Astrid Navarro

Astrid Navarro of Bloomfield, N.J. is a Visual Communication Design major with a 3.88 GPA.

At Ramapo, she has been active as Yearbook Editor, Social Media Manager for the Center for Reading and Writing (CRW), and Ramapo’s Marketing Department. She also works as a Peer Consultant at the CRW. Her work at the CRW provided her and four other consultants the opportunity to present a panel presentation at the National Council of Peer Tutors of Writing (NCPTW) in November of 2023.

Off-campus, Astrid has worked as a freelance graphic designer. She has worked on branding for the restaurant Pupusas La Primera and logo rebranding for Specialized Home Health Care.

She was named 2024 Employee of the Year, received a 2024 Academic Achievement award, and presented her NCPTW conference presentation at Scholars Day 2024.

Astrid’s plans for the future are to build her career as a Graphic Designer and to support future students with the resources to start their own journeys as artists and designers.

Lauren Vogel

Lauren Vogel of Hamilton, N.J. is a Communication Arts major with a concentration in Digital Journalism. She has a 3.64 GPA and has finished this past year on the Dean’s List.

At Ramapo, she has been active in several organizations and activities including the Culinary and Pastry Club, where she is the current social media manager, and an active member of Dance Club.

Lauren has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations including participating in walks for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

After graduation, she plans on finding a job writing for a publication or magazine and hopes to one day write for the Walt Disney World Company.

Emily Melvin

​​Emily Melvin, from West Deptford, N.J., is a Communication Arts major with a concentration in Writing and minors in Creative Writing and Digital Filmmaking. She has a 3.9 GPA and received the Dean’s List every semester. Emily has been an editor for and featured in Trillium, the school’ literary magazine, and she also received Best Project at the 2022 Media Collision in the Global Communications and Media category. 

At Ramapo, Emily has been involved in The Ramapo News, where she is the current Editor-in-Chief, The Center for Student Involvement, where she works as the student manager, and the Peer Facilitation Program, where she was a peer for first-year students. 

Emily was an intern at Moonstone Arts Center, an independent poetry publishing house in Philadelphia, P.A., during summer 2022. With the editorial and publishing tasks she completed over her internship and during her time at The Ramapo News, Emily plans to work in editing and publishing across various writing disciplines after graduation.

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.

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.

Natalie Tsur

Natalie Tsur of New Milford, N.J., is a senior Communication Arts major, concentrating in Journalism and double minoring in Creative Writing and Human Rights and Genocide Studies. She has a 3.98 GPA and has been awarded Dean’s List throughout her academic career and published in the college’s literary magazine.

At Ramapo, Natalie has served as a peer mentor and is an active member of the College Disciplinary Review Board and The Ramapo News as News Editor. She recently conducted an independent project interviewing Ramapo students, documenting their experiences during quarantine. Her work is viewable on the newspaper’s Instagram page.

Natalie is currently a writing consultant at the Center for Reading and Writing. She hopes to continue her studies post-graduation, specializing in feature journalism and plans to teach later in her life.

Diondra Curtis-Downey

“I plan on using my platform to inspire others to see the good in the world,” says Diondra Curtis-Downey of Englewood, N.J. Diondra is a Music major with a concentration in Vocal Performance. An EOF scholar, she has a 3.6 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List since her first semester.

Diondra is in Ramapo Chorale and the following Intermediate Choral Ensembles: Skylark and CantaNova. Off-campus, she has volunteered with Heroes and Cool Kids, where she helps elementary students make good decisions. She’s also involved with the TRUTH organization at her church.

“I am proud of the progress I’ve made in my journey as a musician,” says Diondra. 

Jenna Craig

Jenna Craig, a resident of River Edge, N.J., is double majoring in Theater and Communication Arts. With concentrations in Acting, Directing/Stage Management, and Journalism, Jenna is passionate about the theater industry, writing, and organizing information in creative ways. 

Jenna is highly involved in Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society, where she serves as President and previously served as both Vice President and Secretary. She is also a member of Active Minds, the College Progressives Club, and is a copy editor/writer for the Ramapo News. She regularly participates in the Theater Department’s productions, runs the RCNJ Theater social media accounts, and is a Student Aide for the Grants & Sponsored Programs office.

This spring, Jenna started an internship with Off The Lane, a nonprofit geared towards mentoring early career theater artists. Apart from career options in live theater, arts administration, and arts publications, she is interested in potentially pursuing academic counseling for higher education. 

