Rowan University students share their volunteer and leadership experience with Fresh For All, an on-campus initiative partnership with Philabundance that brings free, fresh fruits and vegetables to campus every week. Video by:Adam Clark, senior Radio/TV/Film major Music by:Louis Testa III, music composition and jazz studies Thank you to New Jersey Digest for recognizing Rowan Blog […]
Beyond the Classroom
Beyond the Classroom: Ad Major Discusses Discord Recognition
Today we speak to senior Advertising major and Marketing minor Joseph Laggy. Joseph is a first-generation college student from Marlton, NJ (Burlington County). He is a commuter student who graduated this semester.
Since 2018 I have been partnered with Discord, which is a platform dedicated to gaming communities. Through that, I have developed some of the largest online gaming communities dedicated to some of the world’s most popular video games. It is one of the most fun things I have ever done in my life. I have gotten recognition from Microsoft, and so many of the communities on there I have participated in. There’s just so much you can do through helping them grow their numbers. I have a website in development right now for people all over the world. The website is for Nintendo oriented discussion. Xbox’s social media manager will come in and hang out with us and a lot of the influential figures from Xbox’s marketing team come and hang out with us. I love all video games, every console, every game I’m just obsessed. It’s a lot of fun to be able to do stuff like that.
I knew that I wanted to do something in marketing and advertising since I was about 14. I always had the ability to connect with people through social media, and I’ve always developed social media accounts throughout many platforms. I always developed them to have a lot of followers and to make an impact. However, I retired that a bit to focus solely on Discord and Reddit now. But that is only because those have been the most beneficial and fruitful. I would say every month or so there is a new game developer reaching out to me to promote their game and its so much fun to be able to do that not just with in house marketers, but with public relations agencies all across the world, just to have them reach out to me is so cool. My major has helped me with those things because it really shows you how to connect with people and target your audience, and how to make an impact.
My advice for anyone who wants to get into the field would be that before one chooses a major like advertising and marketing, need to know where they want to work in the industry. You can pursue that, and there are a million routes you can take, but by specializing in a specific area, you will put yourself much further. Me in particular, while I was doing everything with Discord, I interned in healthcare. I didn’t particularly think I would work with newborn babies, I knew nothing about that. But I learned quickly, and I wanted to feel out everything, but people in this major definitely need to decide what they want to do in the future, and more importantly, think about what they themselves like. You enter the marketing field, and you’re doing marketing for something you aren’t interested in, it’s not gonna be a fun job because you won’t know how to sell it or interact with people if you don’t know much about it or care about it.
There are a few industries that I wouldn’t mind working in, but I already have had some game developers reach out to me, which is so cool to know that you play these games as a child, and 10 years later they recognize you on the internet. I never thought that would happen, but, that’s a testament that you can do anything. Don’t underestimate the power of social media. And a lot of these companies are online and looking at places like Reddit and Discord that help develop communities. They are looking at these places to say “this is what these people think”. Platforms are up and coming and all of these companies are looking to get involved. It’s easy for students to start getting involved with that, and next thing you know some of Microsoft’s most influential people are talking to you. It’s so cool what you can do. I have been doing this since 2017, and it has been very fruitful.
Rowan has taught me through its marketing courses how to connect companies with their customers. Rowan has also shown me how fast things can change in just a short amount of time— and how I, businesses, and others can adapt to these changes. Over these past few years as I have developed communities with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, I have been able to understand people on a deeper, more personal level, which is important— and Rowan has taught me how to do just that.
Like what you see?
LEARN MORE
Story and photos by:
Rachel Rumsby, sophomore communication studies and public relations double major
5 Geology Majors Share Their Short-Term Professional Goals
We spoke to five Geology majors about their short-term professional goals and plans.
“I am currently working on applying for summer internships. The internships I am looking into are research-based and field-based, but all revolve around Paleontology. I am set to graduate with my BA in Geology in the fall of 2021, and will be off to the graduate school I finally decide on in the fall of 2022.” – junior Kelsey Barker, a Geology major working toward a Certificate in Paleontology Foundations and transfer student from Rowan College of South Jersey (Gloucester Campus) from Hackettstown, NJ (Warren County)
“In the short term, I would like to get into the Ph.D. program for Paleontology.” – junior Justin Vieira, a Geology major from Beachwood, NJ (Ocean County)
“I think this major at Rowan is really helpful in achieving my goals and will play such a huge role. We’re such a small major and we’re able to really be on good terms and close with all of our professors, which ends up leading us to great opportunities through their connections in the career field!” – first-generation college junior Mallory Osmun, a Geology major and transfer from Rowan College at Burlington County whose hometown is Mount Laurel, NJ (Burlington County)
“My short-term goal is finishing my research project I’m doing for Rowan. I’m using mass spectrometry to figure out if 2 bone beds in Wyoming are the same. I’m looking at turtle, Hadrosaur, and Triceratops bones.” – sophomore Cooper Caputo, a Geology major with a concentration in Paleontology from Washington, DC
“Currently, I’m only taking classes on Geology and, soon, Paleontology. Before the summer I plan on looking for internships that might help me. I am a member of the Delaware Valley Paleontological Society. I do have two family friends who are retired paleontologists whose advice I’ve taken.” – junior Zachary Armstrong, a Geology major with a concentration in Paleontology from Sewell, NJ (Gloucester County)
Like what you see?
Story by:
Bianca Torres, senior music industry major
Beyond the Classroom: Events and Publications Intern Jessica Newell
Today we feature junior Communication Studies major and Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts events and publications intern Jessica Newell. Jessica also minors in Spanish and Women and Gender Studies, and holds an Honors Concentration. She is from Williamstown, NJ (Gloucester County) and lives on campus at 230 Victoria. Through my internship I am […]
TRANSFERmation Tuesday: Writing Arts & Spanish Major Helaina Parejo
Today we feature sophomore Helaina Parejo who double majors in Writing Arts and Spanish. Helaina is from Barrington, NJ (Camden County) and transferred from Ursinus College the spring semester of her freshman year. She has an internship with the Writing Arts department and is a part of the Writing Arts Club. Why did you choose […]
TRANSFERmation Tuesday: Double Major Robert Pallante
Robert Pallante, a Rowan College at Burlington County senior transfer student from Winslow Township (Camden County), shares a bit about his Rowan experience as a Political Science and Philosophy major with an American Studies minor.
What wakes you up in the morning?
I tend to look at things one day at a time, so I wake up with a goal for that day with my mindset to accomplish that goal.
How would you tell a fellow student interested in your major that they’re choosing a worthwhile field?
Political Science is a great field to go into, I mean we’re always going to have deal with politics. And with the problems that the world faces, from COVID-19 to global climate change, having people that are able to help enact policy changes to combat these challenges is what the world needs. Being the change is a fulfilling thing.
I worked on a congressional campaign back in 2018, we won a very close race. That feeling of working on a winning race cannot be taken away.
Could you share with us one moment that made you feel inspired or confident that you’re in the right field for you?
Going back again to 2018, I worked on Congressman Andy Kim’s first congressional campaign. I was just an intern. The race was going to be close, we had probably started out at the beginning of the summer as underdogs. But I remember a few days after Election Day once they had counted every vote, we had won by a little over one percent. The campaign office was filled with supporters and other staff, that feeling of accomplishment was amazing.
What has been one aspect of Rowan that you’ve enjoyed so far, or one happy thing about Rowan that surprised you?
The campus life is very vibrant, clubs and organizations are very well organized and easy to get involved with. Being a commuter, it’s sometimes hard to feel like you can be a full member of the college community, but Rowan really has done a great job.
How was transferring to Rowan the right choice for you?
Not only was the transferring rather seamless, but since I commute, the distance from where I live is convenient. And the affordability doesn’t sacrifice the quality of classes, which Rowan offers a lot of great classes and curriculums.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Loredonna Fiore, junior public relations and advertising major
Photography by:
Quintin Stinney, sophomore radio television and film major
Beyond The Classroom: Senior Liam Cutri-French On Engineering Opportunities
Today we feature Liam Cutri-French, a senior Civil and Environmental major with an Honors concentration. Liam is from Glen Gardner, NJ (Hunterdon County). He is the local project lead for Engineers Without Borders, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a member of the Engineering Honors Society. He also stays active on […]
Beyond the Classroom: Martin Gonzalez on His Role with Rowan Television Network
Today we speak with senior Radio/TV/Film (RTF) major Martin Gonzalez. Martin works on numerous broadcasting projects at Rowan through the Rowan Television Network (RTN).
Senior Martin Gonzalez is a key contributor for two of Rowan Television Network’s programs titled “On the Couch” and “Rowan Roulette.” Martin is in the Radio Television and Film major and a part of Rowan University’s Cinema Workshop.
“On the Couch” is a daytime talk show that covers a range of topics from current world issues, to pop culture and fashion. They also always interview someone who is in some way involved on Rowan’s campus. “Rowan Roulette” is a game show that always has a new weekly theme. Both of these shows can be found on Rowan Television Network’s YouTube channel.
Martin was asked about his individual involvement in RTN with which he responded, “I am the floor manager/camera guy.” As a camera operator, he stated he is tasked to “frame up all the shots, make sure everything is perfect and make sure the frame is perfect medium shots of the host.”
As a floor manager of these two shows, Martin’s responsibilities can vary. He said sometimes his job is “clear the floor” while other times it includes preparing everyone for mic checks. It’s up to him to try to control the general vibe of the production so sometimes he has to do tedious work, such as telling subjects which camera to look at. When talking about these parts of his duties Martin added, “That’s also really fun, and I’m learning as I go as well.”
Although COVID-19 is still a very real concern for everyone, RTN is still safely functioning in-person. Martin actually started off the semester as a remote student and then said that after a while he started to get “the fear of missing out.” At a certain point Martin decided it was time to go back to campus safely in his mask and rejoin his RTN coworkers so that he could get back to doing what he’s passionate about.
Even though he had an initial concern about being exposed to the virus, Martin stated that he felt like “Rowan is doing a really great job right now” of allowing people to work in person in the safest way possible. He explained, “Everybody is distanced and we’re just constantly cleaning and disinfecting.”
Rowan’s RTF major offers professional level broadcasting equipment to the student run organization, RTN. This makes it an exceptional opportunity to gain experience for students with career aspirations in broadcasting. This value does not go unappreciated to Martin. When explaining his decision to come back to campus this semester he said, “I just really like to be there and get in hands on and actually feel the equipment underneath my fingers. That’s the best part about it.”
Like what you see?
Story by:
Luke Garcia, junior music industry major
Photos by:
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
According to Karen: Advice for High School Seniors
Today we feature Karen Lee, a junior marketing major with a minor in strategic communication. Karen is from Edison, NJ (Middlesex County), lives on campus in the Townhouses and is public relations chair of the Animal Advocacy Club. Karen shares her experiences with us today to help future students. On graduating college early: I didn’t […]
Alumni Success: B.A. in Mathematics Grad Bri Arnold
Today we feature Bri Arnold, an alumna from the Class of 2019 who holds a B.A. in Mathematics. Bri transferred to Rowan from Monmouth University in 2016. She lived on campus during her sophomore year in Holly Pointe Commons and lived off-campus during her junior and senior years. Bri is from Toms River, NJ (Ocean County), and currently lives in West Chester, PA.
What made you want to come to Rowan? I met my current fiance, who is also a Rowan graduate, while he was a student at Rowan and I was a freshman at a different university. After visiting the campus so much and seeing all that Rowan has to offer, I fell in love with the University and I transferred. It was the best decision I ever made.
What field are you in? I graduated with a degree in Mathematics, but I am in the field of data analytics. I work for Chemours, a DuPont spin-off, based in Wilmington, Delaware, in internal audit, but I’m not really an auditor. I just do the fun stuff.
How did your degree help you get into the field of internal audit? My math degree helped me, but what really helped the most was my minor in Statistics. When you have mathematics as a degree, you usually go in one of two directions, which are theory math and applied math. I chose to go the route of applied math, and I went into the industry. The statistics helped me out because I learned how to analyze data sets; take large data sets and draw conclusions in the ways that my auditors want to see it.
Did you have any internships while you were at Rowan? The summer before my Junior year, I participated in a research program with the College of Science and Mathematics. When I was a senior, I was an intern at Chemours. They offered me a full-time job, and I am still working there today.
What did you love about Rowan? The best decision I ever made was transferring to Rowan. The location of Rowan is great, because it’s so close to Philly, it’s pretty close to Atlantic City, and Wilmington, and all these other places where there are job opportunities. It’s in a good area, and I don’t think I would have had the opportunities I had at Rowan at any other college. My professors were open and wanted to help, and they wanted to make sure that you knew the material, and not just that you went to class and then took an exam. They were totally invested in your education. Transferring to Rowan is the best decision I ever made, and I don’t think I would be where I am now if I never went to Rowan. I’m so grateful I transferred.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Rachel Rumsby, sophomore communication studies and public relations double major
Photos provided by:
Bri Arnold
Take Control
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.
In a simplistic way, we are all conscious beings. It is what differentiates us from all other life forms and is the reason we can imagine ourselves in a situation before it becomes a reality.
But what happens when our moral guide no longer exists, the voice in our head seizes to separate right from wrong and instead criticizes the very existence of everything.
The authors at PsychAlive view this as the “critical inner voice” and explain it as “a well-integrated pattern of destructive thoughts toward ourselves and others.”
The critical inner voice is often the result of a maladaptive childhood. It is when the child does not meet the adequate necessity of self-recognition, therefore the child’s self-concept begins to match a false perception of what important others think, for example, Mom and Dad. This often leads to the concoction of feelings experienced by the archetypal villain: arrogance, deceit and resentment. But instead of plotting the very destruction of the world, there is an alternative pathway that leads to the halt to the internal destruction within.
According to PsychAlive: “In order to take power over this destructive thought process, you must first become conscious of what your inner voice is telling you so you can stop it from ruining your life. To identify this, it is helpful to pay attention to when you suddenly slip into a bad mood or become upset, often these negative shifts in emotion are a result of a critical inner voice.”
Understanding the difference between conscience and the critical inner voice is vital in gaining control over one’s actions, thoughts and behaviors, therefore acquiring the ability to stop and analyze the situation can mean the end to damaging unwanted thought processes. Take control.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Marco Imperiale, sophomore psychology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Rachel Rumsby, sophomore public relations and communication studies major
Reference Page 17th, L., 16th, W., 12th, P., 4th, W., 21st, L., 15th, S., . . . 23rd, S. (2018, April 02). The Critical Inner Voice Explained. Retrieved September 16, 2020, from https://www.psychalive.org/critical-inner-voice/
Beyond the Classroom: Meet Africana Studies Club President Nafisat Olapade
Today we feature Nafisat Olapade, president of the Africana Studies Club. She’s a Biological Sciences and Psychology double major and a first-generation college student. Here, she tells us more about the club and her leadership role in this campus organization.
Can you tell me about the Africana Studies Club?
Africana Studies Club is here to promote a higher level of consciousness for students when it comes to whatever path they decide to choose after Rowan. It’s important to emphasize Africana Studies as a major or a minor. It’s important to battle racial disparities in its forefront in whatever career you decide to get into.
Is the Africana Studies Club involved in any events?
We have events that are planned, currently this year we plan on doing volunteering programs. We’re partnering with NJAC, which is the New Jersey Abolitionist Collective; they work with the communities that are less funded and have less opportunities. They are also really big on advocating for the rights of inmates. We plan on doing a volunteering outreach programs with them.
What do you hope to get out of the Africana Studies Club for yourself?
Africana Studies itself allows me to learn more about how I can use whatever position I gain in the future to help people in communities that need help. It allows me to be aware of the disparities and just the structural racism that is in a lot of different fields in the world and how I can do my part from where I stand.
Does the Africana Studies Club have a different meaning this year with the Black Lives Matter movement?
I think right now we have a lot of people who care, and that’s something great to hold onto. I feel like this momentum is great for our club and it’s great for also gaining members. People need to translate their caring and social media activism into things that are tangible in real life. I think this momentum that we currently have could be used in the club and having people just gain awareness in what racism means in day-to-day life.
What is your favorite thing about the Africana Studies Club?
I really like that I’m friends with my e-board members, some of them are my roommates actually. I like the passion behind a lot of the members in the club and I like that I get to leave something at Rowan before I move on.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Luke Garcia, junior music industry major
Photography by:
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
Have You Checked On You Today?
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.
The infamous phrase of “Work now, rest later” has been ingrained into everyone’s mind in order to enforce a productive work week. This saying is obsolete and no longer provides the benefits one once thought they reaped.
A constant cycle of working hard with little to no sleep is detrimental to your mental health and overall well-being. When juggling work, school and everything else in between, life becomes increasingly overwhelming.
Achieving such success, sometimes requires our mental health to be put on a back-burner. Granted all your affairs are in order now, but your most important priority, you, has been left compromised. With that said, answer this question: ¨Have you checked on yourself today?¨
The question posed may seem silly, but it is essential one is cognizant of their own emotional welfare. Incorporating a weekly mental check-in will help people persevere through many hardships and prompt them to analyze if they’re effectively managing through life or if they have a “survive not thrive mentality” as I like to call it.
People believe the notion that a productive day equates to how much work they´ve completed. Discard this idea! It is unhealthy to think this way because one’s happiness will solely rely on how much they’ve accomplished. This is how the vicious cycle of work now, rest later becomes habitual. Take a time out and find things that help alleviate stress and bring fulfillment. Remember you are one person and will have ample opportunities to reach goals. Be kind to yourself and forgiving when everything does not go as planned. There is always tomorrow.
Here’s two mental health check-in tips Mental Health America says boost well-being.
Practice forgiveness: Even if it’s just forgiving that person who cut you off during your commute. People who forgive have better mental health and report being more satisfied with their lives.
Do your best to enjoy 15 minutes of sunshine: Sunlight synthesizes Vitamin D, which experts believe is a mood elevator.
Like what you see?
LEARN MORE
Story by:
My’yonna Boyd, sophomore biological sciences major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Rachel Rumsby, sophomore public relations and communication studies major
Source: https://www.mhanational.org/31-tips-boost-your-mental-health
Positive Affirmations
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.
Knowing who we are and who we strive to be can be a serious hurdle for many as we enter new stages of adulthood and self-discovery.
Throughout this path, we may find that our expectations of ourselves are challenged, our self esteem wavers, and our abilities are questioned. We may extend ourselves in every direction trying to determine what brings us peace, what helps us feel empowered, and how we can rise above difficult circumstances.
What we miss sometimes though, is the option to turn inward and look to ourselves for help. How? By learning about positive affirmations and how we can incorporate this into our everyday lives.
Whether we are aware of it or not, many are susceptible to negative self talk. When we are feeling low, we may finding ourselves indulging in self sabotage by saying things like “I am not capable of this,” or “I am not deserving of good things.” While it can be easy to fall into these destructive habits, it is also possible to learn and reinforce constructive habits. Practicing positive affirmations has shown that “we keep up a global narrative about ourselves. In this narrative, we are flexible, moral, and capable of adapting to different circumstances.” (Cohen & Sherman, 2014)
An example of a positive affirmations can include “I matter and what I have to offer this world also matters,” and “I breathe in calmness and breathe out nervousness.” When we repeat positive affirmations to ourselves daily, we have the ability to rid ourselves of our self-imposed limits and further propel ourselves toward a greater gratifying life experience.
Our greatest opponent is our own selves. Luckily, we also have the power to be our own greatest ally.
It is natural to go through times of self doubt and stress, so recognizing negative self-talk patterns and combatting them with positive affirmations can become one of our greatest strengths within our mental toolkit.
Being kind and helpful toward ourselves is one of the most crucial components of feeling self worth and inspiration to move forward throughout our journey. By engaging in positive self talk, we can refine our autonomy, feel reassurance in times of stress, and learn that we are nothing less than deserving of love and strength within ourselves and throughout our lives.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Abby Broschard, senior nutrition major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Rachel Rumsby, sophomore public relations and communication studies major
Alyssa Bauer, public relations graduate
Works Cited
100 Positive Affirmations For Mental Health. (2020, July 07). Retrieved from http://www.learningtobefree.com/2020/06/29/positive-affirmations-for-mental-health/
Moore, C. (2020, September 01). Positive Daily Affirmations: Is There Science Behind It? Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/daily-affirmations/
Video Game Live Streaming During a Global Pandemic
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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an ongoing issue that introduced several changes to the way in which society lives their day-to-day lives. One of these major changes were the quarantine and stay-at-home measures that took place during a majority of the spring of 2020 (Nielson Global Media, 2020).
By being forced to stay at home, many people experienced feelings of isolation. As a way to combat these feelings, there was an increase in the number of people either playing video games or live streaming them to others (Nielson Global Media, 2020).
Video game live streaming is an activity in which an individual is able to record themselves playing a video game for an audience of viewers to watch and engage with. According to Li, Wang and Liu (2020), some of the most commonly used video game streaming websites are Twitch and YouTube.
There are several mental health benefits that have allowed for streaming to become popular during the global pandemic. For one, live streaming allows streamers and viewers to communicate and interact with each other through real time methods (Li, Wang and Liu, 2020). A streamer may even encourage their viewers to participate in their stream by inviting them to play a video game together or allowing the viewer to have input on the decisions a streamer makes in certain games. This interactivity is really beneficial because it allows for a streamer to make a community with their viewers and potentially make new friends.
Second, Li, Wang and Liu (2020) suggest streaming can offer moments of suspense and excitement for both the streamer and the viewer. Unlike watching pre-recorded television shows, a viewer is unable to skip to a specific time in the stream to see whether or not the streamer successfully completed a goal or challenge. A viewer is given an opportunity to share in the streamer’s success or failure in real time, which can provide a greater sense of enjoyment from watching a stream in comparison to a television series.
