Month: January 2020

PROF Pets: Zazu

Posted on by Nicole Cier
Rowan Owl statue, near where Ben and Zazu's photos were taken

Piano Performance major Ben holds Zazu, a golden retriever puppy, in his lap outsideMeet Zazu! 

Name: Zazu

Breed: Golden Retriever

Age: 1 year old

Likes: rolling in dirt and mud, being pet and cuddled, playing with other pups, and taking naps!

Dislikes: when people fly by on skateboards — too loud!

Piano Performance major Ben holds Zazu, a golden retriever puppy, in his lap outside“Zazu is a Seeing Eye puppy, and I’m in the Seeing Eye organization of Gloucester County. I’m taking him out for a walk right now while my friend is in class, but I’ve raised a Seeing Eye puppy before on my own, and it was an awesome experience. I definitely recommend getting involved!” – Ben Graham, Piano Performance major from Mullica Hill, NJ (Gloucester County).

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Story and photography by:
Nicole Cier, senior writing arts major

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#PROFspective: International Student Nam Phuong Nguyen Hoang

Posted on by Nicole Cier
Nam Phuong Nguyen Hoang stands outside Science Hall

Today, we speak with Nam Phuong Nguyen Hoang, a junior Nutrition major from Đà Nẵng, Việt Nam who commutes from Cape May. Nam Phuong will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she’s getting the most out of her college experience as a Rowan Prof.

Nam Phuong Nguyen Hoang poses outside in front of the Rowan owl statueYour name: Nam Phuong Nguyen Hoang

Your major(s): Nutrition

Are you a first-generation college student? No

Your year: Junior

Transfer student: Yes. I transferred my credits from Atlantic Cape Community College.

Hometown: Đà Nẵng, Việt Nam

Where do you live? Cape May, NJ (Cape May County)

Commuter: Yes, this [fall] semester I [commuted] 5 days a week from Cape May.

Academic clubs you are a part of:  Nutrition Care Club, student member of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Social clubs you are a part of: Volunteer for the Community Foodbank of New Jersey, Social Media Volunteer for Clinical Nutrition Management Dietetic Practice Group.

Share an “aha!” moment you’ve had within your major that made you feel passionate about your intended field.

This is my first semester at Rowan as a Dietetics student. I have to say that the Department of Health Sciences keeps me excited every week with weekly emails about different opportunities for internship/jobs/volunteer experiences for Rowan students in our field. Recently, I received an email about an internship for students who are interested in attending the Health Promotion Conference in South Carolina. The chapter will cover the transportation and hotel fee for the accepted interns, and the conference fee is waived for interns. How cool is that!

Nam Phuong’s laptop stickers are Keith Haring designs. “His work just speaks to me and makes me happy!” she says.

Describe for us an experience you’ve shared with a professor in which you felt like you were working with a visionary in your field.

I really enjoy my Intro to Nutrition Profession class with Dr. [Christina] Riccardo. In this class, we are encouraged to develop our professional philosophies, making connections, identify both professional and personal future goals, as well as build positive growth mindset. As we are still in the preparation for the program, I think it is very important for each of us to reflect and know what we really want to do in the future, as we don’t want to enter the program and realize it’s not what we thought it to be, right?  

Describe for us an on-campus experience (academic or non-academic) in which you felt that your future goals are supported.

The Office of Career Advancement (OCA) in Savitz Hall is very helpful and valuable for me as well as anyone who is a current Rowan student. Most of the time a good GPA is not enough to get the job that we want; it is also about how we present ourselves in person and on paper. It is sometimes quite intimidating for many students to create a professional resume, prepare for an interview or search for job opportunities. The OCA helps students learn how to write a proper cover letter, résumé, do mock interviews and find jobs and internships. I think this service is absolutely amazing. I received a lot of help and I am very grateful for all the feedback and suggestions from the faculty in this office.

Could you share a moment you’ve experienced in which you have felt that Rowan is a welcoming environment for you?

