Abigail Rojas

Abigail Rojas of Lodi, N.J. is a Political Science major with minors in Public Policy and Latin American Studies. She was awarded the Presidential Scholarship and was the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Leadership Award by a First-Year Student.

At Ramapo, Abigail is active in the EMS Club, Peer Facilitation Program, Leaders in Service Peer Mentor, Sophomores Advancing In Leadership, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, HGS Dean’s Student Advisory Council, and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She currently works on campus at Starbucks as a Barista and for Ramapo EMS as an EMT.

Off campus, Abigail is a volunteer EMT at the Lodi Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Squad and at Englewood Hospital. She has her own crochet business and donates her earnings to non-profit organizations such as the ACLU. Last summer, she interned for Congressman Bill Pascrell’s office serving the constituents of New Jersey’s 9th district. 

Abigail plans to attend law school after she graduates to become an immigration attorney.

Lorenzo Graziano

Lorenzo Graziano of Totowa, N.J. is a senior Digital Filmmaking major with a 3.8 GPA.

At Ramapo, Lorenzo is an active member of the TV Club as Treasurer, creator of an episodic black and white short series on campus, and a head cinematographer for many student film projects. He has also been working for Ramapo’s Media Center since his sophomore year.

Outside of Ramapo, Lorenzo has worked on various senior project film sets at Drexel University and Itacha College as a sound recordist and camera assistant. 

“I’m proud of all the connections and contributions I have made to student projects and will continue to try and inspire students to work at the best of their abilities to create beautiful art.” After graduation, Lorenzo plans to continue pursuing a career as a cinematographer and achieve the vision of any film or music video project that comes his way.

Naydelin Reyes Rodriguez

Naydelin Reyes Rodriguez of Freehold, N.J. is a first-generation Business Management major with a minor in Finance. She has a 3.9 GPA and has been a Dean’s List recipient on multiple occasions. Moving from Guatemala at the age of eleven, Naydelin carries her Latin culture with pride and her Spanish accent confidently.  

At Ramapo, Naydelin is an active member as the treasurer of the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead, as well as a project leader of Enactus, a member of Roadrunner Financial Group, a member of SAIL: Sophomores Advancing in Leadership, and a member of the honors program. 

 Off-campus, Naydelin works as an assistant in the Human Resources department at Ramapo. She also works full time at ALDI supermarket during breaks. Her goal is to positively impact her family’s future generations by being the hope for success.

Isabella Testa

Isabella Testa of Denville, N.J. is a Business Administration major with a focus in Marketing and a double minor in Italian and Civic and Community Leadership. She has a 3.7 GPA and is on the Dean’s List.

On campus, she is the President and Marketing Chair of Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity on campus. She is also Vice President of Public Relations for the Professional Fraternity Council and a member of the Italian Club and the Women in Business Club.

Off campus, she has a full-time job as a manager involved in sales. 

Cindy Lam

“I plan to attend medical school and work in underserved areas,” says Cindy Lam of Parsippany, N.J.  Cindy is a third-year Biology major and is part of the Honors and EOF Program. She has made the Dean’s List each semester since freshman year.

She is a student ambassador for Ramapo Admissions, Co-President of United Asian Association, Co-President of Biology Club, an E-Board member of the Honors Program, an SGA Senator-At-Large, and an active sister of Alpha Omicron Pi. She is also researching at the Cognitive Development Lab under her mentor, Dr. Ishak. 

Off-campus, Cindy serves her community by donating hand-made greeting cards to local children’s specialized hospitals and volunteers at Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital. “As an advocate against food insecurity, I also volunteer at food pantries when I travel to Vietnam at the Ho Chi Minh Food Pantry as well as the Parsippany Emergency Food Pantry where I organize food bags to distribute to the community.”

Jordan Meredith

Jordan Meredith of Eatontown, N.J. is a Social Work major with a minor in Psychology. She has a 3.5 GPA, is on the Dean’s List, and is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

“I’m proud of helping new students acclimate to campus and being a reliable resource for them,” she says. Jordan is an Orientation Leader, Peer Facilitator, and Vice President/Publicist of Ebony Women for Social Change. She currently works at Roadrunner Central. 

