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Robert Lamptey is originally from Ghana, where he spent over 20 years working in banking and business development. In 2022, he moved to the U.S. with his wife and children and soon thereafter enrolled in the business program at Wayne County Community College District.

“I decided to pursue a business degree to address some professional gaps in my resume and build the right skills to further my career,” says Robert, whose long-term plan is to work as an organizational leader in the banking sector, specializing in project finance or infrastructural development. He is also interested in becoming an instructor for business and project management students, and/or a project finance consultant in the corporate world.

Upon moving to New Jersey in 2023, Robert attended an Open House at RVCC, where he learned about The College’s business programs. “The welcoming professors at the Business & Public Service table made me feel comfortable despite being an adult student,” says Robert, who soon transferred to RVCC as a Business Administration major (General Business option).

As an international student pursuing an adult education, Robert knew that getting involved in campus activities would help him feel more connected to student life. “International students are often not involved in many campus activities,” says Robert, who went on to become an active leader within RVCC Clubs: President of the International Cultural Association and President of the RVCC chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).

Last summer, Robert volunteered at the RVCC Resource Center to assist community members facing food insecurity. “Some students arrive at school without eating, and food insecurity remains a significant issue,” says Robert, who is now employed there part-time as Community Outreach Coordinator. “I help students access resources and ensure they can fully engage with their academic experience at RVCC,” says Robert.

Other activities for Robert include volunteering for RVCC’s Open House Instant Admissions, serving as a new student orientation leader, mentoring for the Men of Color Collective, and volunteering with the Somerville Borough Department of Public Works.

Thanks to his commitment to community service, Robert was nominated for the President's Volunteer Award and was selected for the Pray Family Service Learning and Civic Engagement Leadership Award. He was twice-awarded the Raritan Promise Scholarship and was inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS). Additionally, in recognition of his exceptional academic achievements, Robert was invited to become a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at RVCC and was admitted to Alpha Beta Gamma.

Through RVCC’s Business & Public Services Department, Robert recently participated in a Scholarship Contest with Capacity LLC and ABCO Systems. The contest empowered students by providing them with the chance to solve industry-specific challenges and gain valuable experience in material handling and logistics. One of the final five students, Robert provided solutions to help Capacity LLC improve productivity at lower costs, solve overproduction problems, and enhance ergonomics and box handling.

Next up, Robert plans to transfer to Eastern University-Pennsylvania in fall 2025. During his studies he plans to take up a campus job and to support his family business back home in Ghana, which provides construction and remodeling services in the banking and health sectors.

He credits his journey at RVCC as a wonderful foundation for his future. “I received so much support from International Students & Veteran Services, Career Success, the Student Support - Resource Center, Student Life, Service Learning, Adult Learning, and other offices,” says Robert. “RVCC is always ready to help people develop themselves academically and use their skills and knowledge to make a difference,” he says.

Become the Next Business Success Story at RVCC!

Have you been researching “the best community colleges for business near me?” Visit RVCC’s Business Management and Administration pathway page, where you can explore different business career paths and learn about the various degree programs available at RVCC.

RVCC’s Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) business degree programs are designed to lead directly to employment, while our Associate of Science (A.S.) business degree programs are designed to fulfill business school transfer requirements for students looking to pursue a four-year degree.

The RVCC Difference

Raritan Valley Community College is ranked the #1 community college in New Jersey by WalletHub.com and Intelligent.com. The College offers more than 90 degree and certificate programs, small class sizes, affordable tuition, a vibrant campus life, and more to set students up for success. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. Apply today or visit https://www.raritanval.edu to learn more.