(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)February 25, 2002

(Mahwah) – In recognition of her long-standing support for higher education and vigorous international commerce, Ramapo College of New Jersey will name its planned Center for International Education and Entrepreneurship for Congresswoman Marge Roukema (R-NJ).

Through the Marge Roukema Center for International Education and Entrepreneurship, the College will build on its 20-plus year commitment to international and intercultural undergraduate education by expanding study abroad opportunities, international internships and international career counseling; developing workshops for teachers and teacher education students; expanding facilities for conferences and teleconferencing for international academic and business organizations; and building close links to the United Nations and consulates in the metropolitan area.

Throughout her tenure in the U.S. Congress, Congresswoman Roukema has demonstrated a commitment to international trade, New Jersey’s role in the global economy and to education. She has served as a delegate to the economic branch of the North Atlantic Alliance, the legislative arm of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for over a decade.

New Jersey is the headquarters for many large international companies, with a particular emphasis on Northern New Jersey which encompasses the 5th Congressional District. Roukema has worked very closely with the business community to champion their issues both here and abroad. She has received many awards, recently being named to Business News Who’s Who 2002.

Roukema has a strong focus on education as a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. She has championed the issues of higher education throughout her Congressional career. With particular emphasis on student loans and work-study programs, she has worked hard to ensure that each student who wants to go to college has an opportunity.

Officials at Ramapo College have received word that the College will be awarded a federal appropriation of $800,000 toward the Roukema Center. The grant will provide funding for equipment, programs and furnishings for the Center through the Labor/Health and Human Services appropriations bill.

Currently, Ramapo sponsors study abroad programs to Italy, Ireland, Greece, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, the American Southwest, South Africa, Canada, Kenya and Great Britain. Planned expansions include programs in Russia, Ghana, China, Puerto Rico and India. To date, international cooperative education internships have been available in Canada, England, Germany, Wales, Sweden, Hong Kong, Japan and Russia. Additional opportunities will be sought in Latin American countries. The College is seeking to expand connections with the United Nations and the missions in New York in order to further strengthen the International Studies and International Business majors, and for the benefit of the College’s Model United Nations Club and the Governor’s School in International Studies.

In addition, the College will develop programs to serve regional businesses and community organizations through interfacing with academic and business groups in Europe, Asia and Latin America; language immersion and cultural adaptation programs for those planning to study or work abroad; assistance for companies seeking to do business abroad; consulting to businesses on sustainability and environmental issues; and facilitation of partnerships between domestic businesses and educational institutions and their foreign counterparts. There will be increased opportunities for teleconferencing with academic and business groups in Europe, Asia and Latin America and facilitation of partnerships between domestic businesses and educational institutions and their foreign counterparts. The College has begun to explore such possibilities with Bergen County business people and their counterparts in Kunshan Province, China.

Support for faculty research on international and intercultural topics, including international trade and commerce, is another goal in establishing the Center. Currently, there are a number of faculty involved in international economic research who would benefit from the support of this Center to expand their work.

Expanded and upgraded facilities would make it possible to offer regional and national conferences on global business practices, global environmental issues, immigration and the economy, intercultural communications, international labor issues, women and the global economy and global human rights.

The new center will be located on the Ramapo College campus.

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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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