Jarell Brown is an experienced analytics and business intelligence professional at The Henry Ford whose role is to design and manage enterprise analytics, reporting products, industry-standard data approaches, optimized workflows, and innovative technology solutions that align with the organization’s mission. This enables data-driven decision-making and strategic alignment across the organization. Jarell has a proven track record of success across multiple industries and programs, including Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), Museums & Cultural Institutions, Sponsorship, Experiential Evaluations, Digital Analytics, Omni-channel Marketing, Consumer Insights, and Automotive. Jarell’s innovative solutions have expanded organizational capabilities, optimized workflows, and maximized social and business impact. Jarell’s latest project, Innovation Atlas, earned a Special Achievement in GIS Award (SAG Award) from ESRI. This project showcases Jarell’s experience and innovative mindset, building on combined experiences within Museums & Cultural Institutions, Non-Profits, Educational Programs, Ecosystems, Advanced Analytics & Advertising. Jarell is a veteran (US Army 1LT (R)) and a graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY majoring in Engineering Psychology with a minor in Electrical Engineering and was a leading member of the Army West Point Men’s Basketball team from 2004-2008.
Corey D. Samuels grew up in Irvington, NJ and is the CEO & Lead Designer/Instructor of Samz BREGO, LLC. Samz BREGO LLC is a STEM Education & Creative service using LEGO® as its main component, with a fashion brand of LEGO inspired Lapel Pins. Started in 2016 and becoming an LLC in 2020, Corey’s passion for education, art and fashion started as a LEGO© enthusiast at the age of five. In 2020, Corey and his brother Travis were part of the FIRST Season cast of FOX Networks hit TV Show “LEGO Masters US”, and later that year Corey was featured on Food Network’s Holiday special “Buddy vs Christmas.” Corey will be participating in an upcoming LEGO Masters Bricktacular Holiday Special. Corey has shifted his focus to teaching children and adults STEM/STEM skills using LEGO as the framework. Corey has dedicated his life to growing and creating a safe space for all people to learn how to use LEGO as a creative tool and a learning instrument.
Jason Bing – Superintendent of the South Orange Maplewood School District, former Dutchess County BOCES Superintendent in New York, a former Senior Leadership Team member of Jersey City School District, and served as the Superintendent at Great Meadows Regional SD, Barnegat Township SD and Bloomfield SD.
Mr. Bing is a strong advocate for Workforce Readiness Skills and aligning K to 12 curricula with industry needs. He facilitated the Apprentice 2000 program in Jersey City and partnered with Hudson County Community College around pre-apprentice programming that provided students with industry certifications and/or college credits. He authored a N.J. Department of Education CS grant to prepare students for careers in the field. While at Bloomfield Township SD, he partnered with various unions to place students in well-paying careers right after high school. At Dutchess County BOCES, he authored and was awarded the $1.9 million NYS P-TECH grant to develop an Early College High School in the field of advanced manufacturing.
He received his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and earned a Masters in Instruction/Curriculum and Educational Leadership through Kean University. Mr. Bing is the first NJ administrator to graduate from Rutgers University’s Master Teacher Institute for Holocaust/Genocide program and is a Sister Rose Thering Fellowship awardee via Seton Hall University.
James Howard – Executive Director of the Black Inventors Hall of Fame, is a college professor, design historian, entrepreneur, industrial designer, inventor and restaurateur. He owns and operates one of the area’s top niche food establishments, “Cozy Cupboard Tea Room”. Howard also brings over 25 years of experience as a design professor and has authored a course on Design Thinking and Design History that explores the impact of design on society. An accomplished Industrial Design educator and entrepreneur, Howard has lectured on the experience of Black American inventors, often drawing a parallel with many of his own experiences as an AA innovator to those innovators of the past. Howard has been awarded 20 patents, many which save people’s lives every day. His latest venture is Entrepreneurial U, Morris County’s first school of Design Thinking.
Chrissy Rebert – VP of Global Instructional Solutions at Teq, has 30 years of experience within various areas in the educational field. Chrissy began her career as a third-grade teacher and received her master’s in special education. Upon leaving the classroom, Chrissy became a Director of Training & Professional Development with a focus on technology training, curriculum/content writing, and writing. She has written PD plans that support effective technology implementation and pedagogical shift for the largest U.S. school districts. As the VP of Global Instructional Solutions at Teq, she is responsible for overall business development, working with Channel PD business, identifying, and effectively implementing solutions to districts all over the US and Globally, and working at the state/government level to collaborate on educational initiatives, policies, and funding. Additionally, Chrissy manages Teq’s professional development team, curriculum writing team, and online learning platform, OTIS.
Career Readiness – Student Skills Building – Alissa Schonmann, Morris Plains Borough School “Young Innovators: Empowering Kids to Become Future Entrepreneurs”
Alissa Schonmann is a seasoned educator with over 22 years of experience in the classroom. Currently serving as a STEAM Teacher at Borough Elementary School, she has spent the past six years inspiring young minds through the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. During summer breaks and holidays, Mrs. Schonmann played a pivotal role in the science industry, contributing to the success of a science company for 18 years. Her unique blend of real-world experience and educational expertise enables her to create dynamic, engaging learning environments that not only foster academic growth but also prepare students for future challenges.
Career Readiness – Student Skills Building – Andrea Dulac, National Inventors Hall of Fame® “Every Child Can Invent”
Andrea Dulac – Educational Outreach at the National Inventors Hall of Fame®, develops and sustains education partnerships with public school districts on the East Coast and Northeast. Andrea holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame and has two decades of professional experience across the US and Latin America in nonprofit program management and community-based education
Student-to-Student: A Look at Peer-to-Peer Mentoring and Tutoring Models
Jessie Thomas, 4-H / Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Eileen Neri, Executive Director, The Achieve Foundation
The Rutgers 4-H Computer Science (CS) Pathways program, focuses on the three-tier peer-mentorship model. 4-H staff in the most urban counties in New Jersey (Newark, Paterson, Jersey City, Trenton) have trained undergraduate college students in Positive Youth Development and computer science curriculum. The college students work alongside high school aged STEM Ambassadors to provide STEM programming to middle and elementary school youth in Out-of-School-Time and club programs. These STEM programs are provided at low/no cost to community centers, libraries, after-school programs, and clubs.
The Achieve Foundation is the local education foundation supporting students in the South Orange-Maplewood School District. The Achieve Volunteer Tutor Program (AVTP) provides free academic assistance and social-emotional connection to students. Conducted in partnership with the school district, it matches students with volunteer tutors based on subject area, expertise and/or grade level. The tutors are made up of high school and middle school students from the district, Seton Hall students, and local adult volunteers. Each year almost 400 students are provided tutoring support, with 97% of tutees, and their families reporting a positive experience with the program.