Mahwah Teen Named 1 of 111 NJ Governor's STEM Scholars

MAHWAH, NJ — A Mahwah teen was chosen from more than 1,000 applicants statewide to be a Governor's STEM Scholar for the 2024-2025 class.

Gary Leschinsky is among the students that represent "some of the highest achieving students in New Jersey," said the Research & Development Council of New Jersey.

To qualify, applicants must have at least a 3.5 GPA, be a high school sophomore through doctoral-level student at a New Jersey-based high school or university, and demonstrate a strong passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Leschinsky is a junior at Davidson Academy Online.

Governor's STEM Scholars is a public-private partnership between the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, the Office of the Governor, the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education, and public and private research institutions.

GSS works to sustain and strengthen New Jersey’s STEM talent pipeline by introducing the state’s STEM students to the R&D and STEM ecosystem.

New Jersey has the highest concentration of engineers and scientists per square mile in the United States, according to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

“New Jersey’s legacy of innovation is fueled by exceptional talent, and the Governor’s STEM Scholars is at the forefront of nurturing that talent. These Scholars are not only the future leaders in STEM, but they also represent the diversity and brilliance that defines our state,” said Anthony Cicatiello, President of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey.

Through conferences, field trips, and research, Scholars are able to explore professional opportunities that can jumpstart their future STEM careers. Scholars attend four conferences to explore the STEM sectors of industry, academia, and government.

Additionally, Scholars build relationships with diverse STEM professionals at companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Kenvue, Panasonic, PSEG, and Mars Wrigley.

Scholars participate in an engineering design research project that will enhance their analytical and 21st century skills.

GSS prides itself in selecting a class that is representative of the diversity of New Jersey, they said.

Scholars hail from 21 of New Jersey’s 21 counties. 62 percent of the class identify as female and 89 percent as students of color. When these Scholars graduate in May 2025, they will join an alumni cohort of nearly 1,000 Scholars.

Alise Roderer, director of the Governor’s STEM Scholars, said, “With this career knowledge and exposure, we are setting these high school and college students on a path to achieve excellence in jobs of the future.”

Read more about the 2024-2025 Governor’s STEM Scholars at www.govstemscholars.com/scholars.