Alexa Vazquez

Alexa Vazquez of Totowa, N.J. is a Nursing major with a Sports Management minor. She has a 3.954 GPA, has been on the Dean’s List thus far, and is in the College Honors Program.

At Ramapo, she has been active in several organizations including the American Cancer Society/Relay For Life, where she raises awareness and money for patients and families dealing with cancer, Anatomy & Physiology tutoring, an opportunity to help the lowerclassmen nursing and medical students, and the Nursing Student Organization, where she has learned about Ramapo nursing and mentored other nursing students.

Alexa has also been involved in off-campus activities including Group Mission Trips with her church youth group and St. Joseph’s University Medical Center. This past summer, she had an externship in the Medical Intensive Care Unit where she saw complex cases of intubation, tracheostomies, sedation, feeding pumps, vasopressors, and continuous drips such as insulin.

In the future, Alexa plans to become a Registered Nurse and to eventually go off to Graduate school to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), while also potentially becoming a Sports Nurse as well.

Kara Capo

Kara Capo of Middletown, N.J. is a Nursing major with a 3.75 GPA.

At Ramapo, she is a part of the first cohort of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a minor in Biological Science. She is also involved in the Embrace Kids Foundation where she created a public service project that helped raise funds.

Kara has also been involved in off-campus activities including volunteering as a first responder in her local first aid squad and at Centra State hospital, and working as a medical assistant at a neurosurgery practice.

She plans on becoming a ICU pediatric nurse and a school nurse, and she hopes to further her education and become a nurse practitioner.

Katherine Morales

Katherine Morales of Paterson, N.J. is a senior Nursing major with minors in Psychology, Spanish, Public Health and a Spanish Certificate for Health Care and Human Services Professionals, while maintaining a 3.6 GPA. 

At Ramapo, Katherine has been active in organizations such as the Alpha Phi Omega Professional Fraternity, Nursing Student Organization, and ACS/Relay4Life. She is also in executive board positions, such as Academic Chair for NSO, being a NIM Educator for Alpha Phi Omega and being a part of the Decorations Committee in ACS/Relay4Life. 

Off-campus, Katherine volunteers at Englewood Health and Hackensack University Medical Center and transports patients and takes care of patients under the supervision of healthcare professionals.

As a First-Generation student, Katherine takes pride in being a part of multiple honor societies, and receiving both the Outstanding Leadership by a First-Year and Second-Year Student Awards.

After graduation, Katherine plans to become a Registered Nurse and become advanced in Spanish language, all while continuing the goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

Kate Weber

Kate Weber of Barnegat, N.J. is a Nursing major and has maintained a GPA of 3.6. She is a part of the National Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. 

At Ramapo, Kate is a member of the American Cancer Society, Nursing Student Organization, Anatomy and Physiology tutoring, and serves as an Anatomy and Physiology Teaching Assistant. 

Kate has also been involved off-campus by volunteering as an EMT for 4 years on her local first aid squad, serving as a  Patient Care Technician at her hospital on the Labor and Delivery unit, and involved with the children’s ministry at her church. 

After graduation, Kate plans to work as a pediatric ICU nurse, and attend graduate school to become a CRNA.

Nicole Lourido

Nicole Lourido of Rockaway, N.J. is a Nursing major, with a Spanish minor, and concentration in Spanish and Healthcare and Human Services. She has a 3.8 GPA and is a First Generation student.

At Ramapo, Nicole has been involved in the Nursing Student Organization. She is also a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. At Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, she is a volunteer and a translator of telehealth visits for Spanish speaking patients.

Nicole has been involved in off-campus activities such as a Nursing Assistant on the cardiac Step Down Floor at Morristown Medical, and a participant in Morristown Medical Center’s 2022 Nursing Externship Program.

After graduation, she hopes to work as a Cardiac Registered nurse and become a Nurse Practitioner in the future.

Lindsay McNeill

Lindsay McNeill of Ramsey, N.J. is a Nursing major. She has a 3.83 GPA.

