Christopher Volk

“Ramapo College provided the foundation for my success, opening doors I never could have anticipated. With the support of dedicated faculty and a vibrant student community, I’ve grown personally and professionally into the person I am today. I graduated with a degree in History, aspiring to teach social studies, and then entered Ramapo’s Teacher Education Program, where I established the groundwork for my educational career. Inspired by passionate educators who fueled my curiosity and love for teaching, I went on to earn a Master’s in Special Education at Ramapo, broadening my perspective and skill set as an educator.
The MASE program, under the expert direction, guidance and sensitivity of Dr. Julie Good, offered me invaluable opportunities to connect with educators nationwide, enhancing my professional development and involvement in a variety of initiatives. Through the program, I developed skills that have allowed me to lead webinars, take on teacher-leader roles in my district, and serve as a mentor and advocate in the field.

Ramapo’s networking support also helped me join the NJ Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), where I quickly found a platform to advocate for inclusive education practices. Within a few years, I became the co-chair of the NJ CEC’s annual state conference at Ramapo, organizing workshops, forums, and speaker engagements. I also began mentoring graduate students, guiding them through their first professional workshops in the “Spark Labs” session. Recently, my role with the CEC expanded to include advocacy work, representing New Jersey at the CEC’s Special Education Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C., where I met with congressional representatives to champion federal support for IDEA funding, address educator shortages, and discuss the student mental health crisis.

These achievements would not have been possible without the support and foundation I received at Ramapo. Now, as I continue my journey, I am pursuing certification in educational leadership and am enrolled in Seton Hall University’s Ed.D. program in Education Leadership, Management, and Policy.

Thank you, Dr. Good, and to all the faculty and staff at Ramapo! Your commitment, professionalism, and unwavering support have truly brightened my path forward.” – Christopher Volk ’16 ’22 graduated cum laude as a History major as an undergraduate student and completed the Masters of Arts in Special Education program. He currently works at Pascack Valley Regional High School District as a Social Studies Teacher.