Lara Ghougasian-Bairamian

“Being a part of Ramapo’s Degree Completion Program allows me to continue to work full time  at Shiseido Americas Corporation, pursue my own baking business, and fulfill my dream of obtaining my bachelor’s degree,” says Lara Ghougasian-Bairamian. “I am so grateful for this scholarship because not only does it offer monetary support, but it also has encouraged me to keep working hard and moving forward. I believe that this step will help further my career and allow me to grow in the company.”

She also volunteers with her church as a teacher and member of the worship team. Lara is a Communications Major and has a 3.9 GPA. She is from Bogota, N.J.

Amanda Steuernagel

Amanda Steuernagel of Rahway, N.J. is a Global Communications and Theater Studies double major with a minor in Art History. “I am a firm believer in using any art form as a platform for communication,” says Amanda. “I’m interested in dramaturgy and art history because they provide historical context and accuracy to generate new, progressive ideas.”

Amanda has worked in both the CA School Office and the Office of Violence Prevention, and she has acted, directed, and worked as a dramaturg for several Ramapo productions. She’s also the secretary of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and a member of the Communications and Theater, National Honor Societies.

She recently spent the summer in Amherst, MA as Assistant Company Manager and Dramaturg at Ko Theater Festival. Amanda hopes to become an Artistic Director who chooses what plays, exhibits, and shows are to be produced in a company based on political relevance or movements in modern time.

Brianna Burkert

“Ramapo has transformed me,” says Brianna Burkert of Bridgewater, NJ. “I have met so many great people, joined a professional fraternity, volunteered, studied abroad in Peru, and found myself.”

Brianna is a Communication Arts major with a concentration in Global Communication and Media. She has a minor in Sociology and is pursuing a Business Essentials Certificate. Briana has a 3.7 GPA, is part of several honor societies and has achieved Dean’s List status every semester.

She has served as Public Relations chair for the community service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega and has been involved in Relay for Life on campus. She has completed several internships in her field and worked part-time jobs.

Dionaisy Caceres

Dionaisy Caceres is a sophomore majoring in Communication Arts with a concentration in Global Communication and Media. She also wants to pursue a minor in International Business.

At Ramapo, Dionaisy has been active in The Association of Latinos Moving Ahead, where she served on the e-board as secretary, and The Civic and Community Engagement Center, helping to run leadership programs like SAIL and Project LEAD.

She plans to go on to graduate school to earn her MBA and start her own non-profit organization. “I hope to provide inner-city kids with the opportunity to earn valuable skills they can use to succeed in their educational careers.”

Amanda Steuernagel

Amanda Steuernagel of Rahway, N.J. is a Global Communications and Theater Studies double major. She has a 3.9 GPA. She recently received a nomination for an Irene Ryan acting award for a performance in Spring 2017.

At Ramapo, Amanda has acted in and produced various productions, attends Zumba classes regularly, and is a member of Ramapo College Dance Company. In the College production “The Sonic Life of a Giant Tortoise,” she played Actor 3 and was the dramaturg of the production. “After graduation, I hope to become a professional dramaturg or work within the theatre field.”

Mehnaz Ladha

Mehnaz Ladha of Dumont, N.J., is a Communication Arts major with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in International Studies. She has a 3.988 grade point average and is a member of the College Honors Program.

At Ramapo, Mehnaz is the president of Lambda Pi Eta, staff writer for The Ramapo News and newsletter editor for the College Honors Program. She is also a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Golden Key Honor Society, Sigma Iota Rho and Omnicron Delta Kappa. During her study abroad in Athens in summer 2017, Mehnaz conducted research on the effects of the bailout crisis on small business owners in the Pangrati neighborhood.

She is also active off-campus as an editor at SunCity Paradise, where she writes monthly articles and interviews celebrities for the site’s travel profiles. This past summer, Mehnaz was featured in two digital galleries for Glamour.com that highlight diversity on college campuses. She has also interned at Wainscot Media, publisher of regional magazines such as BERGEN, and the Borough of Franklin Lakes. She is also the website manager for Andrea Smith, an award-winning technology reporter.

After graduating from Ramapo, Mehnaz plans to earn her Masters in Business Administration. I’d like to work toward increasing diversity within a business communications context.”

Janine McCaffrey

Janine McCaffrey is a senior from Cresskill, NJ and is majoring in Communication Arts/Digital Filmmaking. She has been working as an intern in New York City as a film editor at Stonestreet Studios and recently interned at Viacom with Nickelodeon. At Ramapo, she will continue to serve as President of the Technological Studies Club as well as the Sci-Fi Club. She enjoys assisting her peers in the role of director/producer and editor.

