Alexa Vazquez

Alexa Vazquez of Totowa, N.J. is a Nursing major with a Sports Management minor and has maintained a 3.9 GPA. She has been on the Dean’s List thus far, and is in the College Honors Program. Alexa has finished her General Education Honors Requirements, for example Honors Values and Ethics. 

At Ramapo, Alexa is a member of clubs, such as the Nursing Student Organization, American Cancer Society/Relay For Life, and Leaders in Service, where she has volunteered as a Peer Mentor for incoming Freshmen/Transfers. 

Alexa has also been on Group Mission Trips with her church youth group and assisted at the Ice Vault Arena, where she spreads her love of and support of the sport of ice hockey working in the front office, while helping manage the College Ice Hockey team.

After graduation, Alexa plans to become a Registered Nurse and attend graduate school to then become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, while also potentially becoming a Sports Nurse on the side.

Nashari Payano

Nashari Payano of South Amboy, N.J. is a Nursing major with a minor in Spanish Language Studies. She has a 3.9 GPA and is in the college’s Honors Program. She has made the Dean’s List every semester that she has been at Ramapo College and she is a proud first generation student. 

At Ramapo, Nashari has been active in Colleges Against Cancer, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Residence Life, where she is a Resident Assistant. Nashari is also the treasurer of Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish Honor Society, and president of Rho Alpha Sigma, the Residence Life honor society. 

Nashari has also been involved in off-campus organizations, including working for the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning as a consultant, working for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as a nurse extern, and volunteering as a teacher at her local parish’s religious education program.

 After graduation, Nashari hopes to work as a pediatric intensive care nurse and go back to school to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. 

Ashley Gomez

Ashley Gomez is a senior Law and Society major with a Human Rights and Genocide, and Civic and Community Leadership minor. She is a proud first generation college student with a 3.8 GPA and has made the Dean’s List several times.

Ashley has been a Resident Assistant since her sophomore year. Additionally, she has served as the School of Social Science and Human Services (SSHS) School Senator for three years, and is currently serving as Senate President for the Student Government Association. Ashley enjoys being a voice for the student body. She is also the Chapter President for Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.

After graduating from Ramapo, Ashley hopes to travel to different parts of the world. She hopes to attend and graduate law school, to eventually become an immigration attorney.

Nashari Payano

“As a first-generation Hispanic college student, I’m very grateful for the donors that have funded my scholarship,” says Nashari Payano of South Amboy, N.J. Nashari is a Nursing major with a minor in Spanish Language Studies. She is a third-year student and has a 3.9 GPA. She is currently a student in the college’s Honors Program. 

At Ramapo, Nashari has been active in the American Cancer Society on campus and Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish Honor Society. She was previously a Resident Assistant in Mackin Hall and has since been promoted to Student Assistant Residence Director for the same building.

Nashari has interned at the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning. After graduation, she plans to become a registered nurse in a pediatric unit post-graduation and then pursue graduate school after a few years of field experience.

Paolo Miyashiro Bedoya

Paolo Miyashiro Bedoya of Pompton Lakes, N.J. is a Management major with a Marketing minor. He has a 3.95 GPA, is on the Dean’s List, and is an active member of the Honors Program.

At Ramapo, Paolo has been heavily involved, holding positions as the Vice President of the Student Government Association, President of the College Programming Board, and a Resident Assistant in Bischoff Hall. He is also a Peer Facilitator and works in the Office of Marketing & Communications as a Marketing & Social Media Student Assistant. 

Paolo is especially proud of his dedication to student leadership, having been recognized with two Outstanding Leadership Awards in his first and second years at Ramapo. He is committed to helping students however he can, and plans to use his remaining time as a Roadrunner to continue making an impact on his fellow students while discovering what he wants to do post-graduation. 

Off-campus, Paolo has worked for the past four summers as a Camp Counselor at Happiness is Camping, a summer camp for children with cancer. There, he acts as a mentor and facilitates activities for children with cancer and their siblings. He has led fundraising efforts for Happiness is Camping since high school. Paolo is also a certified lifeguard and is excited to return to camp next summer as the Pool Director.

Raquia Brewster

“Serving as a role model and assisting students to become acclimated to campus life allows students to build confidence, self-awareness, and resilience,” says Raquia Brewster. Raquia is a Psychology major who plans to pursue a career in Higher Education/Student Affairs. She is from Raritan, N.J.

