Iliana Jimenez

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

At Ramapo, Iliana has been served in several on-campus organizations, including Ramapo College’s Office of Residence Life as a Resident Assistant at Mackin Hall, and 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 planning and hosting 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 Bright Beginnings Learning Center for children with Exceptionalities in Piscataway, N.J. In these positions, she worked closely with students as a one on one academic aid, ensuring students are supported and learn to the best of their ability. She has organized art workshops with students during the Aftercare program to teach 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.

Nicole Cohen

Nicole Cohen of Fair Lawn, N.J. is an Accounting major. She has been on the Dean’s List every semester, and she is a proud member of the Honors Program.

At Ramapo, Nicole is active in several organizations and activities, including the Ramapo Management Consulting Group as Vice President, the Student Government Association as Treasurer, Chabad as Social Media Director, and the Accounting Club. She is also on the ASB Dean’s Advisory Council and serves as the Student Representative of the Ramapo College Audit Committee.

Nicole plans to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and to eventually become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Anthony Perillo

Anthony Perillo of Toms River, N.J. is a Biology major and Food Studies minor. He has a 3.97 GPA. He is a Presidential Scholar and has made the Dean’s list every semester thus far.

At Ramapo, he has been active in Biology and Genetics peer tutoring, RCNJ Beekeeping Club where he is currently Treasurer, and even starting the RCNJ 3D Printing club which allowed him to act as a leader and create events for students to enjoy.

Off-campus, Anthony has been involved in Cornell University’s Food Product Development Certification program. In his spare time, he also works as a trainer, associate, and line cook at Panera Bread in his hometown.

Anthony has participated in research and plans to go into Food Science Research and Development after receiving his undergraduate degree. This summer, he will attend Cornell University’s Food Science Summer Scholars Research Program.

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.

Giovanna Sokasian

Originally born in New York, Giovanna Sokasian spent most of her life in Florence, Italy. “Going back to school as an adult was not an easy decision,” she says. Giovanna is now a Ramapo student majoring in International Studies and minoring in Anthropology. She has a 4.0 GPA and currently lives in Franklin Lakes, N.J.

While in Italy, Giovanna regularly volunteered to sell home-baked goods at local events to raise funds for organizations that fight against cancer. On campus, she is active in the Italian Club and enjoys taking meditation courses offered by the school. 

“I am glad I forced myself to get over my own insecurities, as I have come to realize in just a short span of years how much education can enrich one’s life,” says Giovanna. After graduating, she plans to pursue a masters degree in International Studies at Rutgers and eventually work for a nonprofit that operates at an international level.

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.

Marissa Meyer

Marissa Meyer of Monroe, N.Y. is an Accounting Major and an International Business Minor. She has a 3.9 GPA.  In addition to being on the Dean’s List, she is in the ASCSB accredited Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Society, Omicron Kappa Delta Honors Society for Leadership, and Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society.

At Ramapo, Marissa has been active in Alpha Phi Omega, the community service fraternity, the Global Roadrunners Club, and the Colleges Against Cancer Club. She plans new fundraising ideas for all three clubs she is involved in. She recently traveled to Peru as part of the International Business Experience and hopes to use her business skills to provide nutrition resources to people in third-world countries.

Marisa volunteers with ESL kids in the East Ramapo Central School District. In addition she is employed as an accounting intern at Andrew Asgar CPA firm in Pearl River, N.Y.

Jaime Velazquez

“With my skills, passion, and experience I hope to move forward into a career that will allow me to advocate for the needs of others,” says Psychology major Jaime Velazquez.  Jaime is from North Bergen, N.J.

As part of the Ramapo’s Student Government Association, where he serves as Senate Vice President, Jaime chairs the Student Relief Committee.  “This is an initiative that helps develop ways to help students who are facing issues of food insecurity and other financial circumstances.”

Jaime also works as a Resident Assistant in Mackin Hall and as the Pathways Student Assistant Coordinator in the ASB Cahill Career Development Center.

He has a minor in Criminology and has earned a 3.7 GPA.

Kelsey Brentnall

Kelsey Brentnall of Hillsdale, NJ is a biology and art major. She has a 3.96 GPA.  She is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Golden Key National Honor Societies and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Kelsey is a Peer Facilitator on campus and member of the Ramapo College Honors Program Executive Board.  As part of her work with the Executive Board, she has planned events such as Lunch with a Professor.  “Lunch with a Professor is my favorite event because it allows students to connect with teachers outside of the classroom and talk about anything from sports to books,” said Kelsey.

Off campus, Kelsey teaches oil painting to young adults at the Ridgewood Art Institute. She also studied abroad during a summer semester in Rome, Italy.

“After graduation, I hope to continue empowering and helping others by teaching high school students,” said Kelsey.