Ninth Cohort of RUSE Student Winners Announced
The Rutgers University Student Executive (RUSE) Program successfully completed its ninth year of the innovative business and entrepreneurship program on March 24, 2026. Created in 2017 by Dr. Oscar Holmes IV and sponsored by Rutgers School of Business–Camden (RSBC), RUSE is a nine-week program designed to introduce high-achieving 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade South Jersey/Philadelphia high school students and Rutgers–Camden undergraduate students to business, entrepreneurship, and community leaders. Over 50 students applied for the 30 available spots in the program this year. This year, students represented 13 different high schools, some traveling over an hour away to participate in the RUSE program. On leading the RUSE program, Holmes stated, “RUSE is that one-of-a-kind, transformative program that builds students’ confidence, expands their professional network and belief in what is possible for themselves, and increases their knowledge and skills, all while having fun doing it.
For the sixth consecutive year, the RUSE program offered an undergraduate track that allowed current Rutgers–Camden undergraduates to compete for a $3,000 award, sponsored by the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. The $3,000 High School Track awards were once again sponsored by the Delta Epsilon Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
RUSE 2026 HS 1st Place Winners
The first-place winners in the high school track were Sameer Goldston, an 11th grader at Camden Prep High School, Abigayle John, an 11th grader at Pennsauken High School, and Avaneesh Gore, an 11th grader at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School. The team won $1,500 for their business idea, Lotus Step. This innovative technology would enable footwear to clean itself, reducing consumers’ concerns about ruining their favorite shoes and saving them money. Gore remarked, “RUSE has given me an interesting perspective in the world of business, changing my views on it entirely. Whether it was through business trips or guest lecturers, students like myself can gain insight from industry leaders and even small business owners. Most importantly, the pitch competition prepares us for the real-world environment, and I highly recommend this program for anyone pursuing business!”
RUSE 2026 HS 2nd Place Winners
The second-place winners from the high school track were Adam Kassem, a 12th grader at Timber Creek Regional High School, Sophia Brosious, an 11th grader at Camden County Technical School—GTC, who participated in the RUSE program last year, and Andrew Moccia, an 11th grader at Moorestown High School. They won $1,000 for their business idea, Comfort Therm, a therapeutic blanket that combines heat and cooling technology. Reflecting on his experience, Kassem stated, “RUSE was a new way for me to gain the experience of launching my own start-up, as well as hear from other great speakers and experienced professionals.”
RUSE 2026 HS 3rd Place Winners
Third-place winners from the high school track were Alexis Masino, a 12th grader at Triton Regional High School, Ashleigh John, an 11th grader at Pennsauken High School, and Nicholas Natchev, an 11th grader at Egg Harbor Township High School. They won $500 for their business idea, Civic Stride, an innovative app that maps the safest route for non-vehicular travelers (e.g., walkers, runners, etc.) and allows users to report safety issues directly to municipalities for more expeditious resolutions. In commenting about her participation in RUSE, Masino stated, “My experience in the RUSE program has taught me invaluable skills in both business and leadership, strengthening my goal of becoming a corporate lawyer. It also inspired me to push past my limits and pursue my passion for starting my own business in the future.”
RUSE 2026 UG 1st Place Winners
First-place winner in the undergraduate track was Jordan Henriquez, a sophomore Marketing major. He won $1,500 for his business idea, SpendWise, an app that provides consumers with a composite score and information to help guide their spending with companies that better align with their values. Henriquez reflected, “I truly enjoyed my experience in the RUSE program, where I learned valuable business and life lessons through collaboration with my partner and guidance from the facilitators. I also appreciated the competitive environment and the opportunity to live by our affirmation each day.”
RUSE 2026 UG 2nd Place Winner
The second-place winners in the undergraduate track were Austin Souza, a first-year Accounting, Finance, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation major, who participated in RUSE the past two years when he was in high school, and Carolina Guzman, a junior Marketing major. They won $1,000 for their business idea, LearnR, an app specifically tailored to students’ course schedules that provides lessons from verified sources to augment student achievement. Guzman stated, “This experience has taught me to consider a plethora of business analytics that would only be learned by the actual creation of starting a business. Not expecting this during the competition, I needed to tap into the creative mind of an entrepreneur, which helped me succeed and elevate my thinking as I expand my business. This competition is perfect for students who want to dive into the business world and who aspire to be entrepreneurs.”
RUSE 2026 UG 3rd Place Winners
Third-place winners were Besiana Duka, a junior Human Resource Management major and Nam Pham, a sophomore Mathematics major. They won $500 for their business idea, SafeTap, an app that allowed students to surreptitiously call for help at the tap of a button, immediately sharing their GPS location to summon a security official. Pham remarked, “RUSE gave me a chance to turn a simple idea into a real business plan. I learned how to think like an entrepreneur and work effectively with a teammate. I’m proud of what we built and grateful for the experience.”
Representing the Delta Epsilon Boulé, Curtis White, Owner and CEO of Elevated Strategic Support Group, was the judge for the high school track. White stated, “The Delta Epsilon Foundation, LLC, is proud to congratulate the winners of the Rutgers University–Camden RUSE Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition. Our foundation is dedicated to fostering the next generation of innovators and leaders. The creativity and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by these students underscore the importance of programs like RUSE in bridging the gap for future STEM and business scholars. The brilliance shown in this year’s pitches is a testament to the talent within our community. We are honored to support these students as they transform their ambitious ideas into reality.”
Representing the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), Bydeia Harmon, Community Development Officer at AACCNJ, was the judge for the undergraduate track. In judging the competition, Harmon stated, “It is largely stated that investing in our youth will provide ROI for our futures! The privilege of judging the RUSE pitch competition continues to illuminate to me that the future is closer than we may think. The African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ will continue to sponsor programs such as RUSE to cultivate ideas of our youth leaders!”
RUSE facilitators this year included Damon Pennington, Rafiq Baker, Carl Gibbs, Jr., Ronald Davis, Franne McNeal, Ramesh Pimentel, Jabari Adams, Thomas Fewer, and Jennifer Gardella. RUSE facilitators expertly teach business lessons to the students to help them complete their business plans and prepare for their business pitches. The RUSE corporate partner field trip was to Nuanced Café, where owner Rosemari Hicks had a fireside chat with Dr. Tom Fewer. Hicks shared her entrepreneurial journey, career advice, and life lessons while students enjoyed café refreshments and treats. RUSE students also received a copy of Dr. Fewer’s book, Venture Meets Mission.
RUSE’s highest service award, the Champion of Business Youth award, is given annually to people who have gone above and beyond in promoting business education through their individual efforts and partnerships with the Rutgers School of Business-Camden RUSE program. The 2026 Champion of Business Youth Award winner was Dr. Tom Fewer, an Assistant Professor of Management at Rutgers School of Business–Camden.
Recruitment for the tenth cohort of RUSE students will commence in October 2026, and more information about the RUSE program and Rutgers School of Business–Camden can be found by visiting the RSBC website.
Photo Credits: Armond Wynn