Tyler Moore

Tyler Moore of Colonia, N.J. is a senior Marketing major. 

At Ramapo, Tyler is a senior captain of the Ramapo Swim Team and has received all conference honorable mentions twice.

Kailey Pasquariello

Kailey Pasquariello of Lake Hopatcong N.J., is a junior Nursing major with a minor in Psychology and an overall GPA of 3.5. She is a First Generation student, being the first in her family to obtain a College Degree. 

Kailey currently volunteers on her Local Rescue Squad as an EMT, Rig Inspector and Crew Chief. As a Crew Chief, Kailey checks the ambulances to make sure they are properly stocked for a call, and as a crew chief she manages and leads her crew members. Kailey also currently works at Newton Medical center, an Atlantic Health Facility as a Patient Care Technician in the Emergency Department. 

After graduation, Kailey would like to further her education as a Nurse practitioner to continue assisting patients that struggle with homelessness and poverty, substance abuse disorder, mental health disorders and domestic violence.

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.

Bryan Martinez-Sanchez

Bryan Martinez-Sanchez of Perth Amboy, N.J. is a Computer Science major and proud member of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program, where he was a supplemental instructor for the first-ever virtual EOF summer program.

At Ramapo, Bryan is also a member of ALMA and the Philosophy Club. 

Bryan has also been involved in off-campus activities, including CODE2040 and being a fellow for the America Needs You professional organization.  

​​Amanda Rae Reece

​​Amanda Rae Reece of Hillsborough, N.J. graduated from Ramapo with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and is in the master’s of Social Work program. She has a 4.0 GPA and has been consistently on the Dean’s list. Amanda is an Honors College Alumni, 2022 recipient of the Social Work Academic Excellence Award, and graduated from her undergraduate program Summa Cum Laude.

Amanda has been active at Ramapo, including her jobs in the Civic and Community Engagement Center and as the Graduate Assistant for the Social Work Programs. She has helped organize and host countless events such as the OXFAM Hunger Banquet, a simulation for students to experience the reality of global poverty. Amanda is also proud of her independent study she completed her senior year titled “Solutions to the Motherhood Wage Penalty.”

She interned at Bergen’s Promise, a child welfare organization and with Governor Phil Murphy’s office as an aide to the Governor. “I hope to work on developing policy to better address the problem of domestic violence after I receive my masters degree.”

Hannah Mulligan

Hannah Mulligan of Ramsey, N.J. is a post-baccalaureate Education Major. She has a 4.0 GPA. She graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University in 2019 and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She is also currently enrolled in a Masters in French at Middlebury College, which she will complete next summer. When she finishes her studies, she will be certified to teach both French and English at the high school level.

At Ramapo, Hannah has been active in several activities, including participating in Ramapo’s Student Literacy Corps to tutor students in Paterson public schools. Before coming to Ramapo, Hannah was an engaged member of the Rutgers community. She served as president of Take Back the Tap, an organization promoting access to safe drinking water and the reduction of single-use plastics, and vice-president of Students for Environmental Awareness, the largest and longest-running environmental organization at Rutgers.

Hannah has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations, including the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Ramsey and No Tokens Journal. Hannah began as an intern at No Tokens Journal six years ago, and now serves as non-fiction editor.

Tori Waschek

Tori Waschek of Vernon, N.J. is a Journalism Major. She has a 3.9 GPA. Tori is the President of the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, Vice President of the Ramapo Chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success, and a member of the Ramapo College Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society, Ramapo College Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and Golden Key Honor Society.

At Ramapo, Tori has been active in several organizations and activities, including being on the Ramapo College Field Hockey Team that won an ECAC Championship and being named a Scholar of Distinction, a writer for the Ramapo News, winning first place in the sports writing category for the NJPF NJ College News Competition and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

Tori has also been involved in off campus activities and organizations where she helps tutor and coach field hockey. Over the past summer Tori interned as a reporter at The Coast Star News Group in Manasquan, N.J.

​​Grace Velarde

​​Grace Velarde of Oakland, N.J. is a Contemporary Arts Contract major with a Computer Science minor. She has a 3.97 GPA and is a member of the Ramapo College Honors Program, Golden Key International Honour Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Alpha Lambda Delta.

At Ramapo, Grace has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Student Government Association as the Contemporary Arts School Senator, the Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassadors Program, and the Ramapo College Concert Band as an alto saxophone player.
Grace has also been involved in off–campus activities and organizations, including doing freelance work for Warner Music Group and working as a Web Design/Digital Marketing Intern with Career Transition Resources, LLC.

