Meaghan Ryan

Meaghan Ryan of Westtown, N.Y. is a Social Work Major with a 3.94 GPA.

At Ramapo, Meaghan has become a member of the Ramapo Social Work Club after transferring, and looks forward to becoming more involved as the semester continues.

Meaghan has also served as a volunteer for the WRC Theater Company as the Head of Choreography of children for the past 8 years and works at a local restaurant. 

After graduation, Meaghan plans on continuing her education post-graduation and obtaining a Master’s in Social Work. She has many areas of interest in her field, but plans to continue working with children throughout her career.

Michael Mullane

Michael Mullane of Pompton Lakes N.J. is an Economics major and plans to minor in Computer Science or Finance. He has a GPA of 3.5 and was a member of NHS and on the Dean’s Honors List at his previous university, Case Western Reserve University. 

At Ramapo, Michael has been active in the 2022 Leaders in Service program and plans to be an active member of the CCEC and orientation leader program. As an orientation leader and LIS mentor, Michael hopes to get new students involved at Ramapo and help foster a healthy student body. At his previous university, Michael co-founded a club CWRUFit, focused on helping students maintain a healthy lifestyle. Also, Michael was an active member of the Weatherhead Economic Society, a program guided towards networking and developing student skill sets. 

 Michael has also been involved in off-campus activities, including the Pompton Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, and is a handyman for EZ-Fix Handyman services in Wayne. As a handyman Michael has performed numerous home improvement and renovation projects for clients in Wayne, N.J., and surrounding townships.

Paola Guevara

Paola M. Guevara of West Milford, N.J. Social Work major with a 4.0 GPA.

At Ramapo, Paola has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Social Work Club, founder of the Non-Traditional Students Support Group at Ramapo College. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Alpha (Theta Delta Chapter) and Tau Sigma Transfer Honor society. Additionally, her awards during her academic achievement are being part of the Dean’s List two consecutive semesters and Academic Achievement for Social Work. 

Off –campus activities and organizations, including volunteering as a student advocate at the Violence Intervention Prevention Center at Bergen Community College, providing education and resources for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Additionally, she is currently interning at Bergen Family Center (BFC) in Englewood, involved in many community projects.

Lauren Calabrese

Lauren Calabrese of Mount Tabor, N.J. is a student of Sociology with a concentration in Social Inequality and a minor in International Studies. She has a 4.0 GPA and graduated with her Associates Degree Summa Cum Laude from County College of Morris in January 2021. 

After her first semester at Ramapo, Lauren began an internship with the International Rescue Committee and assisted the organization in their services assisting refugees from Afghanistan in resettling in New York and New Jersey. Her studies thus far have ignited a strong passion for immigrant and human rights, and she is dedicated to leading a life of social humanitarian service.

She chose these Ramapo College programs with the goal of learning as much as she can about the different Social Services sectors before moving onto graduate school. After graduating from Ramapo, she plans to pursue a JD/MSW.

Amanda Rae Reece

A resident of Hillsborough, N.J., Amanda Rae Reece is a transfer student majoring in Social Work. She is in the Honors Program and has a 3.98 GPA.

In the fall of 2019, Amanda proudly completed an independent study focused on researching the sociological forces that influence Millennials’ opinions on marriage. 

At Ramapo, Amanda is involved with the Social Work Club and Campus Crusade for Christ. She serves her local community by teaching young children how to swim at her YMCA. 

Post-graduation, Amanda plans to earn a master’s degree in Social Work.

Erin Gaffney

Erin Gaffney of Roxbury, N.J. is an Elementary Education major. She has a 3.96 GPA and is a member of numerous honor societies. At the County College of Morris, Erin was the Secretary of their Phi Theta Kappa chapter. Currently, she’s on the E-Board of Tau Sigma, the transfer student honor society.

Erin plays the piccolo in the Ramapo Concert Band. “Music has always been an important part of my life,” says Erin. She was heavily involved in her instrumental and vocal departments in high school.  Off-campus, along with working at Allstate Insurance, Erin is a babysitter and substitute teacher.

She is currently completing her clinical practice in a nearby elementary school. After graduating from Ramapo College, Erin is excited to begin her career as an elementary teacher, and one day, she hopes to receive her Masters in Educational Administration.

Patrice Lenowitz

Patrice Lenowitz of Woodcliff Lake, N.J. is a junior majoring in Contemporary Arts/Professional Communications in the accelerated degree program. She has a 4.0 GPA.  She came to Ramapo with an Honors and PTK associate’s degree from Bergen Community College.

Patrice has been involved in activities serving the greater community for over a decade, including founding The Nurtured Parent, a free weekly support group for survivors of domestic abuse.  She has served as the domestic violence and human trafficking community educator at the Center for Hope and Safety, and has presented on the topics of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking at Ramapo.