Off-campus, Jordan volunteers at MEVO Farm and Pony Power. She serves as an usher at her church and is a shift leader at her job.

In addition to opening her own small business, Jordan plans to obtain her master’s degree and work in New Jersey as a Social Worker for the Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

Anxhela Kalia

“I am proud to be the first in my family to obtain a bachelor’s degree,” says Anxhela Kalia of Fair Lawn, N.J. Anxhela is a junior Honors Program student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. She plans to pursue a career as a Neuropsychologist.

Anxhela is the Founder and President of the Psychology Affiliation and the Secretary of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. In the Honors Program, she has served as a Developmental Leader and a member of the Admissions Team. She was also a Resident Assistant in Bischoff Hall.

Off campus, Anxhela is a Pharmacy Technician at CVS Pharmacy. She also volunteers for blood drives, the Special Olympics, her church’s youth group, and campus clean ups.

She has a 3.85 GPA, has made the Dean’s List every semester, and is in the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society.

Mariella Zijdel

“I’m passionate about advocating for diversity and LGBTQ+ issues,” says Mariella Zijdel of Gillette, N.J. Mariella is a Social Work major with minors in Women’s and Gender Studies, and Substance Use Disorders. She has a 3.3 GPA.

Mariella has been involved in Leaders in Service, Sophomores Advancing in Leadership, and has been a Resident Assistant at the College Park Apartments for two years. She currently serves as the Student Trustee and is the Student Health and Wellness Coordinator at the Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Services.

Off campus, Mariella has been involved in the Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment Working Group for N.J.’s Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, is currently on the Student Advisory Committee for N.J.’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, is an intern for N.J. Senator Nellie Pou, and is a volunteer and foster for St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center.

After graduation, Mariella plans to attend graduate school for Social Work with a concentration in Policy Advocacy. “I am proud to be a part of many important organizations on campus and plan to use my experiences to induct change in the world,” she adds.

Jessica Ryan

Jessica Ryan of Bloomfield, N.J. is a Literature major with a concentration in K-12 Education. She is a member of the Ramapo College Honors Program with a GPA of 3.6 that has earned her Dean’s List status every semester.

At Ramapo, Jessica currently serves as a Senator-at-Large in the Student Government Association. She is
a published author with work featured in Tarot, a crowdfunded anthology for global distribution. She also has over one dozen articles published in the Ramapo News.

Jessica is a Catechist in the Archdiocese of Newark and a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts. She currently teaches Children’s Liturgy at her parish and serves as a substitute on the Girl Scouts Heart of NJ Gold Award Advisory Committee. She also volunteers for the USO at Newark International Airport.

Sabrina Santamaria

Sabrina Santamaria is a senior Political Science major with minors in Public Policy and Women’s & Gender Studies. She has a 3.9 GPA and has continuously received recognition by the Dean’s List for her academic achievements. She is also a member of several Honor Societies, such as Alpha Lambda Delta, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Golden Key International Honour Society (Vice President). In addition, Sabrina serves as the President of Pi Sigma Alpha: Political Science Honor Society.

Sabrina has been active in several organizations on campus, including the HGS Dean’s Advisory Council, Phi Alpha Delta: Pre-Law Fraternity, the Ramapo Journal of Law & Society (Volunteer Editor), and the Student Government Association (Senator of the HGS). This year, Sabrina is excited to be serving as the Student Government Association’s Vice President.

Sabrina recently had an internship for a Congressional Campaign where she assisted a candidate’s team in the election process. Additionally, last summer, she interned for the Honorable Judge Linda Lordi Cavanaugh in the Superior Court of Essex County. This year, she will be in the process of applying to law schools.

Karen Aguirre

I’m passionate about improving the accessibility of higher education and the equality of the public education system,” says Karen Aguirre of West New York, N.J. Karen is a Contemporary Arts major with a concentration in Photography and Humanities and Justice. She has a 3.2 GPA and is a member of the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society.