Rowan has a diverse college environment where people with different backgrounds, personalities and perspectives come together. The diversity is a great opportunity for students to learn and grow from each other. In the midst of diversity, there are associations for students with particular interests, and that made me feel like I belong. The second week at Rowan, at the Fall Festival, I met the Vietnamese Student Association. That made me feel so happy when there is diversity and ethnic integrity.  

Nam Phuong Nguyen Hoang listens to podcasts on her commute to Rowan's campus
“I listen to podcasts that explain topics that I find particularly challenging in my classes.”

Why did you choose Rowan?

I want to be a Registered Dietitian and the first thing to do to become one is to get my education at an accredited institution. I did my research and found that Rowan is one of the 62 accredited colleges in America that offers the program I am pursuing, which I think is so awesome. I had a chance to talk to my current academic advisor, Ms. Dwyer, a year before I applied to Rowan. She helped me with what I should expect and what I should do to prepare for the program. As I learn more about the program, I am so excited to see Rowan expanding the opportunities for Dietetics students.

What’s your favorite thing about your typical Monday at Rowan?

I am taking 17 credits this semester, plus 15 hours commuting per week, so currently my favorite thing to do during the week is enjoy my coffee and podcast as I drive to campus. Some days I listen to Spotify, and other days I listen to podcasts. One of my favorite things about my days at Rowan is my studying time at the Campbell Library between classes. The staff is very friendly, and there are a lot of quiet study spaces for individual use as well as group use. Also, the printers at Rowan are awesome. 

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Story by:

Nam Phuong Nguyen Hoang, junior nutrition major

Photography by:
Nicole Cier, senior writing arts major

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4333 Collective Holiday Show [VIDEO]

Posted on by Dean Powers
Sweetpills lead singer
https://youtu.be/78DoBDkuddc

Jayce Williams, a senior Music Industry major from 4333, a student-run music collective, tells us about his fundraising holiday show featuring Tigers Jaw, Oso Oso, Twentythreenineteen, Sweetpill and Typopro. The show raised more than 400 cans of food for the Glassboro Food Bank.

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Video by:
Dean Powers, sophomore radio/TV/film major

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Full-Circle Moment: Communications Alumna Finds New Role at Rowan as Parent Advocate

Posted on by Christina Lynn
Wilson Hall, on the campus of Rowan University

Two generations of #RowanPROUD alumni live in the Wilner household. 

Lisa, from West Deptford (Gloucester County), earned her degree from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in Communications — with a minor in Advertising and concentration in Marketing — in 1986. Her son, Ben, graduated with a Music degree in 2018 and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Higher Education at the College of Education. 

Bunce Hall at Rowan University
Lisa Ann Wilner graduated from Glassboro State College, now Rowan University, in 1986.

Lisa’s seasoned career included high-level management roles among nonprofits such as the Children’s Miracle Network and the Arthritis Foundation and production credits for Warner Brothers and Suburban Cable (now Comcast). 

“I had access to things because Rowan was on my résumé,” Lisa said. “At that point I was competing with students from Syracuse and other [top-tier communication] schools.”

When it came time for her son to choose a college, Lisa’s alma mater was one of a few on Ben’s radar. He was also accepted to nearby Temple and received scholarship money from several other universities. But it was a chance meeting with John Woodruff, director of the Academic Success Center, that changed everything for Ben and soon, for Lisa, too.

“When [Ben] came to the Accepted Students Reception, and he sat down with John, he said, ‘They have the support systems here that I need to be successful.’ And obviously there are because he graduated magna cum laude,” Lisa proudly shared. 

As a student with disabilities, Ben required individualized help for his specific needs, and the Academic Success Center was there to guide him. He utilized extra test-taking time in the Testing Center and sought the help of an academic coach. The Academic Success Center coordinated with the the Music department, which took great care in pairing Ben with an appropriate advisor. Lisa also noted that although Ben ultimately opted to commute, the Center had matched him with a roommate.

“These are steps above and beyond that Rowan does. What I have seen here through the Academic Success Center has just been outstanding,” she said.  

Lisa is a featured speaker for the Academic Success Center’s College Prep Transition Conference and a parent network member with Rowan’s Autism PATH program, which aims to strengthen employment outcomes and networking opportunities for neurodiverse students. 

