RU-N Student, Class of 2022
“Find your place here. Don’t let others dictate how you progress through life. Do it for yourself, not anyone else.”
Newark native Khaleya Kelly is a RU-N senior and Criminal Justice major. Khaleya knew she wanted to attend Rutgers-Newark when she was a student at University High School. Older high school friends had enrolled at RU-N, and when she applied and RU-N offered her the best financial aid package, Khaleya planned to stay in Newark for college. Khaleya planned to stay in Newark for college. “I love Newark,” she says, “I love seeing me,” reflected in the faces of the residents.
Khaleya intends to use her education to help children by working on the counseling side of the justice system. Recalling her own difficult experiences as a foster child, she plans to invest her talent in improving those experiences for others and inspiring others to succeed. Her admission to the Rutgers graduate program in Social Work will further prepare her to fulfill that goal.
Khaleya is getting plenty of experience helping others through her internship and work experiences. She spent a summer as a teacher for the Newark Freedom School and since has spent the last two years as a mentor and resource for other RU-N students as a Resident Assistant for Housing and Residence Life. She enjoys providing support and guidance for new students who are not familiar with Rutgers and its resources. She’s continuing to make a difference in “my city,” as she calls her hometown, by interning at the Newark Public Defender’s office where she works on expunging youth records.
Khaleya credits Rutgers-Newark with teaching her to have an open mind. She’s learned from the stories and experiences of others who have lived very different lives than hers. She would advise other students to, “Find your place here,” and “Don’t let others dictate how you progress through life. Do it for yourself, not anyone else.”
We are proud of you, Khaleya, for charting your own course for success!