RVCC Student Participates in 7th Annual THRIVE Conference, Opportunity Fair
Raritan Valley Community College student Manuela Bulgaro of Manville recently participated in the 7th Annual THRIVE Student Conference and Opportunity Fair, held April 2 at Montclair State University.
Bulgaro, a May 2026 graduate, was selected to present her work at the conference as part of her Kesselman Fellowship, with support from The Pray Family Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement at RVCC.
Bulgaro co-presented at the conference with Aiden Annis, a Rutgers University sophomore majoring in Electrical Engineering and minoring in Political Science. Their project, The Republic We Keep, is a student-led podcast focused on civic engagement and political discourse.
During their presentation, Bulgaro and Annis highlighted their innovative approach to combining long-form interviews with short-form digital content to reach broader audiences. They shared that their work has garnered significant engagement, including more than 5,500 followers and 86,800 likes on TikTok, as well as over 135,000 total views across platforms. The students also discussed their interviews with professors, business leaders, and public sector professionals, and how their podcast is helping to increase civic awareness, particularly among younger audiences.
Hosted by EngageNJ, the conference brought together students from two- and four-year colleges across the state. Following a keynote address, attendees participated in breakout sessions and workshops designed to foster collaboration and learning. Topics included strategies for addressing food insecurity, advancing social justice, engaging in political action, the value of volunteering, and building career pathways through community engagement. The Opportunity Fair provided an interactive setting for students to connect with professionals, expand their networks, and explore meaningful career opportunities.
RVCC is a founding member of EngageNJ, a statewide network administered by Montclair State University. The consortium includes 20 colleges and universities committed to advancing service learning and civic engagement initiatives.
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April 22, 2026
Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383