Last, another benefit that streaming allows for is the creation of a routine through a streamer’s consistent streaming schedule. The streamer will have a specific time and day to look forward to releasing new content, while a viewer can look forward to watching and interacting with this content. Having these days to look forward to is important because it can make up for some of the disappointment people experience as the result of other major social and in person events during the pandemic.
Overall, video game live streaming has become increasingly more popular during the months of the global pandemic. Part of this popularity is a result of the various mental health benefits that video game live streaming allows for. Specifically, video game live streaming allows a streamer and viewer to communicate and interact with each other, allows for moments
of suspense and excitement, and allows for the creation of a routine.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Allison Niemiec, Rowan Global student in the M.A. of Higher Education program, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, public relations graduate
References
Li, Y., Wang, C., and Liu, J. (2020). A systematic review of literature on user behavior in video game live streaming. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(9), 3328. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.rowan.edu/10.3390/ijerph17093328
Nielson Global Media. (2020, March 06). 3, 2, 1 Go! Video Gaming is at an All-Time High During COVID-19. Retrieved September 15, 2020, from
https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/article/2020/3-2-1-go-video-gaming-is-at-an-all-time-high-during-covid-19/
TRANSFERmation Tuesday: Sports Communication Major Jasmine Regal
Today we feature Jasmine Regal, a senior Sports Communications major with a Strategic Communications minor. Jasmine is involved with The Whit, We are One Team , intramural soccer and softball. Jasmine is from East Rutherford, NJ (Bergen County) and transferred to Rowan from Bergen Community College. What wakes you up in the morning? Before I […]
Fear of Failure and How to Move On
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.
As Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Of course, failure to accomplish a certain goal in our life is a common fear that we all experience. Some say fear can be so paralyzing for certain individuals that they “freeze” instead of “fighting” in response to the anxiety and stress of completing that specific goal. In other words, fear of failure can evolve into an obstacle in our lives and sometimes prevents us from becoming successful.
According to neuropsychologist Dr. Theo Tsaousides (2017), there are several reasons why people are generally afraid to try to fulfill their goals, which include a setback to one’s self-worth, emotions of shame, loss of social connections, disappointing important people in one’s life and the dread of an uncertain future.
Moreover, fear of failure could potentially impact our mental and physical health should we allow ourselves to be consumed by it. Typically, those who are afraid of attaining a goal can eventually suffer from fatigue, emotional exhaustion, hopelessness, and/or chronic worry as well as become more unhappy with their lives and perform worse in their particular fields (Tsaousides, 2017).
Despite these possible reasons and consequences for being scared to fail, it is crucial for us to realize that failure is what makes us human and is an essential part of our lives. Ultimately, nobody is perfect; we all make mistakes and fail endlessly. Failure does not make us a loser or any less successful than we were before. Rather, it gives us an opportunity to learn new challenges and build our confidence when we bounce back from a difficult situation.
Overall, just as the entrepreneur Courtney Johnson emphasized in his TedTalk (2018), we shouldn’t let the fear of failure prevent us from pursuing our goals, desires and dreams; it is the fear of not trying that we should be afraid of instead. Additionally, we should keep in mind that we are all strong in our own ways and can overcome our individual fears of failing to reach our full potential. Because, in the end, anything is possible if we continue to take our journey of discovering ourselves.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Jennifer Necsutu, junior biochemistry major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
References:
Johnson, C. (2018, October). Failure is necessary [Video]. TED. https://www.ted.com/talks/courtney_johnson_failure_is_necessary
Tsaousides, T. (2017, December 27). Why Fear of Failure Can Keep You Stuck. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smashing-the-brainblocks/201712/why-fear-failure-can-keep-you-stuck
Beyond the Classroom: Fresh For All Coordinator William Hendrixson Reflects on Giving Back
Today we speak with William Hendrixson, a fifth-year senior from Egg Harbor Township (Atlantic County) who is currently on track to complete a dual major in Management Information Systems and Computing and Informatics. He also has a leadership role with the volunteer program Fresh For All. Learn more about William and his strong passion for helping the community.
William Hendrixson is the top coordinator in charge of Fresh For All, a food distribution program on campus with the goal of getting fresh produce to the campus and surrounding communities.
Will explains: “Fresh For All is a program where we work with a couple of different organizations to get fresh vegetables, fruit and sometimes dairy, to students and local community members who need it.”
The program is set up every Friday from 10-11 a.m. in parking lot D by the Engineering building. The food comes from an outside organization called Philabundance, which goes out to farmer’s markets and grocery stores seeking donations.
When asked who is eligible for free food, he says anyone at all. “You don’t need ID, you don’t need proof of need, or anything. We distribute every Friday, year round,” he adds.
According to Will, Fresh for All serves on average 150 families a week.
“Our highest is around 170,” he says.
In terms of the ratio of students to families, he explains, “It’s definitely more families. More from the local communities. I would say it can be up to about a quarter students, but the majority is definitely locals [who] need it.”
Will works with the Office of Volunteerism at Rowan, which put him in charge of the Fresh for All program. He says his individual responsibility on Fridays during distribution is to “make sure the event goes smoothly.”
Fresh For All has given William the opportunity to to go out and help people. Even though it has nothing to do with his majors or career, he still just enjoys the feeling of putting a smile on someone’s face.
When asked if this was something that he sees in his future, William responds: “Not necessarily as a career, because as I mentioned I’m kind of more from a tech background. But I want to be successful enough where I can give back to the community.”
Will’s favorite thing about Fresh For All is the genuine difference that it makes. He says, “You can kind of see on people’s faces that it really helps and that’s definitely it, just knowing that you’re making a difference in someone’s week.”
Like what you see?
Story and photography by:
Luke Garcia, junior music industry major
Photos by:
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
RAINN and Sexual Assault Prevention
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.
Hey everyone, McCarly Thompson here from Healthy Campus Initiatives! According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), “Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. Meanwhile, only 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison” (RAINN, 2020).
I’m sure I can speak for everyone reading this when I say these are very disturbing stats that definitely trigger a response for change.
Fortunately for us, change has been on the way. Did you know that the rate of sexual assault and rape has decreased 63% since 1993? This trend is due to the increase of sexual assault awareness spreading across the nation. RAINN is the largest anti-sexual violence organization amongst these groups, partenering with over 1,000 local service providers nationwide.
One of their main resources is the National Sexual Assault Hotline, where people can call in for a number of reasons. By either getting help from trained staff members, locating health centers that provide a number of health care services, or obtaining long term sexual assault support in their area, RAINN offers a number of free services to everyone. Get this: the National Assault Hotline has helped more than 3,000,000 who have suffered from sexual violence since its commencement in 1994!
There are even other ways RAINN promotes sexual assault awareness/prevention aside from a victim reaching out. Even if you haven’t personally been a victim to sexual violence, you can call the hotline in order to find out ways you can get someone else the help they need. RAINN also promotes the idea of C.A.R.E., which stands for creating a distraction (from the victim), asking directly (to the perpetrator), referring to authority (against the perpetrator) and enlisting others (to help). These four scenarios are taken by a bystander and can effectively decrease the chances of a sexually violent act occurring, putting victims in the hands of safety.
The main message of spreading sexual awareness/prevention is standing up and speaking out. If you see something, say something. Most sexual assaults go unreported due to the fear of misbelief of retaliation; however, third-party bystanders are able to intervene either directly or completely anonymously. Putting an end to sexual violence may seem like a far-reaching goal, but if we all do our parts as actively-caring citizens, we can put a stop to this epidemic in significant ways.
Be safe and be smart, MC out.
Like what you see?
Story by:
McCarly Thompson, junior psychology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
The following URL is a link to RAINN’s official website where you can find more information on sexual awareness/assault prevention: https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline
Beyond the Classroom: Biomedical Art and Visualization Major Emerson Harman on Starting Queer Voices Project
Today’s “Beyond the Classroom” features Emerson Harman, a freshman who has already joined numerous on-campus organizations. They also launched the “Queer Voices” Project, aimed at spreading awareness and showing the presence of the LGBTQIA+ community at Rowan.
Freshman Wisconsin native Emerson Harman has not hesitated to get involved on campus in this first couple of months of the semester. They’ve already joined Rowan’s Wind Ensemble, the Biology Club, the Biomedical Art and Visualization club and PRISM. Being part of all these organizations already is a huge head start for a freshman, and the crazy part is that none of these is even Emerson’s most impressive accomplishment at Rowan so far.
Emerson started “Queer Voices,” which involves interviewing (and photographing) Rowan faculty and students who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community and uploading the content to the Queer Voices website. Emerson meets with students, faculty and alumni to ask various questions relating to Rowan’s LGBTQIA+ community and other related topics.
Emerson says the “whole goal of [the project] is to raise awareness and presence of the LGBT community on campus.”
Emerson is hoping that word of mouth will help grow Queer Voices into something bigger. It is only November, and they already have content on the website from seven faculty members, nine students and two alumni.
“It started off with just faculty … and then it grew, and other students heard about it and were like, ‘Hey, can I get involved too?’” Emerson explains.
With the current state of the pandemic and social distancing still being enforced, it is not an easy time to make new friends in a new place. When Emerson was asked about how difficult this is, they did not act like it was a huge issue.
“I think there has been a lot of good programming from the university itself for new freshmen. Even though most things are virtual, I’ve still been able to meet a lot of people both in my dorm and in classes,” Emerson says.
Emerson decided to go to Rowan all the way from Wisconsin because of their major. Emerson is a Biomedical Art and Visualization major, which is only offered at three schools in the country, Rowan being one of them. It is likely that the atmosphere and culture in Glassboro is much different than that of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, but Emerson has seemingly adjusted quickly.
“It feels like a small university but at the same time it’s obviously not. It’s really close to a lot of major cities too which is nice,” Emerson says.
Click here to visit Queer Voices.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Luke Garcia, junior music industry major
Photography by:
Quintin Stinney, sophomore radio/TV/film major
Unplug
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.
Turning on the TV or opening up the News app nowadays can feel like a chore. Or the opposite could be true — it may bring a sense of control.
Developing obsessive news checking behaviors is a common phenomenon, moreso now than ever. People want to remain informed as often as possible. Nobody wants to be the “last to know” or be seen as “uneducated.” However, constantly having a stream of news media, oftentimes not good news, can be anxiety inducing.
According to a clinical psychologist at McLean Hospital, Jacqueline Bullis, Ph.D., “staying glued to the television or constantly refreshing our social media feeds may help us feel slightly less anxious in the short term. These behaviors ultimately have the opposite effect.” (Bullus, J. (2020, April 21).
While it’s important to stay up to date in order to continuously be aware of how to protect yourselves and others, it’s not necessary to stay plugged in all hours of the day. It may be beneficial to designate an amount of time it’s okay to check the news per day, or set aside a specific time slot when reading the news is acceptable.
Limiting exposure to news media outlets may be a key component to self preserving mental health. Not engaging in news-related conversation or viewing all hours of the day does not make someone uneducated, but rather is vital to self preservation. It’s important to set boundaries with friends, family and peers when it comes to these discussions since they can be incredibly emotionally draining.
While it is tempting to be up to date all day, the news will be there at the end of the day, or early the next morning if one wishes to consume it. The amazing aspect of technology is that things online don’t disappear: people aren’t missing out if they don’t click the notification on their phone for the newest Covid-19 update right away.
Put the phone on Do Not Disturb and take a break.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Angela Colo, junior psychology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
Beyond the Classroom: Generation Action’s Rowan Chapter President, Alexis Thompson
Today we feature Alexis Thompson, who goes by Lex, from Lawnside, NJ (Camden County). They are a senior, first-generation college student and Psychology major with a minor in Africana Studies and a focus on reproductive justice. Lex transferred to Rowan from Hampton University in Spring of 2018. Lex tells us about Generation Action, what their […]
DE to NJ: Biochemistry Major Catie Cordell
Today we feature Catie Cordell, a junior Biochemistry major with a Psychology minor. Catie is a first-generation student from Middletown, DE. She is involved with the Women’s Soccer team, Flying First task force and Pre-Health Society. What are some fun off-campus things to do within 20 minutes of Rowan on this side of the bridge? […]
2020: A Year To Remember
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.
2020 … a year of missing stars, murder hornets, Kobe Bryant’s passing, Chadwick Boseman’s (Black Panther) passing and many, many more.
This year has been filled with so many ups and downs that it has easily become one of the hardest years for a lot of people. According to the CDC, COVID 19 has infected 6.9 million people so far and has taken the lives of 216,000* people in the United States alone.
My first experience with the virus was one night in mid-February; my friends and I were all sitting around talking and laughing about basketball, unaware of what was to come. Days prior, whispers of schools shutting down were quickly moving through university, but since we were not affected yet we did not really understand what was going on.
Until we got the news that the NBA (National Basketball League) had suspended its season indefinitely. I know it might not seem like it was a big issue, but for sophomores in college who played and watched basketball almost every day, this was BIG news. We did not really understand that this was just the beginning of what was to come.
Everything else happened so fast that I could not really catch my breath. All I knew was that one day I was back home taking Organic Chem 2 in the living room of my home while my mom was making food in the kitchen.
As a student, having your life change so drastically in the midst of all that was happening was one of the most stressful things to ever happen to me. Having to stay home and do nothing for hours except eat, sleep, watch TV and maybe go get groceries — then repeat the same thing the next day —was a big struggle, a struggle that millions of students all over the world have been going through. I was left with thoughts, decisions and problems that I had avoided for months and now, I had to face them head-on before they ate me alive. Waking up in the morning, getting out of bed, finding something productive to do became a struggle.
But we all got through it, we pushed on and made the impossible possible.
Even though this pandemic lifestyle is starting to become normal, the struggles of one’s life changing so drastically, almost losing one’s identity and not knowing who we are anymore are still very real struggles that we all deal with in our everyday lives. But we will push on; this is the time that we use to grow and discover new things about ourselves. This is the time when we grow closer to our families and fix relational mistakes that were made years ago. This is the time when we grow as brothers, sisters, friends and good people. This is the time that we rediscover picnics and taking walks in the park and taking the time in our day to just breath and fully live in the moment.
According to an article from John Hopkins Medicine, mindfulness can reduce stress and you do this by sitting quietly and just focusing on your breathing and enjoying the moment.
We as a generation are a different breed, we are not like those before us, we do things differently and that is OK. We have been through a lot, but we are still here, fighting and causing change in our everyday lives. And as long as we do not give up or quit on ourselves, we will continue to grow stronger each and every day.
* as of publishing date
Like what you see?
Story by:
David Malomo, junior biological sciences major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
Citation:
McGuire, Joseph F. “Stressed About COVID-19? Here’s What Can Help.” Stressed About COVID-19? Here’s What Can Help | Johns Hopkins Medicine, John Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/stressed-about-covid19-heres-what-can-help.
Rowan’s Business Certificate, MBA Programs an Ideal Pairing for Marc Castrillon, Future HR Pro
Today we feature Marc Castrillon, a Rowan Global student pursuing his master’s degree in business administration (MBA). Here, Marc talks about his Rowan experience and how completing the Business Certificate of Graduate Study launched him into the MBA program and, soon, a dream career.
Marc Castrillon didn’t envision himself in a Rowan MBA cohort when he first entered the Rohrer College of Business as an undergraduate just five short years ago. Yet by this spring, he will have amassed three degrees, one certificate of graduate study, two field experiences and numerous professional connections through a student leadership role.
He’s now confidently on his way to a career in human resources management. “If I knew what I know now, two years ago, or a year ago, I would have had even less hesitation and been even more excited for the graduate program,” he says.
Marc’s graduate journey began with a major change as a business undergrad. He arrived to the Rowan as a Marketing major. In speaking with his sister, whose career is in human resources, and others in the profession, Marc discovered he was interested in the same line of work. After taking HR-intensive courses, Marc added the Human Resources Management major to his undergraduate degree in Management.
With a path in motion, Marc initially researched human resources advanced degrees to build upon his knowledge base; but he discovered other area HR master’s programs were “three or four times the price and a lot of extra requirements.”
Casting a wider net, Marc found an option with Rowan Global’s Business Certificate of Graduate Study (COGS), which checked off a few boxes. He took the required five courses and, upon admittance into the MBA, transferred the credits into its larger, broader business degree. The accelerated pace of just 15 credits also meant Marc could complete the program quickly, which he says he felt compelled to do soon after graduation.
“At the time, I was already on a roll with school, and I was performing at a really high pace and getting good grades. I didn’t want to go and work for a few years and then come back and lose that momentum,” he says.
Through the COGS program, students who apply and are accepted into Rowan’s MBA may enter without a standardized test requirement — an admissions component Marc also appreciated. “I knew that if I went through the COGS program, and I performed as well as I had been doing in my undergraduate, I wouldn’t have to take the GMAT. And I did not want to take off three to six or … however many months it would take for me to prepare for that test. So that was a major factor in me deciding to go straight into my graduate program,” he explains.
Marc’s choice to pursue the broader Rowan MBA paid off in other ways as well; he’s taken classes outside his human resources track and notes faculty are quick to deliver on new courses based on student feedback he may not have had access to in a more narrow program.
“I think how wide the scale the classes are in the MBA program really shows how much the school cares about its students,” he says. “They recently added entrepreneurship courses that were not previously available — and they became available because a lot of students have been asking for entrepreneurship-type courses.”
The College of Business has tapped Marc to serve as the inaugural Director of Community and Membership for the Rohrer Graduate Student and Alumni Advisory Board. According to its website, “Members are actively engaged in academics and shared community connections that elevate the student experience and the reputation of Rohrer Graduate Programs.”
In this new role, Marc has leveraged his business skills to lead recruiting, outreach and engagement efforts. He also co-manages a lively LinkedIn account for MBA and M.S. in Finance students and alumni. He enjoys his new position as it closely aligns with his future goals.
“It’s really good for someone who is working within human resources recruiting and retaining membership,” Marc says. “That’s a big component of it — networking events. For now we’re trying to work on online networking events. But I would [also] love the opportunity to create a networking event in person.”
A pandemic has not slowed down Marc’s year-long internship experience with the healthcare company LabCorp, where he is learning to determine executive and sales compensation for employees at the vice president level or above both domestically and abroad.
“I don’t know if I want to stay in compensation; there are other parts of human resources that I want to get into. So following my MBA, I want to get SHRM [Society of Human Resource Management] certification,” Marc says.
Zeroing in on his future, Marc is acutely aware of the importance networking and professional connections have played in his academic life. Until entering the graduate program, he says: “I didn’t realize how much farther [faculty] are willing to go with you to make sure that you succeed.
“Even if it’s outside of their office hours, they will sit with you after class and they’ll explain a problem to you. And they make everybody feel welcome … the whole graduate program feels very inclusive, which to my understanding with my friends who are in other graduate programs, I don’t know if they can say the same.”
Like what you see?
LEARN MORE
Beyond The Classroom: Musical Theatre, RTF Double Major Shows Support For the Filipinx Community by Organizing a Talent Showcase For Charity
Today, we speak to Faith Lynn Diccion, a junior Musical Theatre and Radio/ TV/ Film double major from Egg Harbor Township, NJ (Atlantic County). She currently lives on campus in the Rowan Boulevard Apartments. She tells us more about her work this past summer with the nonprofit organization EmbraceRace and how she put together a Filipinx talent showcase for charity.
First, how did you find Rowan?
I found Rowan after being scouted at the NJ Thespian Festival by one of the theatre professors my senior year of high school. I had never really thought about Rowan as a theatre school, but I was instantly captivated by the faculty and campus. So, I was eager to come and audition at the school.
Why did you choose your major?
Growing up, I loved participating in theatre productions and singing. I just found it natural to pursue what I loved as a kid in college. Watching Disney movies when I was younger also left a big impression on me and gave me a push toward a career in performance and art creation.
What is EmbraceRace? How did you get involved?
EmbraceRace is a nonprofit organization that provides resources to parents, teachers and all in order to help raise children in a community based on acceptance, understanding and equity. From March 2016-2020, EmbraceRace has published 170+ articles from many storytellers, 34 Talking Kids & Race webinars with over 9K registrants per session, 30K+ email subscribers and 90K+ Facebook fans, and partnerships with well-known organizations such as The American Psychological Association and The Prejudice and Intergroup Relations Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
I happened to stumble upon EmbraceRace’s website while researching for organizations to donate to for my final project with the DIAL National Fellowship with Metro Arts Nashville under Americans for the Arts.
At the time, I was brainstorming ideas for what causes I was most interested in supporting. In light of the surge in BLM protests and rallies, I wanted to show my support as well. Also, the slogan for EmbraceRace is “Raising a Brave Generation.” It really resonated within me and further strengthened my resolve to donate.
I organized this showcase to show support not only for my Filipinx community and heritage, but also for the BLM movement that paved the way for all of the following minorities to come to America.
How did you go about finding the talent for the showcase?
Finding the talent was super fun. All I had to do was reach out to my network of friends and acquaintances to see who would be interested in participating, and it all just happened to work out somehow. Some of the talents I know very well, and some of them I had never even met before. Still, we are all connected to each other. So it was really uplifting to be able to reach out to these wonderful performers and ask them to share their talents for a special cause.
What was a typical day like working with EmbraceRace?
Because this was an individual project under my Fellowship, I did not work exclusively with EmbraceRace to accomplish this. When the fundraising timeframe ends, I will personally send the money raised as a one-time donation on the EmbraceRace website. As of [early September], our goal of $500 has been met. But because we are still accepting donations, we are still receiving donations and have exceeded our goal by a substantial amount.
Any advice to students looking to get involved with EmbraceRace or advice in general?
Browsing their official website is a great place to start. They even have volunteer opportunities available for people looking for more active roles in the organization. Also, their donation button has options to either donate as an individual or set-up up a fundraiser. The individual donation option fit the best with my showcase’s structure, so I opted out of creating a fundraiser directly though the organization. All in all, EmbraceRace is a wonderful nonprofit with useful resources and a great community open to discussion, so I highly recommend checking them out!
Like what you see?
