New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) hosted graduation on June 14 at Monsignor William J. Linder Plaza, 233 West Market St., Newark. Students who completed the Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Culinary Arts Specialist, Medical Assistant Clinical and Patient Care Technician programs were honored during the ceremony.
New Community Interim Board Chairman Edgar Nemorin congratulated the graduates and thanked them for trusting NCCTI to provide them with the skills needed to start a new career. He also encouraged them to always put in their best effort.
“There may be some tasks that might be unsuccessful or challenging, but at least you know in your heart you gave it your all. Control what you can control,” he said. “Be accountable and responsible. And always remember team collaboration on any task helps everyone.”
Keynote speaker Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka told the graduating class that they should never let challenging situations or past failures deter them from trying to achieve their goals. He said he ran for public office for 16 years before he was successful. He also said having to struggle makes people appreciate their accomplishments.
“I thank you all for taking the stairs and not the elevator. The stairs are harder, they’re more difficult, but when you get to the top of the landing, you appreciate the top because it was a heck of a road getting up there,” he said. “So I want you to remember this journey that you went through and appreciate this journey.”
Medical Assistant Clinical graduate Hafeezah Ragland shared her story at graduation. She began the program in July 2022 shortly after graduating from high school. A few weeks later, she was shot and had to stop attending NCCTI. She recovered and was able to return to school and complete the program with the help of instructor Dr. Mamdouh Sorial and supportive NCCTI staff members. Ragland now works as an Ambulatory Technician at University Hospital in the physical medicine and rehab department. Her future goal is to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN).
“I am super grateful for the opportunity that I was given at NCCTI,” she said.
Ragland also shared words of encouragement to her fellow graduates.
“No matter which route and trials and tribulations you go through in life, never give up. It might be hard, but with the right support and guidance, you’re going to accomplish your goals,” she said.
NCCTI presented New Community Board Chairman Emeritus Dr. A. Zachary Yamba with a plaque of appreciation for his work with the school. Yamba, who retired as Board Chairman in December, worked closely with NCCTI over the years bringing his experience in education to help elevate the school and assist with the re-accreditation process.
Yamba said he became involved with New Community because the organization served him when he first came to the United States. Founder Monsignor William J. Linder asked him to become a member of the Board and wanted him to assume the leadership role after his passing, which Yamba did to carry on the mission of New Community. He said the graduates are a part of that.
“To the graduates today, you are a testament and recipient of the legacy that Monsignor Linder built for our community,” Yamba said.
Employer partners also addressed the crowd. David Hutchinson from Tremco, who founded the Rising Stars Program that NCCTI Building Trades Specialist students participate in, told the graduates that they should be proud of their accomplishments but also look toward future goals.
“Today you’ve completed a very important hurdle. But it is not the end line for you,” he said. “It’s the start of your journey. Continue to press forward and continue to strive for more.”
Kobie Brown from Newark Community Health Centers, which has hired NCCTI students, told the graduates to be accountable to themselves to push themselves forward and not to forget their roots.
“Make sure that you’re doing everything that you can to be a pillar in this community and to be a successful part of this community,” he said.
New Community Director of Mission Frances Teabout closed out the graduation ceremony by thanking the speakers, NCCTI instructors and staff members and the graduates’ support systems. She also asked the graduates to share their positive experiences with others.
“When New Community comes up, I want you all to speak good of us,” she said. “To let somebody know that New Community has made a difference in your life. Because that’s how we’re able to continue doing what we’re doing.”
NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that is currently enrolling for the following programs: Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Medical Assistant Clinical, Patient Care Technician and Culinary Arts Specialist. For more information, call 973-824-6484, email nccti@newcommunity.org, log onto newcommunitytech.edu or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.
