J and A Resilience Nursing Scholarship

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The J & A Resilience Nursing Scholarship was created by an anonymous donor in memory of Hannah, Lillian and Pete.

The mission of this award is to support and inspire nursing students who have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in overcoming adversity. The donor recognizes the unique challenges and sacrifices faced by individuals pursuing careers in healthcare, especially those who have persevered through personal hardships to follow their calling.

This scholarship is dedicated to empowering aspiring nurses who embody compassion, determination, and a commitment to healing and service. By easing the financial burden of education and aims to help these exceptional students focus on their studies, gain the skills they need, and ultimately serve as inspirations of hope and care in their communities.

Students who have faced and overcome life’s trials bring unparalleled empathy and strength to the nursing profession. Their experiences give them a unique perspective, enabling them to connect with patients on a deeper level and inspire others through their unwavering spirit. This scholarship honors their journey and invests in their future, confident that their resilience and dedication will make a lasting impact on healthcare and the lives they touch.

“It is our privilege to support the next generation of compassionate, skilled nurses who turn adversity into a source of strength and use it to care for others.”

2025 Recipient

Alexis Ruhlen

Alexis Ruhlen of Garfield, N.J. is a senior Nursing major with a minor in Psychology. After an abusive relationship ended with a near-lethal kidnapping, Alexis has dedicated her life to advocating for domestic violence awareness and education.

At Ramapo, she has been involved as a violence intervention peer at the Office of Violence Prevention where she works with colleagues to create educational events to promote awareness and dialogue about various types of interpersonal violence.

Off-campus, Alexis is involved in more domestic violence advocacy, including speaking at schools nationwide, creating content online, and collaborating with other organizations to share her story and to provide hope to other survivors. She was the guest speaker at New Milford’s 6th Annual Domestic Violence Symposium. She is also running the NYC Half Marathon in March on behalf of No More, an organization she fundraised for that provides support and resources to victims of interpersonal violence.

While healing from an experience throughout nursing school, Alexis has developed a profound understanding of the importance of compassionate and empathetic healthcare professionals. Alexis has plans of becoming an emergency department nurse after graduation in May, and she has hopes of earning her Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Certification.

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J and A Resilience Nursing Scholarship

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2025 Recipient

Alexis Ruhlen