LEARN MORE
Story by:
Bianca Torres, senior music industry major
Photos provided by:
Faith Lynn Diccion, musical theatre and RTF double major
Header photo courtesy of:
Unsplash
5 Ways I’ve Gotten Involved on Campus
College isn’t complete without getting involved to make campus feel like home. Here are 5 ways Loredonna Fiore, a junior Public Relations and Advertising major, did it.
1. Joining Residential Learning and University Housing (RLUH).
As a commuter during my freshman year, I didn’t know how to feel more connected to campus. A friend of mine who was an RA asked me to go to an information session to look further into the position. I applied, interviewed and thankfully got the RA position. As a sophomore, I found where I belonged on campus. I got to work with amazing student leaders, supportive professional staff and got to connect with wonderful freshman residents (shoutout to Chestnut Hall Class of 2023). I am now the Assistant Resident Director of Mimosa Hall, and I am learning and growing in this new role alongside my awesome team. RLUH has taught me the power of impact and how each of us can make a difference, big or small.
2. Being an admissions ambassador.
When I applied to be an admissions ambassador, I learned so many things about Rowan that made me love it even more. Getting to learn about Rowan’s history, all of the resources we offer and working with the professional staff was an awesome experience. I loved helping prospective students and giving them a glimpse of Rowan.
3. Becoming an Orientation Leader.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, I wasn’t able to put all that I learned in PROS training to the test. I am looking forward to doing so next summer (hopefully). From what I did get to experience, I know that I am excited to go back to it. During training, I enjoyed learning about my staff and how we would operate as a team. I can’t wait to get to work with and help freshmen students.
4. Interning with Rowan Blog.
I was able to apply for my internship because of my Introduction to Public Relations professor. Professor Farney would always talk about real-life examples from her work with Rowan Admissions. I reached out to her in the summer to see if there were spaces available on her team, and she welcomed me with open arms. This is an awesome way to get involved on campus — using the connections you form in your classes and seeing them through to opportunities. Now, I get to meet so many great students and faculty members and expand my portfolio every week. Take advantage of these opportunities.
5. Attending Events.
Throughout my college experience so far, I have been able to attend events that make Rown feel like home. I love watching Rowan men’s soccer games and attending the live shows at the Bunce Black Box theatre. I also love going to the events put on by Rowan After Hours and the Student University Programmers. Some of my favorites are the Tuesday movie nights, $10,000 bingo and the food truck festival. You can meet people and have fun with your friend at these free Rowan events.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Loredonna Fiore, junior public relations and advertising major
Photography by:
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
Rowan Student Leaders Alexa Bassano, Sydney Ramos and JT Kurtz Share Their Insights
Read firsthand accounts from three Rowan students who talk about the benefits of their on-campus leadership positions.
First up is Alexa Bassano, a junior Biological Science major from Brick Township, NJ (Monmouth County). Alexa is a Resident Assistant at Mimosa Hall, a member of Rowan Emergency Medical Services and the Director of Collegiate Alumnae Engagement of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. She explains: “Each role has benefited me in a different way. Now more than ever, people are thanking me for my service with EMS. As an RA, my residents tell me how much they appreciate me referring them to resources or just showing them where a building is. To me, those little things are just me doing my job, but that gratification reminds me I am a part of something bigger. Being involved and helping people just makes me so happy, whether it comes with a ‘thank you’ or not.”
Next, Sydney Ramos is a junior Human Services major from East Brunswick, NJ (Middlesex County). When talking about her role as a student leader, she shared her experience from the very beginning. “Overall, I have to thank Res Life for making me the leader I am today. As a freshman, I really kept to myself and didn’t explore what options were out there for me. But as soon as I found RLUH, I knew I was where I needed to be: in a family atmosphere with amazing people I really respect.” Sydney is a Resident Assistant at Mimosa Hall and a new member of the United Latinos Association.
JT Kurtz, a senior Computer Science major from Egg Harbor Township, NJ (Atlantic County), is also heavily involved on campus. He is the Assistant Resident Director of Nexus Properties, a learning assistant for the Computer Science department, a researcher in the Psychology department, and a member of the Filipino Club. “In all of my roles, I want to be a valuable resource for the people around me,” he says. “I want to push people to be the best they can be and get them to success. By coming up with innovative ways to work and help others, I get to learn and grow every day.”
Like what you see?
Story by:
Loredonna Fiore, junior public relations and advertising major
Photography by:
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
Junior Major Moments: Alex Marzocca Gains Confidence for a Career in Finance and Accounting
Today we feature double major in Finance and Accounting, Alex Marzocca from Cherry Hill, NJ (Camden County).
Can you share your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes?
My favorite experience with a faculty member is with my finance professor, Joseph Henry. His method of teaching is the best I’ve ever experienced. He reinforced everything explained during lectures with math-based examples on Excel. Not only that, he also allowed me to assist him with his Excel-based finance research. It was a fantastic learning experience for me!
What is the most amazing or interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year?
The most interesting thing I learned in my major this year was the complexity involved in pricing a stock option. The scholastic calculus combined with the statistics included in the model are quite intricate especially, when the equation is extrapolated.
What pre-professional experiences are helping to support your growth?
A pre-professional experience that helped support my growth is the internship I had with a boutique real estate investment bank over winter break. I was made aware of the opportunity through a personal connection, and my time there provided me with hands-on finance and real-estate experience.
The experience will certainly be helpful as I begin my search for full-time employment. More importantly, it instilled a confidence in me that I have the skills needed to contribute and be a valuable member of a professional team.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Melanie Sbaraglio, recent public relations and advertising graduate
Photos courtesy of:
Alex Marzocco
Beyond the Classroom: Katelyn Rapp’s PR, Foreign Language Skills Help Her Give Back to Her Community
Today, we feature Public Relations major and senior Katelyn Rapp, a commuter from Pennsville, NJ (Salem County) and first-generation college student. Katelyn recently started interning for the nonprofit organization Miracle for Mateo. She’s also on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using her Spanish translation skills, Katelyn helps out her area’s testing site. Here, she tells us a little more about her experiences and how she’s helping her community.
Tell us more about your public relations internship.
I am currently working with Miracle for Mateo, a nonprofit that I have been familiar with since they started up 10 years ago. I actually got involved with them during this past semester because I was doing a couple PR and nonprofit related classwork.
Miracle for Mateo provides financial support for families with dependent children who: have complex congenital heart disease or life-threatening illness and are struggling through a lengthy hospitalization, waiting for an organ transplant, or living at home on hospice care.
I realized during a rhetorical analysis of their website that it was quite outdated and gave the impression that they were no longer a functioning NPO. I knew one of the board members personally, and I reached out to her to see if she would be open to some changes.
Before COVID started, I went to her house and we talked about all the changes needed. After some approval from the board I was able to rewrite all the body copy for the website, choose updated photos, recreate some graphics with InDesign and now we are about two weeks away from the new website going live!
Was there any Rowan affiliation?
As far as I know there is no affiliation with Rowan, but I actually think it could be a great idea to create some type of affiliation. They have some small projects that impact people on a great scale (of course I may be a bit biased). Can tab collections and food drives that benefit the families who are by their child’s side in the hospital are two of their longest-running projects that require a bit less ‘in person work’ but make a huge difference for the organization and their families.
How did you find the opportunity?
I found the opportunity by reaching out to one of the board members I knew personally. I grew up with her kids, and seeing if the organization would consider letting me help. In my ADV/PR Writing course I had to choose an organization to ‘write for’ throughout the semester, and I thought it would be a personal challenge to write for a NPO since all of my internship experience is in oil refineries and transportation. I also decided to analyze their website in my Writing for the NonProfit class since I was already writing a pretend backgrounder and had so much information on the organization. I found the website was outdated and generally needed some work, and although I know I am nowhere near an expert, I thought I might be able to help.
How did you get involved in your county’s COVID-19 response?
My mom works for the Salem County Department of Health, and so naturally when COVID hit, she and her coworkers became the response team for my county. Soon enough, my county opened up a COVID testing site, and it became apparent that my county’s Hispanic population was getting hit harder than others. My mom and her coworkers had become contact tracers/COVID test site nurses and were trying to speak what little Spanish they could to communicate. I wrote up a little speech for my mom to use when she called someone to speak with them about results or the test site and they only spoke Spanish. When she came home, she told me the whole department was using it! She also told me that her boss was interested in seeing if I would volunteer at the test site as a translator. The next week I did my fit test, and the day after I went to the test site.
Tell us more about your skills as a translator and how that’s helped in your county’s COVID response.
My skills as a translator allowed me to check in patients at the drive-up clinic, give them instructions on what to expect in the barns (testing area/hot zone), and if they had not signed up for testing before that day give them information on how and where to be screened before coming to the test site for a COVID test. I was also able to help the nurses/contact tracers by writing up some helpful Spanish phrases and a small script, which would allow them to explain who they were and that they would call back with a translator.
What are you looking forward to this semester or in the future?
I think I am looking forward to the same things as most students now, I would love to see a safe return to campus to continue my classes. This upcoming semester I am also starting the 4+1 (CAPD Program) Public Relations/Strategic Communication program, so I will start working towards my master’s while finishing my bachelor’s. Personally, I am really looking forward to traveling internationally again. I was planning on a couple of trips this year, but unfortunately traveling isn’t an option right now.”
Like what you see?
Story by:
Bianca Torres, senior music industry major
Photos provided by:
Katelyn Rapp
Junior Major Moments: Studying Abroad and More with International Studies Major Alexander Rossen
Today, we speak to Alex Rossen, an International Studies major with Jewish Studies and Sociology minors from Westfield, NJ (Union County). Now a senior, Alex is also an on-campus resident who lives in the Townhouses. He tells us more about his junior year and his favorite Rowan moments.
Could you share your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes?
My favorite memory with a faculty member would have to be with Professor Manning. I first met him my freshman year when I started as an intern working for him, and he’s been a huge mentor for me ever since.
In summer 2019, Dr. Manning led the Rowan Study Abroad trip on Holocaust Memory, which I was on. One day, Dr. Manning was chatting with me and a couple of other students on the trip, and he jokingly said, “Just so you all know, Alex is my favorite student.”
What is the most amazing or interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year?
I guess I would have to say the most amazing thing I’ve learned this year was meeting [Canadian military officer] General Romeo Dallaire when he came to give the annual CHSS Lecture. I was volunteering to help set up the event and got the chance to meet him before his speech. I really admired his work as a peacekeeping leader in Rwanda and as an advocate for human rights.
When I asked him how he handled all the indifference, ignorance and extremism he’d seen throughout his career, his answer was pretty simple, but also very powerful. He just said, “Don’t blink, stand your ground, young man.”
What pre-professional experiences are helping to support your growth?
I think my time interning for the Rowan Center for the Study of Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights (RCHGHR) was one of the greatest experiences in pre-professional growth I’ve been lucky to have. I applied and got accepted into this internship through the CHSSMatch program. In addition to that internship, I serve as treasurer for the RCHGHR Student Association and am now also starting out as Secretary for the College Democrats at Rowan and Multimedia Editor for The Whit.
All these experiences have helped me work toward personal and professional goals that I feel passionate about in areas like photography and human rights awareness. They’ve also helped me develop as a leader and build valuable professional skills.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Bianca Torres, senior music industry major
Photos courtesy of:
Alex Rossen
Junior Major Moments: Law and Justice Studies Major Matthew McGrath Talks Internships and Research Opportunities
Today we feature rising senior Law and Justice Studies major Matthew McGrath. Matthew is a Resident Assistant in the Whitney Center from Middletown, NJ (Monmouth County).
Could you share your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes?
Over the course of three years I have completed at Rowan, my favorite experience is a more recent one. During the fall semester of my junior year, I took a class called “Critical Issues in American Law Enforcement.” Dr. Evan Sorg was the instructor for this course; I had taken an introductory Law & Justice course with him during my freshman year.
Dr. Sorg’s class relies heavily on research conducted within the criminal justice field, and I was often interested in the articles we were required to read for class. This course got me engaged in research and provided me with a more academic approach to law & justice. This past spring, Dr. Sorg reached out to me and subsequently offered me a research assistant position.
Dr. Sorg and I are currently working together in order to create a systematic review of immigration enforcement and the impact it has on crime in America. Not only is the work fulfilling, but Dr. Sorg is an awesome advisor and has definitely become one of my role models in the field of criminal justice research.
What is the most amazing or interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year?
Prior to enrolling in some of the higher-level courses Rowan has to offer, I held the notion that Law & Justice relies primarily on the information presented in textbooks. This, however, is incorrect, as I have learned in Dr. Sorg’s classes as well as in other criminal justice research-oriented courses. Research is a constantly-evolving field that requires dedicated attention to detail. While others may find it to be a bit dry, I am intrigued by criminal justice research and the opportunities it may lend me moving forward.
What pre-professional experiences are helping to support your growth?
One pre-professional experience that has definitely supported my growth is an internship I completed with the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender this past spring. As a Drug Court System Navigator with the NJOPD, I had the opportunity to collaborate with over 150 Gloucester County Drug Court participants to ensure they act in accordance with probation guidelines. I was also responsible for reaching out to local businesses with the goal of providing Drug Court participants with employment as well as assisting them with essential matters including healthcare and housing.
Not only did this internship provide me with a quality professional experience that will greatly benefit me moving forward, but it was also a fulfilling position that I looked forward to every single day. I learned a significant amount during my time with the NJOPD and this experience also introduced me to the field of social work, which is something I am now considering for my future.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Rachel Rumsby, sophomore communication studies and public relations double major
Junior Major Moments: Theatre Major Caitlin Alvarez on Her Most Memorable Class and an Apprenticeship
Today we speak to Caitlin Alvarez, a senior Theatre major from Dallas, TX. Caitlin is an on-campus resident who lived in 114 Victoria during her junior year at Rowan.
Could you share your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes?
I’ve had so many amazing moments in my classes, but I think the most memorable overall was my Acting 1 class sophomore year. Professor Michael Dean Morgan is a terrific teacher and mentor, and I’ve learned a lot from him in the two years we’ve worked together.
What is the most amazing or interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year?
I’m definitely a lot more confident now than I was in my freshman year or even sophomore year. This year I was able to let go of a lot of my insecurities and understand myself and my body much better, and a lot of that came from the classes I took.
What pre-professional experiences are helping to support your growth?
Last summer, I did an apprenticeship at Barrington Stage Company, which helped me grow tremendously. I got to understudy a role in a professional show and work with lots of professional performers, directors and musicians. It helped me realize not only that a career as a theatre artist was very much tangible, but that I was capable of a lot more than I had previously thought I was.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Rachel Rumsby, rising sophomore communication studies and public relations double major
Meet #Rowan2024: Radio/TV/Film Major Allison Bruce
Meet future freshman Radio/ TV/Film major Allison Bruce. Allison is excited to become a Rowan student and hopes to get involved in a music program.
What is something you’re looking forward to next year at Rowan?
I am looking forward to meeting new people and all of my professors.
What is one activity, club, sport or hobby that you did in high school that you’d like to continue with at Rowan?
I would like to find a way to continue being a part of the music program. I was in percussion ensemble in high school and I would love to continue that!
How or why did you choose your major?
I was honestly not sure what I was going to major in until last summer when my sister got me an internship with her friend at Bridgeport Speedway. I was assisting him in filming the races there, and it was so much fun so I decided to be a Radio/TV/Film major!
How did you get to know campus?
I attended an open house to get to know campus, I have friends that have taken me to a few places around campus. I am excited to keep learning about Rowan.
What music do you like?
I really like music and I listen to just about everything. The only genre that I don’t like as much would be heavy metal.
Night owl or morning person?
I am such a night owl. I stay up way too late way too often!
Why Rowan?
I chose Rowan because I have a few friends here already, but the program and atmosphere seemed really helpful and accommodating. I can’t wait to start this fall!
Like what you see?
Story by:
Melanie Sbaraglio, public relations and advertising graduate
Photos contributed by:
Allison Bruce
Beyond the Classroom: Up in the Air with Mechanical Engineering Major and Pilot Jay Petersen
Today, we speak to Jay Petersen, a sophomore Mechanical Engineering major from Edison, NJ (Middlesex County). Jay is an on-campus resident and a fourth-generation college student! Jay tells us more about himself, his major and when he’s not in the classroom, his passion for flying.
How did you find Rowan?
My parents had me work with college counselors my Junior year of high school and they really encouraged me to focus on a school that matches my personality and interests. I had the chance to attend Purdue but being born and raised in NJ, I’m very rooted here. Rowan also felt more like home. The campus wasn’t overwhelming, the staff was incredibly nice and welcoming. It was an experience that made me feel very comfortable. I didn’t experience that same attention and sincereness from the other big schools. At Rowan I’m not just a number but I’m a member of a community — especially with the honors program I’m in!
Why did you choose your major?
Ever since I was young I knew I wanted to be an engineer like my dad. It’s all I’ve been around my whole life and his work motivated me to explore this option further. I contemplated a focus in medicine but in the end, engineering just aligned more to my interests.
How did you come to find your interest in flying? Did anyone push you in the right direction?
It all really started with a test flight that my parents gifted me for my 17th birthday but aeronautics has always fascinated me. Whether it’s figuring out how they put a plane together or actually getting it in the air, the whole process is intriguing. Who knows, I may end up using my degree to get into that field long term, but flying just seemed like a natural skill to obtain. Something about knowing you’re in control of this machine and figuring out how to get yourself off the ground is amazing.
Do you fly over campus often?
Yes, I try to fly by about once a month. I also try to do as many cross-country flights as possible. That’s when you fly from one airport to another that is at least 75 miles away. This gives me practice in my communications with air traffic control for neighboring commercial airports. The further you can fly in one trip, the more confident you feel.
What’s the best part about becoming a pilot?
It’s a sense of accomplishment and the freedom to go wherever I want without the Jersey traffic! Knowing I can achieve this and pass a six-hour FAA exam makes me feel like I can do much more in life. Sky’s the limit! (pun intended).
Any advice to students or those looking into getting a private pilot license or learning to fly?
Find the right school. Having an instructor that is committed to you and your goal is very important. Also make sure you are going to be able to invest the time and money. I was very fortunate to have my parents support me financially and mentally so that really did help me get through it. It’s not easy to balance this goal with school so try to do it in your summer months.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Bianca Torres, senior music industry major
Photos provided by:
Jay Petersen, sophomore mechanical engineering major
Beyond the Classroom: Music Education Major Mike Massaro Directs Two Local High School Bands
Meet Mike Massaro, a recent Music Education graduate and commuter from Swedesboro, NJ (Gloucester County). He had the great opportunity to take his musical skills outside of the classroom and was able to direct the jazz band and marching band at a local high school. He tells us more about his experience and his passion for music education.
Four years ago, every single person I knew was telling me, “All of the opportunities and resources are there, you just have to choose to use them.” Genuinely, it probably took me until my 7th semester to truly understand what that meant. However, I had been surfing the opportunities of Rowan University since the first day I stepped on the campus.
Music Education is considered a double major at RU — music and education. Because of this, my program involves being a student of both the College of Performing Arts and College of Education (two degrees, two commencement ceremonies, etc).
The most amazing aspect of this has been being able to learn from and collaborate with my student colleagues and the incomparable faculty from both colleges. Being around other people who want to see you learn is what truly can put your college education to the next level.
I’m going to be very real here: more than likely, you will graduate. You will get the paper. At the end of the day, many will earn that paper, but the paper isn’t what matters in the end. It’s the education that went INTO the paper. What can YOU do to make what is very likely to be your most enriching 4+ years of education as educational as possible for YOU?
As an educator, my belief on this is very firm and was inspired by one of our CPA adjunct professors, Mr. Gerry DeLoach. The passion for what it is that you are teaching is what will drive you forward as an educator. Your knowledge and ability in your specific subject or field is what makes you tick. It is so important to keep that flare to learn alive. What you do in your field sets your ability for what you can do as a teacher. How tall will you let that ceiling be?
Here’s a short story. I was offered a very rare opportunity to direct a marching band and jazz band at a local school, Woodstown High School, while still completing my undergrad. By my sophomore year I was directing the jazz band, and junior year I was directing the marching band. It was a dream come true come early — teaching real students.
The program showed success very quickly. One of my beliefs when it comes to teaching is that the best way to learn how to teach is to teach. I wanted to do as much as I could for this school’s music program. It seemed like every day I was at Rowan, speaking to my professors about teaching strategies, learning more about music, and sharing and listening to stories; then in the evening, I would go put it all into practice when I taught for real. One of my biggest focuses through my undergrad was on making this program grow, because I knew that the more I was able to learn as a musician and a teacher, the more I would be able to teach these students. I think it is very important as a teacher to learn from your students, as they can teach us far more than we can teach them. I certainly learned so much from them.
Rowan let me learn from these students.
If it wasn’t for the education that I received every day, the conversations and performing experiences that I had, I would have never had anything fresh to offer my students. I’ve had professors come out to Woodstown on their own time to give clinics to the bands and watch me teach. What the faculty has to offer is truly unmatched. Rowan is a growing school that still has a small school feel where it matters the most — in the classroom.
The professors here care for you and want to watch YOU learn. We don’t have massive educational lectures. We have conversations about the real world and how you can make it better. In my teaching, I can directly categorize aspects of individual professors that have molded so many aspects of my musicianship and teaching.
Thanks for making it to the bottom of my text blob. I have one more blurb. My trumpet professor, Dr. Bryan Appleby-Wineberg, once said, “You can’t change the whole world at once, but you can start by changing your corner of it.” Dr. AW’s belief about education is one that should resonate with all of us. Educators are at the center of any community. The educators teach the students, the students graduate, the students get jobs, contribute to our workforce, grow the economy — the students become the doctors, entertainers, designers, chefs, researchers who allow our community to grow. It all starts at the educator.
The educators are the students. The students are the educators. Be the best one you can be and take the opportunity. We are profs. Eruditio spes mundi — education, hope of the world.