Lisa and Ben Wilner, both Rowan alumni, at their home
Ben Wilner ’18 (left) and Lisa Ann Wilner at home. Ben is pursuing his master’s degree at the College of Education. Lisa speaks at parents’ groups and conferences for Rowan’s Academic Success Center.

“What I’ve seen [at Rowan] in the last four years, as a parent who sat through IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meetings for 14 years … I have never seen services like exist here. They may exist at other places, but it’s done right here. I talk to parents’ groups. Ben talks to high school students for New Jersey’s Dare to Dream conferences every year. He talks to students and says ‘You can go to college, this is the route to get there.’”

Lisa shared that, through his own academic advisor experience, Ben enrolled in the Higher Education advising track program so he could help fellow students down the road. In addition to his coursework, he’s now working as a part-time academic advisor at an area community college. She said there is “no doubt in [her] mind” Ben will find employment after earning his graduate degree this spring. Lisa also hopes Ben will eventually complete his doctorate in music theory after his successful undergraduate work in Rowan’s “incredible” music program.

“Rowan’s growth and support of all students make me incredibly proud to be an [alumna],” she said.

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Higher Education Master’s Program Sounds Like Sweet Success For Rowan Music Alum Ben Wilner

Posted on by Christina Lynn
Ben Wilner stands outside James Hall

Future college students will be fortunate to have Ben Wilner as their academic advisor. 

The Gloucester County native and aspiring academic counselor, who will complete his master’s degree in the College of Education’s Higher Education track this spring, didn’t initially set his sights on the program until his own interaction with an advisor. 

“He’s been nothing but a huge help during the undergraduate process,” Ben says. “I want to give back because of my experiences in the undergraduate setting.” 

Ben Wilner on the first floor of James HallBen graduated magna cum laude from Rowan’s highly competitive Music program after what he revealed was a difficult transition to college life as a student with disabilities. He’s now empowered to “inspire students with disabilities to stay in college, so they can break obstacles to get where they need to go in the college setting because I’ve broken every obstacle up until this point,” Ben explains. 

Ben says he wouldn’t be in college without a love of music, for which he’s a triple threat in voice, guitar and piano. He had just graduated from high school to pursue music at Rowan when the overwhelm set in. 

“I overcame it that first semester, and my entire undergraduate years I got help when I needed it and asked for assistance for the resources I need to obtain, like the Disability Resources office [also called the Academic Success Center] or academic coaching or my professors,” Ben says. “I always say to have connections with your professors. I feel like this transition showed me that it’s a lot different.”

After his first semester, Ben, working with the Academic Success Center, met regularly with his academic coach, who he says honed his writing, editing and organizational skills. 

He also registered with the Testing Center, which he says helped him with both test-taking and studying. The Testing Center was “welcoming and allowed me to do my tests and quizzes in a quieter space,” Ben adds. 

Ben Wilner standing on the third floor of James HallBen’s academic career flourished after that first semester. He joined the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society and Sigma Alpha Lambda, a national leadership honor society. He presented at Rowan’s College Prep Transition Conference, which offers workshops and tools to support students with disabilities and their families as they head toward college life. 

His own advising experience, along with the guidance he received through the Academic Success Center, pivoted Ben’s career path from music to counseling. He’s applying his graduate coursework to an internship this year with the Academic Success Center, working with students who may be struggling as he once was — which speaks to why he’s so passionate about his future career: 

“I really was inspired by how much I have learned in the college setting, the resources I used to succeed in the college environment,” Ben says. He hopes to “help students advocate for themselves, making sure they do what they need to do to succeed. It’s not easy, but they’ve got to take one day at a time to break those obstacles. 

“I’d like to help those students to keep going and never give up. Every student, no matter their differences are.”

Wide shot of Ben Wilner on the first floor of James Hall

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Smaller Classes, Industry Connections Set Biochemistry Grad Jennifer Chin up for Success

Posted on by Iridian Gonzalez
Jennifer Chin biochem major sitting outside Barnes and Nobles

Meet Jennifer Chin, a 2015 graduate from the College of Science & Mathematics. She is from Clarksboro, NJ (Gloucester County) and works for FMC Corporation, an agricultural sciences company, as an associate scientist doing formulations. Today, she will share with us her journey from her Rowan University experience to her work at FMC. 