Patrice is a domestic violence survivor, victims’ rights advocate, activist, public speaker and playwright. In 2018 her co-authoring play titled Forbidden to Protect debuted in Albany, N.Y. to rave reviews. Of paramount importance to her work is advocating for victims’ rights, and to unravel why our courts routinely fail the most vulnerable in our society, women and children in crisis seeking a life free from abuse. Her passion and leadership have led to new child protection legislation in N.J.

“My goal is to become a great change activist, ensuring that the rights, safety, health and well-being of our nation’s women and children become our top priority in law and society.”

Matthew Capomaggi

Matthew Capomaggi of Wyckoff N.J. is a senior in the Adult Degree Completion Program majoring in Professional Communications. He has a 3.6 GPA.

Matthew is an active volunteer in the Wyckoff Fire Department and Ambulance Corps as well as in his local church, and is currently employed in a local car dealership.

Tamar Montilus

Tamar Montilus of Hillsborough, NJ is a Nursing major in her senior year. She has a 3.3 grade point average.

Tamar has volunteered in the Hospice Unit of the Veterans Hospital in Lyons, NJ. She also helps organize donations of clothing and money to children in a Haitian village.

Mary Kubler

Mary Kubler of Hackensack, N.J., is a biology major in the physician assistant articulation program. A transfer student, Mary attended the Marion Military Institute her freshman year where she was inducted into the Scabbard & Blade Military Honor Society.
At Ramapo, Mary is a member of the Biology and Pre-med Clubs. Off campus, she is an EMT for a private ambulance company and volunteers for the Ridgefield Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Mary also shadows the Flight Medicine Unit at McGuire Air Force Base.
Mary plans to become a physician assistant in the United States Air Force.

Alexa Marques

Alexa Marques of Kearny, NJ is an Environmental Studies major. She began her college career at a large out-of-state university. When she decided to transfer, a friend gave her a tour of Ramapo. She knew it was the place she wanted to be. “Once I started at Ramapo, I was inspired and I was given support,” she said. These aspects gave me the confidence to make a difference with my time spent in college.” Alexa is the student coordinator for Sustainable Living Facilities. To complete the required community service component, she volunteers on the campus organic garden, sorts boxes of food at a local food pantry and participates in campus clean-ups. She also volunteers for Relay for Life, worked on banning bottled water on campus and volunteered at the International Women’s Earth and Climate Summit. Alexa has been inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society and is vice president of 1Step. Alexa also is an Environmental Education Assistant at the Meadowlands Environment Center. She has a 3.86 grade point average.

Brittany Brienza

Brittany Brienza of Marlboro, NJ is a Psychology major. After graduation, she plans to attend Montclair State University to pursue Early Childhood and Special Education teacher certification. “Receiving this scholarship bolsters my confidence and allows me to continue learning and succeeding in life,” she said. Brittany has a 3.74 grade point average.

This scholarship has encouraged me to excel to my highest ability to perform well in school and advance in my education in the future.

Hannah Morrow

Hannah Morrow of Kinnelon, NJ is a Biochemistry major. As a teenager she was diagnosed with a chronic disorder from which, she says “I emerged with more strength, determination and faith than I could ever imagine.” She entered the workforce after high school and earned an associate’s degree at a community college. Hannah has admiration for the physical therapists who helped her and plans on becoming one to help others. Hannah volunteers at an animal shelter, a hospital and works with children who have cerebral palsy. She a member of Ramapo’s Biology Club. Hannah is particularly proud of being the recipient of a scholarship awarded by the American Association of University Women.

This scholarship will assist me greatly in getting closer to my professional goal of being a Physical Therapist. I can’t express my gratitude enough to those who granted me this scholarship. As I get closer to my life’s goals I will always have you all to thank.Thank you so much!

Lauren Magenta

Lauren Magenta of Wayne, NJ is a Communication Arts major with a concentration in Journalism. She writes a weekly recipe column for the student published Ramapo News newspaper. Her goal is to promote healthy, easy and quick recipes while living on a college campus. Lauren works at the College’s television station, RCTV, where she began a cooking segment. She says that both activities help her write on a regular basis, which is important for her concentration. This semester Lauren interned in WABC-TV’s newsroom. She also interned at Style Networks and did research and writing for their online site, mystyle.com. Lauren says, “This scholarship was such an honor to receive. I have always admired my mother who has mastered the role of being a ‘working mom.’ I hope to one day be influential in the business world. Having been recognized by an organization of professional women means a lot.” Lauren, who has a 3.46 grade point average, would like to take a television career path starting with news assistant and progressing to news reporter and then news anchor.

As I am working and paying for school on my own, this scholarship helped me purchase my textbooks.