An accomplishment she is proud of is starting her own small business and art brand under the name Graceful Graphics in March 2020. She manages multiple social media accounts to showcase her art and music including her own website, Instagram, SoundCloud, Vimeo, TikTok, and Youtube. She is in the process of developing her portfolio, continuing to focus on growing her online presence.

Elle Pascal

Elle Pascal of Passaic, N.J. is a senior Global Communications and Media major with a minor in Digital Filmmaking. They have a 3.8 GPA and are an Educational Opportunity Fund Scholar. They have been on the Dean’s list every semester. Elle is also a recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Leadership Award and a Peer Facilitator Scholarship recipient.

At Ramapo, Elle has been active in several organizations and activities including the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead and The Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Services.

Elle also holds on-campus positions working with the Center for Student Success.

Ida Lopez

Ida Lopez of North Bergen, N.J. is a graduate Social Work student with a minor in Substance Use Disorders. She has a 3.45 GPA and has been invited to join the Chi Alpha Epsilon EOF Honor Society.

At Ramapo, Ida worked as a Resident Assistant in the College Park Apartments in 2018. She also worked for Move Language Ahead, a company that works to provide educational and cultural programs to students from around the world. Ida currently interns at Head Start, which provides early childhood education for low income families. 

She’s currently enrolled in the advanced standing Masters Degree program and plans to become a therapist after graduation.

Hannah Velarde

Hannah Velarde of Oakland, N.J. is an Elementary Education major with an additional certification in Middle School Math. She has a 3.6 GPA, is part of the Honors Program, and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. 

Hannah is involved on campus with Ramapo Student Ambassadors, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Commuter Affairs. She has also volunteered at A Step Ahead Preschool and North Hudson Community Affairs. 

Hannah is enrolled in Ramapo’s 4+1 Masters in Special Education and hopes to eventually pursue a Ph. D. in the field of education. 

Grace Velarde

Grace Velarde of Oakland, N.J. is a Contemporary Arts Contract major with a Computer Science minor. She has a 3.97 GPA. She is a member of the Ramapo College Honors Program, Golden Key International Honour Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Alpha Lambda Delta.

Grace has been active in several other organizations and activities, at Ramapo including the Student Government Association as the Contemporary Arts School Senator, the Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassadors Program, and the Ramapo College Concert Band as an alto saxophone player.

Grace has also been involved in off–campus activities and organizations, including doing freelance work for Warner Music Group and working as a Web Design/Digital Marketing Intern with Career Transition Resources, LLC. 

An accomplishment she is proud of is starting her own small business and art brand under the name Graceful Graphics in March 2020.

Melanie Valenti

Melanie Valenti is a senior Psychology major with minors in Neuroscience and Substance Use Disorders. She has enjoyed her experience at Ramapo, from professional events to joining students clubs.

On campus, she is the Vice President of Alumni and Heredity for Alpha Sigma Alpha. She was also Secretary of Chi Alpha Epsilon and Secretary of Love Your Melon.

Melanie has volunteered with organizations like the Special Olympics, Care Plus, and MEVO, along with food pantries and local clean ups.

Nadirah Payne

“Everyone deserves equal and quality care,” says transfer student Nadirah Payne, a senior Nursing major with a 3.6 GPA. After graduation, her goal is to work with underserved populations to provide the medical care they need. 

Nadirah has volunteered in rural communities of Honduras, providing medical and public health care for the locals. She currently works at a community hospital in Newark, N.J. 

“I feel so lucky to be at Ramapo,” says Nadirah, expressing her gratitude for small class sizes and the ability to develop valuable relationships on campus.

Ogechi Ofodike

Ogechi Ofodike of Springfield, N.J. is a senior Chemistry major. She is a proud member of the EOF Program and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society.

Ogechi is a member of the Black Student Union, a volunteer for the Violence Intervention Peer Program, and the President of Ebony Women for Social Change. As President, she advocates for women’s rights and supports women in their social and academic endeavors.

Off campus, she volunteers as a caregiver at the Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, N.J.

After graduating, Ogechi plans to attend medical school to become a pediatrician and eventually open a women and children’s health center for people from disadvantaged communities. 

Melanie E. Cardoso-Lozano

Melanie E. Cardoso-Lozano of Sparta, N.J. is a Nursing major with a Spanish minor, and she earned a Certificate of Spanish for Health Care and Human Services Professionals. She has a 3.7 GPA and has made the Dean’s List every semester.

