STARS Spotlight
Luis Sanchez, ‘19 Luis Sanchez, of Lodi, attributed most of his post-graduation success to his start as an NJ STARS student. While at Bergen Community College, Sanchez held leadership positions in Phi Theta Kappa and the Bergen Honors Association where he helped to develop a completely new General Studies curriculum that was adopted by the College to streamline the student experience for future incoming students. Sanchez obtained his NIH certification to become EEG certified and spent a year as lead researcher to publish the largest statistical analysis on ASMR’s effects on the brain. Sanchez also spearheaded the project to increase the College’s environmental efforts by creating an educational awareness initiative and petition on campus which resulted in resource allocation toward environmental sustainability. In 2018, Sanchez was chosen for Phi Theta Kappa’s Distinguished Leadership Award and was one of 30 students in the world to be named one of Phi Theta Kappa’s Distinguished Chapter Officers. His contribution as a PTK officer led to the team effort to receive the prestigious “Most Distinguished Chapter,” where Bergen’s very own Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter was awarded for the best projects over 800 colleges. Sanchez was a member of Future Business Leaders of America and completed the CollegeLEADS program, which focuses on leadership and civic engagement on local government and public policy. He also led a team of six students in the New Jersey County College Case Competition at Rutgers Business school, later obtained his Bachelor’s Degree at Rutgers Business School, and graduated summa cum laude.
Sanchez is currently employed as Logistics System Analyst at United States Cold Storage and was recently promoted to their Leadership Development Program. The program allows him to gain experience in all areas of the supply chain. Thus far, he has been a logistics analyst, customer experience analyst, and load planner through the program. Sanchez is also the sole owner of a real estate company, Metavine Properties, that currently owns and manages 5 rental units in Chicago, IL. Luis is hoping to expand operations back to New Jersey through partnership deals. “The NJ STARS program freed me of the financial burden that schools present. That has directly contributed toward making my academic experience debt-free and has allowed me to excel in my career and business endeavors. I am eternally grateful for the NJ STARS program,” said Sanchez. To Sanchez, process improvement isn’t just his main area of study, but more so, a way of life. ● Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Epsilon Phi Chapter Vice President of Communications ● Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Chapter Officer to 30 students in the world ● Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Member30 teams in the U.S. ● Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Leadership Award ● Bergen Honors Association, Publicist ● Dr. Judith K. Winn School of Honors & Phi Theta Kappa Dual Honors Award ● Phi Theta Kappa Graduate ● Graduated with a 3.73GPA ● 2021 Rutgers University, Newark Campus- BS, Supply Chain Management ● Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.94 GPA