On campus, Raquia is a New Student Experience Student Assistant, an ENHANCE Peer Mentor, a Peer Facilitator, Italian Club President, and Psi Chi Vice President. She played a significant role in welcoming new students as an Orientation Program Coordinator. She has also collaborated with Admissions and is now featured on Ramapo’s virtual walking tour.

As a Psychology major, Raquia has researched with her peers on Virtual Conformity, and her research was displayed in the 2021 Psychology Student Poster Gallery.

She has a 3.86 GPA and has been inducted into several honor societies.

Kiana Azcona

Kiana Azcona of Somerset, N.J. is a double major in English-Literary Studies and Spanish Language Studies. A student of the Teacher Education program, she is currently student-teaching at Bergen Charter High School. 

Kiana is a Resident Assistant, Peer Facilitator, and the Chief of Staff for the Student Government Association. She is also involved in the Dean’s Advisory Council for the School of Humanities and Global Studies. Over the summer, Kiana worked as a Supplemental Instructor for the Educational Opportunity Fund program. 

Her dedication and commitment to on-campus leadership was recognized in 2019 when she received the “Outstanding Leadership by a Sophomore” award, given by the college’s Student Leadership Committee.

After her anticipated May 2021 graduation, Kiana aspires to become a secondary education teacher and further her education with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.

Niara Rowe

Niara Rowe of Plainfield, N.J. is an Engineering Physics major. She has a 3.2 GPA and earned Dean’s List in the fall semester of 2019.

She is active in the Honors Program, the Peer Facilitation Program, and the Civic and Community Engagement Center, where she serves as the Faith and Spirituality Student Coordinator.

Niara plans to get her Doctorate in Medical Physics once she graduates from Ramapo. “I hope to one day help advance technologies used for producing prosthetic limbs.”

Karen Aguirre

“My goal is to create stronger ties between the Humanities and government by advocating for the voiceless in politics and government, specifically children,” says Karen Aguirre. Karen is a Contemporary Arts Major with a Concentration in Photography and Humanities and Justice. She has a 3.2 GPA.

At Ramapo, Karen has been active in the Student Government Association, the Contemporary Arts Student Advisory Council, and works as a Resident Assistant. She serves as Student Trustee and is also an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Peer Mentor on campus.

Karen has also been involved in off-campus organizations, including the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) Student Advisory Council.

She is from West New York, N.J.

Megan Quinlan

Megan Quinlan of Sayreville, N.J. is an Accounting major with an International Business minor. She has a 3.8 GPA. Megan was recently inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma honors society and received two Outstanding Leadership awards her sophomore and junior year.

She is heavily involved on-campus and holds several positions including Student Assistant Residence Director for the Village, President of Rho Alpha Sigma honors society, and Audit Intern at the Internal Audit in the Office of the President. She is also involved in Global Roadrunners and is treasurer of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. Previously, Megan was a Peer Facilitator for two years and was involved with Sophomores Advancing in Leadership.

In 2017 Megan studied abroad at the University College Dublin and also interned for Deloitte Ireland. Last spring break, she attended the China Business Immersion Experience in Beijing and Shanghai China. Upon graduation, Megan will be working full-time for Deloitte in Princeton, NJ. She is an aspiring CPA and hopes to one day work abroad again. “After making a successful career for myself, I plan to donate a scholarship to Ramapo to help students follow their dreams.”

Emily Wisneski

Emily Wisneski of Denville, N.J. is a History major in the Teacher Education Program. She has a 3.96 GPA, and is on the Dean’s list. Emily is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Alpha Theta, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Chi Alpha Sigma honor societies.

At Ramapo, Emily has been active in several organizations and activities, including serving as captain of the Ramapo College Field Hockey team for the past two seasons, and being a member of Alpha Phi Omega, the community service fraternity. She just ended her term as President of the Professional Fraternity Council. In addition, Emily works for the Center for Student Involvement, and has worked as an Orientation leader in the Center for Student Success for the past two summers.

After graduation, Emily plans to become a middle school or high school Social Studies teacher. She would like to remain involved in field hockey, and hopefully work as a coach.

Austin Miller

Austin Miller of Mahwah, N.J. is Biochemistry major.  He has a 3.56 GPA and is a member of the College Honors Program.

At Ramapo, Austin has been a Resident Assistant for three years, including for first-year students helping support their college transition.  He has also has been employed as an athletic trainer aide and as a counselor for the Ramapo Explorers program that teaches STEM to local middle school-aged youth.

