Allison Contreras-Ortiz

Allison Contreras-Ortiz of Mahwah, N.J., is a senior with a double major in Psychology and Spanish Language Studies.

At Ramapo, Allison supports Ramapo students as an Orientation Leader, Peer Facilitator, and as Wellness Is Now (WIN) Peer Educator and received a certificate from NASPA. Additionally, Allison is the President of Spanish Club, the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead (ALMA), Alpha Alpha Alpha for First Generation Students, and Psi Chi for Psychology.

Awarded Scholarships

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2024

Charles Carreras Latin American Scholarship

Dr. Charles Carreras was a founding member of the Ramapo College faculty in 1971, two years after the College’s establishment. Over the next 37 years, he taught courses and presented papers on Latin American history, culture, human rights and the region’s relationship with the United States. In addition to Latin America, Dr. Carreras’ research interests centered around Mexico and the local history of Mahwah, N.J.

“I came to Ramapo to pursue Latin American studies and devoted almost 40 years to educating students about Central and South America,” says Dr. Carreras. After his retirement in 2008, Dr. Carreras created a gift annuity that will endow this scholarship fund. The Carreras Scholarship benefits matriculated Ramapo students who have completed 9 or more credits on Latin American history, culture, literature, and related disciplines. It is selected by the Carreras family and members of the Ramapo College faculty.

“With this gift, I can continue to support Latin American Studies at Ramapo, even in retirement,” Dr. Carreras says.

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AFT Graduate School Scholarship

In 2002 the American Federation of Teachers Union (AFT Local 2274) at Ramapo College joined with the President’s Office to create an endowed scholarship fund.  When it was created, then President Smith wrote of the “constructive, harmonious and very productive relationship that exists between the Union and the College.”

The AFT Endowed Scholarship Fund has two programs: a Graduate School Scholarship and the Hank Frundt Memorial Scholarship. The Graduate School Scholarship provides an award to a graduating senior who intends to pursue graduate studies, particularly to students seeking careers in teaching or other academic areas.  The intent is to provide recognition for outstanding academic achievement and to encourage post-graduate scholarship.

The Hank Frundt Memorial Scholarship is for sophomores or juniors who are interested in labor studies, social justice, or Latin American economic/social development.  In 2011 the undergraduate award was named in memory of Dr. Frundt, who taught at Ramapo for 37 years in the areas of corporate studies and Latin American social and economic development.  Dr. Frundt served as president of the teachers’ union, as a delegate to the Council of New Jersey State College Locals and as a liaison to U.S. Labor Against the War.