Joseph Venosa ’05
Joe received the Ph.D. in African History from Ohio University in 2011 and is Assistant Professor of History at Kenyon College.  He writes, “As a scholar, my research interests include Islamic movements in the horn of Africa, nationalism across the horn, African diaspora studies and the significance of modern globalization and African history.”

Jason Ackermann ’05
Jason received the M.A. in Russian studies from the University of Illinois at Champagne/Urbana. He lived in Moscow for a year, developing his Russian language skills and teaching English to Russian students. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Russian studies or Russian history.

Dayton Cooper (Charlie) ‘08
Charlie will receive the MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science), with certification in archival studies, from Drexel University in spring 2012. “Considering I love history and film,” he writes, “my goal is to be able to work at a film archive. But, I also would not mind working in other types of archives or as a librarian in a public or academic library.”

Anyelina Diaz ’08
After graduation from Ramapo, Anyelina attended the Leadership and Counseling Program at Rider University and earned a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Counseling. She is now a Resident Director in the Department of Residence Life at the University of Massachusetts/Lowell.

Michael Fiorelli ‘08
Mike will receive the M.A. in History from Villanova University in spring 2012. His focus is on the history of slavery and emancipation as well as public history. Before beginning his graduate studies, he served as an archivist for the Monmouth County Archives, digitizing and cataloging newspapers and documents, and developing an exhibit on Monmouth County in World War II.

Daniel London ’08
Danny is a Ph.D. student in History at City University of New York (CUNY) and is an adjunct lecturer at City College of New York.

Gregory Elfers ’08
After graduating in 2008, Greg was an alumni member of the Ramapo Chorale. He has volunteered with several New York based opera companies including New York Opera Exchange & On Site Opera in addition to volunteering at Carnegie Hall. Since March of 2012 he has worked in Development at The Metropolitan Opera in New York City where he is currently the Associate Director of Telefundraising.

Siobhan Fitzpatrick ’09
Siobhan received the M.A. in History from Villanova University, and is currently Curator of Collections and Exhibits at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, in Madison, NJ. Her first book, on the Southern Famine Relief Commission of 1867-1868, will be published by the Edwin Mellen Press.

Erica D’Elia ’09
Erica is a graduate student at Western Michigan University where she is working toward the M.A. in anthropology with a specialization in archaeology.  Her interests are in the archaeology of the early contact period and colonial Native American history. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. either in history or anthropology, but she also looks forward to doing archaeological field work.

Sarah Costello ’09
Sarah received the Master of Public Administration degree from Seton Hall University in 2011 and is currently Manager of Fundraising and Special Events at the American Diabetes Association. She writes, “My history degree has really helped me to have a context for the history of — and continuing need for — social services in our society.”

Eliza Kelton ’09
Eliza teaches middle school social studies at Orange Avenue School in Cranford NJ. She also is working towards a Master’s degree in Social Studies Education at Columbia University. “Graduating from Ramapo College with my B.A. in History and Teachers Certification thoroughly prepared me for my career as a social studies teacher. Teaching middle school requires fluency in a wide variety of topics, from ancient world civilizations to United States history. The history classes at Ramapo undoubtedly prepared me in all of these topics. ”

Timothy St. Thomas ’09
Tim served as a volunteer with AmeriCorps after graduation from Ramapo. As part of his service he worked on maintenance of hiking trails in Washington, Oregon and California. “During my 5 months of service, I traveled to such landmarks as Yosemite, Death Valley, the Red Wood Forest, Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, and Bodie State Park. Now that I am back in NJ, I plan to commit more time to volunteer work before I embark upon a career as a Social Studies teacher.” “History was and still is my passion,” he writes; “I cannot imagine the person I would have become if I chose another major.”

Kelly Grapentine ’09
Kelly teaches ninth grade World History/Cultures at Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark. “I love it!” she writes about her job. She is also working toward a master’s degree in Education Media Design and Technology through Full Sail University and taking graduate level courses at Rutgers/Newark.

Thomas Ng ’10
Tom is in the Teach for America program, and is teaching World History and African American history at Arise Academy Charter High School in Philadelphia, PA. He also attends the University of Pennsylvania and plans to complete the Master’s degree in Education in 2012.

Marissa Dragone ’10
Marissa is an eighth grade social studies teacher at Roosevelt Intermediate School in Westfield, New Jersey. Her classes focus on early American history. “I absolutely love my new job,” she writes.

Laura D’Elia ’11
Laura attends the George Washington University Law School.

Kenny Linden ’11
Kenny is a Ph.D. student in Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University/Bloomington.

Emily Marlowe ’11
Emily is a Ph.D. student in the History and Culture program at Drew University.