Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Suraj Kaufman to Receive Presidential Medallion at NJCU's Historic Final Commencement

JERSEY CITY, N.J. | New Jersey City University (NJCU) President Andrés Acebo has announced that Suraj Kaufman, founder and CEO of Sneaker Room and the Sneaker Room Foundation, will receive the prestigious Presidential Medallion at the University's 2026 Commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

The recognition honors Kaufman's dedication to uplifting Jersey City's youth and families through innovative programs that merge entrepreneurship with social responsibility and his unwavering commitment to creating lasting community impact.

"Suraj Kaufman embodies the spirit of servant leadership and community transformation that defines the very best of Jersey City and New Jersey City University," said President Acebo. "From founding a nationally recognized business to establishing a foundation that has touched thousands of lives, Suraj has demonstrated how entrepreneurship and philanthropy can work hand in hand to create meaningful, lasting change. His dedication to youth empowerment, education, and community wellness reflects the values we celebrate at NJCU, and we are honored to recognize his exceptional contributions with the Presidential Medallion at this historic commencement."

Kaufman said: “Receiving this honor truly means more than I can put into words. To be honored for my philanthropy by New Jersey City University in my hometown hits differently and reminds me of where I come from and the people who helped shape me. I never do this work for recognition, but it is deeply humbling to know that others see the effort, the intention, and the love behind it. I am not special. I am just someone trying to do the right thing to show up for people and to give back in any way I can. If I can leave this world a little better than I found it and make a difference in even one life, then everything has been worth it.”

The Presidential Medallion, established in 2014, honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the University or broader community. The award is presented at Commencement or other special occasions during the academic year and is bestowed at the President's discretion. Previous recipients include New Jersey State Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro (2023), Antonio R. Flores, President and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (2023), federal judge Evelyn Padin (2021), and Robert J. Delaney '85 (2018), NBA Vice President, 25-year NBA official, and decorated New Jersey State Trooper.

The 2026 commencement ceremony will feature entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist Jorge A. Plasencia as the honorary degree recipient and commencement speaker. The ceremony will celebrate students receiving their degrees in January 2026 and May 2026, marking a historic milestone as NJCU's final commencement as an independent institution before the university's merger with Kean University in Summer 2026 to form Kean Jersey City.

About Suraj Kaufman

Suraj Kaufman is a philanthropic leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate dedicated to creating meaningful and lasting impact through service, collaboration, and purpose-driven initiatives. He founded Sneaker Room in Jersey City and built it from the ground up into a nationally recognized sneaker and lifestyle brand rooted in the community. Building on that foundation, he launched the Sneaker Room Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on youth empowerment, education, health, and community wellness.

Through the foundation, Kaufman has delivered large-scale giveback initiatives serving thousands of families across Jersey City and beyond, including back-to-school block parties, backpack and supply distributions, Thanksgiving turkey drives, annual holiday parades, and holiday toy giveaways. The foundation has created lasting legacy projects within Jersey City Medical Center, including a dedicated waiting room at the Christie Kerr Women's Center established in memory of his mother, donations to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the founding of the Green Apple Food Pharmacy to address food insecurity and chronic health conditions.

Deeply invested in education, Kaufman authored and teaches a proprietary entrepreneurship curriculum titled BEST (Business Entrepreneur Student Teaching), now in its second year within the Jersey City Public School system. He also opened the Sneaker Room Annex at Middle School #7, where teachers refer students in need to receive new sneakers as support and motivation to improve attendance, behavior, and academic performance. Additionally, Kaufman awards scholarships in his father's name to support students pursuing higher education.

Kaufman's philanthropic impact extends internationally with giveback initiatives in Puerto Rico and India and through strategic collaborations with global brands such as Nike and Adidas, as well as athletes and cultural figures including Victor Cruz and Kyrie Irving. He serves as Treasurer of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation and as a member of the Board of Trustees at Jersey City Medical Center.

About NJCU: 
New Jersey City University is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, NJCU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for learning, professional development, and community engagement. Consistent with our mission, NJCU is recognized as a top university for improving upward economic social mobility, ensuring students enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs have access to an affordable, diverse environment, and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to go on to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the State of New Jersey. On July 1, 2026, NJCU is expecting to complete a merger with Kean University to join the Kean University system to become Kean Jersey City.

—www.NJCU.edu—

Contact: 
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301