Saurav Dahal

Originating from Kathmandu, Nepal, Saurav Dahal has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and a strong sense of community throughout his journey in Computer Science at Ramapo College. Boasting an impressive 3.96 GPA, Saurav has not only maintained a position on the Dean’s List every semester since his freshman year but has also immersed himself in various on-campus activities and organizations.

His leadership capabilities were particularly showcased during the 2022-2023 academic year, where he served as Secretary for the Math Club, and has shown active participation in other clubs and organizations like the International Student Organization and the South Asian Club.

Currently, he contributes to the ITS department as a Network Tech Student Aide within the Network Team, showcasing his practical application of knowledge.

Upon graduation, Saurav aspires to channel his expertise into a career in Software Engineering, with the hope of joining a renowned tech company in the future.

Bijay Adhikari

Bijay Adhikari of Kathmandu, Nepal is a Junior majoring in Computer Science. He has a 3.96 GPA and has made the Dean’s List every semester.

At Ramapo, Bijay works as a Student Network Support Assistant at the Ramapo College ITS, and is also the President of the South Asian Club. He is also actively involved in the International Student Organization, Engineering-Physics Club and Math Club.

After graduation, Bijay plans on becoming a software developer.

Merit Kayastha

Merit Kayastha of Bhaktapur, Nepal is a junior majoring in Bioinformatics. He has a 3.8 GPA, and has been consistently listed on the Dean’s List.

At Ramapo, Merit has been actively working in a number of organizations, including Data Science Club and International Student Organization. He is the Co-founder and the Treasurer for the recently established Data Science Club. Merit is currently working as an Instructional Design Student Aide at Ramapo ITS, where he trains faculty members to use relevant instructional technologies including Canvas, WebEx, Yuja and Lockdown Browser. After graduation, Merit hopes to work in the field of pharmaceutics and drug design.

Seema Gurung

Seema Gurung of Nepal is a Finance major. She has a 3.97 GPA. She has been on the Dean’s List for 2019, 2020, 2021. She has been awarded the Presidential Scholarship, and also has been apart of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society and NJ Undergraduate Mathematics Competition

At Ramapo, Seema has been active in several organizations and activities, including Ramapo College Small Business Development Center, ASB Tutor, and International Student Organization

She is also proud to have been an Intern at NYC DOT.

Niki Bajracharya

Niki Bajracharya is an Environmental Science major with a Sustainability minor. She has a 3.9 GPA and is a part of the College Honors Program. She is a junior who has made it to the Dean’s List since her freshman year. Niki is an international student from Nepal and is committed to working towards climate change and a sustainable future.

At Ramapo, Niki is the President of the International Student Organization, Program Coordinator for the College Programming Board, and Treasurer for Naach. She is also a member of Alpha Phi Omega where she serves as the Vice President of Fellowship.

Off-campus, she volunteers for the MEVO fresh root farms and the Mahwah Senior Center.

Luka Marjanovic

Luka Marjanovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Theater major with a concentration in Acting and a minor in Creative Writing. He has a 3.97 GPA and makes the Dean’s List each semester, in addition to being a Presidential Scholarship recipient. 

Luka is in the Honors Program, part of Ramapo’s comedy improv troupe, the Fooligans, and writes numerous articles for the Ramapo News. He has also performed in the following mainstage productions: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, She Kills Monsters, and The Diaries of Adam and Eve, which was a virtual production. 

He enjoys watching local theater and participating in off-campus comedy and improv nights. After graduation, Luka plans on enrolling in an MFA program and possibly teaching theater.

Lumana Shakya

“I regard a career in economics to be meaningful and inspiring,” says Lumana Shakya, a senior majoring in Economics and minoring in Mathematics. She has consistently earned Dean’s List status with a 4.0 GPA. 

Lumana has held leadership positions in the Dance Company, International Student Organization, and Naach. She is also a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon and N.J. Collegiate Business Administration Honor Society. 

After Ramapo, Lumana will attend graduate school and become a Research Economist, where she’ll concentrate on macroeconomics and development economics. 

Zachary Remes

Zachary Remes of Paramus, N.J. is a Finance major. He has a 3.71 GPA and over the past two semesters, he has earned the Dean’s List award. He is a transfer student who previously attended New Jersey Institute of Technology.

During his time as a member of the Roadrunner Financial Group on campus he has learned key skills in analyzing stocks, and has been able to pitch a stocks for the group to invest in.

He is interning in the finance and accounting department at UPS, and plans to continue with the company after graduation

Sumaiya Muhammad

“Psychology was an interest even before I grasped the idea of it. As a child I observed people, made up stories about them, and imagined myself in their situations,” says international student Sumaiya Muhammad of Kathmandu, Nepal. The Psychology major has a GPA of 3.9 and hopes to reduce the stigma against mental health through a career in Mental Health Counseling and Therapy.

At Ramapo, Sumaiya has been active in International Student Organization since her first year. She served the ISO as the Freshmen Representative in her first year and as a Student Advisor in her Sophomore Year. “Through ISO, we work to help international students adapt to daily life at Ramapo and to bring international culture to the campus community.”

Swaraj Thaman

Swaraj Thaman of Gorakhpur, India is a Biochemistry major. He has a 3.96 GPA and has made the Dean’s List for the last two semesters. He is a Presidential Scholar, an active member of the Honors Program, and a recipient of the Westchester Chemical Society for Freshman Award.  Swaraj is involved in the International Student Organization and is a tutor for biology and math in the Office of Specialized Services.

During the summer of 2018, he was a research intern at Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology (RIBB), where he participated in the research of the production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil, bacterial and fungal cultures, antibiotic testing, etc.  He also volunteered for the Gagan Chand Divine Foundation in their reconstruction efforts in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal, after the earthquake on April 2015.