If I knew my last time riding back from the student center on my skateboard holding my box of hot pulled pork with a piece of cornbread and a cup of red Gatorade would be my last time, I probably would have done it again. Remember that when you get nervous, it’s because you care.
Junior Major Moments: Modern Languages and Linguistics Major Charisse N. Watts
Today we feature Modern Languages and Linguistics major Charisse N. Watts from Plainfield, NJ (Union County). Charisse is a transfer student and lived on-campus in 220 Rowan Blvd. before COVID-19 shut down campus.
Could you share your favorite moment with a faculty member of a favorite experience in one of your classes?
One of my fondest memories was attending a summit in Washington D.C. for the weekend for my Model African Union course led by Professor Lauren Anderson.
What is the most amazing or interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year?
Make sure you ask the right questions of your advisors when choosing your major so you make sure everything is lined up properly for the next four years.
What pre-professional experiences are helping to support your growth?
Thanks to the help of Professor Benjamin Dworkin and Rowan Institute for Public Policy Citizenship (RIPPAC), I was able to land three internship opportunities. I interned for the Office of Assemblyman Daniel R. Benson (14th Legislative District, Hamilton), The New Jersey State League of Municipalities and the Camden County Democratic Committee.
Ever since joining Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated I was able to connect with sisters and mentors who continue to help learn more about different backgrounds and cultures, which I believe is essential to know before entering the workforce.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Melanie Sbaraglio, public relations and advertising graduate
Meet Rowan #2024: Alex Micharski Prepares for a Strong Start at Rowan
Today we feature incoming freshman Alex Micharski, a Computer Science major with a Math minor from Hamilton, NJ (Mercer County).
What is one activity, club, sport or hobby that you did in high school that you’d like to continue with at Rowan? Or something new you’d like to try?
I spent a lot of my time in high school in FIRST Robotics and spent four years on the football team: two years as a player, and due to academic constraints and an internship in my junior and senior years, I became a student manager on the football team, filming games and occasionally calling plays. Although I wasn’t too happy when I had to step down from being a player, I will be graduating high school with 61 college credits with the decision that I made. While I was at the STEM Academy, I had a debut on the morning announcements starting from my freshman year lasting until my junior year, where I cracked jokes over the loudspeaker and laughed harder at my jokes than anybody else.
How/why did you choose your major?
I chose Computer Science to be my major because I have been into programming and information technology since I was 11 years old.
What is something you’re looking forward to next year at Rowan?
Next year at Rowan, I am looking forward to doing many new things. This might surprise you, but I am a boater. My family just bought a new boat and we named it “Unsinkable II.” The best thing about Unsinkable II is the glass bottom, which allows us to see Unsinkable I every time we’re out on the water. I am also hoping to try out some intramural sports like football and lacrosse (I also played lacrosse in high school for a year and spent more time in the penalty box and on the bench for slashes than I did playing). Another thing that I am looking forward to doing at Rowan is looking to run a morning podcast where I talk about life, Rowan events, and stuff going on around us. I also heard about open mic nights on campus, and I might give one a shot.
Why did you choose Rowan?
I chose Rowan University for a few reasons. The first reason is the low tuition. The second reason is because their Computer Science program is about to explode in size. The third reason is because of its location. Rowan is far enough where I can live on my own, but also not too far where if something happened, I could go back home without a problem. And the last reason, which is certainly not the least, is because it’s close to Philadelphia, which is where the Eagles play (sorry Giants fans). I am hoping to meet a lot of new people, learn new things, and see where life takes me.
Like what you see?
LEARN MORE
Photos courtesy of:
Alex Micharski
Pexels
Beyond the Classroom: Future Teacher’s Clinical Practice Radically Changes Due to COVID-19
Today’s “Beyond the Classroom” features Tabitha Dougherty, a recent Rowan graduate. She majored in both elementary education and liberal studies to learn more about her “other passions of history and geography.” From Gloucester City, NJ (Camden County), Tabitha transferred from Camden County College after a career change to enter into the teaching profession. In her words, she shares how the pandemic altered her student teaching year — called a clinical practice — and how she plans to grow from the experience.
I began my journey in education about five years ago. I worked at a call center as a team leader that managed a group of about seven. I realized how much I enjoyed the teaching aspect of this position and made the decision to leave my career behind to further my education into teaching.
Each education class I took connected me with field work. The first few semesters were observations of various schools, where I saw how teachers of differing backgrounds worked within the schools and their classrooms.
Student teachers now participate in a year-long clinical practice. This entails two full days a week in semester one and five full days a week during semester two. In both semesters, it is the teacher candidate’s responsibility to fully immerse themselves in the classroom environment by getting to know the cooperating teacher, the students, the daily routine and what it is really like to be a teacher. If you begin this year long teaching practice in the fall, you get the added benefit of having the same students all year long.
This is the part of the program where you really begin to find out if this is your calling, and for me it is where I discovered that the passion I have to become a teacher is much deeper than I could have ever imagined. My passion is seeing all students succeed and finding different ways in which you can change things around to ensure that every single child gets the same opportunity.
Clinical practice is not easy, nor for the faint of heart, but it is the most rewarding thing I have ever been a part of, and it’s what solidified for me that I made the right career choice. It is my forever choice.
Sadly, my clinical practice was cut short due to the current pandemic. As of [mid-March], I have not been at the school I was assigned and have only been able to see the students through Zoom twice. I was able to create a video of myself reading a story using an interactive program on the Portal by Facebook called Story Time. My cooperating teacher shared this video with the students through their parents’ email.
The current situation really opened my eyes to the lack of technology that some school districts have. The school district I am in did not have a plan set in place for online learning and provided each student with a 10-day paper packet in the hopes it would only be a two-week shutdown.
We now know it has gone on longer than two weeks, and now some students, those with technology at home, are being directed to websites to complete activities that coincide with the standards of their grade level. Since not all students have access to a laptop, computer, or tablet, the district cannot require that all students participate in online learning. This is where the students are getting the short end of the stick and where teachers will be very busy, to put it mildly, next year.
I am hoping that students will come through this stronger than ever and ready to learn, but more importantly, I am hopeful that school districts are looking into a curriculum that is heavier in the use of technology and providing that technology to each student for online learning in the event something like this happens again.
What I take away from this is, I will be making sure that all of my lessons will be available for students online not only in the event of an emergency, but for them to review at home when needed. Not only is the use of technology important for situations such as our current pandemic, but it is the way of the future and plays to multiple levels of intelligence depending on the programs used.
I have never been more motivated to be a teacher and look forward to working in a new era of learning.
Like what you see?
Photos courtesy of:
Tabitha Dougherty, Pexels, Unsplash
Junior Major Moments: Law and Justice Major, Student-Athlete Johnathan Nguyen
Today we feature Johnathan Nguyen, a Law & Justice major from Galloway, NJ (Atlantic County) and a member of Rowan’s Track and Field team. He is a first-generation college student who transferred to Rowan and commuted until COVID-19 shut down campus.
What is one of your favorite moments with a faculty/staff member or a favorite experience in one of your classes?
One of my favorite moments with a faculty or staff member would have to be meeting Coach Dimit. He introduced me to the school and team and made me feel like family the moment I stepped on Rowan’s campus.
What is the most amazing or interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year?
The most interesting thing I learned about this year would have to be in my class “Treatment of the Offender.” You learn so much different material and it wouldn’t be the same without my professor Joel Friedman.
What pre-professional experiences are helping to support your growth?
The internship I will be applying to in spring 2021 is helping me grow as a person and help guide me to be a better person in school. There are guidelines to make for the internship so I would have to keep my GPA up and make sure I have enough credits every semester.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Melanie Sbaraglio, public relations and advertising graduate
#KeepinLocalOpen: Printmaking & Illustration Alum Supports Small Businesses Like Her Own During COVID Crisis
Today we speak with 2008 graduate Courtney Stevenson, who earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Printmaking & Illustration, with a minor in Art History. She and her husband, Justin, also a Rowan alum, started developing their successful screen printing business, Wider Awake, soon after graduation. Now they are working with other local businesses to support their campaign, #KeepinLocalOpen, to raise money to “help keep everyone’s lights on” despite financial losses due to COVID-19.
How did you start your business and spread the word as a recent college graduate?
The short answer is: A website and social media, friends and family, and networking! The long answer: I wanted to make and sell artwork after graduating, so we kept an ear out for local art and craft shows where we felt like my artwork might be a good fit. The first art show that we did post-graduation was at a local taco shop. We sold some artwork, but we also began meeting some great people who we still work with on printing projects. Someone might come up to our booth at an art show and
be interested in our artwork, but also have a personal project that they needed printed.
So while we were making and selling our own work, we were beginning to really build up a client base for custom printing without even realizing it. As many times as we were told in college that networking is incredibly important, we didn’t realize it until years down the line when the people we had been meeting, became our long-time clients and supporters!
Our friends and fellow Rowan graduates have also been a huge inspiration to us and a huge help. Their websites and social media presence were also an inspiration for us, things we quickly realized we needed. And these same friends have also referred our printing services out to others. Other non-art related friends and family members who work at schools or for different businesses began using our print services as well. And then there are the ever-supportive and beloved friends and family who continue to purchase our posters and shirts and spread the word about us on social media. We cannot stress enough how much other people have helped us continue to grow this business. We have put a lot of work into Wider Awake, but spreading the word about the business and garnering support has largely been a group effort!
What’s the story behind the name Wider Awake?
My favorite book growing up was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The name comes from a passage in that book. The idea of Wider Awake is that we are doing something that we love and rather than dulling our senses or putting us to sleep, it makes us feel Wider Awake every day (even though sometimes the work is exhausting). Over time, the print shop has also become a little like my secret garden because I’m often working alone behind its quiet walls. I’m introverted and find great delight in this type of environment. When Justin is in the shop with me, it usually has a much louder and less secretive vibe.
According to your website, you and Justin built your first printing press. Can you tell us more about how the press works, and what inspired you to build your own?
When we graduated from Rowan, [Justin and I] initially moved back into our parent’s houses for a few months. Since I could no longer ride my bicycle over to Westby Hall and use the printmaking facility whenever I pleased and couldn’t afford to rent a studio space, I realized I needed to come up with some way to print from home. Justin is very handy and enjoys a good DIY project on a budget. He researched plans online for a DIY press, which we built in his parent’s backyard in Toms River, NJ. We took over a small room in Justin’s parent’s house as a temporary ‘studio’ space so that I could continue to make custom silkscreen prints.
Simultaneously, Justin began researching other ways to utilize the press so that we could work with customers who might need other items printed, such as reusable bags and shirts. We hoped this might help us generate some additional income so that we could move this operation out of his parent’s house for our sake and his parents’. We still have our DIY press, who we named “Priscilla Press-ley,” but it is no longer a staple in our print shop. Currently, we print on a Riley Hopkins 4 station/4 color manual press (aka “Elvis Press-ley”) that we use for smaller shirt jobs and poster printing and an Anatol Volt 6 color/8 station automatic press (aka “Machine”).
Did you have any transformative experiences and/or instructors at Rowan that inspired you to create your business?
I studied abroad in Florence, Italy for my spring semester of my sophomore year. I cannot recommend this enough. Being flung into a different culture, among new people, a new language and thousands of years of history at the age of 19 was awesome. I would never do it any differently and I would do it a thousand times over!
I loved my professors at Rowan and in the art department. Doc Appelson was my initial motivation for pursuing art as my major. I came into Rowan undecided. It was recommended that I take an art class to see if I wanted to move forward as an artist. Doc taught a drawing class that I was able to get an override into because he is awesome. I love him, he is like a Dad and a grandfather and mentor to every art student.
As my major progressed and I met so many wonderful people, it becomes difficult to narrow it down to just a few great professors. Jen Thwing taught my graphic design and stop motion class, one of my favorites, and she was incredibly knowledgeable, resourceful and supportive. I still follow her amazing work on social media and very much appreciate all of her know-how and help to get things done when I didn’t have a clue. And Nancy Ohanian, my illustration teacher, encouraged me endlessly and was a completely positive pioneer for her students, taking us on amazing field trips and introducing us to friends in the art field. I think a combination of all of these experiences and people helped fuel the fire for persevering in this field and also believing it was possible.
How did #KeepinLocalOpen come to fruition, and what are the goals of this campaign?
We essentially came up with the idea out of a need to drum up business. The idea is that while businesses are struggling because of canceled events and loss of income from store closings, this provides a small (or large in some cases) way to make up for some of the loss.
The spring is by far our busiest time of year, but almost 100% of our work is for large events (park cleanups, races, concerts, art shows, etc.). Almost overnight, all of our orders were either postponed or cancelled [due to the economic fallout of COVID-19]. Justin woke up one morning with the idea of doing a pre-sale fundraiser. We thought that there were lots of people who would be willing to buy a shirt if they knew they would also be supporting someone in need. The same day, we sat in on a screen printing webinar held by a company called PrintAvo about ways to keep your print shop going during difficult economic times. There was some discussion about running pre-sales, but with the idea of marketing it toward local, small businesses. We immediately started adjusting our website, designing and reaching out to people that afternoon.
We have been really amazed by how supportive people have been with this campaign. Its clear that there is strong support for keeping small businesses alive! Our goal is pretty simple at this point: Keep signing people up, keep printing shirts.
How does #KeepinLocalOpen work? What other local businesses are involved?
#KeepinLocalOpen is a fundraising campaign we have been running since the end of March. Essentially, this is a t-shirt fundraiser for small/local businesses, artists, or musicians who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, including Wider Awake. It’s a way for businesses, artists, musicians, and more to sell t-shirts to their supporters without having to put out any money.
Participants send us a design that they would like printed on a t-shirt (i.e. their logo or their artwork). We put together a mock-up for them and set up an online ‘pop-up’ store hosted on our website where their t-shirt will be for sale for their fans and supporters to purchase. They share and promote the link for their shirt sale but we handle all of the other stuff: orders, shipping, and customer service. We sell their shirts on our website as a presale for about two weeks. Once the sale ends, we print and ship all the shirts for them and mail them a check from their sales. For every shirt they sell, they receive $10.
Currently, there are 36 businesses and artists involved, some of them located right here in Mullica Hill, NJ. They range from salons to restaurants to individual artists. Besides the folks in our town, some of the others are located in Atlantic City, Philadelphia, one in New York City, and we are working with an outdoor Bluegrass festival in Baltimore, MD.
How do you think your experience in the College of Communication and Creative Arts at Rowan contributed to your success? What valuable lessons did you learn as a Prof that got you where you are today?
I learned a lot of technical skills at Rowan as relates to the field of art/design because of my wonderful professors and their knowledge. I also learned that the community within your field of study is invaluable, especially what I found at Rowan and within Westby Hall. The classes were small and extremely personal. We were working right alongside our professors and we all became very close. You could pop into your professor’s office during off-class hours with questions. They were in constant communication with us. And then there were your peers who were working alongside of you in class and in the studio for hours and hours on end. We spent a very large portion of our time at Rowan in our studio space in Westby Hall, so we were like a family. I loved the people in my department and as mentioned, still love those same friends today. I feel like the experience I had at Rowan as an art major was completely unique and has stuck with me all these years, just like the community and support that began there.
Any advice or resources for current students studying art and/or looking to start a business?
Take advantage of your time in the studio with your professors and peers! It’s likely that you will not have such an opportune time again to be immersed in the studio with so many amazing and like-minded people by your side. Get to know them and support each other! Justin and I both also dabbled in internships and part-time jobs within our field. During our summers and in between our full-time jobs, we worked at art non-profits and in small print shops to sharpen our skills. Meeting new people and building relationships has been invaluable to us!
We love working with and meeting all sorts of people. #KeepinLocalOpen has allowed us to meet new people and to encourage one another during very uncertain times and we are so grateful for all of those involved. So thanks!!
Like what you see?
Story by:
Nicole Cier, writing arts graduate
Header photo courtesy of:
Stockio
Junior Major Moments: Professional Development Opportunities on Campus
Today we feature Chase Campbell, an advertising major with minors in communication studies and strategic communication. Chase is a transfer student from Mount Laurel, NJ (Burlington County). Before COVID-19 shut down campus he lived in Magnolia Hall, where he was also a resident assistant.
What is your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes? 
My favorite moment with a faculty member was when Professor Rodolico had me visit his office to discuss a scholarship opportunity. He kept pushing me to apply and I doubted that I’d even get considered. I applied for the scholarship, got the interview, and ended up being the first-ever recipient of the Philly Ad Club’s “George Beach Trailblazer Scholarship Award,” which recognizes African American students who are blazing their own trails and upholding the legacy of advertising legend, George Beach. I’ll always be grateful for the support he has given me and for helping me realize my true potential. He has made such a positive impact on my experience at Rowan University.
What is the most amazing or interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year?
The most interesting thing I’ve learned is how fun putting together an integrated marketing communication plan can be. Professor Schoenstein not only teaches us the fundamentals, but incorporates creativity in all of the stages. She also emphasizes the importance of detail when it comes to presenting. Small details like those are interesting to learn because once you’ve mastered the art of persuasion, it’s easy to sell an audience.
What pre-professional experiences are helping to support your growth?
I am currently the president of the Advertising Club, vice president and co-founder of the Men of Color Alliance (MOCA), and I am also a resident 
assistant. I do have an advertising internship and I am a part of the final talent pool for the T. Howard Foundation. This organization gives college students professional work experience with major media, technology and advertising companies.
I continue to read up on how to enhance my knowledge on the field and attend career advancement events when I can. Getting involved with organizations and events like these, you have the opportunity to network, plan events, improve existing skills and learn new ones in the process.
Like what you see?
LEARN MORE
Beyond the Classroom: On Campus Writing Arts Internship
Why did you choose Rowan University? I started considering four-year colleges when I was in high school. Rowan had always been on my radar since it is close enough to me that I can commute and is also affordable. However, it became my number one option when I switched my major from Biology to Writing my […]
A Senior’s Look Inside the Radio/TV/Film Major: Graphics and Production
Today’s story is from Mark Baugh, a senior radio/TV/film major isolating from his off-campus house in Gloucester County, NJ. Mark has a specific interest in graphics and production.
Have you ever been watching a movie or a TV show and thought to yourself, “How did they just do that?” Or have you been driving down the highway listening to your favorite music and wondered how they make this all work?
A part of the Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts, the Radio, TV & Film program (RTF) gives students opportunities to get hands-on learning for things such as TV production, screenwriting and sports radio.
When I first came to Rowan, RTF was not my choice of major. I came in freshman year as a Journalism major because of my interest in sports writing. As my sophomore year began creeping closer and closer, instead of writing about sports, I wanted to know how sports television was created. So I switched majors (which is now becoming more and more common, nothing is wrong with that).
Over the next three years, I learned about the history of TV — from the very beginnings in the early 1930s, through the boom of the television in the 40s and 50s, up to the modern era that we are in today. I got hands-on experience with television cameras, professional lighting and the behind-the-scenes technology of a control room.
I learned how to write a show episode-to-episode and how to create motion graphics and on-screen static graphics for things such as a newscast, which goes along hand-in-hand with my previous graphic design experience, and how to piece together a show clip-by-clip.
Students in the RTF major work as groups to create something amazing full-length newscasts, short films, documentaries, podcasts, radio shows and many more in-class and extra-curricular activities throughout their college careers.
But classes are not the only time that students can work with this equipment and create something special; there are plenty of clubs and opportunities within the major.
Organizations such as Rowan Television Network, Cinema Workshop and Rowan Radio Station give Rowan students a chance to get extra work with the equipment and technology outside of class.
Rowan Television Network creates content for the local Rowan TV station and shoots school-wide events such as sports and guest speakers. Cinema Workshop gives students the freedom to create their own films larger than the ones that they create in class. Rowan Radio Station is fully run by students. WGLS-FM, which airs 24 hours a day on channel 89.7, is home to all types of music like rap, rock and oldies. Students are also able to broadcast on sporting events for Rowan’s athletic teams.
There have been many students who are a part of these organizations who have earned external internships and other opportunities at places such as NFL Films and the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
If you have any interest or wonder about the world of entertainment, or want to get a taste of how productions run behind the scenes, then RTF may be the place for you. There are plenty of opportunities for students to grow, making them the best that they can be.
Like what you see?
Beyond The Classroom: an “Enchanted” PR and Marketing Internship
Today’s story is from Devon Graf, a senior communications studies major self-distancing from her house in Camden County, NJ. Devon joined the Rowan Blog team to wrap up her remaining internship hours, after her internship with Enchanted Celebrations was cut short prematurely due to COVID-19 affecting business.
I had absolutely no idea where or what I wanted to do for an internship. Luckily, I found Enchanted Celebrations. This company is a photo and video wedding service located in West Creek, NJ. My main focus when applying to this internship was that I noticed I would be doing a lot of public relations and marketing work — perfect for me! I am a Communication Studies major with an Advertising minor. 
I went full throttle into this internship, I was able to provide my team with innovative ideas and complete all of the tasks that I was given. One thing I take out of this internship is that I became super successful in multi-tasking, stepping out of my comfort zone, and handling each task I was given with a positive attitude. Not only was the work I was given super fun and exciting, but my team members were absolutely incredible! I didn’t go one day not having a great time in the office.
All semester, I completed various projects relating to event planning and marketing within the wedding industry. For marketing, I contribute to daily blog posts that were shared with numerous clients and marketed across various social media platforms and wedding publications. I became proficient in using their system called CRM, SEO, and various forms of social media including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Hootsuite, etc. In addition to this, I also got to assist the events team in coordinating event logistics and prepping for weekend staff and weddings! 
Below are some of the amazing works of photography I have worked with. Enchanted Celebrations has a numerous amount of extremely talented photographers and videographers.
I found this internship through Indeed.com! Indeed is a website agency for job positions. I recommend creating an account if you are looking for your next position somewhere! I was at a standpoint at one moment in time and was clueless where to even start searching. I simply filtered out internship positions near my area and selected public relations and communication fields. Next thing I knew, I had an interview!
