Melissa (Pepe) Brause

“As I progress into my career, it becomes more apparent how important my time at Ramapo was to my successes. My professors, courses, and experiences all helped challenge me in ways I never thought possible, and showed me what I am truly capable of. I developed pivotal relationships with my professors, and they, in turn, got to know my academic strengths. These professional relationships led to an internship in the world of publishing with Pearson Publishers as well as my landing in the most fantastic school district (with a fabulous cooperating teacher) to complete my student teaching. These experiences definitely helped my resume stand out when I applied for a job, which I was able to secure before graduation. At Ramapo, I was given opportunities to be a leader and to be involved in ways I never thought possible. Ramapo was more than a school I attended for four years–it became my home away from home.” – Melissa (Pepe) Brause ’13 graduated magna cum laude with a degree in History with Secondary Education certification.

While at Ramapo, Melissa was actively involved. She was a member of Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society and selected twice to present at the PAT National Conference (2011 and 2013); was a member and secretary of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honors Society for two years; Francis Hackett scholarship recipient; wrote her senior thesis on “The Fading Indian: How Time Periods Dictate High School Textbooks’ Portrayal of the Jamestown Colonists and the Indians” which was awarded SSAIS paper of the year in 2013; acted as a living learning community peer facilitator for three years; was a coordinator and tutor with the History Tutoring Fellows tutor for two years; was secretary for the Future Teachers Club for three years; and was the Middle School Outreach Coordinator for You’re Not Alone Anti-Bullying Club. Melissa is now a 6th and 7th grade social studies teacher at Cranford Public Schools.