Domenico, a graduate of the Clive Davis Institute at New York University, works as one of the most sought-after songwriters and musicians in New York City. His catalog includes collaborations with John Legend, Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance), Bingo Players, and releases featured on Billboard, Sirius XM, and MTV.
Domenico’s vision is for RWA to serve as a vessel for other young people to discover and pursue their passions. Throughout the past four years, Domenico has conducted many progressive mentorship initiatives under the RWA umbrella, teaching students the art of professionalism, time management, and other required skills for succeeding in college and the Real World. Domenico also functions as Real World Academy‘s brand ambassador, and hosts the RWA "Keeping It Real" podcast.
Lincoln Farquharson is currently a board member and Chief Executive Officer for Real World Academy, Inc. He also serves in the role of Executive Director of the National College Institute. Lincoln is the co-founder and Editor-In-Chief of FarCorners Studios, a comic book publishing company headquartered in Newark, NJ, and founder and Executive Producer of the Newark Culture Con, a convention that celebrates diversity, representation, and inclusion in comic books and pop culture.
Originally from Atlantic City, NJ, Lincoln graduated high school in Germany and then joined the US Navy. When he returned from active duty, he enrolled at Atlantic Cape Community College, then after a year transferred to New Jersey City University, and then finally transferred to Rutgers University – Newark. He is a graduate of Rutgers University – Newark and New Brunswick Business School, receiving his bachelor’s degree in management. He is also a graduate of the Rutgers University – Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration, receiving his master’s degree in public administration.
Physician at Internal Medicine of Morristown, TEDx Speaker, founder of Newark Junior Mentoring Society, co-founder & board secretary of Real World Academy
Executive, Founder & President - Pensare, LLC, TEDx Speaker & Organizer
Cardiologist, Morristown Medical Center
Entertainment Executive, Investor, Member: Disco Fries, Founder: Arkatone Music Group, Liftoff Recordings
Educator: Avenues The World School, New York City
Sophia Kenny currently serves as a Guidance Counselor at Columbia High School. With over 10 years of experience in the high school setting with both general and special education, her ability to connect with students is invaluable. Mrs. Kenny comes with intercollegiate athletic experience, formerly competing with the track and field program at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, as well as 9 years of coaching experience with the Montclair High School running program. She facilitated and helped many varsity athletes connect, visit, and attend schools of their choice, while also continuing their athletic careers. Her journey to becoming a school guidance counselor came from her love of sports as well as a passion for connecting with students on more than just an athletic level. Conversations about grades, experiences, stress management and discovering their true potential in life propelled her to pursue, and ultimately attain a position in her desired field.
Mrs. Kenny is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and Sports Studies with a concentration in Sports Management, and her Master’s degree in School Counseling from Seton Hall University.
Onaje Crawford is an experienced educator, non-profit professional, and faith leader. Onaje attended The Taft School, a college preparatory boarding school in Watertown, CT. After Taft, he attended Boston University where he served as President of the Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Vice President of Multicultural Affairs for Boston University’s Student Union, before graduating with a Bachelors of Art in Political Science. In 2014, Onaje graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary, where he earned a Masters of Divinity, and in 2015 he received a Masters of Social Work from Rutgers University.
In 2005, he served as the founding business and operations manager of University Heights Charter School. Since 2007, he has worked with the New Jersey Law and Education Empowerment Project (NJ LEEP, Inc.), a law-based college preparatory program for students from grades 6 through their college graduation. Having taken on several roles in the organization has allowed him to help young people develop character and leadership skills and has prepared them to matriculate into and graduate from the nation’s top colleges and universities. Thus far, he has helped students gain admission to every Ivy League school, as well as Amherst College, Boston College, the College of the Holy Cross, Duke University, Georgetown University, Howard University, Morehouse College, NYU, Spelman College, Stanford University, Wellesley College, and Williams College, to name a few.
In 2012, he developed and taught a mock trial course for elementary school students at Newark Legacy Charter School. In 2013, he interned at the United Nations where he worked with the Presbyterian Church to respond to international crises and advocate for human rights. In 2014, he interned at the Union Chapel Community Development Corporation and the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity, where he developed programming for Newark’s youth, families, and the elderly. In 2018, Onaje worked with Great Oaks Legacy Charter School, where he helped students with behavioral and academic challenges complete Independent Studies Projects to reignite their love of learning. Currently, he resides in Newark with his wife, Tahirah, and his two daughters.
Ramiro Bruno is an Environmental Science major at the University of Delaware, with a concentration on eco-science.
Being a first-generation high school graduate, Ramiro has gone through the tribulations of college applications successfully and seeks to help those who may find themselves overwhelmed by the process. He has experience in tutoring many different subjects from English composition to fundamentals of physics. Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, he is an avid jazz enthusiast and in his free time likes to play guitar. As a group mentor, Ramiro specializes in keeping students engaged with Real World applications of the course content.
Mateo Cardona is a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University and a co-founder of the Morristown branch of Real World Academy.
He credits his high school mentor Jose Acevedo for inspiring him to give back to his community through the program. Being a first generation American, Mateo wanted to pass on his knowledge to students who also had little to no familiarity with the college process. His goal is to graduate from FDU and continue to grow RWA along with his professional career.
Daniel Palomeque is a student at Lehigh University, where he studies Civil Engineering and Environmental Studies in an integrated, honors program.
He is involved in many academic and leadership enriching programs at Lehigh, along with his involvement in mentorship on campus with the local high school students. Being a first-generation student and realizing the impact his high school mentor counselor had on his high school career, Daniel has developed a lifelong passion for academic equity and is devoted to helping marginalized youth.
Michelle Amparbin serves as a mentor for college freshmen students at Real World Academy. Her passion for learning and helping others prompted her to do more than simply attend classes as a student. Michelle joined Sister-to-Sister, a support group for female students, and remained an active member until she graduated. She also earned an internship, participated in a mentor program, and completed community service hours.
Michelle’s academic scholarship earned her a place in two international honor societies
– Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and Alpha Beta Gamma (ABG) at RVCC. While attending Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), she held multiple leadership positions. She became the Senior Executive VP of PTK and VP of Leadership and Service. Michelle earned her associate degree in Business at RVCC and she pursued her bachelor’s degree at Drew University.
Michelle continued her involvement with campus and community service-based projects while attending Drew. She served as a mentor in the Student Outreach and Academic Reinforcement Tutoring (S.O.A.R) program for underrepresented five-grade students to help them transition into junior high school. For her academic scholarship and community service Michelle earned membership into Pinnacle Honor Society, which recognizes the accomplishments of non-traditional students. Michelle graduated from Drew University with a bachelor’s degree in Business with a Minor in Sociology. Always having a passion for learning and sharing her knowledge with others, Michelle returned to RVCC to motivate students to complete their associate degree or certification. Her goal as the Program Coordinator for the college’s first corporate mentor program is to serve as another resource for the students to successfully transfer to four-year institutions and transition into their careers. Michelle also has a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in leadership from Rutgers University - Newark’s School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA).
© 2022 Real World Academy All Rights Reserved. Site Designed and Maintained by systMD, LLC