Marisa Syed, a sophomore at Rutgers University, has been recognized for her contributions to social justice and literacy advocacy. Syed received the Chancellor’s Outstanding Student Volunteer Award from Rutgers-New Brunswick Chancellor Francine Conway for her work in establishing Pages4ProgressNJ, a program designed to teach incarcerated individuals to read.
Syed’s commitment to helping others began early in life, influenced by her parents’ dedication to community service. As she grew older, her involvement expanded into social justice causes. “All these things ignited something in me,” said Syed, who is majoring in public health. “I feel like advocacy has always been ingrained in me.”
Her initiative, Pages4ProgressNJ, targets incarcerated individuals with literacy skills at a fourth-grade level or lower. The program aims to improve their reading abilities and boost confidence for reintegration into society. Since its inception last spring, four cohorts have completed the eight-week course at Hudson County Jail.
Chancellor Conway praised Syed’s efforts: “Marisa shows that empowered students can make an incredible difference for our society.” She highlighted how the program contributes to education and rehabilitation among inmates.
Before attending Rutgers, Syed was involved with the Justice Education Project, eventually becoming its executive director. Her leadership extended to co-authoring a book on criminal justice activism with Yale Law School professors.
The literacy program was part of a fellowship project at the Ali Leadership Institute and received support from County Commissioner Bill O’Dea. Although initially challenging to implement due to security restrictions and lack of teaching experience among students, the program partnered with experienced organizations to deliver instruction within the jail.
Syed continues promoting literacy initiatives while participating in various student organizations at Rutgers. Her future career path remains undecided between medicine or law, but she affirms that advocacy will remain central: “This is so much a part of who I am.”