What inspired you to major in BioChem?Rowan alumna Jennifer Chin, a biochemistry major, sitting outside on a bench on Rowan Boulevard

Initially when I started, I was pursuing teaching math. As I took courses, I felt like I needed something more. Then I switched to bio and then after that I was like, ‘I think this is OK.’

Then I saw biochemistry and said, ‘Wow, this is interesting.’ I switched to BioChem and I really loved it. I feel like at Rowan especially when I was here, it was much more chemistry based for biochemistry, which I really enjoyed and liked.

Why did you choose Rowan University?

I chose to come to Rowan because they offered smaller classes. I could get more information, it was more one-on-one. I know that for [larger schools] they have massive classes and I felt like I would have drowned, especially when I was first starting out because of my personality. I wanted something smaller, I didn’t want to get overwhelmed.

How has Rowan University impacted your life?

Rowan has given me more exposure — meaning, the people I have been connecting with, networking. When I was here at Rowan, I was under [Dr. Gregory] Caputo, he was my research adviser. It was my junior and senior year that I was in his research lab. In his research lab there were other students, and we all got really close. After college we all diversified, but we are still constantly learning from each other and meet up. Every person has their own industry experiences and we all talk about science. So, now post-college I still have all those connections and networks and still count with them.

Rowan alumna Jennifer Chin takes a selfie with Dr. Gregory Caputo
Rowan alumna Jennifer Chin with Associate Dean Dr. Gregory Caputo.

How has Dr. Caputo impacted you?

I can’t even begin to say how much he has helped me. I think Dr. Caputo was my very first instance of how the industry actually works because there is a huge difference between academics and industry. By being in his lab, you get exposed to experiments that aren’t always going to work out 100% of the time, like they are supposed to. And I think that really helped me realize what to actually expect and to have that scientific mind of going through the process.

How well do you think Rowan prepared you to go into the industry?

I would say it prepared me in terms of knowing how to do research or how to figure out an answer. Academically it did prepare me for basic knowledge, but when you go out in the industry is a lot of how you figure out how you’re going to figure it out. So, I think Rowan helped me by knowing how to research a problem and how to figure it out.

What are you currently doing?

I work at FMC, and it’s an agricultural company. We make crop protection products like fungicide, insecticides and herbicides. Graduating college agriculture was nowhere on my list, I didn’t even know it was a thing. But then I got hired for a temporary position and I was under formulations. I got exposed to a lot of chemistry formulations and I absolutely fell in love with it.

What I tell a lot of people is yes, you want to enjoy your work, but find an environment where you are comfortable with the culture. It’s the people you work with and I feel like any job is 70% the people and 30% the job.

As a formulation chemist, what does your daily routine look like?Rowan alumna Jennifer Chin working at FMC

Recently, it has been going in really early, but it depends how much chaos happens during the day. The earliest I’ve gotten in, has been between 5:30 and 6 a.m. There have been times where I have been doing 80 to 90 hours a week. That is why you have to love what your doing.

My day consists of going in and checking emails, then I stay at the lab from sun up to sun down trying to get lots of things done. There’s formulation making, then physicals are performed on them, to see if they actually turned out the way you wanted them to be.

What is your favorite thing about Rowan or your favorite experience?

The people, and I think what I really loved was my research group. I would definitely recommend it to new students of biology and chemistry to join a research group, because that definitely has helped me a lot in the industry and it’s just great exposure to science.       

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Story by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major

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Destiny’s Home Away From Home: Equestrian Club [VIDEO]

Posted on by Dean Powers
Destiny standing with her horse at the barn

Destiny Sheard, a senior Marketing major from Jackson, NJ (Ocean County) and a first-generation college student, feels most at home at the barn with the Equestrian Club.

https://youtu.be/hlEIyQfoN2g

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Video by:
Dean Powers, sophomore radio/TV/film major

Music by:
Jayce Williams, senior music industry major

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Public Relations Major Lands Full-Time Job After Internship

Posted on by Alyssa Bauer
Ciara Sikking stands in front of Rowan Art Gallery at 301 High St.