At Ramapo, Lindsay has been active in the Cross Country and Track teams, and the Student Nursing Organization. “As a student athlete, I enjoy the challenge of balancing academics and athletics.”

Lindsay has worked as an student nurse intern on a cardiac procedural unit. After graduation, she will pursue a career as a cardiac nurse practitioner.

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship chooses to remain anonymous.

Hillary Nunez-Concepcion

Hillary Nunez-Concepcion of Paterson, N.J. is a Nursing major. Hillary has been active on campus as a volunteer at the Women’s Center as well as an employee of the Testing Center. She plans to work after graduation to help provide vaccines to underserved populations.

Christine Sae

“I am grateful for this scholarship opportunity, as it enables and motivates me to give back to my community,” says junior Nursing student Christine Sae, who will be the first in her Ghanaian family to graduate college.  She is a member of the Honors Program and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

Christine is currently a Peer Facilitator, the Vice President of the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship on campus, and serves as a mentor for freshman and sophomore students through the Nursing Student Organization. She previously worked as a Resident Assistant for the College Park Apartments.

Off-campus, she is an assistant teacher at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Children’s Ministry and also works with the All Stars Network in Newark, N.J., which helps inner-city youth with developing career paths.

She has a 3.6 GPA and is from Little Ferry, N.J.

Megan Hansen

Megan Hansen of River Edge, N.J. is a Nursing major with a 3.98 GPA. Passionate about healthcare, Megan is a returning adult student pursuing a second career as a nurse. She is a single mother of two daughters, ages 16 and 9, and works part-time at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) as a nursing assistant in the Emergency Trauma Department. Last summer, she was chosen for a coveted student nurse externship position in HUMC’s Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit.

Megan holds a degree in Physics and worked at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider to develop a new method of cesium iodide photocathode production.  Her previous experience includes 17 years in customer service and 7 years managing a fast-paced retail store that is part of a national chain.

She is eagerly anticipating a RN position after graduation. “My long-term plans include working in flight pre-hospital care and developing research-based protocols,” says Megan.

Thomas Stearns

“I have worked very hard to continue my education, often taking out loans with distant family or even close friends, so this scholarship award is appreciated greatly,” says Thomas Stearns of Fairlawn, N.J. Thomas is a Nursing major who previously earned a Biology degree from Ramapo. “As a first generation college student, it was a proud moment for myself and my family to receive this degree.”

Thomas has been active in the collegiate cross country team, biology club, and premed club.  He also volunteers at Hackensack University Center emergency department and completed EMT school on behalf of Rochelle Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

After graduation, Thomas plans to secure a job in an established hospital and work as an RN while applying to master’s programs.

Morgan Grace London

Morgan Grace London is proud to be in Ramapo’s Nursing Class of 2020.   “After I graduate, I’ll be pursuing my cardiovascular perfusion certification and learning to run the bypass machines throughout various cardiothoracic lifesaving procedures,” says Morgan, a resident of Ringwood, N.J.

Before Ramapo, Morgan began teaching algebra to blind college students, along with volunteering with hospice patients. She discovered her love for anatomy and physiology after living in San Diego and filleting fish for a living. Her passion for nursing blossomed through her curiosity in cardiac science, neuroscience, and the understanding of a nurses importance.

On campus, Morgan started “Bright Side,” Ramapo’s first student-ran organization that helps chronically ill college students cultivate meaningful support systems.

She has a 3.8 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List for three consecutive semesters.

Nicole Valenzuela

Nicole Valenzuela of Elmwood Park, N.J. is a student in the Nursing program, and previously earned a BS degree in Biology from Ramapo. She has a 3.4 GPA.

Nicole volunteers at the Elmwood Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and has worked with Life Opportunities Unlimited as a direct care counselor with geriatric developmentally-disabled clients. After graduation, she plans to use her accumulated knowledge to pursue her dream as an oncology nurse.

“I will be forever grateful for this scholarship, as it is helping me get one step closer to my dream.”

Erica McCausland

Erica McCausland of Paramus, N.J. is a Nursing major.  She has a 3.98 GPA.  Erica is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and was selected to the Golden Key Honour Society.

