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Two Rutgers–Newark Students Attend White House Event 

Angelina Vertiz and Justin Cancel

November 10, 2023

Angelina Vertiz and Justin Cancel, two Rutgers–Newark students, joined peers from across the U.S. at a White House event celebrating National First Generation College Day, which honors those who are the first in their families to attend college.

Angelina Vertiz, a third-year student who is majoring in Social Work, and Justin Cancel, a fourth-year student at Rutgers Business School, were chosen because of their roles as campus leaders. At the event, they met officials from the Department of Education  and networked with other first generation students. 

Hosted by the White House Office of Public Engagement, the invitation was a chance for attendees to learn about federal resources available to them through the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act, according to a White House spokeswoman. The students also attended a panel discussion of first generation White House administration staffers and got tips on applying for internships.

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