Meet Ciara Sikking, senior Public Relations and Mathematics double major, from Buena, NJ (Atlantic County). She shares how her summer internship at Holman turned into a full-time position post-graduation.

Ciara Sikking posing in the Glassboro Town Center.In October of last year I sat down with my public relations advisor, Lori Block, to discuss class registration. I did not expect this very routine meeting to land me a full-time job.

In the PR department, the word “internship” is a huge deal, so it did not surprise me when Lori asked if I was looking for one. She suggested that I apply for the Holman Enterprises summer internship program, one I hadn’t even considered applying to due to its notoriously competitive selection.

Three months later I landed an interview and two months after that received one of the 50 positions out of over 500 applicants.

During my time at Holman, I worked in the client relations department and assisted with projects for the company’s most profitable clients including United Rentals and FedEx. Within the first four weeks I conceptualized, programmed and presented a tracker to organize information for United Rentals. Speaking in front of the upper management team was nerve-wracking, but it gave me the chance to utilize the presentation skills I have learned in many of my PR classes.

Aside from my client relations projects, I worked with a team of interns to research and create start-up recommendations for Holman Auto’s mobile Ciara Sikking sitting outside Barnes and Noble.service initiative. My team and I delivered an exciting presentation to a roomful of company leaders and, as a result, the company decided to move forward with the ideas we presented in our project. It is thrilling to know that the executives loved all of our hard work, especially Mindy Holman, granddaughter of the company’s founder.

Interning at Holman helped me grow in every way possible. It allowed me to mature professionally, gave me the confidence to tackle real-world problems and provided me with impressive projects to add to my portfolio. To add icing on the cake, I recently received a full-time position in the client relations department for after graduation.

I know that I could not have gotten this far without Lori Block and the strong education that I have received over my last three years at Rowan University. I encourage every student thinking about an internship to be bold and never sell yourself short. You can accomplish fantastic things if you just take a chance.

Ciara Sikking posing with her Holman Enterprises T-shirt.

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Story by:
Ciara Sikking, senior public relations and mathematics double major

Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major

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The SHOP: On-Campus Food Pantry and Resource Center [VIDEO]

Posted on by Jen Green
The outside wall of the SHOP building.

The SHOP (Students Helping Other Profs) is Rowan University’s first ever on-campus food pantry and resource center available to students in need. With a particular focus on addressing issues of food insecurity, The SHOP offers a range of free and confidential support services that can connect students with appropriate campus and community resources.

https://youtu.be/zpsKTuqfq3M

VISIT CAMPUS

Video by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major
Dean Powers, sophomore radio/TV/film major

Music by:
Louis Testa, junior jazz studies major

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First Year Voices: Music Industry Student’s Journey from Delaware to New Jersey

Posted on by Enzo Ronchi
Freshman Music Industry major Devin Saienni sits on a bench on campus

“If you’re into music, this school is awesome!” says Devin Saienni, a freshman Music Industry major with a concentration in Music Technology from Wilmington, Delaware (New Castle County). He currently lives in Mimosa Hall and is a first-generation college student.

Freshman Music Industry major Devin Saienni sits on a bench on campusDevin says he came to Rowan specifically for the music program, and he heavily credits his humble experiences here so far to his professors.

When asked about his shift from living in Delaware to New Jersey, he said the people here make him feel right at home. He also wasn’t nervous at all coming into college because he knew a few people already.

His best advice to future students is to “tour your schools” and “really put your full focus on really finding out what school fits you.”

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Story and photography by:
Enzo Ronchi, senior public relations major

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3 HR Management Majors Share What Excites Them About Their Major

Posted on by Bianca Torres
Exterior shot of Business Hall.

Today, three students from the Rohrer College of Business Human Resources Management program tell us what excites them about their major.

Tuan standing outside a Long Horn Restaurant.

“I am learning to be [in] one of the most important roles in any business.” – Tuan Anh Phan, junior, Human Resources Management major, transfer from Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ), Vietnam

Lindaura taking a selfie.