I got to show my skill set and gained a whole new one. I was able to be creative and show my passion for public relations and marketing all while learning and being in a wonderful environment.
Like what you see? Come visit us!
Story by:
Devon Graf, senior communication studies major
Header photo courtesy of:
Unsplash
Junior Communication Studies Major: How I’m Gaining Lifelong Skills at Rowan
Today we feature junior Communication Studies major and Journalism minor Christian A. Browne, who commutes to Rowan from Sicklerville, NJ (Camden County) and is originally from Philadelphia. Christian transferred to Rowan from Camden County College. Going to Rowan has been one of the best experiences of my life. Through the university newspaper The Whit, Rowan […]
Senior Reflects: Health and Exercise Science Major Ciani Eugene on Her Way to “Dream Career”
Today we feature Ciani Eugene, a Health and Exercise Science major and Psychology minor from Mount Holly, New Jersey (Burlington County) who transferred from the University of Maryland. After the transfer, she commuted to Rowan University. 
Please tell us about your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes. My favorite experience in one of my classes was when I realized there are other students just like me! I had just started the fall semester and I was pregnant. I was nervous people would not want to be friends with the “pregnant girl.” That was not the case at all! Everyone was so excited for me to have my son and always looked out for me. Interestingly enough, another student walked into the class, sat next me, and she was pregnant too! We were due five days apart and she ended up becoming one of my closest friends at Rowan! Love you Autumn and Halo!
What was your favorite or most meaningful personal moment at Rowan? My most meaningful personal moment at Rowan was being chosen to speak at commencement. Even though I won’t be able to give my speech in person, Rowan made sure my speech was heard anyway. They featured my speech on the CSM [College of Science and Mathematics] and SPH [School of Health Professions] students’ awards and recognition page. It is such a nice feeling when others recognize the hard work and dedication you put into obtaining your degree.
What are your career aspirations and how did the people or programs at Rowan help to support you with those aspirations? My career aspirations are to become an occupational therapist. Before I transferred to Rowan, I didn’t know anything about occupational therapy. I thought I wanted to become a physical therapist. After taking the course “Foundations of Human Performance in Clinical Settings,” I learned about occupational therapy and realized it was my dream career. I even completed a 400-hour internship shadowing a phenomenal occupational therapist, who taught me so much.
Do you want to give a thank you shout out to your family, friends, advisors or mentors?
- My mom and my Oma for always being my guardian angels, I love and miss you both more than words can describe.
- My dad, for making sure I followed through with my promise to my mom and my Oma.
- My boyfriend Isaiah for always pushing me to be the best mother to our son as well as best student possible. I can’t wait to spend forever with you.
- My son Izeem for keeping me on my toes no matter what and always giving mommy your lovely hugs and kisses.
- My aunt Tayana and my best friend Kellie, for always reminding me that I can do this, even if I was upset and doubting myself.
- My Rowan family! Brianna, Candy, Nicole, Anthony, Lizzy, Brennan, and Gianna! You all made transferring to Rowan one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. WE DID IT, WE ARE GRADUATING!
- Also a big shout out to Dr. Biren, Dr. Evrenoglou, and Professor Gibb for always being there for me and all of your students. You all are amazing role models! I will miss you all dearly!
Like what you see?
Senior Reflects: PR Grad Jasmine Dennis Shares Her Favorite Rowan Memories
Today we feature Jasmine Dennis, a 2020 graduate who earned her degree in Public Relations with minors in Communication Studies and Strategic Communication. Jasmine is from Sayreville, NJ (Middlesex County), and lived on campus all four years.
The experiences and memories I’ve made at Rowan will last a lifetime. To begin a new life in an unknown place felt overwhelming at first, but looking back now I’m truly grateful I attended an amazing university that helped me to evolve as a person. Rowan became my home away from home.
I want to thank my parents and sister because they’ve been an incredible support through this whole process. Next, thank you to all of my friends for the endless support and memories. Lastly, thank you to everyone else who’s supported me along the way, it means the world.
I’m proud to say I have achieved many of my goals in a such a short period of time here. To name a few, my junior year I was selected for the Resident Assistant position at Holly Pointe Commons. Later in my junior year, I was awarded the Silver Certification Leadership award. My favorite part about being in a leadership position was serving as a role model and helping others.
Next, the fall of my senior year, I attended the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) National Conference trip to San Diego, California with the Rowan PRSSA chapter. This was my first real business trip, and I made great connections, gaining helpful insight about the real world. By the end of the fall of my senior year I was sworn into Rowan’s PRSSA chapter. Finally, in the fall of my senior year, I landed two on-campus jobs and completed an internship at a PR firm located in Marlton, NJ.
I loved being active at Rowan, and it was truly the best thing I could have done. Each opportunity built on and prepared me for the next one. Rowan helped me to step outside my comfort zone and gain exposure to a large variety of rewarding experiences.
One of my favorite things about Rowan was its ability to provide what feels like an endless number of social events. Rowan goes above and beyond to offer a variety of opportunities and engaging, hands-on activities.
Thank you, Rowan, for an incredible journey. I’m looking forward to the next chapter that awaits. Congrats to all of the class of 2020, and best of luck to everyone! The world is yours.
Like what you see?
Senior Reflects: Computer Science Major Looks Forward To Her Career in Cyber Forensics
Meet Monica Mahon, a graduating senior from Northfield, NJ 
(Atlantic County) who majored in computer science and plans to continue her studies at Rowan with a master’s in computer science. Monica lived on campus since sophomore year, and Glassboro has been a home to her family before as her father attended Rowan University when it was Glassboro State.
Favorite moment with a faculty member: There are so many moments that stood out in my computer science classes, but one of my most memorable classroom experiences happened during my freshman year in Biology 1. My professor brought her two pet birds, a parrot and a pigeon, to class on the last day. The pigeon wore a diaper, and they flew around the classroom the whole time. It was a great last day of class.
How you met your closest friends: I met my best friend, Michael, in one of my classes my freshman year. We didn’t know each other, but we
just picked seats next to each other anyway. We became best friends. One of my favorite memories was waiting in the rain for Hollybash last year. It was pouring, and Michael and a bunch of our friends were all huddled together under a tent waiting for the free cheesesteaks that we ordered to be finished. The absurdity of 20-ish college kids huddled together under a 10×10 tent for free food in a thunderstorm makes this stick out.
Career Aspirations: My ultimate goal is to become a cyber forensics investigator in law enforcement. They’re the people who investigate criminals’ computers for digital evidence. My next step is an internship with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as an Information Technology Specialist, and then completing my master’s in computer science here at Rowan next May.
Shout Outs: I want to shout out all of the computer science professors and advisors; they’ve all helped me along my journey and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their guidance. I also want to shout out my parents for being my #1 supporters throughout college.
Like what you see?
Senior Reflects: Law & Justice Major Emilyann Colbert
Meet Emilyann Colbert, a graduating senior from Sickerville, NJ (Camden County) who majored in Law & Justice and minored in Psychology. Emilyann graduated in Dec. 2019 and celebrates during the 2020 commencement.
Favorite moment with faculty: The professor who has made the biggest impact on me during my time at Rowan would be Dr. Kimberly Houser. She is an amazing professor. During my sophomore year of college I lost my uncle and it was a very difficult time in my life. Dr. Houser truly went above and beyond for me.
Favorite Rowan memory: Rowan University has been full of great memories, one of my favorites would be taking a tour of the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City for my Casino Crime class during my junior year.
Career Aspirations: In the future I hope to pursue a career within probation or parole. During the summer of 2019 I had the opportunity to intern with the New Jersey State Parole Board, where I was assigned to the Sex Offender Management Unit. My internship allowed me to observe parole board hearings and tour the New Jersey State Prison. It was a great experience.
Shout outs! I want to thank all of my family and friends for always being so supportive. Throughout my life my mother, brother and grandparents have always been there for me. They have taught me how to be strong, determined and hard-working. My boyfriend, Dominic, and best friend, Samantha, have also been a strong support system for me.
I will forever be appreciative of them. I love you all.
Like what you see?
LEARN MORE
Senior Reflects: My Most Interesting Classes at Rowan
Today’s story is from Devon Graf, a senior communications studies major self-distancing from her house in Camden County, NJ. Devon joined the Rowan Blog team to wrap up her remaining internship hours, after her internship with Enchanted Celebrations was cut short prematurely due to COVID-19 affecting business.
Coming to an ending of my college experience, I get to reflect on the little things and the big things. From the amazing memories I have had at Rowan University I reflect a lot on my friends, as well as my professors and peers.
One of my favorite classes I have taken as a Communication Studies major is Integrated Communication Marketing. Although I would have to say a number of my classes became my “most” interesting one, as each course brought me different knowledge within my field.
My coursework at Rowan provided me with an excellent foundation and allowed me to put my skill sets into practice. Courses such as Participatory Media helped my skills in social media strategy. I helped to kickstart The Daily Challenge Social Media Campaign through regular posts and interact with users on multiple platforms, analysis of analytics and observing marketing trends. This provided great insight into the likes and dislikes of college students.
My Integrated Marketing Communication class allowed me to create a product and marketing plan for a specialized portable solar charger. The last course I will highlight is Public Relations of Law and Ethics. Upon learning about the theory of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, in its relevance to marketing, I was able to understand and tend to my client’s needs on a higher level during my internship at Enchanted Celebrations in West Creek, NJ.
I believe a college course is what you make of it. Sometimes we students have to take courses we don’t want to, or we don’t think we need, but those courses can pay off. Trust me. Down the line, you might actually refer to something you learned in Art Appreciation or American Government. Not all majors need to stick with one specific course load. Broaden your knowledge! Take each course you are signed up for with a positive attitude.
Like what you see?
Story and photography by:
Devon Graf, senior communication studies major
You Vape Bro? Big Tobacco is Still Targeting You!
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 Mariana Cardenas, senior Psychology major from Dumont, NJ (Bergen County). She shares: “People know the harmful effects of cigarettes [but] do not realize that vape companies are using the same tactics. Companies like Juul market their products by claiming that their products are the healthier alternative.”
We are the generation that grew up knowing the dangers of cigarettes. We were shown the pictures of tarred lungs and videos of people talking like robots because they lost their voice box. We grew up knowing that the cigarette companies are evil. Well, the same CEOs who targeted at-risk populations now have their hands in vapes and e-cigarettes.
K.C. Crosthwaite replaced the former chief executive of JUUL Labs. He was a top official at Altria, which is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of tobacco and cigarettes. Crosthwaite is taking the same tactics that cigarette companies use to profit off of people without regard to their well-being to the vape world.
Cigarette companies had fruity-flavored products that targeted young people until 2009, when they were made illegal. Who do we know now that has fruity-flavored products?
There were celebrities who were paid by cigarette companies to endorse their products in magazine ads. These ads were a way to glamorize cigarettes in the same way artists are seen hitting vapes in music videos.
There is a current epidemic of underage people smoking and dying of lung disease. The blame is put on the kids who don’t know what they are putting into their bodies and not on the vape companies that know exactly what is going into their products. People put the fault on kids for being addicted and not on vape CEOs who advertise their products to a population that is proven to be impulsive and at risk of addiction.
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story by:
Mariana Cardenas, senior psychology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
References:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/25/health/juul-vaping.htmlhttps://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/tobacco/reports-resources/sotc/by-the-numbers/10-really-bad-things-the.html (paywall)
5 Benefits of Going to College Close to Home
Senior communications studies major Christian A. Browne, of Sicklerville, NJ (Camden County) shares his perspective on the benefits of staying close to home to attend college. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home! While many people like Dorothy want to venture off to a place far away, […]
Coping with Grief as a College Student
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 Allison Niemiec, a first year graduate student in the Higher Education Administrative Track program, from Cedar Grove, NJ (Essex County). She shares, “I wanted to write about coping with grief in response to a lot of the current events that surround mental health in higher education. There was a lot of conversation about these topics in my graduate classes, and I was able to see the impact that these events have on college students.”
Death is a sensitive topic and unexpected event that can cause an individual to experience a variety of different emotions and reactions. The emotions or reactions an individual has in response to loss is often referred to as grief (Thai and Moore, 2018). In college, students already deal with multiple stresses such as with academics, finances, friendships, adjusting to campus, and many more, which can be amplified when dealing with loss and grief.
A Residential Assistant named Meghan Auer (2019) explains her experience of coping with grief after receiving the shocking news of the death of a dormitory resident that she used to work with. Meghan provides some insight as to what potential steps are toward coping with grief as a college student and student leader. For one, Meghan discusses the importance of processing and taking time to breathe immediately after hearing the news about death (Auer, 2019). She suggests that at this moment an individual will be faced with a variety of emotions at once such as frustration, denial, or feeling overwhelmed. Taking deep breaths helps to clear your mind from feeling these emotions as intensely and calling a close friend can provide positive support (Auer, 2019).
Second, it will be important to let employers or professors know about your loss so that they are aware of the situation and can provide accommodations (Auer, 2019). For example, informing a professor about your loss may be important in the event that you need to travel for services or need an extension on an assignment.
Third, the most important part of the healing process is engaging in self-care. Self-care can appear in a variety of different ways, but can include activities such as creating a routine that provides structure to your day, surrounding yourself with positive people, participating in hobbies that bring forth joy, exercising, and many more (Auer, 2019). In some cases, wellness resources such as group or individual counseling can also help an individual have another environment to talk about their experience with loss and learn more tips on how to cope with grief (Auer, 2019).
Overall, dealing with loss can cause a range of different emotions and reactions in an individual and is most commonly referred to as grief. As a college student the feeling of grief can seem overwhelming especially when dealing with other stressors such as finances, relationships, academics, and getting used to the college environment. Giving yourself time to process the news of the death, informing professors and employers about your loss, and participating in self-care are all beneficial steps towards coping with grief as a college student.
Like what you see, learn more about our healthy-campus iniatives!
Story by:
Allison Niemiec, first year graduate student in the Higher Education Administrative Track program, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
References
Auer, M. (2019, November 8). Coping with Grief and Loss as a College Student. Retrieved from
https://psychcentral.com/lib/coping-with-grief-and-loss-as-a-college-student/
Thai, C. L., & Moore, J. F. (2018). Grief and bereavement in young adult college students: A review of the literature and implications for practice and research. Communication Research Trends, 37(4), 4-29. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/2167696443?accountid=13605
Volunteer for Your Well-being
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 Roxy U, junior Biology major from Barnegat, NJ (Ocean County). Roxy felt inspired by her love of volunteering to write this article. She shares: “There is more to it than just getting hours for school or to look good on applications. It can be very beneficial for a person’s mental health as well. I hope this article will involve more people in the programs Rowan has to offer that are centered around volunteering after they see the value it can have.”
Giving a small piece of a day to help someone — whether it is a friend or someone new — can make a huge difference in how people view themselves. There is something about giving time to others that gives a sense of love and appreciation that is hard to find through any other means.
Being college students, we often get lost in the dizzying cycle of school, friends, and oftentimes work. It feels like there is often not much else out there besides the college campus we reside in, however there is a huge community of people surrounding the local campus, as well as the area.
A great way college students can refocus their sense of purpose and learn more about who they are is through volunteering. By volunteering with true intentions to genuinely help someone, studies have shown that people who chose to volunteer have less stress and anxiety, helps fight depressions, and stay more physically healthy (Segal 2019).
Volunteering allows people to make meaningful connections with people, either bonding while volunteering, or making connections with the people being helped. There has even been multiple studies to show that volunteering will help lower blood pressure as people age (Segal 2019).
There are so many resources to find volunteering sites, on campus and in the community. A great resource is the Office of Volunteerism, Community Engagement and Commuter Services. They offer multiple trips and events weekly that can allow a student to volunteer, even if it’s just for an hour during the week.
Any opportunity to volunteer will prove tremendous benefits for mental, as well as physical, health. There are multiple opportunities around campus, as well as in the community, that will help reap those benefits.
Like what you see, learn more about our healthy campus initiatives!
Story by:
Roxy U, junior biology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
References
Segal, J., & Robinson, L. (2019, November 26). Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits.
The Perks of Completing Multiple Internships
Starting your first internship can be stressful. I was so nervous on the first day of my first internship! But after long summers and semesters at various companies, I learned to embrace the once-in-a-lifetime role of being an intern and make the most of every experience I was lucky to have.
Here are some of the benefits I’ve discovered while juggling multiple internships throughout college.
- It’ll help you narrow down your career choice
Internships are like a test-drive for your potential career. With each new role as an intern comes an opportunity to learn something you didn’t already know about your field. Your responsibilities and tasks will differ with each internship, and experiencing a little bit of everything will help you determine what you enjoy doing (and maybe what you don’t like doing, which is also helpful). When I started my first one, I wasn’t sure if it would be the perfect fit for what I wanted to do.
The next summer, I began another internship and learned that this one was more my speed. Noting the similarities and differences between each opportunity made me realize what was important to me in a future job. No two internships are the same, and getting a taste of what life is like at different companies will help you focus on what you are looking for in a future career.
- The more experience, the better
Employers like to see a range of experience showcased on your resume. Having a handful of internships to talk about will not only show them that you are a hard worker, but it will portray how well-rounded you are. Every company operates in its own way, and showing how you adapted to each new atmosphere is a chance to impress. Having at least some background knowledge in different software, strategies and skills that you’ve learned at each internship shows how flexible you are as a worker. This experience can qualify you for more opportunities in the future and make you feel more prepared to enter a new professional environment. For example, one company I interned for used a certain software to schedule their posts, while the next company used a different one. I was able to put both softwares on my resume, which diversifies my skills.
- You can make mistakes and learn from them
The best advice I’ve received as an intern? You’re allowed to make mistakes — in fact, it’s almost expected of you. Your bosses know that you aren’t an expert in your field yet, and that’s why you’re here to learn as much as you can. Don’t panic if your work isn’t perfect; instead, ask about how you can improve it next time. Take advantage of the proximity you have to professionals in your field, and ask to be a part of any projects that interest you. Internships are a lot less structured than salaried jobs, and you’re allowed to be hands-on in different areas of the company that you want to learn more about. Even just observing others or asking questions can open the door to new knowledge or skills that can help you in the future.
- You’ll gain confidence
It can be intimidating to start at a new workplace, especially as an intern. But remember that you were hired for a reason, and your employer sees potential in you! Building up your portfolio and playing a role in new projects is invaluable experience that makes you all the more appealing as a job candidate. At first, I felt embarrassed about being the youngest, least experienced person in the room. But I quickly learned how empowering it can be to learn how a company operates before graduating college! Overcoming the challenges that your work may present, and learning to interact in a professional manner, are skills that benefit you in any role. Plus, you can carry the skills you’ve acquired to new opportunities and feel a lot more prepared to handle any challenges that come your way.
- It can open doors for new experiences
If you hit it off with your colleagues or supervisors, stay in contact with them! They can endorse you for skills on LinkedIn, write you recommendation letters and serve as references for your next internship or job applications. At my internship this past summer, my boss worked one-on-one with me a lot, and we still keep in touch. When the company needs some extra help, she’s presented me with several freelance opportunities that look great on my resume and provide some extra cash on the side. You never know when the connections you make at your internship will come in handy to help you navigate your future career.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Nicole Cier, senior writing arts major
Journalism Student Reduces the Negative Stigma of the Word “Homelessness” Through Her Blog
“It’s important not to judge someone before listening to them,” says Lauren Purnell, a first-generation college senior majoring in journalism and minoring in new media from Florence, NJ (Burlington County).
Lauren used her passion for storytelling and giving a voice to the voiceless to create a blog called Naming the Homeless, where her mission is about reducing “the stigma and the negative connotations attached to the word homelessness,” by interviewing homeless individuals to share their stories.
Lauren’s effort has led her to gain lots of support from her community, fundraising more than $1,000. Today, Lauren will share with us why she started the blog and what she has learned through the process of interviewing homeless individuals.
The idea of creating the Naming the Homeless blog came to Lauren when her Intro to Journalistic Writing professor at Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) explained to her class the importance in having outside work experience.
“I took that into heart and said, ‘OK, let me do a blog.’ I didn’t really know what to write about and … I didn’t want to write about myself. I was thinking about different issues that were important to me, and one of them is homelessness,” she says.
Lauren chose to venture to Philadelphia to find people to interview (Philadelphia has become a city with one of the highest poverty ratings in the nation). Each time Lauren went she took a couple of care packages that she put together with the help of her mother (who has supported Lauren from the very beginning) going with her to Philly each week.
The first time Lauren went to Philly, it took her a while to build up the courage to ask someone for an interview. “It’s kind of uncomfortable at first because you are just asking these searching questions. You never know what they are going to say and that is the best part, because you don’t know what they are going to tell you,” she says.
Lauren recalls one of the sweetest moments she has encountered:
“I had done my interview already for the day, but we passed an older lady and I asked her if she wanted a sandwich. She looked at me and my mom and was like ‘Thank you so much, I was having such a rough day, and this was a sign that I needed. Everything will be okay; this is my kids up in heaven telling me that it’s going to be alright and thank you so much, it really means a lot to me.”
In the beginning, Lauren made care packages that were paid out of her pocket, but as her blog grew and more people knew about her project, she started getting support and recognition. Lauren was interviewed by Fox 29 — “that got a lot of attention and I ended up having a GoFundMe, the biggest donation I got was from an organization who gave $250. Each of my care packages are like $20 so that really helped make an impact.”
Burlington County Times, Lauren’s hometown newspaper, interviewed her and gave her an internship opportunity over the summer. South Jersey Magazine did a feature of her as well. Lauren also won two awards. “At RCBC I got an award for journalism and I also got their Civility Award,” she says.
Lauren’s blog currently has over 1,200 subscriptions and over 500 likes on the Naming the Homeless Facebook page. “When I first started it, I was just doing it for personal reasons and then it took off. It was really because of my community [because] without their support I wouldn’t have been able to do it.
