These NJIT, Rutgers Students Are ‘Rising Stars’ In The Garden State

NEWARK, NJ — Three college students from two universities in Essex County will be honored with “Rising Star Awards” at the 11th annual New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum.

The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) will spotlight five standout college students at this year’s forum, which will take place on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18 in Somerset.

The 2025 honorees include two students from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark and another from Rutgers University, as well as two other standout scholars:

• Alicia Brownstein of Paramus (Bergen Community College)
• Melissa De Cunto of Hopatcong (New Jersey Institute of Technology)
• Laasya Kandakurti of Belle Mead (Rutgers University)
• Zeynep Nalan Kus of Clifton (New Jersey Institute of Technology)
• Alusha Olivier of Irvington (Berkeley College)

Here’s what earned this year’s honorees a nod, according to the NJBIA:

Alicia Brownstein, Bergen Community College – “Brownstein is a second year NJ STARS student at Bergen Community college pursuing an honors Associate of Science degree in Business Administration. She is gaining real-world business experience working part time at a marketing firm and enjoys volunteering as a member of Phi Theta Kappa International College Honor Society and through the Bergen Community College’s Thrive program, which offers charity and volunteer opportunities to students. Brownstein recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the most prestigious award in scouting, which only 5% of scouts meet the rigorous peer-review process to earn. Prior to coming to Bergen Community College, Brownstein joined the New Jersey Collegiate Distributive Education Clubs of America (NJ DECA), an organization dedicated to preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in high schools and colleges. In high school, she competed in NJ DECA’s Hotel and Lodging Management individual roleplay event category. She made it to NJ’s State Career Development Conference for four years and to the International Career Development Conference in 2023 and 2024.”

Melissa De Cunto, New Jersey Institute of Technology – “De Cunto is a senior at NJIT pursuing two Bachelor of Science degrees in Business (with concentrations in Marketing and Entrepreneurships) and Cyberpsychology with minors in Legal Studies and in Science, Technology, and Society. After graduating in 2026 she will pursue her Master of Science in Management in Business Analytics at NJIT. Of Argentine heritage, she draws inspiration from her family’s resilience and immigrant journey. De Cunto is the founder and president of the NJIT Book Club, a self-published author, and an advocate for neurodivergent-friendly reading spaces. De Cunto built and maintains a Little Free Library on campus to promote accessible reading for all students. De Cunto also holds multiple executive board positions across various student organizations at NJIT. Balancing academics with five campus jobs including orientation leader, business mentor in NJIT Martin Tuchman School of Management, and office assistant positions in both the History Department and the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, she is passionate about making literature accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all readers. She aspires to one day open a neurodivergent-friendly bookstore that merges literature, pop culture, and advocacy.”

Laasya Kandakurti, Rutgers University – “Kandakurti is a junior at Rutgers double majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Science, with minors in Linguistics and South Asian Studies. She participates in research with the Hamilton Lab, studying risk and protective factors for depression, suicidal thinking, and self-injurious behaviors among adolescents. In her free time, Kandakurti sings as part of the premier South-Asian fusion band at Rutgers, RU Dhol Effect, and does volunteer work. Most recently she was a summer intern with the Breast Cancer Resource Center at YWCA Princeton, creating a Breast Health 101 presentation with a focus on dense breast tissue. Kandakurti aspires to become a clinical neuropsychologist and start a mental health organization dedicated to reducing stigma in minority communities.”

Zeynep Nalan Kus, New Jersey Institute of Technology – “Kus is a senior at NJIT majoring in Financial Technology. Originally from Turkey, she has pursued her studies in the United States independently, demonstrating resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to personal growth. Her passion for empowering young leaders led her to create and lead the Over the Horizon initiative, which has provided scholarships for high school students through community-driven efforts. At NJIT’s Martin Tuchman School of Management, she serves as president of the Dean’s Executive Leadership Student Council, where she represents the student body to university leadership, develops initiatives that enhance campus life, and organizes events that connect students with industry professionals. Kus’ dedication to fostering opportunity, amplifying student voices, and creating pathways for professional growth has made a lasting impact both within her university and the wider community. She hopes to continue bridging educational and professional opportunities for young leaders worldwide.”

Alusha Olivier, Berkeley College – “Olivier recently graduated from Berkeley College with an associate degree in Justice Studies and a passion for advocacy and service. As president of Berkeley’s Student Activities Board and a student assistant, Olivier worked to unite students and foster a welcoming campus environment. She was a Dean’s List student and volunteered at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey while at Berkeley. Olivier is passionate about serving both the youth and senior populations. She has assisted the City of Newark in promoting its annual holiday event and advocated for access to mental health resources with the National Alliance on Mental Illness by creating and presenting a self-care workshop at a senior housing community. Now in her junior year at Rutgers University, Olivier is working toward a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. She recently completed a successful summer internship at the Mercer County Courthouse, where she has gained a broader understanding of the criminal justice process and the court system. Olivier aspires to become an attorney and to continue to use her voice to uplift others and strengthen her community.”

The 11th annual New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum is the state’s largest professional women’s conference. The event brings together hundreds of women and men for networking, workshops, panel discussions and TED-style talks.

The latest Rising Star winners will be recognized during an awards ceremony on the first day of the two-day event.

“The NJBIA’s Rising Star Awards honor students who have demonstrated a passion for their career path, academic success, and a commitment to their communities during their undergraduate careers,” president and CEO Michele Siekerka said.

“This year, we are proud to recognize the accomplishments of five inspiring students who are destined for great professional success,” she added.

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