Taylor Madison Vitelli

Taylor Madison Vitelli recently received a nomination for the Irene Ryan award to compete at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.  She is a Communications major with a concentration in Digital Filmmaking and a minor in Theater.

On campus, she served as secretary for Sigma Sigma Sigma for two semesters and has been active in the theater community all four years of college. She also works two jobs and has an internship with Musicplayers.com.

Taylor is from Flemington, NJ.

Janine McCaffrey

Janine McCaffrey of Cresskill, NJ is currently a junior pursuing a major in Communication of the Arts with a focus in Digital Film Making. She has a 3.925 GPA and spent last summer interning in New York City as a film editor.

She looks forward to her last two years in Ramapo and more opportunities to expand her horizons in film post-production. She accepted membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the XAE Honor Society. Membership is by invitation only and was based on her class standing and her exceptional GPA. She has been a member and officer of the Technology/Animation Study Club for the past two years and was recently appointed president.

“There is nothing more that I want than to continue reaching my personal and academic potential… when individuals recognize and reward that I am extremely grateful.”

Taylor Vitelli

Taylor Vitelli of Flemington, NJ is a Communications major with a minor in Theatre and concentration in Digital Film.  She has a 3.5 GPA.  At Ramapo, Taylor has led two co-sponsorships for her sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma, by raising money for children affected by the earthquake in Nepal as well as children in Give Kids the World Foundation.

In addition to working as a hostess at Applebee’s, she has volunteered at Camp Sunshine/Camp Snowflake to work with special needs children and adults.  She also loves the theatre and hopes to show the world how much work goes into the arts.

“What does the future hold?  I don’t know, but what I do know is that no matter what anyone says I am proud of myself and for once I am truly happy and confident in the woman I am becoming.”

Emily Brawer

Emily Brawer of Westwood, NJ is a Communication Arts major. As a freshman, Emily completed research
about how female politicians are portrayed on television shows and in movies. What started as a class assignment has blossomed into an issue that she is passionate about. She has presented her research on women’s representation in the media at undergraduate conferences for the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, the Eastern Communication Association, the College’s Communication Arts Media Collision and Celebration of Student Creativity and Scholarship. “The most rewarding part of these experiences was challenging beliefs of others and prompting them to view gender roles through a different lens,” she said. She would like to publish a book about this topic. Emily works three jobs and holds an internship at a public relations agency. She has a 3.96 grade point average.

Danielle Corcione

Danielle Corcione of Ocean View, N.J., is a literature major with a concentration in creative writing. She is enrolled in the Honors Program and was inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta Literary Honor Society. Danielle has a 3.73 grade point average.

At Ramapo, Danielle has been active in Residence Life, the Potter Library, the Educational Opportunity Fund, Ramapo College Democrats, Model United Nations and the Ramapo News.

Danielle particularly enjoyed participating in a Study Abroad program in Prague, Czech Republic. Danielle plans to attend graduate school to become a college professor.

Emily Brawer

Emily Brawer of Westwood, NJ is a Communication Arts major. As a freshman, Emily completed research
about how female politicians are portrayed on television shows and in movies. What started as a class assignment has blossomed into an issue that she is passionate about. She has presented her research on women’s representation in the media at undergraduate conferences for the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, the Eastern Communication Association, the College’s Communication Arts Media Collision and Celebration of Student Creativity and Scholarship. “The most rewarding part of these experiences was challenging beliefs of others and prompting them to view gender roles through a different lens,” she said. She would like to publish a book about this topic. Emily works three jobs and holds an internship at a public relations agency. She has a 3.96 grade point average.

Danielle Corcione

Danielle Corcione of Ocean View, N.J., is a literature major with a concentration in creative writing. She is enrolled in the Honors Program and was inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta Literary Honor Society. Danielle has a 3.73 grade point average.

At Ramapo, Danielle has been active in Residence Life, the Potter Library, the Educational Opportunity Fund, Ramapo College Democrats, Model United Nations and the Ramapo News.

Danielle particularly enjoyed participating in a Study Abroad program in Prague, Czech Republic. Danielle plans to attend graduate school to become a college professor.

Jillian DiBlasio

Senior Jillian DiBlasio has expanded her horizons from animated film to better appreciate live action pieces. “No matter what medium I am ultimately working in,” she says, “what matters is that I am telling the types of stories that I enjoy most.” She worked this year with two production companies, Tappan Films and Warlock Films. A Digital Filmmaking major with a 3.96 grade point average, Jillian had one of her films accepted to several film festivals, including one in Indianapolis, IN. She is planning to apply for internships at Pixar and Disney. Jillian is from Norwood, NJ.