Melanie is in the Honors Program, the Nursing Student Organization, and is a member of several honor societies. She is also the Co-Vice President for the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead (ALMA) and the Vice President of the Spanish Club. 

Off campus, Melanie has volunteered with First Friends non profit organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Teaneck Tutoring. After graduation, she hopes to become a Registered ICU Nurse and obtain a master’s degree to become a Nurse Practitioner.

Patrice Lenowitz

As Ramapo College’s first Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipient and the first Degree Completion Program (DCP) student to study abroad, Patrice Lenowitz received college credits to travel to Cusco, Peru, over the winter 2020 term. There, she studied climate change and the significance of protecting indigenous women farmers. Immersed in Peruvian history, culture and food, she explored the 15th century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, learned salsa in Cusco, and trekked 17,000 feet above sea level to reach the top of Rainbow Mountain.

Outside of school, Patrice has been involved in activities and organizations serving the greater community for over a decade, including founding The Nurtured Parent, a free weekly support group for survivors of domestic abuse. Her passion and leadership have led to new child protection laws and victim’s rights legislation amendments. Her two most recent accomplishments signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy include Erin’s Law, K-12th grade safe touch education that will go into effect for the 2020/2021 academic year, and a landmark victim compensation bill (S498/A3391) that will increase the legal assistance benefit for crime victims from $3,000 to $10,000, paid through the New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office beginning August 2020.

As a first-generation graduate of Ramapo College, Patrice is considering law school, for she is determined to create a trauma informed, trauma responsive, and trauma preventative New Jersey.

She is from Woodcliff Lake, N.J. and a Professional Communications major. She has a 3.8 GPA.

Amy Jaglowski

Amy Jaglowski of Dunellen, N.J. is a Nursing major. She has a 3.61 GPA, is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, and is a Dean’s Scholarship recipient.

At Ramapo, Amy is active in Leaders in Service, S.A.I.L., the Nursing Student Organization, Ramapo Readers and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. She works off campus as the head counselor at a youth theater camp, serving as a teacher and stage manager. Upon graduating from Ramapo College with a BSN, she plans to attend graduate school to earn an MSN.

Jamie Anne Anderson

Jamie Anne Anderson of Cliffside Park, N.J. is in her final year of Nursing school.  The senior holds a 3.4 GPA, is on the Dean’s List, and is a member of the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor society. She is also an active member of the Nursing Student Organization and was the team manager for the Ramapo Women’s Basketball Team.

Outside of school, Jaime volunteers as an EMT at Fairview Emergency Response and Mahwah Emergency Medical Services. During the week, she works at Pulse Transport, and on the weekends, she works as an EMT for Cliffside Park Emergency Medical Services.

Jamie has also worked as a student nurse in the critical care unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital. After Ramapo, she plans to pursue a nursing career in the military, attain her Masters of Science in Nursing, and hopefully travel and work with Doctors Without Borders.

Nicole Cebulko

Nicole Cebulko of Oceanport, N.J. is a Nursing major. She is a transfer student from University of Rhode Island where she earned a 4.0 GPA and was on Dean’s List each semester. She plans to get her Masters in Neonatal Nursing.

She has quickly gotten involved at Ramapo, and been a part of Leaders in Service, RASA Student Ambassadors and 4GottenSuitcase, the A Cappella group. Off campus, she volunteered at Habitat for Humanity and MEVO as well as South County Hospital last spring. In her free time she loves yoga and hiking at nearby Ramapo Reservation.

“In my remaining time at Ramapo, I hope to become more of a leader on campus and make small impacts on people’s lives every day with random acts of kindness.”

Sydney Casale

Sydney Elizabeth Casale of Nutley, N.J. is a Biology major, concentrating in the PA program, with a Neuroscience minor. She has a 3.1 GPA and is on the Dean’s List.

Sydney founded Alpha Sigma Alpha on campus, and she is also part of the Sports Information Department and Financial Aid Department. She continuously volunteers at Mountainside Hospital, Brighton Gardens Assisted Living Facility, and Wesley Method Church Soup Kitchen.  “I spend most of my free time volunteering because I feel an overwhelming need to always help people”.

Sydney plans on enlisting in the military as a medic, and afterwards, she hopes to work in a clinic or with veterans.

