Brandon Meneses

Brandon Meneses of Elmwood Park, New Jersey is a Business Management Major. He has a 3.9 GPA and is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta. 

At Ramapo, Brandon has been active in several activities, including Men’s Cross Country and Men’s Track & Field. 

Brandon has also been involved in off-campus organizations, including EP United Soccer Club and the Rosa A. Garcia Lung Cancer Association. He holds a leadership position in EP United Soccer Club as a soccer coach for the 5 to 6-year-old clinic.

Hilary Lazo-Rivas

Hilary Lazo-Rivas of Hawthorne, N.J. is a first-year Accounting major. She intends on pursuing her M.S. in Accounting with the help of the 4+1 program. 

At Ramapo, Hilary plans on being involved in clubs on campus, such as ALMA, Women in Business, and the Student Government Association. Over the summer, Hilary was a part of the EOF program at Ramapo College.

Nataly Merino

Nataly Merino of Paterson, N.J. is an Accounting major in the 4+1 Accounting program. After she graduates, she plans on taking the CPA exam. 

In the Student Government Association, Nataly is involved as an ASB School Senator and an undergraduate Student-at-Large representative for the President’s Advisory Council. She also was part of the Leaders in Service program.

Off-campus, she is an intern at SobelCo, an accounting and advisory firm.

Nia Baasit

“Earning a 3.75 GPA is one of my biggest accomplishments thus far in my college career,” says
Accounting major Nia Baasit of Newark, N.J.

At Ramapo, Nia has been active in Leaders in Service on campus, and works off campus at Chipotle.

“I plan to work in various industries as a CPA and travel the world after I graduate.”

Lazaro Conde

Lazaro Conde of Ridgefield, N.J. is a Business Administration-Finance major. During high school Lazaro was Class President and the coordinator of his class’ senior prom alongside vital fundraising events. Off-campus he is an employee of Sojo Spa Club and is currently in the process of starting a fund in advocacy for progressive reform and voting rights. Lazaro also seeks a career in the financial sector as well as real estate development and entrepreneurship.

Alexa Westenberger

“Although I haven’t been at Ramapo very long, I have so far made it my mission to get involved in as many clubs as possible,” says freshman Alexa Westenberger.

Alexa has joined Enactus, Colleges Against Cancer/Relay for Life, the Republican Club, Campus Crusade for Christ, the Creative Media Club, and is the Vice President of the Pine Hall Residence Council. She is also a part of the Dean’s Advisory Council. “I hope to one day be a positive role model for young women aspiring to go into the business field.”

Alexa is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing, and is from Gloucester City, N.J.

Hatice Ozen

Hatice Ozen of Paramus, NJ, is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Finance. As a freshman, Hatice has been selected as one of the two freshman representatives of the Anisfield School of Business Dean’s Student Advisory Council, where she will strive over the years to help improve the opportunities for Business majors.

She has also been involved in off-campus activities, including tutoring children to help improve their reading and language skills. Hatice hopes to “improve the society of today for a better tomorrow” through technological innovations as well as applications that will improve the standard of living for many.  “I’m excited to continue my studies as a first generation college student” said Hatice.

Jihad Peele

Jihad Peele of Hillside, NJ is a Business Management major with a 3.1 GPA. He is looking forward to a minor in Music Business.  He is also a student of the Educational Opportunity Fund program.

Jihad has been involved with Brothers Making a Difference, the Visual Arts Club and Ramapo College Television and Video.

During the summer, he was an intern and event director for the mayor of his hometown.

Ross Warlick

Ross Warlick is a freshman from Warren, NJ majoring in Business Administration.

Monica Torres

Monica Torres of Waldwick, N.J. is an accounting major/ international business minor. She has a 3.0 grade point average.

At Ramapo, Monica has been active in several organizations and activities, including Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Women’s Lacrosse Team, and Relay for Life. She is a Resident Assistant in Bischoff Hall.