Austin is a member of the Mahwah Emergency Medical Services Squad, where he has been recognized consistently as a top responder, received a Lifesaver Award for a CPR save, is a certified CPR instructor, and has served as Lieutenant for three years, and is also the Deputy Chief-elect of training for 2018.  Austin is also employed as a pharmacy technician at a local pharmacy where he works several times a week in order to gain experience since after graduation he plans to enroll in pharmacy school.

Isabella Santos

“When I learned that several of my First Year Seminar students were planning to apply to be Peer Facilitators for their sophomore year, I felt so proud,” said Isabella Santos.  “I realized that I could positively influence the lives of others, whether big or small. “

Isabella is a Global Communications/Media major and Psychology minor. She has a 3.8 GPA.  She has been a Resident Assistant for 1.5 years, a Peer Facilitator for 2 years, and is the current Public Relations Chair for her Greek Organization, Alpha Phi Omega. In addition to her job on campus with Ramapo’s Marketing Team, Isabella also recently began an internship with NBCUniversal in New York City.

After graduation, she hopes to continue working in the Marketing/Social Media/ Entertainment News field. Ever since high school, her dream job has been to work for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon—something that she hopes to accomplish as she potentially works her way up with NBCUniversal.

Santos is from Washington Township, NJ.

Rich Apramian

Rich Apramian of Old Tappan, NJ is a Biology major on the Pre-Medical Track with a double minor in Psychology and Criminology. He has a 3.73 GPA. Rich is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and is in the Theoretical and Applied Science Research Honors Program.

Rich has been active on campus, including as a member of the Student Government Association and serving as the Vice President of the First Responders Club. Rich is also a Resident Assistant in Mackin Hall.

Rich is also a volunteer EMT and an emergency room volunteer at Hackensack UMC in Pascack Valley. Rich was elected to lieutenant of the Old Tappan Volunteer First Aid Corps for 2016-2017.

Alyssa Cullere

Alyssa Cullere of Waldwick, N.J.is a social work major and gerontology minor. She has a 3.586 grade point average. She is member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society, Theta Delta Chapter.

At Ramapo, Alyssa has been active in several organizations and activities, including Phi Alpha, Colleges Against Cancer and Relay For Life. She served as the president of Colleges Against Cancer, the co-chair for Relay For Life and as treasurer and acting president of Phi Alpha.

Alyssa has also been involved in off -campus activities and organizations, including The American Cancer Society and Christian Healthcare Center of New Jersey.

Anthony Majer

Anthony Majer of Fair Lawn, NJ is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Management. He is a senator in the Student Government Association and a student representative on the Student Leadership Programs Committee. He is treasurer of Omicron Delta Kappa and a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He has been named to Rho Alpha Sigma, the National Residence Life Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa and the Leadership Honor Society. He works as a senior resident assistant of Laurel Hall. Anthony plans to pursue a master’s degree in a Higher Education and Student Affairs program. “This scholarship is significant to me as it demonstrates that my efforts within many student affairs departments on campus are recognized and rewarded,” he said. Anthony has a 3.13 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.

This scholarship will help me towards credit overload in the future to fulfill my two majors.

Danielle Reed

Danielle Reed of Tabernacle, NJ is a Literature and contract major in Publishing and Editing. Highly motivated, she also carries three minors: Human Rights and Genocide Studies, International Studies and Women and Gender Studies. She is the president of Sigma Tau Delta, secretary of Academic Affairs, Student Government Association and the Arts and Entertainment editor for Ramapo News. Of the scholarship Danielle says, “Receiving the scholarship is helping me fund college. I also feel honored that the selection committee recognized me for the leadership skills I have demonstrated on campus.” Danielle, who has a 3.45 grade point average, would like to work as an editor and also become a college professor.

I am so grateful that I was awarded this scholarship which is helping me pay for my education at Ramapo. I am also humbled to be recognized for my leadership on campus by receiving this scholarship.

Jesenia Chamorro

Jesenia Chamorro of Haledon, NJ is a Nursing major with a 3.00 grade point average. The freshman has impressed the administrative staff of Student Affairs with her deep commitment to community service and volunteerism. Patrick Chang, associate vice president of Student Services says Jesenia “leads by quiet example, commitment and dedication to the principles of responsible citizenship and community.”

This scholarship has motivated me to keep being active in school. It also made me realize people do get recognized mainly when they shine through their passion. For instance, I love volunteering and Mr. Patrick Chang helped me be recognized for it. Not only does this scholarship help me pay for a part of my tuition but I gained life experience because of my volunteer work.