Carlie Flynn

Carlie Flynn of Ramsey, N.J. is Psychology major with minors in Neuroscience and Women & Gender studies. She has a 3.7 GPA and is a member of Psi Chi Honor Society and Golden Key International Honor Society.

Carlie is proud to have participated in two of Ramapo’s alternative breaks: the 2017 spring break trip to Asheville, North Carolina and the 2018 winter break trip to Ghana. She is currently conducting research on campus and hopes to one day become a clinical child psychologist while researching pain perception.

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.”

Rodrigo Cardenas Jr.

“I was inspired by my father, who raised my sister and me as a single father, to pursue Social Work as a profession,” says Rodrigo Cardenas Jr. of Closter, N.J. “My hope is to affect change, fight for those who can’t fight for themselves, and try to make the world a better place.”

Rodrigo is an intramural referee for the Athletics Department on campus. He interned at La Salud Hispana, providing instructional and educational activities designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and mental well-being to non-English speaking immigrants. He also worked as a camp leader at the Bergen Family Center in Englewood, guiding campers to develop leadership, decision making and problem solving skills.

Kaetlynn Ayala

To pursue her passion of helping others, Kaetlynn Ayala of Lodi, N.J. is a Social Work major. She earned an Associate’s Degree from Bergen Community College and was fortunately able to transfer with a Merit Scholarship due to her high academic achievement. She recently interned at Bergen County Board of Social Services where she was exposed to welfare programs. “This experience ultimately sealed my interest in working with those in need.”

Kaetlynn has been a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician at the Lodi Ambulance Corps for 4 years, where she also currently serves as the youngest President of the organization. She has also been a Big Sister for over a year with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. “At the end of each day, I hope that I may have somehow made an impact on someone’s life.”

Marie Caufield

Marie Caufield of Wantage, NJ is a Social Work major. She has a 3.85 GPA.  She has been on the Dean’s List for consecutive semesters, is a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, in the top 15% of her school, and is a Phi Alpha Honor Society member. She has been accepted to both NYU and Ramapo’s advanced standing MSW programs for Fall 2017. She wants to work in mental health and is well on her way to achieving her goals. As a single mother she is staying strong and doing everything she can to provide her daughter with a great future.

She is the Project Coordinator at Jersey Cares and Transition Professionals.

Candace Beboe

“I am proud of the growth that I have undergone during my time at Ramapo and hope to have a career as an attorney and help fund the education of students like myself in the future,” said Candace Beboe of Jersey City, NJ.  She’s active in the Student Government Association, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority on campus. “In the positions I’ve held with these groups I’ve become a better leader and friend to my peers,” she added.

Candace has also been involved in off-campus organizations, including New City Kids, actively participating through their alumni base.

She has a 3.82 GPA and has been on the Dean’s list since her freshman year.

Marina Javras

“I have always had a passion for working with animals and children, and plan to center my future around helping those who are in need,” says Psychology major Marina Javras.  Her future plans include continuing her education in graduate school to further her understanding in the field of Psychology.

Marina volunteers with the Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization, Tevaland and Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge.  She also works as a part time daycare worker at a fitness center.

She has maintained at 3.57 GPA and continuous academic standing on the Dean’s List. Marina is from Midland Park, NJ.

Rachel Lubitz

This spring, Rachel Lubitz will attend the Northeast Regional Honors Council Conference where she will present her research on the Human Papillomavirus vaccine.  The Nursing major has a 3.75 GPA, and is a member of the Executive Board for the Honors Program.

“I’m very involved in my favorite department on campus, which is Residence Life,” says Rachel.  She is a Resident Assistant in Overlook Hall, a Desk Attendant in all of the residence halls, and Office Assistant for the Office of Residence Life.  She is also an active member of the Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassadors.

After graduation, she hopes to become a traveling nurse, focusing on public health.  She dreams to ultimately work at the United Nations where she will have a voice in advocating for better living standards and human rights.

Rachel is from East Brunswick, NJ.

Dayra Cerda

Dayra Cerda of Passaic, NJ is a Business Administration major, concentrating in Marketing with a minor in International Business. She has a 3.2 GPA.  Dayra was inducted into the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society.

At Ramapo, Dayra is a Resident Assistant, Peer Facilitator and the secretary of the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead.

Dayra is proud to be the first person in her family to pursue a bachelor’s degree and hopes to earn her masters in Higher Education.

Amanda Goritski

Amanda Goritski of Newton, NJ is a Social Work major with a minor in Psychology.