Monica has also been involved in off –campus activities and organizations, including volunteering at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Mathieu Odula

Mathieu Odula is majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. He is active in the Student Government Association, serving as a senator last year and vice president this year. He assisted with the launch of the new Ramapo College Soccer Club and currently serves as the Club’s vice president. In February of this year, he delivered a speech at the College’s firstever Diversity Monologue. Mathieu is from Jersey City, NJ. “After graduation I will embark on a long and ambitious journey to business and political success, using the tools I attained at Ramapo College: the advice provided by College administrators, teachings from personal experiences and lessons from professors,” he said.

Anisha Banerjee

Anisha Banerjee of Somerset, NJ is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Finance. She is enrolled in the College’s Honors Program. Anisha serves on the ASB Dean’s Council and Leaders in Service. She is an emergency medical technician and has volunteered her time in a soup kitchen and working with disabled children. Anisha says her career goals are simple: “I want to become a part of the world that I have studied diligently in the Wall Street Journal and glimpsed through my experiences as an intern and in the Junior Achievement program.” Anisha has a 3.40 grade point average.

Emma Ruddick-Ferrat

Emma Ruddick-Ferrat is a senior majoring in Marketing with a minor in International Business. During a semester abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, Emma was able to visit 12 other countries in Europe and the United Kingdom. “I come from a diverse European family background so I was always interested in exploring the world,” Emma says. She has earned a 3.89 grade point average. She plans to earn an MBA after graduation.

Ashley Orlando

Ashley Orlando of Hazlet, N.J., is a business administration major with a concentration in management. She has a 3.95 grade point average.
At Ramapo, Ashley said she has learned the power of dedication and determination. She is a consultant at the Center for Reading and Writing and a fitness center supervisor in the Bradley Center. She is treasurer of SHRM, vice president of Beta Gamma Sigma and fundraising chair for Alpha Kappa Psi.

This scholarship has helped me greatly towards achieving my academic goals of one day owning my own business. I am very thankful to the Leone family for bringing me closer to making my dream come true.

Lazaro Hernandez

Lazaro Hernandez is a senior from Cliffside Park, NJ. He is an Accounting major and plans to stay at Ramapo College to earn an MBA. Lazaro, after becoming a CPA, will apply to law school and study Tax Law. He plans to work with his brother a CPA and attorney.

Siedah S. Gaines

Siedah S. Gaines of Bordentown, NJ is a Nursing major. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for First-Year Students, The National Society for Collegiate Scholars and The Golden Key International Honour Society. After Siedah graduates in 2013, she plans to apply for a nursing position in Trenton or the Philadelphia area. She would like to specialize in labor and delivery. Siedah also plans on furthering her education and becoming a certified nurse midwife. Siedah, who has a 2.68 grade point average, says, “In high school, I always thought that being intelligent was all that I needed to get scholarships and make it through college. I quickly realized that it takes more than that to achieve my goal. The past three years have not been easy on my family. I have worked hard to earn scholarships while maintaining my academics. This gave me the opportunity to see that my hard work has not been in vain and that even when I think people are not watching out for me, they are.”

The scholarship I’ve received will help me continue my education here at Ramapo College, and graduate with a BSN degree so I can become a nurse. This scholarship helped my parents put me through school, and will definitely be a significant help when loans need to be paid back. This generosity is greatly appreciated and is surely not taken for granted.

Kathleen Carpio

“I have decided to pursue a career in law, and face any challenges that await me,” says freshman Kathleen Carpio. Kathleen is from Hackensack, New Jersey and is a graduate of the Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology. In high school Kathleen participated in a biology research elective, and was named a National Ventures Scholar in recognition for her academic achievement. She participated in the concert choir during three years. At Ramapo Kathleen is majoring in psychology.

The Joseph Leone Family Fund Scholarship motivates me to keep working hard on my courses so that I can achieve my goal of becoming a doctor.