Roselyn Martinez-Balbuena

Roselyn Martinez-Balbuena of Passaic, N.J. is an International Business Major on the 4+1 track. She has a 3.97 GPA and has received Dean’s List honor every semester. She is a proud EOF Scholar and a member of the Tri-Alpha First-Gen Chapter. 

At Ramapo, Roselyn is an active member of the United Asian Association, showing her unwavering support at their events. She is also a recurring member of Japanese Happy Hour sessions, which work to immerse students in Japanese cultural activities. 

In her hometown, Roselyn has been a part of many volunteer events including a Mayor Hector Lora’s Youth Council member. She would distribute supplies for the townspeople and participate in city cleanups. She is also a co-founder of a program called Study and Save, which launched in Passaic last year to help students improve their studying environments as well as boost their grades. 

After graduation, Roselyn wants to attend graduate school to refine her business abilities. Then, she hopes to travel and work in the hospitality industry to maximize her skills in intercultural communication using her Latina background, business skills, and her thirst for knowledge.  

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.

Celine Panis-Pardo

Celine Panis-Pardo of Randolph, N.J. is a double major in International Studies and Law & Society. She has a 3.96 GPA, is Vice President of Phi Beta Delta International Honors Society, and is also a member of Alpha Lambda Delta.

At Ramapo, Celine is currently a Violence Intervention Peer Educator with the Office of Violence Prevention and a student liaison for the International Studies major.

Celine has also been part of many organizations throughout her college experience: one of which being the United Asian Association, where she is currently the Sergeant at Arms. She is also the head photo-editor of the Ramapo News, where she has so far written and published 11 articles on entertainment and cultural issues. 

After graduating, Celine hopes to attend law school and work within non-profit organizations to maximize human rights efforts.

Giovanna Sokasian

Originally born in New York, Giovanna Sokasian spent most of her life in Florence, Italy. “Going back to school as an adult was not an easy decision,” she says. Giovanna is now a Ramapo student majoring in International Studies and minoring in Anthropology. She has a 4.0 GPA and currently lives in Franklin Lakes, N.J.

While in Italy, Giovanna regularly volunteered to sell home-baked goods at local events to raise funds for organizations that fight against cancer. On campus, she is active in the Italian Club and enjoys taking meditation courses offered by the school. 

“I am glad I forced myself to get over my own insecurities, as I have come to realize in just a short span of years how much education can enrich one’s life,” says Giovanna. After graduating, she plans to pursue a masters degree in International Studies at Rutgers and eventually work for a nonprofit that operates at an international level.

Zurine Cadena Jimenez

Zurine Cadena Jimenez, of Mount Arlington, N.J. is an International Studies major with a minor in Human Rights and Genocide Studies.  She has a 3.96 GPA and is a member of Sigma Iota Rho.  Zurine plans to enroll in a Master’s program in Human Rights Studies at Columbia University.  Upon completion, she aspires to obtain a position at UNICEF to work with regional and country offices that are engaged in advancing the early childhood education sector in developing countries.

In the summer of 2018, Zurine completed an internship with the director’s office of the Office of Innovation at UNICEF.  Through this experience she was able to take part in quarterly progress meetings pertaining to scaling of regional as well as country infrastructure projects such as healthcare and water access through the use of various technologies.  She also represented the School of Humanities and Global Studies at COPLAC’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference.

Her life goal is to compose a peace education curriculum, emphasizing tolerance and equality that she hopes will be utilized in the process of intra/interstate conflict resolution.  She also hopes to extend her research on the Colombian civil conflict and 2016 peace accord as well as partake in campaigns working towards the elimination of FGM and child marriage.

Additionally, Zurine has an Associate degree in both Studio Art and International Studies.  She is currently a preschool teacher for Kindercare Learning Centers.  In her free time, she engages in working on art pieces and in writing poetry.  Her poems have been published in the literary magazines Driftwood and the Promethean. She has also been featured as Reward Publishing’s Poet of the Month.

Krystina Jeron

Krystina Jeron is a senior double majoring in Political Science and International Studies.  Originally from Pompton Lakes, N.J., Krystina recently moved to Boonton N.J.

After graduation, she is interested in volunteering and working abroad, perhaps in the Peace Corps, and then she’d like to attend graduate school for Public Health.

“I am excited for what the future holds,” says Krystina. “I would like to thank my professors who have mentored and inspired me. I feel limitless.”

Natalie Hines

Natalie Hines is a junior International Studies major, with a concentration in Latin American Studies.  She has a minor in Criminology.  This semester she is studying abroad in Costa Rica to learn more about Latin American culture and history. “I am learning to speak Spanish and Portuguese, and in exchange, I am helping local Costa Rican students to learn and practice speaking English,” says Natalie.

