Launched in 2017 to streamline pathways to higher education in STEM for talented students from under-resourced communities, the ACES program partners with 18 high schools throughout New Jersey and New York to identify qualified candidates and enroll them in the program. 

Enrolled students receive scholarships to participate in Stevens’ Summer Pre-College and year-round programs. They benefit from mentorship, hands-on learning through career workshops and lab internships, conference attendance, SAT test prep and college application support, along with opportunities to engage with Stevens faculty and peers. 

The donation is funding the participation of up to 30 students during the summers of 2025 and 2026. Graduates from the ACES Pre-College program — along with other first-year students who meet the ACES program’s qualifications — can further benefit from support and academic opportunities during their Stevens undergraduate career. 

“As a New Jersey-based company focused on healthcare innovation, Johnson & Johnson is proud to support the Stevens ACES program,” says Chris Guiton, head of New Jersey initiatives. “We know firsthand the positive impact that STEM and college readiness programs have on our local students and communities. We have a responsibility to support them by providing greater access to education and opportunity so that we continue building a strong, thriving pipeline of talent in our industry and beyond.”