“Every time I leave an interview, I just want to take them home. You obviously want to see them again, but you really hope you don’t see them again because if you run into them again it means that they are probably in the same situation when you first saw them.”
After graduating, Lauren would like to continue writing community stories and continue giving a voice to the voiceless and working her way up to investigative reporting.
Like what you see? Come visit us!
Story by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major
Photos courtesy of:
Lauren Purnell/Naming the Homeless
Pandemic Profs: Clinical Internship Teaching Spanish Remotely
Welcome to our series to give you a glimpse into Rowan University, our campus culture, and the lives of our students, while we’re practicing social distancing to protect society from the spread of COVID-19. Today’s story is from Maria Rosalba Trejo-Mendiola, a student in the master of science in teaching program. She is isolating from her home in Vineland, NJ (Cumberland County.)
My name is Maria Rosalba Trejo-Mendiola. I was born in Querétaro, Mexico. I moved to the United States at the age of 11. At an early age, I discovered my biggest passion in life was helping others. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career that allowed me to work with people. Of all the possible careers that I could have pursued, I fell in love with the one profession that makes all other professions possible: teaching. I attended Cumberland County College, now known as Rowan College of South Jersey, where I completed my associate degree in Liberal Arts. I then transferred to Rowan University where I completed my bachelor’s in Spanish. Then, I started working as a Career Placement Developer for Pathstone, a non-profit organization.
Currently, I am earning my master of science in teaching and completing a full-year clinical internship as a Spanish teacher at Vineland High School. My student teaching experience has been one of the most rewarding experiences. I have learned many strategies that I plan on incorporating in my own future Spanish classroom. From my professors, I have learned that to serve all students, it is very important to implement a Universal Design for Learning and that developing meaningful lesson plans goes a long way.
My classes at Rowan University have allowed me to go into my field placement and put into practice what I have learned in class. This year, as part of World Language’s methods sequence: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment I: World Languages and Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment II: World Languages, I learned about High Leverage Teaching Practices (HLTP) for World Languages (Glisan & Donato, 2017). One of the biggest takeaways from these classes was learning about these practices and being able to incorporate it into my lessons. This also allowed me to learn about my own strengths and weaknesses. 
From my classmates, I have learned that it is very important to be supportive of each other; to give each other feedback and to be willing to share ideas. From my Cooperating Teacher, Sra. DeJesús, I have learned that it is important to develop positive relationships with the students. I have also learned different methods of teaching. One of my favorites methods of teaching is learning centers. Through Sra. DeJesus, I have become a strong believer that learning centers offer students the opportunity to be responsible for their own learning. If learning centers are well-designed, students will be able to walk away with valuable information. I am very thankful that my cooperating teacher has been very supportive throughout this learning experience. Sra. DeJesús allowed me to be involved in the classroom since day one of my field experience, allowing me to have as much practice as possible. I have developed strong bonds with the students, confirming for me that I have chosen the correct field to pursue a career in, teaching. From my field supervisor, I have learned about lesson planning. I have learned to reflect on what worked well and what can use improvement.
I am very thankful to everyone that has helped me grow as a professional in one capacity or another. I also want to thank my family for always supporting my daughter and myself, throughout this learning process.
As far as my remote work, the transition has been really smooth. My cooperating teacher has been using Google classroom for a long time now. We have been collaborating together to teach remotely. We have incorporated Zoom meetings and Google meets on a weekly basis. Other technological applications that have been useful are Quizlet, Kahoot, and FlipGrid. Through this transition we have been maintaining communication with students and parents.
We understand that the transition is not easy for students, therefore we continue to be available to support our students. I am currently working part time from home with Pathstone, completing my field hours at Vineland High School via virtual communications, and spending quality and instructional time with my four year old, Suheily Carrasco.
Although it can be challenging at times, I love what I do. I learned that in this profession it is very important to love what you do and the rest comes with hard work and determination. In May 2020, I will complete my master’s of science of teaching. Although I never imagined that my last year of graduate school would be the one that forced us to practice social distancing to protect us from the spread of COVID-19, I want to remain focused and positive that it will end soon.
Like what you see?
Grit & Greatness
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 Jessica Hassell, a second-year Higher Education Administration graduate student from Owings Mills, Md. Jess wrote this article to help the Rowan community. She shares: “Fear can be paralyzing. I was inspired to write this article because I was so worried about success that it was stopping me from being my best self. I hope that this article will help other Rowan University students not be afraid to fail and to persevere.”
Failure is a scary word. In the collegiate environment, failure is associated with under-achievement, incompetence or a lack of trying. As college students, there is a tendency to get stuck in the dichotomy of success or failure. This manner of thinking can result in every nonsuccess: raising stress levels, being demotivating, or even debilitating (Shelton, 2017). Therefore, students must reorient their thinking to understand each “failure” as a growth experience.
When success is determined by grades, deadlines, expectations and a long list of involvements, it is difficult for college students to manage coursework, jobs, clubs and a social life with health and emotional well-being. If an individual finds themselves incapacitated by a nonsuccess, employing mindfulness can help manage the stresses being experienced (Shelton, 2017). Having an awareness of oneself, challenges and support systems can cultivate an internal shift wherein growth from failure is acceptable.
That being said, there exists no person who sets out to undertake a task and enjoys it when their efforts lead to a lack of success. The result of an unexpected outcome can leave individuals questioning their abilities, but this should not be the case. Mistakes or unexpected outcomes are necessary for experimentation, problem-solving and increasing efficiency (Driscoll, 1989; Shelton, 2017). As such, it can be helpful to remember that success is only the expected or desired outcome. Understanding what does not work can only help when developing strategies to inform future courses of action. Without unexpected results, there is no push for innovation, so the opportunity to fail should be embraced (Driscoll, 1989).
Grit is a better word. To have grit means to have the courage and ability to overcome obstacles and challenges. Recognizing one’s capacity for psychological grit, wherein an individual has the passion and perseverance to achieve their long-term goals, can ease the stress of a failure (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007; Vonderheyde, 2017). Moreover, each nonsuccess and subsequent attempt to continue teach us a greater lesson about our capacity to persevere.
Like what you see, learn more about our healthy campus initiatives!
Story by:
Jessica Hassell, second-year higher education administration graduate student, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
References
Driscoll, D. (1989). The Benefits Of Failure. Sales and Marketing Management, 141(5), 46. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/211806229/
Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087–1101. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.1087
Muenks, K., Wigfield, A., Yang, J. S., & O’Neal, C. R. (2017). How true is grit? assessing its relations to high school and college students’ personality characteristics, self-regulation, engagement, and achievement. Journal of Educational Psychology, 109(5), 599-620. doi: http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.rowan.edu/10.1037/edu0000153
Shelton, I. G., Jr. (2017). A generic qualitative investigation of academic stress in college students in the 21st century (Order No. 10608475). Available from ProQuest Central; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global; Social Science Premium Collection. (1947584353). Retrieved from http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/docview/1947584353?accountid=13605
Vonderheyde, E. (2017). The relationship between mindfulness and stress among college students.
Interning Remotely as a Business Management Major
Welcome to our series to give you a glimpse into Rowan University, our campus culture, and the lives of our students, while we’re practicing social distancing to protect society from the spread of COVID-19. Today’s story is from senior Alyssa Marroccoli, who transferred to Rowan after beginning her college career at the University of Rhode Island. Alyssa is a business management major who rents a home off campus and is originally from Newton, NJ (Sussex County).
When looking to complete a second internship before graduating with my bachelor’s of science in Business Management in May, I decided it was the perfect time to get involved in my family’s business. My father is the President and CEO of National Forensic Consultants, a forensic investigation firm that provides expert investigation services for the legal, insurance, product manufacturing and construction industries. I am currently positioned in the South Jersey office in Pennsauken, NJ as a Business Development and Sales Intern for the spring semester, where I have been learning about the company’s structure and how to successfully manage a business.
I have been working under my supervisor, Vice President of Business Development and Sales, Dean Gentner, where I have been developing a business plan to increase messaging between our clients and experts, as well as maintaining our partnerships and client relations.
Our goal has been to grow our bridge of communication via email and through phone conversations, where we inform our clients about our newly added experts, as well as educate them about our other wide range of services that we offer.
Several duties I have as an intern at NFC consist of selecting clients to receive the appropriate messages and put forth content relating toward those receiving them, developing a variety of scripts to appease the particular company or law firm I am offering services to, following up with clients and providing requested information about our experts and services, and working with management to develop different approaches in their business development strategies.
As National Forensic Consultants’ first intern, two major takeaways I have gotten from this program are how to professionally connect with people and get an internal perspective of how a business and its employees are managed.
I was lucky enough to be given the responsibility in assisting with the development of the internship program itself when working with my supervisor throughout my time at NFC.
It has been both challenging, as well as rewarding, to have the opportunity to see my plan for the program be considered so seriously. It is a great privilege to be respected so highly, even as an intern, at such an established company.
I truly enjoy my work at NFC, and love to see the results of adding new clients and regaining previous one’s attention, yield such positive effects for the company. I really like the corporate aspect of my job that I didn’t get to experience as much of in my previous internship. My coworkers also made my experience so welcoming and fun.
Working remotely has had its challenges in terms of getting accustomed to such a different routine. I miss being in the office and going to classes during the week, which I always seemed to take for granted when I felt so busy and consumed with responsibilities. I’m very grateful to be in a position where my work can be adapted to being completed remotely, and to not have my program be discontinued, where others are not so lucky. Personally, I like to get ready and dressed as if I was going to the office to feel more motivated to complete my work day. Another aspect I appreciate when working from home is the opportunity to work with my dad each day that I’m ‘in office.’ Where I usually only got to see him once every couple of weeks while working in South Jersey, I now get in-person advice, opinions and assistance during my work day that many cannot.
National Forensic Consultants offers a service in a range of industries with incidents that do not stop occurring, even during a pandemic. It is truly amazing to see this organization come together so quickly to make themselves available for their customers under these trying circumstances. I believe how a business responds and adapts to a changing environment says a lot about a company’s stability and value it holds. While no one could have predicted such a rapid interruption in our daily lives, one of which most of us have never seen in this lifetime, it really is a privilege to be a part of a company who puts forth the best business practices, while still keeping their employees safe and working, when most cannot be.
I am so appreciative of the opportunities National Forensic Consultants has given me, and look forward to apply all that I have learned in this internship program when I begin my full-time job post-graduation as a Management Trainee at Enterprise Rent-A-Car!
Like what you see?
LEARN MORE
Why It’s Okay To Be Emotionally Vulnerable
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 Marco Imperiale, freshman psychology major, from Toms River, NJ (Ocean County). He hopes his article, “Encourages the Rowan community to know it’s okay to be vulnerable. Everyone at one stage in life was placed in a situation that they had felt vulnerable and it may seem uncomfortable to let your guard down, but if you do so there is the only chance for growth
in one’s self or in a relationship.”
According to Google, “vulnerability is the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed emotionally”. For as long as we know it, the stigma of emotional vulnerability has been associated with unprotectedness, defenselessness, or essentially anything that can make a person seem weak. However, research says otherwise, In Brené Brown’s TedTalk “The power of vulnerability” she goes onto explain how being vulnerable actually leads to a life of “meaningful human experiences”. Then goes on to say “It opens us up to love, joy, creativity, and empathy.”
It is acknowledged that to become emotionally vulnerable one must let down their guard, which can be mortifying due to the consequence of no guarantee, but the act of being emotionally vulnerable is more than just spilling out feelings. It allows us to say “ I love you” with the chance for someone to say it back, it allows a child to come out as gay to their parents with the opportunity for acceptance, and it allows the ability to liberate one’s self from a toxic relationship. What these situations have in common is the ability to portray strength, courage, and fortitude, all characteristics that encourage growth.
In a sense, vulnerability is the essence of emotions, a passageway to a more intrinsic way of life because “to feel is to be vulnerable” – Brené Brown.
Like what you see? Learn more about our healthy campus initiatives!
Story by:
Marco Imperiale, freshmen psychology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
Reference Page
Tartakovsky, M. (2018, July 8). 3 Myths about Vulnerability. Retrieved from
https://psychcentral.com/blog/3-myths-about-vulnerability/
Brown, B. (n.d.). Transcript of “The power of vulnerability”. Retrieved from
https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability/transcript?language=en
Pandemic Profs: Prof Pups
Welcome to our series to give you a glimpse into Rowan University, our campus culture, and the lives of our students, while we’re practicing social distancing to protect society from the spread of COVID-19. Today’s story is from Devon Graf, a senior communications studies major self-distancing from her house in Camden County, NJ. Devon joined the Rowan Blog team to wrap up her remaining internship hours, after her internship with Enchanted Celebrations was cut short prematurely due to COVID-19 affecting business.
Looking for something to liven up your day? I’m here to introduce you to our very special celebs of the week, Prof Pets! During these hard times it may be difficult to find a little positivity … these pets will be sure to brighten your day up.
- Athena – Athena is a two year old mixed pit bull. She was rescued from a shelter in Camden, after she was abused by her previous owners. She, along with her mother and father, brothers and sisters got separated at the pound. Athena found her “fur”ever home with Nikki Schaefer, a senior student at Rowan. Athena likes to play with her friends, cuddle and go for long walks, she is the most loving, gentle dog that just wants to be loved. We love you Athena!
Athena - Heidi – Our Heidi girl coming in famous here! Heidi is my own pup. I love her so much. Heidi is a two and a half year old rambunctious female lab. Boy, is this a crazy dog! I was surprised with Heidi on Christmas Eve by my mom and dad. They adopted her from Lancaster, PA. Heidi is the most fun loving dog around … and FULL of energy. Labs are a very smart breed, and she learns very quickly. Heidi loves to play ball in the backyard, and when you say “dog park” this dog jumps in joy. Heidi loves the dog park, she’s a super sociable dog that will play forever, I notice Heidi loves to steal fruit snacks, eat your left over cereal, and steal your socks.
Heidi - Bella – Bella babe is a super favorite over here. She was rescued from a neighbor back home in Freehold, NJ, by Madelyn. Bella is about two years old and she loves to cuddle and be around people.
Bella - Molly & Carson – Molly is a 9 year old loving dog who love was a rescue. Jenna Broadbent (a Rowan education major) loves to hangout with Molly all the time. Molly has a brother, Carson, who is another rescue who is 3 years old.
Molly and Carson - Next up we have Madelyn Buckingham’s rescue pups! They are both puppy mill rescues and survivors. The furry brown one is the youngest and her favorite thing to do is be held and rocked. The older lab mix has an adorable obsession with gummy bears… (Me too).
- Sophie – Sophie was born on December 29, 2018 in Alabama. She’s just over one year old. She enjoys playing fetch and loves healthy snacks like spinach and green beans … (I wish I loved them as much as Sophie!). She also loves the beach and to snuggle. Sophie has her own Instagram for you to follow! @Sophiethebmd
Sophie - Korona – A big shout out to Syndie Kinsler on her cute six year old cattle dog chow mix. She enjoys kayaking, hiking, swimming and being out in the woods with horses. She is a very loyal and loving dog who loves to cuddle!
Korona - Gabriella Snookie – Brandon Clement and his mother chose Gabby from an Amish farm 10 years ago. She was completely black with a brown bottom. She stared at Brandon and his mother and completely fell in love! It was like they were all soulmates. She was the last pup out of the litter. When Gabby turned 8 months they got her to be a service dog and become licensed and fully trained with the state. Amazing! She can sense when Brandon’s mother is suffering from anxiety. She was a god send!
Gabby - Last up, we have Kourtey Clyde’s pup, Baxter. His birthday is April 4, and he was born in Tennessee. He loves carrots and to play fetch. He can’t sleep unless he is laying on his back.
Baxter
Like what you see?
LEARN MORE
Story and photography by:
Devon Graf, Senior Communication Studies Major
Photography submitted in by Rowan students
Three Things I Love About My Major
Hi! My name is Bianca Torres. I’m from Morris County, NJ (North Jersey). I am a junior Music Industry major with a minor in Marketing here at Rowan University and I love my major!
Back in high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do in the future or where I wanted to go for school. I knew that I wanted to go in the direction of music because I love it so much but I didn’t know what I could do with that. Then through my choir class, I met a friend who was a senior in high school at the time who had told me they were going to school for Music Business. Once she told me more about it, I instantly knew that music industry is where I needed to be.
After looking at a couple options, I came to the conclusion that Rowan definitely had the best program for the affordable price I was looking for. When I found out that I had gotten into the Music Industry program, I was extremely excited! Now that I’m a junior in the major, I can definitely say that I have no regrets about the program and I’ve had so many opportunities as well.
- The faculty and students are amazing!
The professors are very down-to earth and are willing to help with anything you might need. They are also extremely highly regarded in their careers and have so many connections into the industry. They’re honest and very accepting of all the different areas and backgrounds of the music industry! The program offers students the option between two concentrations; the business side of the music industry, the tech side, or there is even the option of both! The professors, no matter what “side” they are on, are very knowledgeable of all aspects of the Music Industry and it clearly shows.
I’ve also made so many connections and close friends through this program. We can all bond over the love of music and the strengths we all have in different areas of music. Everyone is extremely talented. I’m so happy that I’ve found a community within my major.
2. The hands-on experiences.
Another great thing about the program is all of the hands-on experiences they offer to their students. Within our department, we have a student-run record label called Rowan Music Group (RMG). Through that label, we are able to sign, assist, and create Rowan student music and help them further their artistic careers.
Within our department, we also have our own studios in which students can create, produce, and mix their songs, whether it be for a class or project.
Through our Touring and Concert Promotion class, we find talented artists, book them, and then host our very own show. Most recently, my class has hosted one of the last shows at the legendary Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia.
Through these experiences, there are so many ways to network and connect to people in the industry that could be of great use to students in the future.
The program has also been able to send students and student-artists SXSW in Austin, TX.
3. They offer so many opportunities for Internships and jobs!
Lastly, one of the best things about my major is all of the internship and job opportunities the department notifies us about. Looking for an internship/job is already a hard and stressful task that many college students struggle with. I can proudly say because of the Rowan Music Industry program, I have already completed one internship and am currently working at another internship right now at the Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA! Whether it be for smaller labels, venues, or paid-sound engineering opportunities in the Philadelphia area or even bigger record labels and venues, all the way from New York to Nashville, TN, the Music Industry program will always help out and let their students know. This is a great help for any students looking for internships or paid-jobs once their time at Rowan comes to a close.
The Rowan Music Industry program has made me a more well-rounded and hardworking individual. I’ve met so many amazing, talented, and inspiring people through this program that have helped me through tough-times and have supported me through good times. In my opinion, music is a universal language that can bring different people from different cultures and backgrounds together through one shared experience.
For me to have the opportunity to be apart of that experience through Rowan’s program, is life changing!
Like what you see?
Written Story by: Bianca Torres, junior music industry major
Photography by: Nicole Cier and Jen Green
As We Evolve, So Does Our Music
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, from South Brunswick, NJ (Middlesex County.) Allegra wrote this article to connect the Rowan community. She shares, “I wrote this piece on music because I feel that music is a universal thing that connects humans together. From the meme in Bee Movie where he asks, “Ya like jazz?” music never fails to be a talking point. I’ve met countless people who have said music has saved their lives or impacted them in an equally large way. Ask practically anyone who their favorite musical artist is, and you see their eyes light up. It’s one of my favorite things because it makes me happy to see people talk so passionately about something. My article talks about how normal it is to let music have an impact on you. How it’s been clinically proven that the right music can decrease anxiety and simultaneously elevate your mood. It’s an important, yet overlooked part of our lives. But it’s a discussion worth having.”
Music has been around since the dawn of time. It began most likely with a rhythmic beating of rocks against a hard surface, and humming, to downloading a music program and mixing sounds with a keyboard. One easy way to study societal evolution is by exploring the wide range of music. Most people on this planet have a type in music. The answers often heard range from rock, indie, rap, R&B, the list is endless. One interesting question though, is what makes people have a taste? Do people tend to enjoy music they’ve grown up on? Or is it scientifically speaking people’s neurological reactions to the aesthetic sounds created. Perhaps both answers are true, but maybe there is one more. The other answer would be where one is developmentally influences the kind of music they listen to. Not just because of rhythm or melody, but perhaps because of the lyrics.
What do people most remember about songs? Everyone has done that thing where they try to look up a song in Google, but can’t remember the title so they either type in the rhythm which looks something like, “that song that goes dum da dee dum.” Or they Google a snippet of the lyrics, they may Google, “Same as it ever was” and learn the song they were looking for is “Once in a Lifetime” by Talking Heads. Whatever the case may be, they Google the lyrics that stuck out to them the most, the ones they resonate with. Maybe the lyric “same as it ever was” perfectly describes how they feel on the inside. Those lyrics hit home, they mean something to them.
If people correlate how their lives are going with songs, they may find that they gravitate towards artists, albums or songs they feel perfectly encapsulates how they are mentally feeling, or brings up a memory. An article written by Nancy Shute for NPR from September 2013 said, “Music is a powerful cue for retrieving strong personal memories — when you kissed that girl at summer camp; the blue polka-dot dress you wore to prom; how lonely you were freshman year.” (Shute, npr.org)
That article may be from 7 years ago, but the message still stands. Music is a lot more powerful than some give it credit. Hearing a song can change someone’s mood instantaneously. It is important that it’s power is embraced. So, when the going gets tough, it’s a good idea to put on a song. Make a “Happy Times” playlist, or even a “Rad and Sad” playlist. Sometimes listening to the songs that bring on the tears is just as healthy. What’s most important is embracing the effect music has on one’s personality.
Like what you see? Learn more about our healthy campus initiatives!
Story by:
Allegra Giannini, junior English major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
Rowan at Home: Glassboro Native Builds Sports Career in Her “Own Backyard”
Welcome to Rowan at Home, our new series to give you a glimpse into Rowan University, our campus culture, and the lives of our students, while we’re practicing social distancing to protect society from the spread of COVID-19. Today’s story features sophomore Kayla Santiago, and was captured by senior Nicole Cier, writing arts, before quarantine.