“What excites me about my major is being able to stand up for the people that would work for us. Making sure they are not being discriminated against and they are all being paid equally and any other law that is implemented to help the work environment to be fair and peaceful. I also get excited about recruiting and being the person to find the best fit for the company and our team.” – Lindaura Cristo, junior, Human Resources Management, transfer from Rowan College of Burlington County (RCBC), first-generation college student from Brazil

Amanda sitting on the steps outside the Rohrer College of Business.

“The idea that I will have the ability to help people, being able to help them grow to become their true selves, I’ll be a leader guiding future leaders.” – Amanda Holzlein, junior, Human Resources Management major with a minor in Management Information Systems, first-generation college student from Jackson, NJ (Ocean County)

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Story by:
Bianca Torres, senior Music Industry major

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Ed.D. Graduate, Community College President on His Game-Changing Rowan Experience

Posted on by Christina Lynn

As public relations and marketing spokesperson for New York Transit, communicating news for the bus division that transported seven million passengers a day, Stephen Nacco saw his long-term career prospects heading on a different path — toward higher education. 

Nacco traded media for academia, where he rose to top administrative positions at two New Jersey-based community colleges. 

Rowan alumnus Dr. Stephen Nacco, president of Danville Area Community College in Illinois
Rowan alumnus Dr. Stephen Nacco (above)

His career moved further ahead while enrolled in Rowan’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: Community College Leadership Initiative (CCLI). “I never wanted to be a community college president until that program,” he said. 

Now, Dr. Stephen Nacco uses the skills he learned in his cohort from more than 750 miles away. 

As president of Danville Area Community College (DACC), about 2.5 hours south of Chicago, Dr. Nacco leads a school that serves more than 6,100 part-time and full-time students. While the city of Danville has seen its population steadily decline over the years, DACC has seen its enrollment and graduation rates increase — which Dr. Nacco credits to his faculty and board, with whom he has built a collaborative leadership team. 

Rowan alumnus Dr. Stephen Nacco (second from right) at Danville Area Community College, where he is president“It’s the coalescing of ideas here, and that to me is what makes working at this college rewarding,” Dr. Nacco said. “Every month we do something — this is straight out of something I learned at Rowan — where a different department comes out with a ‘Big Hairy Audacious Goal.’ And it’s got to be out there. It might seem impossible, but you’re going to try to figure out a way to make it work.

“I think collaboratively in a small community college, it’s really a lot of fun to be able to work this way,” he added. 

Convenient classes, offered right on the campus in which he worked at the time, initially attracted Dr. Nacco to the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program. Yet the longer he immersed himself in his coursework, the more Stephen felt compelled to seek a community college president position post-grad. 

Rowan alumnus Dr. Stephen Nacco (right), president of Danville Area Community College in Illinois“I was able to study my own leadership and look at leadership theory,” he said. “As I was in the program more and more, I wanted to continue to move up in community colleges … that they’re not ‘junior colleges,’ what they do for workforce development and what they do for turning around lives.”

Dr. Nacco noted Rowan’s teaching faculty included community college presidents, who enhanced the program through their “war stories” and mentorship. He also acknowledged Dr. James Coaxum, associate professor in the College of Education, whom he said had “a style that was calm for people, not just with me, but for many students who were anxious to go back to college.” 

After completing the Ed.D. degree part-time in three years, Dr. Nacco ultimately secured the top spot at DACC in 2016. The importance of the job is not lost on him.

“Being in DACC, you can’t imagine how important this college is to this community,” he said. 

For future students considering the Ed.D. program, Dr. Nacco offers this advice: “Whatever your niche is, don’t be constrained by that niche. Go into it with the idea with you can be surprised with what you want to do. It doesn’t matter what your job is, if you know what you’re doing is important to the people around you, then it’s a good career. And Rowan can help you get there.”

Rowan alumnus Dr. Stephen Nacco's school, Danville Area Community College, offers a Wind Tech program
Rowan Ed.D. alumnus Dr. Stephen Nacco, president of Danville Area Community College in Illinois, is especially proud of his school’s Wind Tech program, one of few in the country that trains students to maintain wind turbines and prepares graduates for work in the emerging wind energy industry.

