November 14, 2024

by Liz Mendicino ’26

Stefanie Viera ‘25 has proven once again that Roadrunners can do anything. Viera was awarded the ELLA Fellowship, which is run through the Sadie Nash Leadership Project.

“In getting this fellowship, I’ll be getting the training and funding I need to do a social justice project within my community,” said Viera. “Mine is a mentorship program for indigenous Guatemalan migrants in Morristown with limited means, which is very specific but it came from my participation in the UNHCR competition last semester. I was learning about all the obstacles in education for this group, and it made me really want to do something for them. My biggest goal for the end of the project ultimately is to have at least two mentees actually apply, get into college, and commit to it.”

The ELLA Fellowship, named for social activist Ella Baker, stands for Engage, Learn, Lead and Act. It’s a year-long program offering in-depth project development experience to women and gender-expansive persons in the New York/New Jersey area, as Fellows bring to life a meaningful, ambitious social justice project in their community. The yearlong program provides fellows with a stipend and support in developing a social justice project in their community. The ELLA fellowship is part of the Sadie Nash Leadership Project (SNLP), whose mission is to “strengthen, empower and equip young women and gender expansive youth of color as agents for change in their lives and in the world.” Fellows meet for monthly retreats, participate in skill training, and receive support from peers and SNLP staff. Between retreats, fellows have regular check-in calls with their ELLA facilitators to track progress.

Viera is currently in the process of selecting the mentors and the mentees, the funding she receives will mean that not only will she be able to mentor the students through the college application process, but will also be able to pay for application fees and take them on college tours. “I knew I wanted to support my population, all of the things going on in the world made it so that I really wanted to pursue a project supporting these groups, and I haven’t really pursued any leadership project by myself like this before so it’s a really big step for me,” said Viera. While the project is directed and facilitated by her, she has received mentorship and support from Dr. Erick Castellanos, associate professor of international studies, and Morristown High School teacher Betiana Caprioli. 

“During her time at Ramapo, Stefanie is taking advantage of every opportunity to enrich her college experience, including working on designing and developing a mentorship program that matches Ramapo students with high school students of limited means,” said Castellanos. “This program promises to provide guidance to the high school students and make them aware of their rights and the resources available to them. I have been impressed with her motivation, creativity, drive, and commitment as she has moved this program forward.” As a professor and a mentor, Castellanos is working closely with Stefanie to help further her research and support her in her role as the leader of this project.

Viera quickly established herself to all who have met her as a bright, world-changing mind. She is an Honors College Student and double major in History and a Contract Major in Human Rights, who is graduating with her bachelor’s degree after three years at Ramapo this spring. Viera has held internships at the International Rescue Committee, Patrick’s Kids Foundation, the Jane Addams Papers Project, and the Immigration & American Citizenship Organization. She was a New Jersey Governor’s Hispanic Fellow, a semi-finalist for the Critical Language Scholarship SPARK Program, and as of last month she is a published author. Her research paper entitled “Conflict Analysis: The Guatemalan Civil War” was published in Illuminate, the journal of the Northeast Regional Honors Council. She has also presented at COPLAC, and she was one of five Ramapo delegates at West Point’s SCUSA conference this fall. Outside of her academics, she is also the Chief of Staff and a founding member of Project ARCH Civic Engagement Club, and the Secretary of Service for the Student Government Association. “I’m always evolving, but I think I became the person I am today in Professor Padhy’s Law, Power, and Inequality class,” said Viera. “That’s the moment where I started coming out of my shell and opening myself up to different opportunities, and that was through the support of my professors like Dr. Padhy and the friends I’ve made. It was about halfway through my time here, and really solidified last spring semester.”

“I think that Ramapo being small is one of our biggest strengths, as it’s allowed me to connect very much with professors who are able to point me in the direction of these sorts of opportunities, otherwise I might not have even known about any of it,” said Viera. “That’s what I would say definitely supported the trajectory of my career, giving me such personalized support and guidance.” 

Ramapo has a support system for any student who wishes to find scholarships within their field of study, interest, or identity that can help them pay for college, or pursue opportunities such as studying abroad. Students are encouraged to explore the Office of Prestigious Fellowships & Scholarships website or contact the program director & professor of political science and international studies, Dr. Rebecca Root rroot@ramapo.edu.