2025 NJ STEM Month Award Winners Honored

On Jun 18, 2025

The New Jersey STEM Pathways Network (NJSPN) recently honored this year’s NJ STEM Month award recipients during its quarterly meeting on June 12 held at The College of New Jersey. The celebration featured engaging presentations from each honoree, highlighting the impactful STEM initiatives that earned them statewide recognition.

Co-hosted annually in March by NJSPN and the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, NJ STEM Month shines a spotlight on the Garden State’s achievements in science, technology, engineering, math, and innovation. This year’s celebration reached nearly 60,000 learners, bolstered by participation from NJ Makers Day.

The NJ STEM Month Awards celebrate excellence in STEM leadership, collaboration, and impact. Open to a wide range of contributors—including schools, nonprofits, businesses, philanthropies, science centers, museums, and faith-based organizations—the awards recognize those driving meaningful progress in STEM education and innovation across New Jersey.

The 2025 NJ STEM Month Award Winners are:

STEM Advocate of the Year: Jaimee Diogo, STEM Like a Girl

Celebrating a true spokesperson for STEM in New Jersey, this honor highlights an organization or individual who most effectively communicates the importance of STEM to New Jersey and its citizens. Jaimee’s leadership in expanding STEM Like a Girl has empowered young girls to pursue STEM fields. Additionally, her hands-on instruction at local elementary schools through the South Mountain YMCA has made STEM learning accessible and engaging for diverse students.

STEM Civic Leadership Award: Joseph Burns, FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center

This award is provided to those who have sought to improve and enhance the quality of STEM in their community through initiatives that include volunteerism, mentorship, and/or training.

Joseph’s lifelong dedication—from mentoring students and teaching aviation to establishing the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center’s Aviation STEM Program—has made a lasting impact. Even in retirement, his passion continues through 30+ outreach events in the past three years, inspiring future STEM leaders.

STEM Collaboration of the Year: Union College of Union County, led by Dr. Mohamed Mohamed & Dr. Donovan Smalls

This award celebrates the individuals and/or organizations moving beyond silos to create a more connected New Jersey. The STEM Collaborator develops partnerships and combines resources to provide outstanding STEM programming and establish clear career pathways in their community and beyond. To qualify, submissions must exhibit collaborations between three or more individuals or organizations.

Dr. Mohamed and Dr. Smalls’ collaboration on UCNJ’s Vertical Farm Hydroponic STEM-Business Project connected the college’s STEM and Social Sciences, Business & History Divisions, engaging 45+ students in a real-world, student-led initiative. By integrating engineering, technology, marketing, finance, and project management, the project not only cultivated fresh produce through sustainable vertical farming but also promoted food accessibility via the college’s food pantry and community events.

STEM Corporate Champion of the Year: AT&T

This honor highlights an organization that has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting New Jersey’s STEM economy. The AT&T employee resource groups and volunteers’ commitment to STEM education has empowered thousands of students across New Jersey through hands-on learning and mentorship. From Java-based design challenges with the Boys & Girls Club to “Think Like an Engineer” program with the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, their team has played a vital role in inspiring future leaders.

The AT&T employee resource groups and volunteers’ have also partnered with IEEE and the Jersey Shore STEM Ecosystem to expand STEM access to students at local high schools and colleges. Their in-person events at AT&T Science and Technology Innovation Center of Middletown offers students invaluable industry exposure and reinforces AT&T’s leadership in STEM education and workforce development.

STEM Educator of the Year: Halil Ozer, Thomas Edison Energysmart Charter School

This honor is awarded to an individual or organization that has dedicated their time and energy to successfully improving STEM learning outcomes for students in New Jersey. Halil’s mentorship has guided his First Tech Challenge team to remarkable success, including a 150th world ranking and securing $80,000+ in robotics resources. Beyond technical expertise, he inspires future STEM leaders by organizing guest speakers, field trips to Lockheed Martin, and supporting student-led initiatives like Circuit for Change, which has impacted thousands through social media.

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