(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)March 25, 2022

MAHWAH, N.J. — On Wednesday, March 23, Ramapo College of New Jersey’s partnership with TEEEM came to fruition as the campus welcomed more than 100 teachers and students from around northern New Jersey to learn how to become empathetic leaders in today’s world.

The Empathy, Equality, Entrepreneurship Mission (TEEEM) teaches students about global issues and humanitarianism through empathy and entrepreneurship. A local non-profit organization, TEEEM fulfills this mission by connecting New Jersey high school students with various organizations around the world. In conjunction with learning how to comprehend and tackle global issues, these partnerships cultivate meaningful, rewarding experiences for students as they make an authentic impact on the world.

“This partnership speaks to our commitment at Ramapo; to develop ethical leaders who are empathetic, confident in their own agency, and globally minded,” said President Cindy Jebb. “The high school students affiliated with TEEEM are engaged in work that reflects the same values we hold dear at Ramapo– values that are grounded in the liberal arts: the ability to see the big picture by finding interconnectedness, the humility and intellectual curiosity to ask probing questions, and the capacity to serve on teams that problem solve the world’s challenges in new and compassionate ways.”

Welcomed by President Jebb were two prominent keynote speakers: Ramapo alumnus, Keith Dawkins ‘94, president of the Harlem Globetrotters and CEO of Rock Hill Media Ventures, and Dr. Brian Chinni, assistant dean of Teacher Education at Ramapo College. Dawkins and Chinni discussed their professional experiences through the lenses of leadership and empathy. Other distinguished guests included founders, site leaders, and representatives from all six of TEEEM’s partners around the world: Georgie Badiel of the Georgie Badiel Foundation, Jackson Kaguri of Nyaka, Joseph Matara of The GRACE Project, Dick Young of The Denan Project, Jeri Baker of One Spirit, and Amy Nolan of the Ridgewood Cambodia Project.

In addition to having such prominent speakers share their personal and professional experiences on the themes of leadership and empathy, TEEEM students spent a portion of the day engaging with the site leaders directly in two breakout sessions. During these breakout sessions, students learned about the current needs of the sites and devised ways to help address those needs directly through creative campaigning and event planning. Many of these schools intend on bringing these brainstormed ideas to fruition during the school year.

“With our values so closely aligned, partnering with Ramapo College has the potential to take TEEEM’s mission to an unprecedented level,” says Taylor DeMaio, TEEEM’s Director of School Programs. “We have already seen the benefits from this partnership with the Leadership Symposium alone, and that was just our first event. Collaborating with the tremendous faculty and staff of RCNJ will undoubtedly lead our students in the direction of true humanitarian work. Together, Ramapo College and TEEEM can provide the students of New Jersey with tremendously impactful experiences not just for themselves, but for the world.”

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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