Iliana Jimenez

Iliana Jimenez from Edison, N.J. is an Elementary and Special Education 4+1 MASE major with a minor in Visual Arts. Currently a junior, Iliana has consistently earned a 3.75 GPA. She has received multiple honors while at Ramapo including acceptance to the Tri Alpha First Generation Honors Society, the Alpha Lambda Delta First Year Student Honors Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars Ramapo Chapter, and the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey.

At Ramapo, she has served in several on-campus organizations including Ramapo College’s Office of Residence Life as a Resident Assistant at Mackin Hall and at the Center for Reading and Writing as a Supplemental Instruction Leader. In these positions, Iliana has worked one on one with college freshmen to help them become acclimated to all aspects of college life at Ramapo, from planning and holding weekly lecture reviews to organizing community building events that bring together students on campus. Iliana enjoys being an accessible, personable resource for all students on campus.

Iliana has also worked at multiple off–campus organizations to support elementary school students, including the Wyckoff Family YMCA Before and Aftercare program and at Bright Beginnings Learning Center for children with Exceptionalities in Piscataway, N.J. In these positions, she was worked closely with students as a one on one academic aid, ensuring all students are supported in order to be able to learn to the best of their ability. She has organized art workshops with students during the Aftercare program to teach forms of art like origami, sharing her love for art with young students.

Iliana is planning to complete her Visual Arts minor while studying abroad in Rome, Italy this summer at John Cabot University. She plans to immerse herself in the rich history and culture of Rome while forming meaningful lifetime connections.

Jamie Metz

Jamie Nicole Metz of South Plainfield, N.J. is a Psychology major with a Substance Use Disorders minor. She has a 4.0 GPA. She has been on the Dean’s List every semester and is member of the Honors Program at Ramapo College. She is also in Psi Chi (an international honor society in psychology) and was recently inducted into Order of Omega (an interfraternity leadership honor society).

At Ramapo, she has been active in several organizations and activities including Alpha Phi Omega (a professional, service fraternity) and the Ramapo College Dance Company. In Alpha Phi Omega, Jamie has had several executive board positions including Secretary, New Interest Member Educator, and Vice President of Service. On the Dance Company, Jamie now serves as Events Coordinator and has choreographed several dances for the Annual Recital in April.

Jamie plans to graduate from Ramapo College in Spring 2026 and to go on to graduate school in the fall. She hopes to become a mental health therapist for adolescents.

Nicole Dipre

Nicole Dipré of Teaneck, N.J. is a Visual Arts major with a concentration in Drawing and Painting with two minors in Art History and Creative Writing. She has a 3.758 GPA. She is a multidisciplinary artist and has held a spot on the Dean’s List since her first semester. She is also a first-generation college student and second-generation immigrant from the Dominican Republic.

At Ramapo, Nicole has been active in several organizations and activities, including serving on the executive board of the Visual Arts Society, maintaining a position at Ramapo’s Art Galleries as a Monitor and Technical Assistant, and as the Layout and Outreach Coordinator for the Trillium Literary Magazine.

As Secretary and Publicity for the Visual Arts Society, she actively coordinates, promotes, communicates, and keeps records of club events and opportunities. At the Art Galleries, she assists in preparing several art exhibits for viewing each semester, including organizing the gallery space, collaborating with curators to fulfill their creative visions, painting walls, printing art labels, and promoting hours and themes to peers and staff. She also communicates key information to dozens of students and staff on exhibition themes and artists, providing an interactive learning experience. In her work for the Trillium Literary Magazine, she managed outreach efforts and determined the magazine’s final layout for dozens of submissions.

Nicole’s community involvement has reached many areas of Ramapo including the Contemporary Arts Department, the Literature Department, and as a volunteer at the Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Services. She aspires to continue working and collaborating within the art community, particularly within art museums and galleries after graduation. In all her pursuits, she values authenticity, diversity, innovation, growth, inclusivity, knowledge, and perspective.

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Joseph Ortelere

Joseph Ortelere of Northvale, N.J. is a Marketing major. He has been on the Dean’s List twice, once for his Fall 2022 semester at Champlain College in Burlington, VT and during his Fall 2023 semester at Ramapo.

At Ramapo, he has taken part in several organizations including helping out with the American Cancer Society and attending Pride Club meetings occasionally. He also attends many Ramapo events in support of friends, faculty and peers.

Joseph has also been involved in off-campus activities including working at The Flavor Labs in two locations. He is a studio manager at one location while also being a cooking instructor at both locations. Through TFL, Joseph has learned leadership, teaching and customer service skills which will be useful in his career post graduation.

Nicole Dipre

Nicole Dipré of Teaneck, N.J. is a Visual Arts major with a concentration in Drawing and Painting with two minors in Art History and Creative Writing. She has a 3.758 GPA and has held a spot on the Dean’s List since her first semester

At Ramapo, Nicole has been active in several organizations including serving on the executive board of the Visual Arts Society, maintaining a position at Ramapo’s Art Galleries as a Monitor and Technical Assistant, and as the Layout and Outreach Coordinator for the Trillium Literary Magazine.

