Sometimes in life, all it takes is a good cause to motivate you to do great things. In the case of Isaac Vicente, he found his in the most literal one.
Isaac grew up in Camden, New Jersey, where from an early age he sought out opportunities to get involved in organizations larger than himself and to explore the world beyond his immediate surroundings.
During seventh grade at LEAP Academy University Charter School, he joined the CAUSE program, an enriching experience that offers development opportunities for Camden youth while continuing STEM studies at his school. He credits CAUSE, which stands for Community and Urban Science Enrichment, for having a significant influence on his growth and work ethic as a young person.
Instead of letting his environment define him, for six years, he participated in the program, which took place at the Center for Aquatic Sciences at Adventure Aquarium in Camden. There, the students performed fieldwork, learned from scientists and educators, and built leadership skills like communication, teamwork, inquiry-based teaching, interviewing, and r茅sum茅 writing, conflict resolution, and financial literacy. They also led summer camps, supported environmental stewardship, and assisted Adventure Aquarium education programs.
The CAUSE program gave Isaac the tools to build a solid foundation for the academic and professional journey he continues today. These skills, in concert with the opportunities provided by LEAP Academy for dual enrollment in college courses, allowed Isaac to chart a course toward success.
鈥淲ithout the CAUSE program, I would not be where I am today,鈥 says Isaac, who is now pursuing his master鈥檚 degree in organizational management at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC). 鈥淭hey have helped me develop so many unimaginable ways. I thank them for everything.鈥
Using his Skills for Good
Iassac鈥檚 story proves that when you equip hardworking, compassionate students with opportunities to thrive, their positive impact can have a ripple effect on their goals and extended communities.
With CAUSE having instilled in him the tools and desire needed to achieve his goals while in service to others, Isaac enrolled in the Rutgers University School of Nursing after high school but soon realized he could make a larger impact in an organizational leadership capacity.
鈥淚 entered nursing to care for others, but CAUSE showed me my most significant impact comes from organizing workflows, mobilizing teams, mentoring younger students, and creating opportunities in a stigmatized city,鈥 he explains.
Partly due to the pandemic and partly from hearing great things about UAGC from a friend, Isaac transferred to the BA in Organizational Management program during his sophomore year.
He quickly got hooked on the flexibility of the courses and the ability to graduate in the same timeframe as he would have had he continued his program at a traditional, in-person university.
Now, Isaac works for Amazon and expresses gratitude for the real-life applications that he has learned in his courses at UAGC.
鈥淢y BA in Organizational Management opened doors into operations leadership at a global technology company across e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and AI,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 apply what I learned daily, building teams, improving processes, and leading with data and empathy.鈥
Turning Setbacks into Springboards
While this period was a time of growth, learning, and mentorship, it wasn鈥檛 without its struggles. Isaac shares that he was involved in two serious, not-at-fault car accidents within one month of each other, and that he鈥檚 still actively seeking follow-up treatments for recovery.
Despite these challenges, he says his advisors were supportive and acknowledged the lesson he learned while persevering.
鈥淚t helped me build resilience, communication skills, and ability to plan under pressure,鈥 he notes.
Isaac graduated from UAGC with his BA in Organizational Management in 2024. With that first accomplishment under his belt, he decided to continue his organizational management journey by pursuing his master鈥檚 degree in the same field, allowing him to deepen his knowledge of the subject and develop his skills further.
鈥淚 did not want to go anywhere else other than UAGC,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 love everything the school has to offer me.鈥
One of his favorite courses was a recent human resource management class, where he says he learned about leadership direction while diving into one of his favorite topics.
鈥淚t touches on a lot of the critical points and foundations of an organization to protect not only itself, but also its stakeholders to make sure we have the best support we possibly can,鈥 he explains. 鈥淣ot only does this help develop ourselves as leaders, but it also helps develop the environment itself, which is an absolute major point.鈥
Building a Community
The master鈥檚 degree program is opening even more doors for Isaac, who says he is on a 鈥渇ast track to further progression鈥 with his company.
With success unfolding at his company, Isaac is set to graduate from his master鈥檚 program in 2026. In the meantime, he continues to seek out opportunities to get involved in the UAGC community and build leadership skills while a student.
In 2025, he became a volunteer mentor with the UAGC CHAMPS Peer Mentoring program, drawing on his background in mentorship and paying it forward to help his peers succeed. In this role, he works alongside students to help them achieve their goals and to offer holistic support for their academic, professional, and personal endeavors.
Additionally, he was appointed secretary of the UAGC Student Government Association (SGA), where his responsibilities include proactive communication with the association鈥檚 leadership team, recording minutes, and taking detailed accounts of town halls and other meetings.
The position has provided valuable hands-on experience and has allowed him to expand his network and professional development opportunities.
Between working full time, his participation in CHAMPS and the SGA, and his coursework, Isaac juggles his competing priorities and excels in all areas, noting that self-discipline is key.
Isaac鈥檚 perseverance, time management skills, and empathy for those around him have ensured his success in college and career.
Student success stories should not be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of career advancement or future earnings. The stories shared here represent the outcomes of individual students for illustrative purposes only.
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Written by Rachel Vensand, M.Ed., a Communications Specialist at UAGC.
Student success stories should not be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of career advancement or future earnings. The stories shared here represent the outcomes of individual students for illustrative purposes only.