Erica tutors students in Anatomy and Physiology during the summer and throughout the school year.  She is active in her community as a volunteer EMT in Paramus and Rochelle Park.  “I enjoy helping others in my community.”  She plans to work in the ER or trauma unit of a hospital with plans of one day becoming a flight nurse.

Ashley Nichols

Ashley Nichols of Kenvil, N.J. is a Nursing major with a minor in Psychology.  She has a 3.7 GPA and is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

At Ramapo, Ashley is an officer in the Alpha Phi Omega professional community service fraternity, a member of the Nursing Student Organization, and a member and program assistant for the Leaders in Service Program.

She is a peer leader in the Ledgewood Baptist Church Youth Group and a volunteer in the Hospital Elder Life Program at Hackensack University Medical Center.  During high school, Ashley completed her Girl Scout Gold Award in the pediatric unit at St. Clare’s Hospital.

From a young age, Ashley has volunteered and shadowed in many different hospital settings.  Ashley works as a patient safety technician at Newton Medical Center when she is home from college and hopes to work as a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit or pediatric unit in a hospital after graduation.

Akosua Amoah

“I come from a Ghanaian family of nurses and I am proud to be able to attend college and to be part of the future generation of nurses,” says Akosua Amoah of Bergenfield, N.J.  She has a 3.6 GPA and was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.  “I plan to work as an RN and go to graduate school to receive my master’s and specialize as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).”  Akosua hopes to travel to various countries to deliver care to those who are deprived of the services and resources that are available in America.

At Ramapo, Akosua is part of the Nursing Student Organization and the Black Student Union and serves as treasurer for Ebony Women for Social Change.  She previously worked as a student aide in the Office of Specialized Services.

Akosua is a volunteer at Englewood Hospital and works as a Pharmacy Technician at CVS Pharmacy.

Bo Bae (Gloria) Jin

Bo Bae (Gloria) Jin of Ridgefield Park, NJ, is a Nursing BSN/RN major. Gloria was inducted into the National Honor Society of Alpha Lamda Delta, an honor society that recognizes first semester undergraduate students who have earned a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA as part of the top 20% of their class.

At Ramapo, Gloria has been active in several organizations and activities, including United Asian Association and Nursing Club. Gloria has also served the community through volunteering as a SAT math instructor for low-income students and at the Food Bank of NJ. She is also the co-founder/ Korea director of Hillside prep, a college consulting company with four other members.

Juliana Lisi

Juliana Lisi of Lodi ,NJ  is a Junior Nursing student with a 3.4 GPA, and has made the Dean’s List and maintained her grades despite an intensive course load.  “I’m proud of the hard work I’ve put in at Ramapo, which allowed me to transfer into the nursing program,” said Juliana.

At Ramapo, she is active in the Nursing Student Organization, and works as a TAS Anatomy and Physiology tutor. Off campus she has worked with children with learning disabilities, and assisted with after-school programs for underprivileged children.

“After graduation I hope to work in an area hospital, in hopes of obtaining some of the best clinical experiences and enhancing my nursing skills. I’d also like to eventually go back to school to advance my nursing degree,” adds Juliana.

Theresa Pascrell

“I come from a family of nurses…I couldn’t be happier to be part of my family’s next generation of nurses,” said Theresa Pascrell of Wayne, NJ.  The senior has a 3.735 GPA, and is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta honor society and active in the Nursing Student Organization on campus. She recently represented Ramapo with a handful of other nursing students in the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Inter-professional Simulation.

Theresa was selected as a Nurse Extern last summer at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson. Of that experience she said, “I learned so much, but I truly felt as though I went in with an extra edge, thanks to the tremendous knowledge Ramapo and the nursing staff has given to me.”  She now holds a job at St. Joe’s as a patient care associate on the geriatric unit.

Campbell Duffy

Campbell Duffy of Mahwah, NJ is a Nursing major with a 3.55 GPA.