Sophomore Kayla Santiago, of Glassboro, NJ (Gloucester County), had never considered applying to Rowan, though it was just a five-minute drive from home — “it’s practically in my backyard, and I didn’t want to commute.” She feared she would miss out on the typical college experience of living in a dorm, but soon discovered that Rowan was the perfect missing puzzle piece in the search for her future career.
“I originally didn’t even apply until the day of the [application] deadline, and then I found out about the Sports Communication and Media (Sports CAM) major, and realized it was perfect for me,” she reflects. “It brought me back to the passion I’ve had for sports since my childhood, when my dad would take me to the Phillies batting practice and I’d be chanting players’ names at three years old.”
Taking on the Sports CAM and Journalism majors, with a minor in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Kayla dove into the world of Rowan athletics. She asked her advisor for advice on getting involved in the major as a freshman and found her place with Rowan Television Network right away as a football sideline reporter.
“RTN allowed me to get experience right away. I mentioned that I was interested in sideline reporting, and they needed a sideline reporter that weekend for football and asked if I could do it,” she says. “I had never done it in my life, and it was a really great learning experience to just be thrown into it right away and have to figure it all out.”
The following year was a whirlwind of experience, as Kayla found more ways to get involved with sports communications and strengthen her resume. She jumped into play-by-play, color commentating and sideline reporting for Rowan Athletics, as a TV broadcaster. She even broadcasted the first football game of the fall 2019 season against Widener by herself! “We usually don’t [broadcast without a partner], but we were first getting into a groove for the season and figuring out our roles. It was definitely difficult, but it was cool to have that pressure and experience to get me started,” Kayla recalls.
Since her first year as a Prof, Kayla has expanded her athletic commentating experience to include football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, hockey and more! Broadcasting allows her to study team rosters, examine player records and statistics and interview coaches — tasks that allow her to implement the journalism skills she learns from her second major. Kayla even made Rowan Athletics history as the first female play-by-play commentator for football and basketball on TV!
“It’s not just about being a sports broadcaster; it’s also about making relationships with the coaches and players. You develop a gain of trust, and they want to give you good answers [to your interview questions] and tell you what’s going on as much as they can,” she says.
“For me, [Sports CAM] is more than just being a fan. I want to keep growing my knowledge and passion about sports and see where it can take me. Now, my whole course load is sports, and how could I not love that? It’s exactly what I wanted to do.”
Like what you see?
LEARN MORE
Story and photography by:
Nicole Cier, senior writing arts major
Pandemic Profs: Serving as the First Mental Health Chair for My Sorority
Welcome to our series to give you a glimpse into Rowan University, our campus culture, and the lives of our students, while we’re practicing social distancing to protect society from the spread of COVID-19. Today’s story is from Elizabeth Madden, a junior isolating in her house in Monmouth County, NJ. Elizabeth is an early childhood education major with a focus on literacy studies. She who normally lives off campus during the school year, in a house with her sorority sisters.
When I heard that my sorority was creating a new position called mental health chair, I knew immediately that it was something I would like to be a part of. The executive board created this position to really highlight the importance of mental health in college and promoting resources that are available to us currently and beyond our college experience to ensure that we get the most of those.
Personally I wanted this position because I have struggled myself with mental health and have seen those around me struggle and get lost in the “college world” and wanted to help them out while also navigating the same struggles together. My goals for this new position are to raise awareness on campus and within our own sisterhood to help everyone get more informed on mental health and to stop some of the stigma that comes along with those words.
Some of the activities I had planned were unfortunately not able to happen due to the coronavirus outbreak. I had wanted my sorority to get involved with the Out of the Darkness walk on campus through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I have gone to this walk since I was a freshman at Rowan, and noticed that Greek life was not heavily involved and thought that should change. I planned to host tables and fundraising events for this and also have our chapter go to the walk.
Next I planned to hold peer support groups in which I planned to schedule a library room before our chapter meeting and just hold an open one hour space where my sisters could come and talk about stressors in their life or their current anxieties they were having. I thought this would be a good idea because talking it out sometimes helps and makes you realize you’re not alone and a lot of people surrounding you are having these same feelings as you. This would give hope and an outlet.
I also planned to host a speaker, my mom, who is in the mental health field. She was going to come talk to the chapter and inform us on mental health and some of her healthy coping mechanisms she uses and teaches to her clients.
Lastly I was going to give away once a month or so, a mental health basket. In this basket was going to be coloring books and pens, an essential oil diffuser, stress putty and just simple de-stressors that can help calm them and refocus them in a time of uncertainty.
I hope that I can implement these next semester and come up with even more ideas on how to help my chapter and even the campus.
Like what you see, come visit us!
Related posts:
History Major Finds Her Passion for Archiving During Internship
Before COVID-19 social distancing, through her internship with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania this semester Julianne T was able to figure out what career path she wants to take after graduating in May. The history major from Nutley, NJ (Essex County) also minors in political science and international studies.
Julianne has always liked history, more specifically presidential history. “Their personal lives is the better part, because you learn so much about what they did in class but then you get to know more about them as people and that kind of makes a bigger picture.”
After a tour at Rowan University Julianne really liked the university, as did her mom. “My mom really pushed me to come here and I am really thankful she did that.”
Julianne started off as a history education major, but then decided to drop education and focus on history. “It was really the faculty from the history department that showed me that there was so much more I could do with history aside from teaching, which I never knew before. The faculty opened my eyes, there is so much I can do.”
Dr. Jennifer Janofsky, a professor who teaches public history courses has become one of Julianne’s mentors. Dr. Janofsky was the one who told Julianne about the Historical Society of Pennsylvania internship. “She kind of knew what I wanted to do and what my experiences were already with different internships and she was like ‘you should try the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.’”
When Julianne applied, she did not think she would get the internship 
because she though that other students from other colleges in Pennsylvania had a better chance due to them being closer. To Julianne’s surprise, after her interview within an hour she was already signing papers to start interning there. “I wouldn’t have heard about it if it wasn’t for Dr. Janofsky, I am very thankful.”
Julianne is currently working on the Philadelphia Orphan Society collection, where she transcribes lots of documents into Excel sheets, to then use that information for the genealogy research that the Historical Society of Pennsylvania performs. Through this internship she has learned to read other people’s cursive writing much better. “It was really hard at first and now I’m starting to get the hang of it.”
Thanks to this internship Julianne said she learned that she really likes archiving and hopes to one day work at one of the presidential library museums.“There are 13 of them in the country, different presidents and just based around them. So, I definitely want to work in museums, preferably ones that relate to presidents.”
Julianne’s advice for future history majors and current history majors is to read all assigned readings. It may seem tedious reading about World War II over and over again, but it is worth it.
“And don’t just study one area of history, try to take it all in because we have a really diverse history staff so take as many classes as you can.”
Like what you see?
Story by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major
Me Time
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 Autumn Gittinger, senior communication studies major, from Gibbstown, NJ (Gloucester County). She wrote this article in hopes to encourage a student to take a break and feel less guilty for wanting time for themselves.
In today’s society especially within college campuses, we make taking time for ourselves to be on the back burner. We often feel like “me time” is a waste of time and we constantly remind ourselves of the other hundred things we should be doing instead of doing nothing.
Though often we make people feel guilty for focusing on themselves. As a result many think finding time for themselves is not worth it (Carter, 2012.) But taking time for yourself is important, it gives your brain a chance to reboot, increases your productivity, concentration and helps you solve problems more effectively (Carter, 2012.) It also increases your self-awareness and helps you discover or rediscover your own voice (Carter, 2012.) Guilt is a big part of why “me time” is often thrown to the side, but how do we work to overcome the guilt? There are some things to remind ourselves to help lessen the guiltiness of self-care.
First, is to remember that spending time alone will benefit those around you, because it will leave you in a better state of mind to take care and help those you care about. Secondly, taking “me time” will be time well spent because it will improve our happiness and ultimately make us happier people to be around. Lastly, spending time alone will prevent and combat burnout (Carter, 2012.) Which majority of people in college can relate to since we all have so many things to think and worry about on a daily basis.
As college students we may understand how important it is to take time for oneself, but we may not know how. In a Psychology Today article titled, “Why You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty About Stealing a Little Time for Yourself” by Dr. Sherrie Bourg Carter. Carter suggests things such as waking up a little earlier, or using some of lunch time, and temporarily disconnecting from our devices. If these tricks don’t work then we could focus on our schedules. We can look at what time can be consolidated or what can be postponed in order to make time for ourselves (Carter, 2012.) Something that is important to remember is that when it comes to taking alone time, it does not mean you need hours and hours of time. We can all start off small and see how it works in our own lives.
Like what you see, learn more about our healthy campus initiatives!
Story by:
Autumn Gittinger, senior communication studies major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
Sources:
Carter Bourg, Sherrie (2012). “Why You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty About Stealing a Little Time for Yourself”. Psychology Today. Retrieved from:
Perseverance
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 Abby B, junior Nutrition & Dietetics major from Ocean City, NJ (Cape May County). Abby hopes after reading the article,”The reader feels a bit of hope that the struggles they face and handle are not in vain. Instead, I hope it can feel reassuring to know our struggles are rather a fundamental process for character growth and development.”
“No matter what circumstances, when faced with disappointment, pain or hardship, our response ultimately comes down to one of two choices: to open, or close. The things we experience are often out of our control, but we regain our autonomy in whether we allow ourselves to be pried open to the world around us, or if we, in quite understandable fear, close. I made a promise to myself that afternoon that no matter the unknowns that headed my way, I would be someone who opened.”
This quote is from a letter written as a parting gift from a high school English teacher. She was one of the first who helped me understand how to perceive my circumstances and take on challenges within my life. Referring to our natural responses to circumstances as ‘to open or close’ resembles closely to research conducted by Carol Dweck, who has introduced the concept of identifying the traits of a “fixed or growth” mindset. In “Fixed vs. Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives,” Maria Popova explains Dweck’s research:
“A ‘fixed mindset’ assumes that our character, intelligence, and creative ability are static givens which we can’t change in any meaningful way, and success is the affirmation of that inherent intelligence, an assessment of how those givens measure up against an equally fixed standard; striving for success and avoiding failure at all costs become a way of maintaining the sense of being smart or skilled. A ‘growth mindset,’ on the other hand, thrives on challenge and sees failure not as evidence of unintelligence but as a heartening springboard for growth and for stretching our existing abilities,” (Dweck, Popova, 2014).
We are all amid one of the greatest unknowns in our lives thus far, and navigating our lives everyday is an incredible feat within itself. We must take ownership in our direction, even if it means dancing along in the shadows of our uncertainties. Further, in order to heal, grow and thrive under any circumstances, we must acknowledge our hardships, learn from these experiences and go on to try again. By trusting the process and honoring the progression of our lives, it is certain that we will be able to foresee light. ♡
Like what you see, learn more about our healthy campus initiatives!
Story by:
Abby B, junior nutrition & dietetics major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
Reference:
Dweck, C., Popova, M. Fixed vs. growth: the two basic mindsets that shape our lives. January 2014. Retrieved from www.brainpickings.org/2014/01/29/carol-dweck-mindset/
Why It’s Important to Say No
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 Autumn Vilches-Cruz, junior psychology major from Cherry Hill, NJ (Camden County.) She shares, “I think this article will help the Rowan community because everyone has the power to put themselves first, and it all starts with saying no!”
In every individual’s life, there is a struggle to say “no.” When our plates are piled with things to do, and places to be, there is a standard we all hold ourselves to, where we want to commit to as much as we can.
However, there comes a point in everyone’s lives when the schedules we make for ourselves become overwhelming and taxing on the body. As humans, there is only so much we can do in a day. Committing too many things in a day can have harmful effects on your mind and body, so why put more on your plate than you can handle? Here are some benefits to saying “no.”
- More time can be dedicated toward getting rest. If your schedule is piled up with commitments, your body will pay for it! By using the power of saying “no,” a door is opened up to more time for rest and recovery.
- Other people’s priorities will not take precedence over yours. According to Michael Hyatt’s article “5 Reasons You Need to Get Better at Saying No,” if a person doesn’t offer rejection, then their life is then piled up with another person’s life. If a person piles too much on their plate, other people’s priorities become our own. Everyone has their own schedule and personal priorities to take care of. We cannot take care of other people if we can’t take care of ourselves.
- We will be able to say yes to the really important things. Think about it. If a person’s schedule is too full, they won’t be able to commit to things they really need time for. This would mean less time for family, friends, school work and social engagements, to name a few. When your schedule is piled up, there won’t be time to dedicate towards these things. By saying no, a person’s schedule is more cleared up to say yes to more important things!
By saying no now, this can mean a better yes later! If anyone is having trouble saying no, consider thinking about, or using these tips before thinking about what your “yes” is needed for.
Like what you see? Learn more about our healthy campus initiatives.
Story by:
Autumn Vilches-Cruz, junior psychology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
Michael Hyatt. “5 Reasons Why You Need to Get Better at Saying ‘No.’” Michael Hyatt, 29 Nov. 2019
A First-Gen Radio/TV/Film Major Starts Up Company, Joins Town Government
Meet Jamal McPherson from Swedesboro, NJ (Gloucester County), a junior majoring in Radio/TV/ Film (RTF) at the Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts. Jamal is a first-generation college student who loves to get involved in the community and try new things. Last year, he was appointed to the town board committee in Swedesboro. Today, he will share with us his journey to getting appointed and his experience so far at Rowan University.
Before coming to Rowan, Jamal first attended Salisbury University in Maryland, where he was a political science major and football player. Jamal has always had a passion for video production, so at Salisbury he joined their sports media production team, but eventually decided to transfer.
“What I was looking for was not at Salisbury, Maryland. Don’t get me wrong — I had a great time, but sometimes having a great time doesn’t mean you’re being productive,” Jamal says.
When Jamal decided to transfer to Rowan, he also switched majors. “My dad used to wrestle professionally in his day, that is why I’ve always had an interest in sports entertainment,” he adds.
While being back in his hometown, he saw a few vacancies in the board committee. He decided to apply, and he got the job. He is currently a member of the Parks & Recreation Committee and Economic Development Committee.
“I looked at the requirements and I emailed them saying I had great ideas. I joined last year, and I took an oath of office … They are a great group of mentors and they understand that school is first.”
Being a part of the committee is a four-year commitment; after Jamal’s contract is over, he isn’t sure if he will continue pursuing government committee positions. He recently started his own company called Aniville, where he plans concerts and festivals.
“Right now, I do concerts for my company Aniville, that’s what I’ve been working on lately. I had a show in the Pfleeger Concert Hall in October, called ‘Aniville Jam’ and I had a show in Philadelphia over the summer too, it went pretty well. After the show it opened a few doors for me.”
Jamal thinks Rowan does a great job in making sure everyone brings their A-game wherever they go, and he thinks the staff at Rowan University are exceptional.
“I love Rowan,” Jamal says.
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major
Body Positivity: A Beginner’s Guide
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 My’yonna Boyd, freshmen Biology major from Camden, NJ. My’yonna hopes, “Students will become aware you can make positive changes in your life and learn to accept themselves for who they are as a person. With a little a motivation and research, a body-positive lifestyle can be suitable for anyone.”
Body positivity has become a movement in our society. For those who are unfamiliar with the newly-coined termed, it means to help individuals embrace their image and learn to love the parts of themselves that makes one unique. Many concerned people have begun pushing the agenda that advertising companies need to be more inclusive, but still it does not seem our voices are being heard.
However, since we can’t go protest every company that doesn’t have someone who looks like us, we can set up steps that will help us achieve our own body positivity goals. Remember the end goal is to be more mindful how we perceive ourselves and gaining confidence in our appearance. The steps listed below will give an idea of where to start and do not have to be followed in any specific order.
Step one: Consider a social media detox. We consume so much in one day, and sometimes we do not notice how impactful it is in our lives. Yes, social media helps us explore the world around us, but it also leaves us in a pool of pity when we begin comparing ourselves to others. Start with getting off the phone by a certain hour. This gives time to reflect the day and increases productivity, which makes us feel good.
Step two: Set up SMART goals. “SMART is an effective tool that provides the clarity, focus and motivation you need to achieve your goals” (MindTools 2020). SMART is an acronym that stands for: Specific (simple), Measurable (motivating), Achievable (attainable), Relevant or Responsible (result-based) and Time-bound (time/cost limit). Ensuring your goal fits the criteria will allow it to be more effective.
Follow this example to structure your own goals.
Specific: I want to have more positive thoughts about myself than negative ones.
Measurable: I will compliment myself more frequently throughout the day.
Achievable: I will say two positive things about myself for each bad thought I had.
Responsible: I will acknowledge when I am being too negative and reevaluate.
Time-Based: I will have weekly journals to record my journey to being more positive and kinder to myself.
Being more body positive is definitely a journey, and the steps listed above can give guidance in the right direction. Each step we take is progress, so celebrate your small victories and note that we are all on the path to love ourselves more each day.
Like what you see? Learn more about our healthy campus initiatives.
Story by:
My’yonna Boyd, freshmen biology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
References:
Michele, et al. “SMART Goals: – How to Make Your Goals Achievable.” Mind Tools, 4 Feb. 2020, www.mindtools.com/pages/article/smart-goals.htm.
Journalism Student Paves the Way as First Female to Commentate a Rowan Football Game on Radio
When Katie F, a junior Sports Communication & Media and Journalism double major from Swedesboro, NJ (Gloucester County), discovered the campus radio station her sophomore year, she “knew it was a good path to take.” An email in her student inbox with the subject line, “Are you Rowan’s new voice in Radio?” inspired her to take a leap into an area of journalism she had never considered before. “I knew that, being a transfer student, it might be difficult to meet people. So I signed up for training sessions for Rowan Radio,” she says.
Katie’s family had introduced her to Philadelphia sports early, and she grew up watching the Flyers, but her interest in football picked up as the Eagles made their way toward the playoffs two years ago. “I started to think that I should really learn [football] so I could enjoy it more and fully understand what I was watching,” she recalls. She began to actively follow the games with her dad, learning more and more with each game.
Fast forward to one year later, and Katie is the assistant news director at Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM, and the first female broadcaster on Rowan Radio to cover a Rowan football game in the school’s history!
In November, Gary Erdelyi, the sports director, shared with her that there was an opportunity to cover a Rowan vs. Christopher Newport University football game in Virginia. With 10 years of experience playing soccer, Katie had done color commentating on two soccer games before, but football was a whole different game — literally. Derek J, the station manager and Katie’s sports broadcasting professor, provided the support she needed to succeed at this opportunity. Derek is a mentor and role model for Katie, having first trained her at the radio station and guided her through multiple classes at Rowan, so “from the beginning” she felt “comfortable asking questions as I learned the ropes of broadcasting.”
“I said, ‘if you need somebody to do this, I will step up and figure it out,’” Katie reflects. “At first I was nervous, not sure if I was saying the right things, but the people that I had supporting me were really helpful. They validated me and made me feel like part of a good team there.”
She didn’t realize it at the time, but bravely stepping up and covering the game, despite her doubts, put her in a record-setting position. As the first female at the university to cover a football game, she is paving the way for other women in sports communications and journalism to follow her lead.
Katie is the only woman in both her Sports Broadcasting and Sports Journalism II classes, a field predominantly composed of male students.
“There was never a time where I felt like I wasn’t included, whether in my classes or at the radio station, and I’m thankful for that,” she says. “Being a part of a team of people who are as passionate about something as I am, and being able to meet people through it is a really great experience. It can be weird at times, looking around and being the only girl in a room, but with every experience I’ve had, I’ve always felt like everybody was rooting for me.”
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story and photography by:
Nicole Cier, senior writing arts major
What It’s Like Being A Mummer
In this Beyond the Classroom feature, a Rowan University student shares personal insight as a Mummer Meet TJ Ferry, a senior Computing & Informatics major and Rowan University Social Media team member from Gloucester County. Here, TJ shares how being part of the iconic Mummers tradition has changed his life for the better. This story […]
Public Relations Major Lands Full-Time Job After Internship
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.
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 
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.
Like what you see? Come visit us!
Story by:
Ciara Sikking, senior public relations and mathematics double major
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
The Five Aspects, Not Stages, of Grief
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. 
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.
Like what you see? Learn more about our healthy campus initiatives!
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#
Period Shame
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 Autumn Bowman, senior Communication Studies major, who 
wrote this article to start a health discussion.
She shares: “There are a lot of topics that we avoid talking about because of stigma, and stigma breeds secrecy. Stigmas can only be broken by creating open spaces for communication. As someone who studies communication, I think creating open spaces for sexual and reproductive health can help explore these health topics in a more open and honest way.”
wrote this article to start a health discussion.She shares: “There are a lot of topics that we avoid talking about because of stigma, and stigma breeds secrecy. Stigmas can only be broken by creating open spaces for communication. As someone who studies communication, I think creating open spaces for sexual and reproductive health can help explore these health topics in a more open and honest way.”
“You’re becoming a woman.” As wonderful as this sounds, this is the first introduction to period shame young people with uteruses experience. Even in America, a more period-tolerant country, our language surrounding periods barely ever includes the word ‘period’, or —God forbid — ‘blood.’ Advertisements for period products had never even shown blood on their products until 2011 and even now, even mentioning periods can get met with a groan of disgust, or an accusation of oversharing. But why are they so taboo?
Period shame is the social stigma surrounding menstruation created by misconceptions and misunderstandings. One study conducted with backing from THINX, a menstrual product company, concluded that its effects have an incredible reach. For example, the research survey showed that 58% of women have felt embarrassed simply for being on their period and 44% refer to their period by different, ‘more palatable’ names. By being made to feel ashamed, people with uteruses are less likely to have fact seeking behaviors surrounding their period. And, since not many people speak freely about them it can be hard, especially for young people, to get real information about what is happening with their bodies.