At Ramapo, she has been active in the Student Government Association (SGA), Leaders in Service, and has been a Resident Hall Assistant for Linden Hall. She is also an EOF Peer Mentor on campus, and serves as Student Trustee. She serves on the Student Advisory Council of the New Jersey Higher Education Assistance Authority.

After graduation, Karen plans to join the Peace Corps or attend graduate school. Her future goals are to work for the United Nations under UNICEF or for the Department of Education.

Heidi Pilla

“I hope to make an impact on children’s lives by teaching elementary school and getting my Master’s in special education,” said Heidi Pilla of South Plainfield, NJ.  The Literature major has a 3.7 GPA and remains on the Dean’s List.

Heidi is part of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), where she serves as vice president, Sigma Tau Delta, the Ramapo Leadership Institute and Relay for Life.

Off campus, Heidi has volunteered as a tutor for Teaneck’s Math Adventures and Word Play and the South Plainfield Special Olympics. “I’m proud to consistently be a member of the Dean’s list, in addition to playing on the Ramapo Women’s lacrosse team and being involved on campus,” she added.

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.

Tabitha McGuire

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.

Runa Khanom

Runa Khanom is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Gerontology, and she has earned a 3.58 grade point average. Runa is a member of the Muslim Student Association, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Chi Alpha Epsilon honor society. She works on campus as a peer facilitator, in The Lodge fitness center, and as a research assistant. “One of my rewarding moments was having an opportunity to study abroad in Sierra Leone, Africa,” Runa says. “This experience helped me understand different lifestyles people live from the beliefs they follow to the food they consume.” Runa is from Paterson, NJ.

This scholarship has provided me with the opportunity to continue my last semester at Ramapo. I am really appreciative.

Clifton Shambry

Clifton Shambry is a senior majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. He has earned a 3.29 grade point average. Cliff studied abroad in China last year. On campus, Cliff is a member of the Student Government Association, serving as a Senator-At-Large. He served on the organizing committee for Celebration at Sunset last year, and was one of 20 students who volunteered to help with clean up efforts in Mahwah after Hurricane Irene. In 2010 he received the Omicron Delta Kappa New Student Service Award. Cliff is from Millville, NJ.

Allyson Armstrong

Allyson Armstrong graduated from high school in San Diego, CA and now lives in Glen Rock, NJ. The Business Administration major is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and enjoys the charitable work the group undertakes. Allyson is the vice president of scholarship for the College Pan Hellenic E- Board and a peer facilitator for First-Year Experience. She is particularly proud of serving as a student representative on the Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee that meets with local business owners and the Mahwah police department. Allyson has held various positions in the College’s Office of Residence Life, which she credits for allowing for professional and personal growth. During the summer, Allyson served as a Summer Conference Manager, working with outside groups renting campus facilities. Allyson, who has a 3.07 grade point average, plans to attend graduate school.

This scholarship will help me fund all my graduate school applications to help further educate me beyond Ramapo College.

Casey Castronova

Casey Castronova is from Freehold, NJ and graduated in May with a degree in Social Work and a 3.82 cumulative grade point average. She was a member of the Social Work Club and Operation Smile and was a Ramapo student ambassador. Casey interned at The Center for Alcohol & Drug Resources, Verona High School and the Liberty Partnership Program. She attends Monmouth University as an advanced standing Social Work student and is working in a substance abuse treatment facility. “Casey is presently working towards becoming a Licensed Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor,” says Professor Mitch Kahn.

Brandon Martin

Brandon Martin of Dayton, NJ is a Law & Society major. He plans to attend law school and to become a sports or entertainment agent or a practicing attorney. The foundation for this goal was set in high school where Brandon was cofounder, captain and lead defense attorney for the MockTrial Club. He also played varsity baseball and was a member of the Honor Concert. He continues to play baseball, and earned a spot on the Road Runners team as a walk-on. He works as a student aide in the Office of Admissions, is a student ambassador and a member of the Student Government Association. He also finds time to volunteer for student activities and intramural sports. Brandon, who has a 3.82 grade point average says, “I am making the most of what Ramapo has to offer.”