As Secretary and Publicity for the Visual Arts Society, Nicole actively coordinates, promotes, communicates, and keeps records of club events and opportunities. At the Art Galleries, she assists in preparing several art exhibits for viewing each semester, including organizing the gallery space, collaborating with curators and artists to fulfill their creative visions, painting walls, printing art labels, and promoting hours and themes to peers and staff. She also communicates key information to dozens of students and staff on exhibition themes and artists, providing an interactive learning experience. In her work for the Trillium Literary Magazine, she managed outreach efforts and determined the magazine’s final layout for dozens of submissions.

Nicole is a multidisciplinary artist, and she is also a first-generation college student and second-generation immigrant from the Dominican Republic. Her community involvement throughout her time here has included the Contemporary Arts department, the Literature department, and as a volunteer at the Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Services. She aspires to continue working and collaborating within the art community, particularly within art museums and galleries after graduation. In all her pursuits, Nicole values authenticity, diversity, innovation, growth, inclusivity, knowledge, and perspective.

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.

Amanda Coker

Amanda Ruby Danielle Alyne Coker of Wauchula, FL is a Social Work major. She has a 3.2 GPA.

At Ramapo, she has been active in the Social Work club and Ramapo Pride.

Amanda has also been involved in off–campus activities including volunteering in hospice and working as a Crisis Intervention Specialist serving families throughout Morris and Sussex counties in New Jersey.

Amanda is a first-generation college student who already secured her dream job in the Social Work field as a Medical Hospice Social Worker. She also aspires to become a certified American Sign Language Interpreter.

Miriam Soriano

Miriam Soriano of Clifton, N.J. is a student in the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program. She has a 3.7 GPA.

At Ramapo, she is a full-time commuter student balancing a family, with a husband and three children, a full time job, and an internship. This left little time to fully participate with organizations, but she attended lectures, student involvement activities, and career fairs at Ramapo.

Miriam has also been involved in off-campus activities such as information sessions for Foster Parent recruitment, holding a 2 year Treasurer position for a Cultural Committee in her community, and volunteering at her local Parish.

Her plans for the future include applying to become a Licensed Social Worker and work towards becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Roselyn Martinez-Balbuena

Roselyn Martinez-Balbuena of Passaic, N.J. is an International Business Major on the 4+1 track. She has a 3.97 GPA and has earned a spot on the Dean’s List every semester. She is a proud EOF Scholar and a member of the Tri-Alpha First-Gen Chapter.

At Ramapo, she is a member of the United Asian Association, showing her support at events, and is also a recurring member of Japanese Happy Hour sessions which works to immerse students in Japanese cultural activities.

In her hometown, Roselyn has been a part of many volunteer events such as a member of Mayor Hector Lora’s Youth Council where she distributes supplies for the townspeople and participates in city cleanups. She is also co-founder of the Study and Save program, which launched in Passaic last year, that helps students improve their study environments as well as boost their grades.

Next semester, she will participate in a study-abroad opportunity in Japan and will continue to pursue other international experiences.

After graduation, Roselyn wants to attend graduate school to refine her business abilities. Then, she hopes to travel and work in the hospitality industry to maximize her skills in intercultural communication. This will be helpful toward achieving her career goal to work in an international organization like the United Nations.

Yashanique Grant

“I hope to give a voice to this community because I believe they are drastically unheard and misunderstood. This has always been a passion of mine, and I have the goal to help save one life each day.”

Yashanique Grant of Newark, N.J. is currently a student in the Master of Social Work Program, and she has a 3.81 GPA. She will be the first in her family to complete higher education.

At Ramapo, she is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and she has served as the Vice 

President of the Kappa Upsilon chapter on campus during her undergraduate studies (2020-2022). Presently, she is the Graduate Residence Director of the Village. An accomplishment Yashanique is most proud of is her success as a Social Emotional Learning Intern, as it is a new initiative.

After graduation, Yashanique plans on becoming a licensed social worker and a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor.

Jovanna Eli

Jovanna Eli is a first-generation college student. 

She completed her entire Master’s degree in less than 4 years having started with her Associates degree. 

In the future, Jovanna would like to work in a private practice setting and become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Rojja Kharel

“I wish to better the lives of people and to break societal barriers that are keeping people around the world from getting an accessible and practical education,” says Rojja Kharel. 

An international student from Kathmandu, Nepal, Rojja is a sophomore majoring in International Studies and minoring in Entrepreneurship. She has a 3.8 GPA and has made the Dean’s List every semester. 

She works as a student aide at the George T. Potter library on campus and is also a Resident Assistant at Bischoff Hall. Rojja is a senator-at-large and the social media coordinator of the International Student Organization. 

Most of her life she has been working as a volunteer to help better the education system in her country, which can be seen from the internship and the community services that she has been a part of.