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4 Juniors Who Are Reppin’ North Jersey

Posted on by Luke Garcia

We spoke with juniors Shirley Celi-Landeo, Jackie Charlton, Julia Majerscak and Liz Kenlan about making the change from living in North to South Jersey. Their answers varied slightly except for one collective opinion: it’s different here in Gloucester County!

Shirley Celi-Landeo poses wearing a denim jacket while smiling on a yellow bench.
“I’ve never seen a lot of farmland until I came here. North Jersey and South Jersey are really, really different. I didn’t really expect to be 20 minutes away from farm lands and a lot of vineyards. And then the accents, too.” – Shirley Celi-Landeo, junior, first-generation college student and dual major in Anthropology / Modern Language & Linguistics from Newark, NJ (Essex County)

Jackie Charlton smiles standing in front of the prof statue.
“It’s very spread out. I don’t know a lot about South Jersey, but it’s a little more quiet out here. I don’t go home that much just because it’s so hard to focus on school work when I’m home and it’s just kind of a separation of work.” – Jackie Charlton, junior Civil Engineering major from Boonton, NJ (Morris County)

Julia smiles while wearing black in front of some green trees.
I didn’t think there would be this much emptiness, it’s so spread out here unlike North Jersey. [At home] we’re literally like 20 minutes from New York City. Even though Philly’s so close, the vibe here is just so different. I feel like it’s so important to get a sense of change, that’s when you can figure out what’s good for you and maybe what doesn’t work for you. I think it’s nice to get away from home. Obviously it works for some people and doesn’t work for others, but it’s important to be able to adapt to change. – Julia Majerscak, junior Theatre & Dance major from Montville, NJ (Morris County)

Liz Kenlan poses on a cement bench in front of some green trees.
“I think the culture of South Jersey is really cool and I think that’s because Philly is right there. It is so much fun to be able to explore the city life there and also come back. It feels like a completely separate state. I feel like they have their own culture down here. It’s got a little bit of a southern twist to it [with] the beach towns down here and the Philly culture on the side.” – Liz Kenlan, junior Studio Art major from Verona, NJ (Essex County)

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Story by:
Luke Garcia, junior music industry major

Photos by: 

Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major

Quintin Stinney, sophomore Radio/TV/Film major

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#PROFspective: International Engineering Student Thai Nghiem

Posted on by Nicole Cier
Thai Nghiem stands on the steps inside the Engineering Hall lobby

Name: Thai Nghiem

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Minor: Computer Science

Year: Senior

Are you a first-generation college student? No

Hometown and county: Hanoi, Vietnam

Commuter: Yes. I’m commuting from Franklinville, NJ (Gloucester County)

Academic clubs you are a part of: Bantivoglio Honors Concentration, Tau Beta Pi – Engineering Honor Society

Social clubs you are a part of: Rowan Cru – Secretary

Thai sits in a round orange chair in the bridge connecting the two engineering buildings at Rowan University.Do you work on campus? I worked in the library as a Technology Desk Specialist for a year.

Share an “aha!” moment you’ve had within your major that made you feel passionate about your intended field. I was always good at math and physics in high school, and since Rowan offered an outstanding engineering program, I did not hesitate to choose engineering as my major. 

Describe an on-campus experience (academic or non-academic) in which you felt that your future goals are supported. I found the Career Fair on-campus very helpful, as I landed many interviews and two internships. The two engineering internships were with Ellenby Technologies and American Water. Both of them offered me competitive pay and treated me as a regular employee; they trusted and assigned me with great responsibilities. I had a great time interning with them and gained a great deal of practical knowledge and industrial experience. I would recommend everybody of all majors attend the Rowan Career Fair. 

Thai is pictured behind a handrail as he walks up the steps holding a red and black toolbox .
On a typical day, Thai brings his toolbox with him to work on projects in Engineering Hall.

Could you share a moment you’ve experienced in which you have felt that Rowan is a welcoming environment for you? My freshman year (2015), Rowan Cru held a Halloween party at the International House, where I used to live. As an international student, I did not have a lot of friends back then, especially those who are American. The event was a great deal to me, as I got to meet and talk to new people who were very friendly and helpful. Since it’s hard for an international student to get a car and a driving licence, many of them offered me rides to ShopRite whenever I needed. Furthermore, they invited me to be a part of their club — Rowan Cru, where I continued to make new wonderful relationships and great memories.

