Sometimes, finding your place in college starts with one meaningful connection. One Rowan University student reflects on how an orientation leader inspired her to get involved in campus activities, build lasting friendships and eventually pursue the same leadership role to help future students feel at home.
Finding My Place at Rowan
I came into Rowan University 2 years ago not knowing where I fit into this large school with over 300 different organizations, but my summer orientation leader helped me out a lot with finding my place. His name is Vinny, and he helped make my first experiences at the school fun and entertaining during my overnight summer orientation. I envied how he and the other orientation leaders (called PROS) interacted with each other; they were the crazy group of friends I wanted to have. At the end of my orientation, Vinny offered his contact information in case I had any questions regarding classes, clubs, or Rowan in general, but I never reached out of some reason.
Getting Involved Through Student Activities
A few months later, around November of my freshman year, I fell into a funk that consisted of napping and Netflix. One night, my roommate dragged me to a meeting for a large organization on campus called the Student University Programmers (SUP), an organization that puts on events by students, for students. I recognized a familiar face on the executive board of this club- Vinny. Seeing him kept me through the meeting, thinking that if he enjoyed this organization so much, I most likely would too.
Paying It Forward Through Student Leadership
Fast forward to now, Vinny and I are good friends and I am in training to become an orientation leader just like he was. I found my own family within PROS and believe me when I say they are my new family. Although he graduated in May, I have Vinny to thank for helping me find my place in Rowan. He gave me the inspiration to become an orientation leader to pay it forward to students who might be as lost as I was. Rowan has always been home to me, Vinny just helped me see that.
Story by: Annie Busarello
junior, advertising and public relations double major
About Rowan
Since its founding in 1923, Rowan University has evolved from a teacher preparation college to a public research institution ranked among the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Rowan University offers bachelor’s through doctoral degrees and professional certificates in person and online to nearly 25,000 students through its main campus in Glassboro and its eight other locations in southern New Jersey. Rowan focuses on practical research at the intersection of health care, engineering, science and business, while ensuring excellence in undergraduate education. The University has earned national recognition for innovation; commitment to high-quality, affordable education; and the development of public-private partnerships. A Carnegie-classified R2 (high research activity) institution, Rowan is the fastest-growing public research university in the Northeast and among the nation’s top 10 fastest-growing, as reported by The Chronicle of Higher Education. In 2025, Rowan opened New Jersey’s only veterinary school and is one of only two universities in the nation to offer M.D., D.O., and D.V.M. medical degrees.