She has been involved in the environmental club 1Step on campus, which works to make the college more sustainable and eco-friendly.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Natalie hopes to start working on her master’s degree in either criminal investigation or international relations. “My dream is to use my college education to secure a job working as a diplomat to further advancements in the Latin American community,” she adds.

Natalie is a member of the New Jersey Army National Guard.  She is proud to serve her country and grateful for the assistance it provides in financing her college education.

She is from West Orange, NJ and has a GPA of 3.5.

Cristhian Vera

Cristhian Vera of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., carries a double major in economics and international business. He also carries an international studies minor. Cristhian is a member of the International Honor Society for Economics: Omicron Delta Epsilon. Cristhian has a 3.73 grade point average.
Off campus, Cristhian has been active in the Ecuadorian and Colombian communities as a member of a civic committee and he teaches ESL to immigrants. He completed an internship at the United Nations where he worked in the second commission dealing with economic and financial issues.
Cristhian plans to pursue a doctorate degree in economics. He is particularly interested in economic development. His goal is to design effective public policies for the best use of resources for education, the eradication of poverty and other global issues.

David Resnick

David Resnick of Ocean, N.J., is an international studies major. He carries two minors, anthropology and human rights and genocide studies. David has a 3.05 grade point average. He was inducted into Alpha Phi Omega, the National Community Service Fraternity.
At Ramapo, David is a member of the Global Roadrunner and the Ramapo First Responders Clubs and Leaders in Service.
David’s career goals include joining the Peace Corps, becoming an officer in the U.S. military and working for a U.S. government international organization.

This scholarship will help me achieve my goals of helping people around the world.

John Sapida

John Sapida of Maywood, NJ carries two majors, International Studies and Political Science. He was inducted into the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity and serves as the fraternity’s new interest member educator. John serves as president of Sigma Iota Rho Honors Society for International Studies and treasurer and secretary of Pi Sigma Alpha Honors Society for Political Science. He also is president of the Human Rights Society. He works on campus as a resident assistant of Laurel Hall and a student assistant in the Cahill Career Development Center. He enjoys serving as a student ambassador for the School of Humanities and Global Studies. John also enjoys performing in community theater. John plans to enroll in a graduate program for Human Rights or International Relations/International Law. He has a 3.97 grade point average.

Valeriya Kamenova

Valeriya Kamenova, an international student from Bulgaria, is majoring in International Studies with a minor in International Business. Her interest in the international arena was fueled by her grandfather’s remembrances of WWII and her parents’ recollections of the fall of the Communist regime in Bulgaria. Valeriya has made a commitment to promote human rights. She has devoted her time to several agencies in Bulgaria, including the Youth Red Cross, that are dedicated to helping children. “I believe that the proper combination of knowledge and action is an essential step of building human rights awareness on national, regional and international levels.” Valeriya, who has a 3.79 grade point average, plans to obtain a doctorate degree and promote international human rights in crisis areas on a global scale.

Delina Agnosteva

Delina Agnosteva, of Bulgaria, is majoring in Economics and International Business. She’s completed internships at Pearson Education, Alternative Assets Investment Management and The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria. In addition, she serves as treasurer of the Math and Finance clubs, secretary of the International Business Club and handes public relations for the Model United Nations Club. She also competed in the NewYork Mercantile Exchange Open Outcry and served on the Anisfield School of Business Student Advisory Board. Delina, who is enrolled in the College Honors Program, has a 3.97 grade point average. At Ramapo, she says, “I found a path that will utilize my inquisitive nature and will satiate my curiosity and drive for knowledge.” She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Economics.

Stoyan Stoyanov

Stoyan Stoyanov of Bulgaria, an International Business major, has a strong interest in emerging markets, an interest confirmed by his participation in the Model U.N. conference in New York City and Washington, DC. He takes pride in being the first international student elected a senator to represent the Anisfield School of Business (ASB) in the Student Government Association. In addition, he serves on ASB’s Student Advisory Council and is president of the International Business Club. Stoyan, who has a 3.95 grade point average, says, “I aim for a career in the Foreign Economic Policy Directorate at the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy and Energy. I believe if I have a direct impact on trade policy, I will be able to attract foreign businesses with a special emphasis on social responsibility.”

Veselina Stoyanova

Veselina Stoyanova. “I became extremely motivated in understanding the dynamics of the business environment.” Veselina is a senior at Ramapo majoring in international business. Her minor is French, and she has earned a 3.97 grade point average. Veselina has spent her summers working at the Ministry of Economy and Energy, Raiffeisen Bank, the Bulgarian United Bank, and with a grain distributor, all in Bulgaria. At Ramapo, Veselina is a member of the Model United Nations Club and the International Business Club, where she serves as president. She plans to continue her education in international business and marketing.