Prasiddha Shakya

Prasiddha Shakya is a Mathematics major with dual minors in Economics and International Studies. He has a 3.87 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List each semester.

Prasiddha has been involved in Model UN, Chess Club, HGS Advisory Council and the International Student Organization. He was a part of the Model UN team that took part in NMUN-DC, and he was also a part of the college Federal Reserve Challenge Team. Additionally, Prasiddha has worked as an advocate for the UNF Global Health Program and has worked as a full-time counselor for the Upward Bound Program.

He plans to pursue graduate studies in International Economics.

Achyut Gautam

Achyut Gautam of Nepal is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Mathematics and Economics. He has a 3.8 GPA and is part of the Honors Program.

He has been extremely active in several organizations on campus, including Student Government Association (SGA), Board of Trustees, Dean’s Advisory Council, and Civic and Community Engagement Center. He is currently serving as a research assistant in the Anisfield School of Business where he assists faculty in designing econometric models.

Achyut studied abroad in Milan, Italy in fall of 2017, and has also traveled to Ghana as part of the SGA exchange program. He was one of the recipients of the “Outstanding Leadership by a Sophomore” award and was also selected by the Dean of ASB for the Seminara Memorial Award.  “After graduation, I am determined to make financial markets more efficient, transparent, and accessible to all people.”

Meera Patel

Meera Patel is a first-generation student and the first person in her family to pursue a bachelor’s degree. She is a Finance major from Mahwah, NJ who has a strong passion toward helping the less fortunate. She volunteers and has helped raise money and awareness for homeless, abandoned, and abused youth.

Binaya Panta

Binaya Panta of Mahwah, NJ is a Mathematics major and a Computer Science minor. He has a 3.93 GPA and was inducted into the Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society.

At Ramapo, Binaya has been active in several organizations and activities, including the International Student Organization, Computer and Technology Club and Mathematics Club. He served as the Vice-President of Pi Mu Epsilon and International Student Organization.

He has also served as a volunteer for Solidarite France Nepal, an NGO in Nepal, where he worked on a project regarding the rehabilitation of orphans living in the streets of Kathmandu.

Sujil Maharjan

Sujil Maharjan of Kathmandu, Nepal is a computer science major. He has a 3.8 grade point average.

At Ramapo, Sujil has been active in several organizations and activities, including International Student Organization, South Asians at Ramapo, and Student Government Association. He served as a secretary of ISO, a treasurer of SAR, and a senator-at-large of Student Government Association.

Sujil also has been involved in off-campus activities and organizations, including participation in various tech-related events and presentations of his research works in conferences.

Devinder Sodhi

Devinder Sodhi of Lodi, NJ is a Computer Science major. An international student, he has a degree in Biology and has returned to college to get the education he needs to change his career path. He was accepted to three of the four schools he applied to. “After conversations with alumni, research and conversations with the faculty, Ramapo seemed to be the ideal choice,” said Devinder. He has provided chemical technical support to a firm in Fair Lawn and was a life sciences talent acquisition intern. He is eager to return to the full time workforce and says the faculty has been helpful to ensure that will happen. On campus, Devinder is a member of the International Student Organization, South Asians at Ramapo, Computer Science Club and the Math Club. He is an accomplished photographer whose work has been published in local newspapers and online. Devinder has a 4.00 grade point average.

Aashma Thapa

Aashma Thapa is an Environmental Science major. A native of Nepal, she is a member of the International Student Organization. In 2012 Aashma was named Best Environmental Management Student and Best Psychology Student. On campus she is a laboratory assistant in the Information Technology Services Department. Aashma is a volunteer for the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and is active with Sai Baba Bhajan, devotional, spiritual singing. She says, “Studying in text books is one thing, but being in a sustainable infrastructure while I learn more about the environment is amazing.” Aashma has a 2.92 grade point average.

I am very grateful to have received this scholarship as it has become yet another source of motivation in my life to continue to strive to excel.

Wenji Li

Wenji Li, an international student from China, is a Finance major. She is treasurer of the International Student Organization, and a member of the Finance Club, the United Asian Association and the Music and Entertainment Industry Students Association. An accomplished pianist, Wenji has participated in the College’s Chamber Music Programs. She was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Wenji appreciates the opportunity to learn the American financial system and make comparisons with the system in China. She admits, though, that “music overcomes the gaps between language difference” and is sometimes a better way for her to communicate. Wenji has a 3.52 grade point average.

Ronak Patel

Ronak Patel of Mahwah, NJ is an Information Systems major with a 3.88 grade point average. Ronak works as an office manager at ADPP Enterprises and also volunteers at her temple helping children learn about their religion. Having lived in three countries, Ronak confidently states, “The best way to improve a society and to enhance the progress of its economy is through education.” Her dream is to be an entrepreneur. “Dreams are the benchmark of our achievement,” she says.

Ritvik Dubey

Ritvik Dubey of Somerset, NJ is a Biochemistry and Bioinformatics major who has a 3.17 grade point average. Born in Dubai, he believes “the only real failure in life is a failure to try.” His is involved in the BioinformaticsTAS Honors Research Program, working with a faculty member to isolate target proteins for malaria. He also is a member of South Asians at Ramapo. Ritvik says “receiving a scholarship represents my desire to express my love and gratitude to those that matter most to me, my parents and my family.

It has given me the added confidence to succeed.

Shaima Khinjani

Shaima Khinjani graduated from Ramapo in December, 2010 with a degree in International Studies. Her cumulative grade point average was 3.40. During the fall semester she delivered a paper with Professor Rebecca Root at a political science conference in Boston on the role of women and elections in Afghanistan. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Political Science at the University of Montana and is teaching courses in Afghan language and culture.