Lukas Liakhovitch of Hackettstown honored as graduate of Governor’s STEM Scholars
Governor's STEM Scholars Surpasses 1,000 Alumni Milestone
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (Warren County) – On Saturday, May 3, Hackettstown resident Lukas Liakhovitch graduated from the Governor’s STEM Scholars, a year-long program of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey.
Lukas was one of 111 high school and college students from all 21 counties across the state to complete the immersive STEM experience.
The Governor’s STEM Scholars provides students a 360° view of New Jersey’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) economy through research, conferences, and industry site visits. This year’s Commencement, held at Kean University, marked a significant milestone—the program now boasts more than 1,000 alumni.
A public-private partnership among the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, the Governor’s Office, the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, and New Jersey’s public and private research universities, the Governor’s STEM Scholars connects high-achieving students in 10th grade through Ph.D. programs with leaders in the state’s innovation economy.
“This year’s 111 Scholars represent the best of what New Jersey has to offer—and with this class, we’ve officially crossed the threshold of 1,000 alumni,” said Alise Roderer, Director of the Governor’s STEM Scholars. “From lab tours to research and policy briefings, these students are building lifelong connections to the state’s STEM economy and becoming New Jersey’s next generation of innovators.”
Lukas Liakhovitch, a senior at Pope John XXIII Regional High School, attended four statewide conferences focused on STEM in government, academia, and industry. These were held at Rutgers School of Engineering, Montclair State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Kean University. He also participated in a community-based research project.
As a graduate, Liakhovitch joins an alumni network of more than 1,000 Governor’s STEM Scholars—an influential statewide community with direct access to STEM career pathways and professional opportunities.
The program is free for all participants thanks to the support of Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Merck & Co., Novartis, PSEG Foundation, Spencer Savings Bank, and Stryker.
Applications for the 2025–2026 Governor’s STEM Scholars program are open through June 13, 2025. To apply, visit www.govstemscholars.com/apply