She has a 3.9 GPA. She is an active member of Phi Alpha Honor Society and a Golden Key member.

Amanda has also been involved in community education with Ginnie’s House Child Advocacy Center, a non-profit center that assists victims of child abuse. She also volunteers for her children’s sports teams.

“As a social worker I hope to change the lives of many children and help guide them away from the mistakes I made. I hope to run a group home for lost, unwanted and orphaned children. I want the group home to be their home until they get their lives together. I want to change the ways of aging out of the foster care system because it is truly awful and sad what some of the children go through after being left and neglected by their own families. I have so many hopes and goals for my future that I never had before I was accepted at Ramapo. I may not be able to save the world but I know I am going to try.”

Cheryle Nunez

Cheryle Nunez of Westwood, NJ is a Social Science Major in the adult degree completion program.

Cheryle has been involved the Diabetes Foundation and the St. Jude’s Foundation, and is a leader in the youth group at her church.

Tammy Smith

Tammy Smith of Fair Lawn, NJ is a Social Work major.  She has a 3.96 GPA.  She was awarded the 2015 NASW Harriet Bloomfield Memorial Scholarship and the 2015 CSWE BSW Student Travel Scholarship Award for her academic achievements in social work. She was awarded the 2014 and 2015 Fair Lawn Sunrise Rotary Continuing Education Scholarship.

At Ramapo, Tammy has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Social Work Club, where she recently served as vice-president.

Tammy has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for NAMI Bergen County and on the town of Fair Lawn’s Stigma-Free Task Force.

Tamar Montilus

Tamar Montilus of Hillsborough, N.J., is a nursing major. A returning adult student, Tamar believes that helping those in need leads to a satisfying life. She said education has the power to transform lives and allows her the ability to change the lives of the patients she serves. Tamar has volunteered in the hospice unit at the Veteran’s Hospital in Lyons, N.J. She also helped organize a clothing drive for children in a Haitian village.

Donna Elazar

Donna Elazar of Fair Lawn, N.J. is a psychology major and an environmental studies minor. She also completed the requirements for the Business Essentials Certificate. She was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society and the Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society. Donna has a 3.91grade point average.

At Ramapo, Donna has served in a variety of leadership positions in Alpha Phi Omega, the National Service Fraternity. She is vice president of the Yoga Club and volunteers with the Civic and Community Engagement Center. She is a student ambassador and has worked as a tutor and a peer facilitator. Donna works as a student aide in the campus library.

Donna’s plans are to help others lead happier, healthier lives through yoga, meditation, psychology and nutrition.

Colleen Jones

Colleen Jones of Cranford, N.J. is a nursing major. She has a 3.504 grade point average.

At Ramapo, Colleen has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Nursing Student Organization and Relay for Life. She also is an active member of Sigma Delta Tau where she served as the Vice President of Scholarship for the 2014-2015 terms.

Colleen has also been involved in off –campus activities, including teaching special needs children how to swim at Children’s Specialized Hospital, volunteering with the Girl Scouts of Washington Rock Council and teaching handicapped individuals how to fish with the Newark Bait and Fly Casting Club.

Diane Madsen

Diane Madsen of Sparta, N.J., is a social sciences major in the College’s degree completion program. She has a 3.87 grade point average. Diane was inducted into the Golden Key Honour Society.
Off campus, Diane is a group home manager with Sussex County Arc of N. J. She is proud of having facilitated the county’s first Overdose Awareness Day in 2013.
Diane plans to pursue a master’s in social work.

Martin Noah

Martin Noah of Vernon, NJ is a Social Science major. “Almost every aspect of my life for the past 10 years has been in the service of others or working towards it,” he said. He has done mission work in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi and is a manager at SCARC, Inc., a nonprofit organization that assists the developmentally disabled. He is proud to have been named Employee of the Month in February, 2012. Martin is also a manager of his church’s Board of Trustees. Martin said this scholarship has renewed his passion, encouraged his motivation and solidified his commitment. He quotes Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher to describe his outlook on life, “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” Martin has a 3.92 grade point average.

Kelsey Kozak

Kelsey Kozak of Rutherford, NJ is a Social Science major with a concentration in Mental Health. She describes her immigrant father who died in 2008 as “an inspiration, a role model, a best friend, and most importantly, my one and only irreplaceable dad.” Kelsey wondered if she would be able to attend college because her family lived a sparse life. At Ramapo College, she decided to seek out every opportunity to make her life better. Kelsey is proud that she will be the first member of her family to graduate from college. “My past endeavors have inspired me to go into the helping and educational counseling profession,” she said. “Higher Education Administration is a field that I am determined to pursue in graduate school.” Kelsey has a 3.31 grade point average.

