June 25, 2026

by Lauren Ferguson

Management Major Jack Callaghan ’27 may have just finished his junior year at Ramapo College of New Jersey, but he is already applying business lessons from the classroom to his real-world workplace and making an impact on the greater Bergen County community.

Callaghan, of the Township of Washington, NJ, has spent the past six years working at Inserra Supermarkets’ ShopRite of Hillsdale. During the last two years, he has coordinated his store’s Partners in Caring Campaign – a community outreach initiative in which ShopRite stores throughout the Wakefern Food Corporation compete to raise funds to fight food insecurity.

“It is an issue that affects far more people than many of us even realize – whether it’s our neighbors, classmates, a coworker, or that friendly family living right up the block,” said Callaghan, who also serves as vice president of membership for Ramapo’s professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi.

In his role at ShopRite, Callaghan directed efforts that raised over $12,000 during the 2025 campaign, and over $14,000 during the 2026 campaign to benefit local food banks and combat food insecurity. He led a team that spearheaded marketing campaigns, food drives, and partnerships with local lawmakers, organizations and community leaders throughout the Pascack Valley region, he explained.

Jack Callaghan ’27, center, directed efforts to raise thousands of dollars to combat food insecurity.

This year, “at the conclusion of the campaign, I compiled a 70-page presentation on Canva showcasing our initiatives, outreach efforts and overall impact,” he said.

For all of his efforts, for the second year in a row, Callaghan has his picture featured on a limited-edition Cheerios box that can be purchased in more than 300 ShopRite locations “from the Jersey Shore to the Poconos – and throughout Baltimore, Philly, NYC and New England,” he said. The Cheerios box will be on shelves until late October or early November, he said.

Jack Callaghan ’27 is featured on a limited-edition Cheerios box with his Inserra Supermarkets team.

Putting Education into Action

Callaghan’s Ramapo education has helped him to develop professional skills and knowledge to prepare for the competition as well as his other responsibilities as a fundraising and community outreach coordinator, inventory management coordinator and building safety coordinator at ShopRite, he said.

“Ramapo has encouraged me to apply the lessons I’ve learned into these real-world situations, and as a result I’ve succeeded,” the marketing minor said. “I’ve been able to strengthen my skills in leadership, my ability to collaborate with others, present my ideas professionally, and take initiative on projects that achieve results.”

Jack Callaghan ’27 has led job fairs for the ShopRite of Hillsdale, gaining experience in HR functiions such as interviewing and recruitment.

Ramapo Lecturer of Marketing Patti Mandel, who Callaghan has gotten to know as a professor as well as a customer at ShopRite, has played a huge role in his professional growth, he said.

“When I first told her about the Cheerios Box program, one piece of advice she gave me really stuck with me: ‘Don’t ever undersell yourself.’ That mindset has helped me tremendously,” Callaghan said. “Since then, I’ve learned to be more confident in my abilities, take pride in the work I do, and fully embrace opportunities that I may have initially been hesitant to pursue. Her encouragement and mentorship have had a major impact on both my professional development and my confidence as a leader.”

Pursuing Opportunities

Callaghan has spent the past six years learning the ins and outs of grocery retail at the store level. This summer he will expand his knowledge to the corporate side of the industry as an intern for the Wakefern Food Corporation – the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States, comprising 45 member companies who independently own and operate more than 350 retail supermarkets, including ShopRite of Hillsdale.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of operations from the corporate side of the industry,” said Callaghan, who will serve as an artificial intelligence and planograms intern at Wakefern.

“My internship involves shadowing all of the operations that keep all 350+ ShopRite, Fresh Grocer and other Wakefern-branded stores running, and providing consultations and recommendations on how AI systems and softwares can improve efficiency and operations,” he explained.

Callaghan is also exploring Ramapo’s 4+1 B.S. to MBA program, which would allow him to earn both his B.S. and MBA from the Anisfield School of Business in just five years.

“I am focused on taking advantage of all opportunities that come my way,” he said, adding it is “important to listen, learn from the people around you, and approach situations with a positive attitude and open mind.”

Jack Callaghan ’27, left, with fellow members of Ramapo’s professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, Manuel Llamzon and Ryan Cheng.

For more information on Ramapo’s undergraduate and graduate business programs, visit the Anisfield School of Business webpage.