Bergen Community College student Alejandro Olarte is studying engineering science to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.
“Bergen Community College is the perfect choice for me,” said Olarte. “Not only does the community feel like a second family to me, but it also provides me with the opportunity to expand my knowledge and transfer to a four-year university, which is crucial for my future.”
Crediting the support from Bergen faculty members, Olarte said, “They have played a crucial role in providing me with opportunities to excel in academics and beyond.”
Olarte attributes his success at Bergen to his deep interest in STEM. “My love for STEM has led me to get involved with the STEM Student Union, where I have had the chance to meet different people and learn about various STEM opportunities,” he said.
Olarte and his friend had the desire to gather like-minded students to spread the word about STEM and STEM opportunities. Fueled with that passion, Olarte founded a chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at Bergen. According to Olarte, his active participation in the STEM Student Union helped him establish the SHPE chapter at Bergen.
As an active student on campus, Olarte is the president and founder of SHPE, student ambassador for the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), and a mentor for 3 high school robotics teams including VEX Robotics and FIRST Tech Challenge teams. He is engaged in STEM exploration at the high school levels and committed to community service. “Through my involvement in robotics competitions in high school, I have experienced firsthand the creativity and excitement that STEM fields offer, and I am eager to share this experience with others at Bergen,” said Olarte.
“As someone who is passionate about advocating for the STEM fields, I believe that Bergen Community College is the best place for me to pursue my goals,” said Olarte. He expects to graduate in 2025.
Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.
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