This scholarship allowed me to take an extra semester worth of courses and helped me figure out what I want to do in the future.

Michelle Regna

Michelle Regna is a junior majoring in Communication Arts with a concentration in Design and Interactive Media. Her minor is Spanish Language Studies. Michelle works on campus as a designer for the Office of Student Activities. “When I discovered there was a design department that created poster advertisements for clubs and organizations to advertise their events, I could not think of a more perfect job,” she says. Michelle has won an award for best logo design at Ramapo’s Media Collision, and was inducted into the communications honor society this year. She is a member of the Creative Media Club and Delta Phi Epsilon. She traveled to Costa Rica this spring on an alternative spring break program. Michelle has earned a 3.89 grade point average and is from Middlesex, NJ.

Jillian DiBlasio

Senior Jillian DiBlasio has expanded her horizons from animated film to better appreciate live action pieces. “No matter what medium I am ultimately working in,” she says, “what matters is that I am telling the types of stories that I enjoy most.” She worked this year with two production companies, Tappan Films and Warlock Films. A Digital Filmmaking major with a 3.96 grade point average, Jillian had one of her films accepted to several film festivals, including one in Indianapolis, IN. She is planning to apply for internships at Pixar and Disney. Jillian is from Norwood, NJ.

Diana Stanczak

Diana Stanczak of Clifton, NJ is a Journalism major. Diana is the Arts and Entertainment editor of The Ramapo News. This summer, she plans to pursue more experience with community newspapers. Diana is president of Alpha Lambda Delta, Ramapo’s freshman honor society. She says, “My role as president has taught me how to effectively manage my time and communicate with others, a skill that is invaluable to my chosen field.” Diana, who has a 3.75 grade point average, works in a local restaurant and is a volunteer with the Ukrainian American Youth Association. She would like to became a media and entertainment lawyer.

Jillian DiBlasio

Senior Jillian DiBlasio has expanded her horizons from animated film to better appreciate live action pieces. “No matter what medium I am ultimately working in,” she says, “what matters is that I am telling the types of stories that I enjoy most.” She worked this year with two production companies, Tappan Films and Warlock Films. A Digital Filmmaking major with a 3.96 grade point average, Jillian had one of her films accepted to several film festivals, including one in Indianapolis, IN. She is planning to apply for internships at Pixar and Disney. Jillian is from Norwood, NJ.

This scholarship will help further my education and help me achieve my goal of successfully working in the film industry.

Julianne Candio Sekel

At age seven, Julianne Candio Sekel wrote a poem about seasons that was published in the 1998 edition of the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans. Back then, she didn’t realize her capacity to gain knowledge and grow into an individual who uses writing as an outlet for emotions. She describes writing poetry as a lyrical outlet, one that affords the perfect escape from an imperfect world. As a college student, Julianne is majoring in Communication Arts with a concentration in Writing, and is pursuing a minor in Literature. Says Julianne, “I am positive my future will entail a pen in hand and a passionate fire within the depths of my imagination.” Julianne is a sophomore from North Arlington, NJ and has earned a 3.97 grade point average.

Megan Anderle

Megan Anderle of Wayne, NJ is a Contemporary Arts major. She has worked as a reporter for The Daily Record, a position that prepared her to serve as news editor and editor-in-chief of The Ramapo News. Megan says, “I hold myself to a high standard and take pride in the work of our editors and staff.” Megan redesigned the look of The Ramapo News and instituted writing guidelines which proved to be especially helpful to students who hadn’t written an article before. On campus, she’s a writing tutor, has served as a peer facilitator, is a member of the Student Government Association, the Student Leaders Coalition and the Constitutional Review Committee. Megan was named to Alpha Lambda Delta, the freshman honor society. She maintains a 3.89 grade point average.

I am so thankful for the generous scholarship I received. My award will help me pay for books over the next few semesters.

Lindsay Goldstein

Lindsay Goldstein is a communication arts major with a concentration in media and cinema studies. She is a junior with a 3.64 grade point average. Lindsay transferred from Arizona State University and is from Monsey, New York. She is a writer for the Ramapo News, and was inducted into the National Communication Honor Society. Last summer she volunteered on construction projects in a village in the Dominican Republic, where she used her sign language skills. Lindsay has worked as an intern at Movado Group. “I have decided to pursue a master’s degree in marketing,” she says.

The scholarship that I have received is the Sharon Pierson Communications Scholarship II. Not only is this scholarship helpful to me in my college experience, but it places aspiration and goals into communication majors to strive for academic achievements. As my previous teacher, Sharon Pierson has inspired me to believe in succeeding in all my future endeavors.