Why did you choose Rowan? Actually, Rowan found and chose me. I uploaded my resume on a merit-aid website, and Rowan officials contacted me. Due to the generous international scholarship, I was able to attend Henry Rowan College of Engineering. 

Thai works on a project in the Engineering Hall lobby between classes.

On your busiest day, what academic, non-academic and social responsibilities are you juggling? On my busiest day, I am juggling between exams, my part-time job at the library, and leading a Bible study session at Rowan Cru. There are tough times, but those are what make us a better person. My friends in Cru, as well as my classmates, help each other through stressful times. I really appreciate these people and always enjoy spending time with them. 

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Story by:
Thai Nghiem, senior electrical and computer engineering major

Photography by:
Nicole Cier, senior writing arts major

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The Five Aspects, Not Stages, of Grief

Posted on by Alyssa Bauer

This article is part of a running series with Rowan University’s Wellness Center. This collaboration aims to educate students about personal well-being options. For further updates, follow @RowanUWellness on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Meet Allegra Giannini, junior English major, who wrote this article about grief because it is a common, yet misunderstood, process.

Grieving is something human beings must encounter at some point in their lives. It is inevitable; however, it can be manageable. Rowan English major Allegra Giannini sits in the Glassboro Town Square.

There seem to be many misconceptions about grief. Often times people tend to think grieving is only applicable when someone dies, like a family member, friend or pet.

In reality, people grieve a variety of things all the time. Grief can be defined as the immense pain accompanied with loss — it does not always accompany death.  

The five stages of the grieving process are practically universally known. They are taught in school. “Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance” — that is the Kübler-Ross model introduced in the late 1960s. Since then, it has remained in textbooks and been regarded as accurate, but what if it isn’t per se? 

Sometimes it’s easy to apply those five stages, to have that formula. It can be easy for anyone to think, “I’m in the depression phase now, next will be acceptance in a few months.” It’d be nice if it worked like that.

Help Guide, a nonprofit mental health and wellness organization, published an article in June 2019 by Melinda Smith, Lawrence Robinson and Jeanne Segal. In the article it states loud and clear, “You do not have to go through each stage in order to heal” (Robinson, Smith, Segal, 2019). Grief can be a rollercoaster, with peaks and valleys. Some times can be easier than others, and that is perfectly common. It can be argued that while the five stages make sense, instead of stages, they are merely aspects. They can be a guideline for grief, but not set in stone. 

If it’s been years, months, weeks, days … even if it has been three seconds, there may often be an aching and heart-wrenching feeling, and it’s okay. The idea that grief is a linear process that will one day be over is simply not true, and that’s also okay. The worst thing a grieving person can do is push themselves into feeling better, it takes time. It takes introspection and guidance from peers, family and possibly professionals. 

Grief does not always accompany death. It accompanies loss — loss of a friendship, loss of a house, a car, etc. Whatever loss it may be, it is valid and real. The most important thing is that a grieving person takes the time to heal, however their individual process is. 

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Story by:
Allegra Giannini, junior English major, Wellness Center intern

Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major

References:
Smith, M., Robinson, L., & Segal, J. (2019, June 17). Coping with Grief and Loss. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/grief/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htm#

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Volunteerism at Rowan: Saint Bernard Project [VIDEO]

Posted on by Dean Powers
students moving construction equipment in a shell of a house

Students volunteer their time to the Saint Bernard disaster relief program, to repair and hurricane-proof houses damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Through the summer First-Year Connection: Volunteerism program, incoming students — both freshmen and transfer — embrace togetherness and philanthropy to build community and provide service. Once the school year starts, the volunteerism continues. The Office of Volunteerism hosts monthly projects for five nonprofits, as well as a host of additional activities both on- and off-campus. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhY1wd2nRhM

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Video by:
Dean Powers, sophomore radio/TV/film major

Music by:
Don DeWitt, junior music technology major

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