Dr. Rahkon “Jersey” Ross is more than a leader he is a living testament to resilience,

purpose, and lifelong growth. A Charter Member and the current Chapter President of

the Omicron Psi Sigma Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Dr. Ross was

first initiated into the bond of brotherhood in Spring 2009 through the Kappa Upsilon

Sigma Chapter in South Jersey. His dedication to the principles of Brotherhood,

Scholarship, and Service has guided his life’s journey professionally, personally, and

spiritually.

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In 2024, Dr. Ross stepped into the role of Maryland State Director for the Bigger and

Better Business Program, where he now leads with a heart for empowering Black

communities through financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and generational wealth-

building.

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Born and raised in the heart of Asbury Park, New Jersey, Dr. Ross was shaped by a

community rich in soul but often tested by adversity. Even as a young man, he

understood that education would be his key and not just for himself, but for everyone

watching him. In 2009, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from

Jersey City University. But he wasn't finished not by a long shot.

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In 2011, driven by an emerging passion for leadership and service, he earned his first

Master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from his alma mater. It was

during this time that Dr. Ross discovered something powerful: he didn’t just enjoy

learning—he loved it. Education, he realized, was more than a tool; it was a calling.

While pursuing his degrees, Dr. Ross was also building a meaningful career with the

Department of Defense – Army at Fort Monmouth. When the base underwent

realignment in 2010, he was reassigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland,

where he served as an Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) Manager. This move would be

a turning point, not only geographically but personally. He kept climbing both in

responsibility and knowledge. He earned his second Master’s degree (MBA) in 2013

and a third in Program Management in 2014 from Strayer University, graduating Summa

Cum Laude and receiving the Community Service Award for his relentless outreach and

fraternity service.

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That same year, Dr. Ross transitioned from logistics to Acquisition, where he became a

Contract Specialist and later a Contracting Officer. In 2019, he added to his arsenal of

knowledge with a fourth Master’s degree, this time in Acquisition and Contract

Management from the Florida Institute of Technology.

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In Fall 2020, Dr. Ross accepted a well-earned promotion and began working with the

United States Navy in Washington, D.C. as a Senior Program Analyst overseeing two of

the nation’s most critical military programs: the Virginia-class and Ohio-class

submarines.

 

But for Dr. Ross, the mission was always deeper than titles or accolades—it was about

fulfilling potential. In January 2021, he enrolled at Northcentral University in Scottsdale,

Arizona, with an ambitious goal: to earn a Ph.D. in Cybersecurity. In just 27 months, he

not only completed the rigorous program but graduated Summa Cum Laude, once

again proving that discipline and vision are a powerful combination.

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And still he’s not done. In January 2026, Dr. Ross will begin his fifth Master’s degree,

this time in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, with plans to

follow that achievement with a second Ph.D., in Engineering.

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Dr. Ross's story is one of perseverance, heart, and humility. Every degree, every job

title, every accolade is not just for himself but for every young black male who needs to

know that their past does not define their future. He carries his hometown, his fraternity,

and his faith with him in every boardroom, every classroom, and every community he

serves.

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His life echoes the powerful words of Booker T. Washington, a quote that serves as his

personal creed:

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“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as

by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”