Allison Gutworth

Allison Gutworth of Colonia, NJ is a Sociology major and an Information Technology Management minor. She completed the requirements of the Business Essentials Certificate. Allison is proud of her internship with the Woodbridge Township Department of Health and Human Services in which she drafted a federal grant, created informational brochures and compiled a list of resources for underserved populations. She said the internship allowed her to contribute to a purpose greater than myself. “Not only did I grow professionally, but I was able to interact with members of the community and better understand the populations within my area,” she added. Allison is a student research assistant in SSHS and compiled a database of over 150 journal articles on violence prevention and edited an international textbook. She is a member of Hillel, the Sociology & Criminology Club and the Residence Hall Association. Allison also serves on the College’s Judicial Board and off campus is a volunteer for the Girls Scouts of Northern Valley, the EOF Pen Pal Program in which she corresponds with a fifth grader and participates in an annual carnival for adults who are physically and mentally disabled. She has 4.00 grade point average.

Receiving this scholarship is an honor which will help me further pursue my academic and professional goals. I hope to pass onto others the opportunities I have gratefully received.

Aleksandar Mojsoski

Aleksandar Mojsoski of Garfield, NJ is a Finance major and an Accounting minor. Aleksandar came to the United States at the age of 21 from the Republic of Macedonia. At his first job he barely had enough to cover the cost of rent and food. There were days he drank as much of the free soda he was allowed at work to fill his stomach. He used the last of his money to move to northern New Jersey and put his dreams to obtain a college degree on hold and worked two jobs to support himself. He enrolled at a community college so he would be able to take night classes and maintain his two jobs. The adult learner transferred to Ramapo and plans to graduate in January 2013. Aleksandar says, “Being relatively new in this country has not only offered financial and academic challenges, but has made me appreciate the value of a college education.” Aleksandar, who has a 3.88 grade point average, plans to sit for the CPA. He would also like to attend graduate school.

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.

Jared Washington

Jared Washington of Roselle, NJ is majoring in Psychology and minoring in African-American Studies. His goal is to become a teacher and, when he graduates, to apply to Teach For America, a national corps of recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools. Jared has participated in Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, a violence prevention program, a clean-up at a slave cemetery in Mahwah and feeding the homeless at the Newark Rescue Mission. Jared, who has a 3.16 grade point average, wants to continue his education and earn a master’s degree so that he may become a school principal and work in an underserved district.

The scholarship I received will prepare me for the future because I will understand that I will be able to achieve anything as long as I work hard and stay determined.

Marisabel Rios

Marisabel Rios of Ellenville, NY is a Spanish major who is pursuing certification in elementary education. She is determined to become an educator because as a teaching assistant, she has dealt with the issues children face: hunger, poverty and fear of acceptance from peers and teachers. Marisabel is committed to encouraging each child so they believe they can become the best they can. Marisabel graduated from a community college and now at Ramapo, she is a member of the Spanish Club and Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish National Honor Society. A wife, mother and student, she is grateful for the support of her husband and the scholarship so that she can pursue her aspirations. Marisabel has a 3.11 grade point average.

Miranda Wyatt

Miranda Wyatt is a Literature major with a concentration in Creative Writing. The senior is surprised by how quickly college life has passed. “Through hard work, determination and perseverance, I have completed seven-eighths of my college education, all while working two part-time jobs, experiencing two internships and maintaining a consecutive 3.5 GPA,” Miranda says. In addition to work and classes, Miranda is a member of the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society, the Rho Alpha Sigma Honor Society, and is active in Suicide Awareness Programs. Miranda is from Mahwah, NJ.

Brielle Crowe

Brielle Crowe is a sophomore psychology major from Hawthorne, New Jersey who plans to teach at the elementary level. She earned a 3.76 grade point average and has been named to the Dean’s List every semester. Brielle has volunteered in several children’s education programs, and is also active in Future Educators of America, Ramapo’s First Year Experience, the freshman caucus, and the Student Government Association. She is a member of the Dance Club and the Psychology Coalition.

Being the first in my family to go college, and then to receive a scholarship is a great honor, knowing that this helps me be a step closer to reaching my dreams and becoming a teacher makes me very thankful.