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Bergen Community College alumnus Tristan Vallestero, ‘26, graduated with an associate degree in engineering science.
“I chose Bergen Community College as it was the most strategic option,” said Vallestero who credited Bergen’s NJ STARS program for his success.
Vallestero, of Oakland, was awarded a NJ STARS scholarship through the NJ STARS program to study at Bergen. The NJ STARS program is a state program that provides free tuition to New Jersey’s highest achieving students at their home county college. In addition to the NJ STARS scholarship, he was able to carry over AP credits that he earned in high school to help expedite his fast track towards graduation with an associate degree.
“The AP credits I earned in high school carried over into Bergen, which expedited my graduation process,” he said. “That, in combination with my NJ STARS scholarship, meant earning my associate degree affordably and as quickly as possible, an opportunity that was only available at Bergen Community College.”
During his time at Bergen, Vallestero served as vice president of the STEAM Club, a member of the THRIVE program, and a member of the Robotics Club.
“A big component that has made me successful at Bergen Community College has been getting involved,” he said. “Getting to know students through clubs and organizations has given me so much perspective, considering that many of the people I’ve met are pursuing a similar career path to mine.”
Vallestero looked towards his peers at Bergen for guidance. He enjoyed interacting with the students in his classes, but also the students a class ahead of him. “Learning from upperclassmen has been vital since they acted as a blueprint to follow on how to be successful here at Bergen,” he said.
Vallestero will attend Rutgers University in Fall 2026.
Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 24,000 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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