At Ramapo, Campbell has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Ramapo College Women’s Soccer team.

She has also volunteered off campus at the Center for Food Action and the Colleen Giblin Foundation.

Bridgette N. Vergel

Bridgette N. Vergel of Jefferson Township, NJ is a Nursing major and has a 4.0 GPA.  She is currently starting her first job as a registered nurse at Preakness Healthcare Center in Wayne.

She aspires to get her master’s degree to become an OB/GYN nurse practitioner.

Kayla Scordo

Kayla Scordo of Saddle Brook, New Jersey is a Nursing major. She has a 3.8 grade point average. Kayla was inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

At Ramapo, Kayla has been an active member of the Nursing Club. Off campus, Kayla is a volunteer coach of Kinder-Kicks, an organization that teaches children the foundations of soccer. In addition, she has given presentations on maintaining a healthy lifestyle to third graders at Charter Schools throughout the community. Currently, she is a nursing assistant on a neurology unit at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Shaneisa Harilal

Shaneisa Harilal of East Orange, N.J. is a nursing major.  She has a 2.80 grade point average.

On campus, Shaneisa is a member of the Residence Life staff and the Nursing Student Organization.   She values the nursing experience she has acquired through volunteer clinical work.

Shaneisa would like to earn a nurse practitioner license and to focus on preventive holistic medication or midwifery.

Michelle Karakkat

Michelle Karakkat of Bergenfield, NJ is a Nursing major. She is a member of South Asians at Ramapo and the Nursing Student Organization. Off campus, Michelle is a member of a South Asian a capella group. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in Nursing and to become a nurse anesthesiologist. Michelle says receiving the scholarship “gave me the boost I needed to keep doing well in school. I became more motivated and developed more confidence to do the best that I can in a profession that will affect people’s lives.” Michelle has a 3.41 grade point average.

This scholarship will motivate me to be the best that I can be. Receiving this honor shows that hard work really does pay off.

Kaidiann Afflick

Kaidiann Afflick is a Nursing major in her junior year. She has earned a 3.07 grade point average. Kaidiann is an active volunteer, dedicating her time to Habitat for Humanity in Bergen County, Relay For Life, Eva’s Kitchen, Shelter Our Sisters and the Delridge Retirement Home. She is a tutor for other Ramapo College students through the Black Student Union, and participates in the EOF Penpal program. Kaidiann is from Englewood, NJ.

Karen Elliott

Karen Elliott is a senior from Hawthorne, NJ. “I am an adult learner who juggles home, work and school full time,” she says. Karen is majoring in Nursing and has earned a 3.31 grade point average. She traveled to Sierra Leone in Africa last summer on a service trip sponsored by the Ramapo College Nursing program to address maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.

Financially, this scholarship will help me tremendously. I stopped working full-time and cut back to part-time to facilitate beginning school. My scholarship for nursing by nursing professionals gives me the confidence boost I need to know that I am doing the right thing by pursuing this field of study.

Jenna Trott

Jenna Trott of Marlton, NJ is a Nursing major with a minor in Psychology. She is a member of the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity, the Dance Marathon Club and the International Golden Key Honour Society. When she becomes a registered nurse, Jenna plans to work in a general medical surgical ward in a hospital for several years. Then she’d like to become a travel nurse and visit different parts of the United States. Jenna says, “Receiving this scholarship was an honor. I am grateful for the establishment of this scholarship to recognize hard working nursing students. Having this support helped me through the nursing program.”  Jenna maintains a 3.81 grade point average.

Ruthann Anderson

Ruthann Anderson is from Allendale, New Jersey and is a senior at Ramapo. Ruthann is a nursing major and has earned a 3.61 grade point average. She graduated from Bergen Community College in 2007 with an associate’s degree. Ruthann is an active volunteer at her church in Montvale, New Jersey and works in the church’s music office. This semester she is applying for an internship at Valley Hospital.

I received the scholarship from the Ridgewood Nurses’ Association. It is encouraging to know they have confidence in me and my abilities, as I prepare for graduation and entering the nursing profession.