When the Trenton Downtown Association (TDA) envisioned a new digital publication that would spotlight the people, places and possibilities shaping the city’s future, it turned to an unexpected but powerful source: Rider University students.

This spring, a multidisciplinary team of Rider students stepped into key roles to help bring Downtown Connect from concept to reality. Working across web application development, marketing strategy and operations management, these students became the engine behind the publication’s successful launch. They will continue to support its growth as it becomes a central platform for community storytelling and civic engagement.

Rider graduate student Jordan Salagala, who is pursuing a master’s in information systems, played a pivotal role in designing the user experience, refining the site’s functionality and ensuring that Downtown Connect launched with the polish and reliability of a professional media outlet. His work exemplifies the power of student experiential learning when paired with real-world responsibility and community partnership.

“When I started at Rider, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to help build a new publication like Downtown Connect,” Jordan says. “Working with the Trenton Downtown Association this past semester has been an amazing experience, and I am excited to help Rider build more experiences like this for my fellow classmates.”

Jordan was not alone. Rider students from across majors have contributed to TDA’s broader mission throughout the semester. These efforts represent more than a single semester’s work. They are part of Rider University’s expanded experiential learning initiative focused on economic and community impact in Trenton and across Mercer County. Through this initiative, students gain hands-on experience solving real challenges for nonprofits, entrepreneurs and local businesses while contributing to the region’s economic vitality.

For Rider, this work is also a homecoming.

Founded in 1865 in Trenton, New Jersey, Rider University has deep roots in the city’s history. As the institution enters a new era, it is intentionally returning to those roots and re-establishing itself as a collaborative partner committed to strengthening the civic, cultural and economic fabric of the region. The partnership with TDA and the launch of Downtown Connect symbolize this renewed commitment.

Experiential learning has long been a cornerstone of a Rider education. The University has built a reputation for preparing students to be innovative, adaptable thinkers who are ready to lead in dynamic professional environments. The work with TDA demonstrates how that tradition continues to evolve: students are not only learning from the world, but they are also helping shape it.

Downtown Connect stands as a testament to what can happen when community organizations and higher education institutions work side by side. With Rider students contributing their talent, creativity and drive, the publication is poised to become a vibrant voice for Trenton’s downtown and a model for how experiential learning can fuel both student success and community transformation.