New Jersey Council of County Colleges Celebrates AI for Impact Fellowship
Hamilton, NJ – The New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) celebrated the accomplishments of five New Jersey community college students from Hudson County Community College, Middlesex College, and County College of Morris during a certificate ceremony held at its offices in Hamilton, New Jersey, on Friday, December 19, 2025, marking the completion of semester-long fellowships with the New Jersey State Office of Innovation.
The experiential learning pilot program, AI for Impact New Jersey Community College Student Fellowship, paired community college students with professional advisors at the Office of Innovation, providing hands-on experience in applying artificial intelligence to address government challenges and drive innovation in the public sector. Students worked 20 hours per week and received stipends for their participation while continuing their academic studies as part-time students, allowing them to gain meaningful work-based learning experience without interrupting their progress toward a degree.
The fellowship experience was complemented by a four-month professional development series focused on human-centered, data-driven project management, and an in-depth exploration of artificial intelligence technologies. Fellows collaborated with Office of Innovation teams to understand partner needs, conduct qualitative and quantitative research, develop responsible, human-centered solutions, manage the design and execution of AI-enabled projects, and present their work to public audiences. Students also gained hands-on experience with industry-leading AI platforms and tools, including large language models, cloud-based AI services, and AI code assistants.
The AI for Impact fellowship reflects a unique partnership model. The program was administered by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges with funding support from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and hosted by the New Jersey State Office of Innovation. InnovateUS, a key partner supporting the State of New Jersey and the Office of the Chief AI Strategist, facilitated the fellows’ professional development and training.
“This fellowship demonstrates the power of collaboration across higher education, state government, and economic development partners,” said Aaron Fichtner, President of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. “By connecting community college students with real-world projects that improve the lives of New Jerseyans, the AI for Impact fellowship model builds the students’ technical and professional skills, supports the positive impact of the NJ Office of Innovation, and reinforces the role our colleges play in preparing New Jersey’s AI talent pipeline.”
“Our team has been inspired by the insights, perspectives, and meaningful contributions of these fellows over the past several months,” said Dave Cole, New Jersey State Chief Innovation Officer. “I’m confident that they will drive technology and innovation in the years ahead, helping New Jersey – and the public sector as a whole – deliver more effectively and efficiently for the people we serve.”
“The Murphy Administration has made workforce development a cornerstone of New Jersey’s economic strategy, focusing on emerging industries such as Artificial Intelligence,” said Mary Maples, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NJEDA. “Through collaboration with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges and the Office of Innovation, the AI for Impact Fellowship equipped students with in-demand skills, helping strengthen our talent pipeline and prepare New Jerseyans for good-paying jobs that will drive innovation, productivity, and long-term economic growth in a burgeoning industry.”
The inaugural cohort of AI for Impact Fellows includes:
- Marlon Peña Crespo, Computer Science major, Hudson County Community College
- Simel Noori, Engineering Science major, Middlesex College
- Nina Salamatova, Political Science major, Middlesex College
- Sachin Shrestha, Business Administration major, Hudson County Community College
- Jose Sosa, Computer Science major, County College of Morris
Through the fellowship, students working with professional coaches effectively used artificial intelligence to improve public sector services and resources, while gaining practical experience with emerging technologies.
The New Jersey Council of County Colleges looks forward to continuing innovative partnerships that expand experiential learning opportunities and connect community college students to high-impact, future-focused careers.
From Left to Right: Jose Sosa, Nina Salamatova, Marlon Peña Crespo, Simel Noori, Sachin Shrestha
About the New Jersey Council of County Colleges
Governed by the presidents and trustees of the state’s 18 community colleges and enshrined in state law, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges supports NJ’s community colleges and the more than 250,000 students they serve annually by fostering collaboration and developing solutions that expand access to college, promote equity and student success, and create a skilled workforce to drive economic growth. Learn more at NJCommunityColleges.org.
About the New Jersey State Office of Innovation
The Office of Innovation, codified into law in January 2026 as the New Jersey Innovation Authority, partners with state agencies to modernize services through the use of technology, design, data, policy, marketing, and communication to deliver impact to residents, drive uptake of services, and build a government that works for all.
About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority grows the state’s economy and increases equitable access to opportunity by supporting high-quality job creation, catalyzing investment, and fostering vibrant, inclusive community development. NJEDA works in partnership with a diverse range of stakeholders to implement programs and initiatives that improve quality of life, enhance economic vitality, and strengthen New Jersey’s long term economic competitiveness.
About InnovateUS
InnovateUS provides no-cost at-your-own-pace and live learning on data, digital, innovation, and AI skills for public service professionals. Governed by a coalition of public sector learning and innovation leaders across the United States, our curriculum gives you the skills to deliver more effective, equitable and engaged policies and services. Our learning resources are for public service professionals by public service professionals and emphasize evidence-based, participatory, and collaborative approaches.
