Nakul Mittal traveled 8,000 miles to New Jersey to pursue his dreams of secondary education in the United States. Already daunted by the distance and the time he’d be away from his family in India, he’d face another challenge when circumstances forced him to transfer from his initial college choice, Rider University.
However, a little over 20 miles south, an opportunity presented itself in Mount Laurel—at ƹƵ (RCBC). Mittal was already familiar with the college before he went to Rider thanks to his aunt who lives in Burlington County, so the choice was easy—but leaving the friends he made, the faculty he learned from, and the overall experiences of a four-year institution would be hard.
“It felt like everything I had worked for was slipping away,” Mittal said.
But two years on, if he strayed a bit from his initial path at Rider, he’s gotten right back on track at RCBC.
“I can confidently say that I am no longer the same person who walked into RCBC for the first time,” Mittal said. “The growth I’ve experienced over these years has made me more focused, dedicated, and confident.”
Mittal studies computer science at RCBC but has learned much from staff and faculty in every department. Assistant Professor of English Malik Abdul-Jabbar helped him improve his reading and writing skills, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Dean Dr. Edem Tetteh was instrumental in assisting Mittal to achieve a special goal.
“The best part about my experience here would be the research project I’m doing currently,” Mittal said. “I always wanted to do a research project.” In collaboration with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Mittal dedicates hours, his technical expertise, and consistent collaboration to advance AI-driven technologies, one of the fields he is looking toward when he sets off to attain a PhD in the future.
He also had the chance to participate in UNITE 2030, a week-long camp in upstate New York for business-driven individuals and entrepreneurs to “turn ideas into impact.” This was perfect for Mittal, whose main goal for coming to the U.S. was to start a business.
When taking time off from studies, Mittal participates in the International Club and is always happy to attend fun events with fellow Barons held in the Student Success Center, which students call SSC—something he admits he didn’t have high expectations for when first arriving.
“I was just curious if there would be any events because community college has this sort of reputation, you know, that they don’t do fun activities,” Mittal said. “Every day, something is happening in the SSC.”
It would have been impossible for Mittal to picture himself on stage, speaking at graduation just a year and a half ago, but it’s something he’ll be doing as co-valedictorian at the Health Sciences, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and Adult Basic Education spring commencement ceremony at 1 pm on May 14. RCBC has helped him grow, and he’s officially tossed his introvert title to the side and adopted a more ambivert personality thanks to his connections with his friends and the rest of the RCBC community.
To them, he’ll have this to say:
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, success isn’t about being perfect — it’s about never giving up. It’s about showing up, working hard, and believing in yourself, even when things get tough.”
For more commencement information, visit .
