for the students, the lessons and experiences were far more rewarding than the monetary awards.
“This competition has truly helped me with my professional growth, giving me the confidence to approach real-world business challenges and find effective solutions,” said Vandergoot, the first-place winner. “The experience helped me to think like someone in the [third-party logistics] industry and how to clean and analyze data and benchmark productivity.”
In sponsoring the competition, Element Logic—known for its solutions in warehouse optimization—teamed up with CSCMP, a global organization connecting supply chain professionals, to partner with Bergen Logistics, a leader in fulfillment and logistics operations. Through this professional collaboration, students were able to tackle real business challenges, develop practical skills, and gain invaluable industry insights.
As part of the contest, students visited Bergen Logistics this past fall to gain hands-on experience and an insider’s view of industry practices. These visits offered an invaluable chance to interact with professionals, tour cutting-edge facilities, and develop solutions for improving daily business operations. As Keith Spero, RVCC Adjunct Assistant Professor, Business & Public Service department, explained: “This competition offers a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the business world, apply what they have learned, and grow in ways that textbooks simply can’t provide.”
In addition, the RVCC contest participants were awarded service-learning credits through the College’s Pray Family Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement.
The participants also benefited by working with RVCC alumna Maira Mendonca, the first-year contest winner, who returned to help mentor the students. After her experience in the competition, Mendonca interned at Element Logic, which led to a full-time position with the company.
“Participating in the scholarship contest gave me the confidence to improve my communication skills, gain industry knowledge, and face real-world challenges. It was a turning point that opened doors to opportunities I never imagined,” Mendonca said.
For further information about RVCC, visit www.raritanval.edu.
Photo Caption: Raritan Valley Community College students Christian Vandergoot (first-place winner) and Emily Cherubino (second-place winner) participated in a Scholarship Contest that offered students the opportunity to solve industry-specific challenges and gain valuable experience in material handling, logistics, and data analysis. – Photo courtesy of RVCC.