Later in life, these same people continue to experience ridicule over their periods. Almost half, 44%, of men have admitted to making comments about their partner’s mood while they were on their period. These stereotypes reinforce a need to keep periods a secret. However, periods also come with a lot of pain — which is expected to be masked by those enduring it. If it isn’t spoken about and it’s supposed to be a secret when it’s happening, how can it be fully understood and accepted as a healthy and normal?
In a society where people with uteruses make up half of the population, it doesn’t quite make sense why something the vast majority experience is seen as something to be ashamed of. There is no reason to be ashamed of a healthy body performing its natural functions. Without periods and uteruses, humankind would not exist. Conversations had about periods are not inappropriate — they are vital to providing factual, empowering information, to counteract the societal shame we have instilled in people with uteruses.
Like what you see? Learn more about our healthy campus initiatives.
Story by:
Autumn Bowman, senior communications studies major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
Reference
Siebert, V. (2018). Nearly half of women have experienced ‘period shaming’ . Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2018/01/03/nearly-half-of-women-have-experienced-period-shaming/
Well-being
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 Roxy Urso, senior Biology major, who wrote this article with the inspiration of the Rowan Thrive campaign that has been around campus this semester. Roxy shares: “Oftentimes, people get caught up in the idea of mental health and the awareness of it, and while it is extremely important, mental health has many other factors that play into it to make a total person. As college students, our lives are always crazy, so by taking a step back and working on different aspects of wellness on a small scale, we will have a greater impact on our mental health and ourselves overall.”
Over and over again it has been stressed to college students to practice good mental health, to have a strong mindset in the chaos that is the world of academia. Topics of a person’s wellness and well-being are constantly thrown in with these ideas to make it sound like these topics are no more than mental health. However, people often forget that a strong mental well-being is hard to achieve without all elements of well-being having their own presence.
Well-being is an encapsulation of a person through all aspects of their life, as they work together to create an individual, no matter the mindset. However, the more positive each area is on their own, the more likely the individual will have an overall positive well-being. These eight areas of well-being include: emotional, financial, social, spiritual/purpose, occupational, physical, intellectual and environmental. Understanding that well-being is not just a mental state, but the state of a person that is developed by each of these eight areas, can allow a person to work on each one, ultimately working on all, to better themselves as a whole.
For example, by setting a goal to study everyday for a class, a person would be working not only on their intellectual well-being, but their sense of purpose by preparing more for school to be able to graduate, and their occupational because they are most likely trying to graduate to find a job.
Although the idea of working on eight areas of a person’s life may seem overwhelming, it only takes small steps towards each to reach a state that not only betters their mental state, but their person as a whole.
Like what you see? Learn more about our healthy campus initiatives.
Story by:
Roxy Urso, senior biology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
References
Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. (n.d.). Eight Dimensions of Wellness. Retrieved from https://cpr.bu.edu/living-well/eight-dimensions-of-wellness/
The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep
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 Autumn Vilches-Cruz, junior Psychology major, who finds receiving an adequate amount of sleep is super important for college students. She explains how busy schedules require enough energy that life demands.
She hopes this article will help the Rowan community by making students understand that without a good amount of sleep each day, there can be harmful effects that impact your physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Sleep is a fundamental part of our everyday lives. It’s what helps humans 
function, grow and recharge within just hours. When students decide to go into the next step in their lives and go to college, one of the things students lose is sleep. Most college students get an average of six hours of sleep each night, while the recommended amount of sleep for young adults is 7-9 hours a night (MayoClinic). When a person doesn’t get enough sleep each night, it can come with consequences.
Why do we need sleep? Not getting enough sleep can result in things like feeling physically, mentally and emotionally drained, along with weight gain, lower academic performance and more. All of these things can be detrimental to the mind and body, and here’s why. When people don’t get enough sleep, there is a lack of focus and alertness. This can cause things like lower academic performance and car accidents. Someone who doesn’t get enough sleep is more likely to gain weight because it causes changes to hormones that regulate hunger and appetite. The hormone leptin helps to regulate energy balance by restraining hunger. When there is a lack of sleep, this causes leptin to encourage the body to eat more, which leads to weight gain. Overall, getting a good night’s sleep can help humans function and live an overall better life.
Here are some tips on how to get a good night’s rest!
- Reduce daytime naps: While naps feel great and assist in recharging when an individual hasn’t had enough sleep, it actually causes a decrease in the amount of sleep individuals receive each night. A power nap of up to 30 minutes is not totally detrimental to sleep, but longer nap periods can throw off a person’s normal sleep schedule.
- Wake up earlier, and go to bed early: Waking up an hour earlier before the normal school day begins can help individuals wake up and start the day right. Waking up an hour early can make it easier to fall asleep at night because the hour a person woke up is one hour of sleep lost. This makes it easier to fall asleep because then people come to bed ready to sleep.
- Crack the window open or sleep with a fan: It is proven that lower temperatures aid in sleeping! This means a fan or overall cold air can help put people to sleep faster.
- Limit electronic usage: Limiting phone use before bed can help individuals fall asleep. If a person turns off the lights and immediately plays on a phone/tablet/computer, this is exposing them to blue light, which limits the melatonin hormone from doing its job of making people fall asleep!
For a college student, perfect sleep can be hard to achieve, but there are many ways to help aid in getting a good night’s sleep!
Like what you see? Learn more about our healthy campus initiatives.
Story by:
Autumn Vilches-Cruz, junior psychology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
References
“How Many Hours of Sleep Do You Need?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 June 2019, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/faq-20057898
Future Chemical Engineer Shares Her Research Experience with ExxonMobil
“In high school, I was extremely interested in chemistry and 
pharmaceuticals. I thought about first going to pharmacy school, but I was more interested in how drugs were actually made rather than the dispensing of drugs to patients,” shares Casey Wagner, senior Chemical Engineering major from Sicklerville, NJ (Camden County).
Four years later, she’s conducting research for ExxonMobil.
While working as a research assistant at Rowan over the summer, Casey bumped into her past professor, Dr. C. Stewart Slater. He encouraged her to join his fall clinic team to help ExxonMobil with a project involving the flushing operations of its lubrication plant. Casey explains, “It seemed like an awesome opportunity as a student who wants to go into industry.”
She continues, “The project is still in the beginning stages of development. So far our team is researching how we can relate other industries to the oil industry. Being able to visit the lubrication plant in Paulsboro, NJ and see 
how the operations are completed was an awesome experience. Being able to contact engineers and operators who are working at this plant to ask them questions and learn from their experiences has been a great experience for my future.
“Overall, I’ve been very happy with the professional experience I’m gaining from being a part of this project. I’m extremely happy with the way the communication is between the students and ExxonMobil workers. I feel like we are slowly narrowing our focus as a unit and getting closer to finding plausible options for the plant.
“I have gained some very valuable research experience from being a part of this project. Obviously, as engineers, we have to create unique ideas for our own experiments all the time. Reading about previously done work in contrasting industries and finding correlations between those different industries within the oil industry is very important for this project. This procedure is important no matter where I work in the future.
“Also, working with different groups of people whether it be within the same company or at a different company has given me valuable professional experience. Learning different terms and expressions used by other engineers and chemists has been helpful.”
Casey feels Rowan best prepared her for this opportunity through the engineering clinics. Every semester, all engineering majors are enrolled in clinics, which provide students with an opportunity to join projects they are interested in. She continues, “It definitely prepared me for work after college and for deciding whether I want to continue my education or move on to working in the industry.”
She knows if she ever has any questions, Dr. Slater or Dr. [Mariano] Savelski will always answer them. She shares, “Dr. Slater this past year has been a guiding hand for me and is someone who I know I can always go to for help with future careers.”
Like what you see, learn more about chemical engineering!
Story and photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
Quit Vaping
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 Mariana Cardenas, senior Psychology major, who wrote this article because of what she’s observed around her. She explains, “I have seen my friends go from saying that they vape because it is just water vapor (it’s not) to then being worried from seeing others in hospitals over vaping and wanting to quit so badly. But many struggle with quitting because they don’t know how to start or they have attempted many times but it being too difficult to deal with the nicotine withdrawals.”
Know it is time to quit vaping, but don’t know where to start?
At this point, we have all seen the social media posts of friends in hospitals vowing to quit vaping. It may have been unclear in the past of the effects that these devices could have on our bodies. Older people talking about the effects just seemed ridiculous. But the research is out now, and it has become apparent that the stuff coming out of vapes should not be going anywhere in our bodies.
Along with all too well known physical effects the chemicals in vapes have on our bodies, there are also several behavioral effects. This includes anxiety and permanently lowered impulse control (thetruth.com).
You may be in a mindset where you know you should ditch the vape, but not know how to start. For some, quitting can feel overwhelming. It may be difficult to imagine yourself without your vape (teen.smokefree.gov).
First, set up a plan and take on your quit journey one step at a time. Most importantly, establish a support system, which can be as simple as letting your friends know about your plans to quit.
Do not be discouraged by slip-ups; instead, celebrate the progress you have made.
Identify triggers and try to avoid them if possible — feelings, things, people or places that give you the urge to vape.
Get ready for withdrawals. Mood changes due to nicotine withdrawal are typically temporary while your body adjusts to being nicotine-free. Keep in mind that the longer you go without nicotine, the better you will feel. When you are having an especially tough day, think back to why you chose to quit in the first place.
Create a simple phrase of your reason for quitting. Write it down somewhere you will constantly see, like your phone’s lock screen, to remind you of your goals.
These are all suggestions. Some of these steps may work well for you and others may not. Do not compare your quit journey to others because all our bodies work differently.
Best of wishes to you in your future healthier life.
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story by:
Mariana Cardenas, senior psychology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
Eat More, It’s Good for You
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 Grace Van Cleef, senior Psychology and Communication Studies double major, who wrote this article because she recently started consistently meal prepping. She shares, “My meals are more consistent and healthy now, and I think about my diet in a way I never did before. I know a lot of college students who skip meals simply because they don’t have the time or money to eat, and I wanted to write something addressing that.”
We’ve all been there. It’s 8 p.m., you just got home after a long day 
of classes, and a complaint from your stomach reminds you that you haven’t eaten a meal since last night. Sometimes class schedules cut straight through normal meal times. Sometimes homework that’s due in a few hours takes priority over finding time to eat. Sometimes the 10-a-week meal plan just doesn’t cut it. But one way or another, sometimes we fill up on our morning coffee and don’t eat a meal for 18 hours or more. Perhaps the meals were replaced with snacks: a granola bar, goldfish, maybe a banana. Oh, well. It can’t be that unhealthy, right? Our culture is always pushing diets that rely on intermittent fasting and calorie cutting. Using this logic, it’s easy to justify skipping meals as healthy.
But how does skipping meals truly influence your health? According to the Health Sciences Center at the University of Louisville, skipping meals is not a good tactic for weight management. In fact, it can have several negative impacts on overall health, both physically and mentally. Skipping meals means the body has less energy to run on, because bodies get their fuel from food. This can cause headaches and feelings of fatigue, sluggishness, weakness, or shakiness. Then, skipping meals can lead to getting — so hungry that all the brain can think about is food. However, this means that once eating is finally an option, our bodies and brains push us to overeat or choose whatever is fast and easy, which usually isn’t very healthy. Finally, as a response to not eating for long periods of time, the body lowers its metabolism and conserves energy by burning fewer calories. This means that eating a large, unhealthy, meal at the end of a day of involuntary fasting will retain more of those calories and actually cause weight gain, contrary to the goal of popular diets such as intermittent fasting. Skipping meals can lead to all sorts of health detriments, and worst of all, it feels terrible.
As a busy, broke college student, skipping meals might feel necessary just to get through the week. However, there are a number of ways to manage a busy schedule while still eating well. First, it is important to understand what to eat in order to stay satisfied longer. A good meal will have a combination of protein, carbs and fats, and will satisfy hunger for 4-6 hours. Fruits and vegetables are important for the vitamins and fiber they contain as well. Bodies need all of these components to create blood sugar, and when blood sugar drops too low, it contributes to feelings of hunger. If meals or snacks lack one of these components, blood sugar will drop sooner and our bodies won’t be satisfied for as long. For example, eating a banana alone will only satisfy hunger for an hour or two, while eating a banana on toast (a carb) with peanut butter (which contains protein and fat) will satisfy hunger for much longer. In order to stay satisfied on a busy schedule, make sure every meal contains these components.
Plan classes around meal times so there’s time to use Tapingo. Alternatively, plan meals and snacks in advance to take to class or work. Having a well fed, well fueled body means more energy and strength to make it through a long day of running from class to class. Eating consistently is healthier and feels better than skipping meals.
Like what you see? Learn more about our healthy campus initiatives.
Story by:
Grace Van Cleef, senior psychology and communication studies major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
References
University of Louisville Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine. (2005). Perils of Skipping Meals [Pamphlet]. Retrieved from https://louisville.edu/medicine/departments/familymedicine/files/L081611.pdf
First Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management Graduate Reflects on His Rowan Experience
Jeff Dever, a 2017 alum from Moorestown, NJ (Burlington County), has many reasons to be #RowanPROUD. He made Rowan history as the first student to graduate with a degree in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, and has made countless contributions to campus safety throughout his undergraduate years. But where did his success begin?
The walls of Robinson Hall were the sign he was looking for to launch a successful career. During his sophomore year, they were adorned with posters advertising the new Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management program at Rowan University.
“At the time, I was a volunteer firefighter, working part-time in emergency medical services (EMS). I’d always had an interest in the field, so I thought, why not go talk to my advisor and give it a try?” he recalls.
The advisors and faculty within the department were eager to help an interested — and experienced, as a bonus — student transition into this exciting new major.
“I had originally started at Rowan with a dual major in History and Education. I was headed down the teaching track when I realized maybe that wasn’t what I wanted to pursue,” Jeff says. “I spent a lot of time that semester in their offices as they helped me figure out how to incorporate the credits that I had already earned as an Education major into my progress in the emergency management program, as well as my experience as a first responder.”
The role models Jeff grew close with over the next few years in the program shaped the positive experience he had as one of the first students to enter the realm of disaster preparedness and emergency management. He credits his professors and advisors within the major for helping him explore careers in the field and find his place in the program.
“They wanted me to graduate on time and grow as a person, but also encouraged me to bring my outside experiences as a first responder into their learning environment,” he says. “I don’t think you get such personalized attention and assistance like that at many other universities, especially one that is growing as quickly [as Rowan is].”
One of the first professors Jeff met in the program, Len Clark, quickly became a mentor throughout his college experience.
“At the time [I was in Clark’s class], I was working part-time at the Gloucester County EMS. He was the former emergency management coordinator of Gloucester County, so we would always go into class and swap stories about our experiences,” Jeff shares. He stayed in touch with Clark beyond graduation, as he continued on to work with the Camden EMS and with FEMA.
Jeff credits the outstanding education he earned in the major to the variety of wise, experienced faculty members who taught him. Many of his professors were first responders and emergency management authorities throughout South Jersey themselves, as were his peers and classmates in the program. This is what contributed to such a tight-knit, collaborative environment within the program that led to lifelong friendships and impactful careers.
“The professors I had were all very invested in the success of their students, because they realized that these were the students who would be taking over their roles once they’ve retired. They want to leave people in good hands,” Jeff says.
“You see a lot more camaraderie in the program, because you have professors who are retired firefighters or police officers teaching current or aspiring firefighters and police officers. Of course you have professional expectations to get your work done and come to class, but you also know that these people genuinely care about your wellbeing and your success.”
Jeff attributes his accomplishments in his career so far to the rich experiences he gained through an on-campus internship with the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) at Rowan and as a line officer in the Rowan EMS. As an intern with the OEM, Jeff made numerous contributions to the safe environment Rowan students appreciate today, such as managing inventory for Rowan’s shelter stockpile and updating the campus emergency operations plan, in the case of any major incident on campus.
But his most memorable accomplishment as an intern was his role in Rowan earning the HeartSafe Campus status, which there are signs posted for throughout campus. Through this program, a certain percentage of students are trained in CPR, and CPR training events are held regularly on campus. It’s one of the many ways Rowan sets itself apart from other universities in terms of safety.
“All these experiences I had as a disaster preparedness and emergency management student not only helped me in my professional development, but it made the campus that I love a safer place. It was a really cool, win-win experience — and something I take a lot of pride in.”
As Jeff sets off to continue his career as an Emergency Management Specialist at the Wake County Department of Fire Services in Raleigh, North Carolina, he encourages more students to look into the disaster preparedness and emergency management program at Rowan.
“As we see more disasters being declared in the United States, a lot of jurisdictions and nonprofit agencies are seeking more formal education with their emergency management team.
What Rowan offers in this program — with accessibility to opportunities like Rowan EMS and internships — is a mix of that formal education as well as practical experience, which is so important in this field.”
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story and photography by:
Nicole Cier, senior writing arts major
Toxic Friend Groups
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 Jessica Hassell, a second-year Higher Education Administration track graduate student who wrote this article to start a discussion about toxic friendships. She shares, “I hope that this article will help Rowan University students become more conscious about how they are treated by others and whether or not they like that treatment.”
College students tend to not think much about the health of their relationships. When building friend groups, individuals can find 
themselves displaying patterns of behaviors that may or may not reflect their values.
Friend groups are social relationships that have complex dynamics, where everyone plays a role. There are some friends who play positive roles that help keep the group active and engaging. These friends act as the initiator; the one that always suggests something fun to do, or the consensus tester who checks to see how everyone feels about the next course of action (Benne, 1948). However, there are also friends who aggressors who dominate, degrade or distract others to get what they want out of the group. It is important for young people to be able to recognize toxic friendships that can negatively impact their wellbeing.
There is minimal research on toxic friendships, but there are a multitude of tactics that toxic individuals use to control others. Some of these tactics include being passive-aggressive to make the victim change without having an open dialogue, never apologizing when they overstep boundaries, and even holding grudges and using past favors or mistakes to guilt the victim into changing their behaviors (“Types of Abuse – Loveisrespect,” 2017). It is helpful for every person in a social circle to think about how these relationships make them feel and evaluate which members of that friend group make them feel empowered and disempowered.
Often, it is easier for young people to recognize abuse in intimate partnerships than in their immediate social circles. Commonly referenced in literature surrounding domestic abuse is the power and control wheel developed by the Domestic Abuse and Intervention Project in Duluth Minnesota (“Power and Control Wheels,” 2017). It details eight methods of power and control: coercion/threats, intimidation, emotional abuse, isolation, obfuscation, economic abuse, using children and using male privilege. While some elements of the Power and Control wheel may only apply to heteronormative intimate partnerships, others can be applied to all relationships.
Although many college friend groups may not have to worry about physical abuse or children, issues surrounding digital abuse, financial abuse, and emotional/verbal abuse can cause anxiety and be signs of toxic friendship. Many people have online access and digital abuse means using online means to take away an individual’s autonomy. It can include directly or indirectly putting someone down in status, spreading rumors online or video recording someone without their consent. Regarding financial abuse, it can include someone watching over another friend’s finances.
By one friend asking for money repeatedly or another friend using money to hold power over another person’s actions, or a friend making another feel guilty about their purchases — these are ways of controlling others. Even exerting emotional/verbal abuse can manifest itself in friend groups as individuals within the group tell members what to do or who to talk to, name-call and allow individuals to be degraded, or even those that make any member feel like their feelings are unimportant (“Types of Abuse – Loveisrespect,” 2017). Once an individual recognizes these toxic behaviors, they can speak out or exit.
College is full opportunities. If an individual finds themselves in a toxic friend group, it’s simple to create distance between oneself and the unhealthy relationship to find new friends elsewhere. Others might choose to use this time to practice their communication skills and attempt to confront the behaviors that make them feel controlled and powerless. No matter the choice, everyone should consider the role that they play in their friend group, take time to consider the health of their social circle and the impact that these relationships are having on their wellbeing.
Like what you see? Learn more about our healthy campus initiatives.
Story by:
Jessica Hassell, second-year higher education administration graduate student, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
References
Benne, Kenneth D, and Sheats, Paul. “Functional Roles of Group Members.” Journal of Social Issues. 4.2 (1948): 41–49. Web.
“Power and Control Wheels.” Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs, 2017, https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels/.
“Types of Abuse – Loveisrespect.” Loveisrespect.org, National Domestic Violence Hotline, 2017, https://www.loveisrespect.org/is-this-abuse/types-of-abuse/.
The Importance Of Recognizing Disordered Eating Behaviors
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 Caleb Jones, junior Psychology major, who wrote this article to bring awareness to an issue not often talked about. He shares, “There is increased recognition and desti
gmatization of eating disorders, but still little discussion about disordered eating behaviors that may not seem so obvious or extreme.”
At least 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S. (Hudson, Hiripi, Pope & Kessler, 2007). In recent years, various groups have been working to end the stigma associated with eating disorders. Many of us are aware of the types of eating disorders there are and their symptoms. However, we rarely discuss disordered eating behaviors. Those who partake in disordered eating behaviors may not fit all criteria necessary to be diagnosed with an eating disorder, but this does not mean that these behaviors should be ignored.
It is also possible that individuals may not even recognize their disordered eating behaviors, especially if these practices have been a part of their lives for a long period of time. This is why it is important for us all to check in with ourselves when it comes to how we think about food. What are our attitudes, opinions and feelings about what we put in our bodies? How does this relate to how we feel about ourselves?
Disordered eating behaviors may include but are not limited to: restricting, excessive calorie and macronutrient counting, rigid rituals and routines surrounding food and exercise, shame and guilt associated with eating, and hyperfixation on weight and appearance. It is important to note these patterns in ourselves as they may be a sign that we have the potential for developing a full-blown eating disorder.
Recognizing these behaviors before they get worse gives us the opportunity to protect our mental and physical health from declining before things spiral out of control. There is no shame in struggling with an eating disorder, nor disordered eating behaviors, and everybody deserves the support or treatment they need in regards to bettering their relationship with food.
Like what you see? Learn more about our healthy campus initiatives.
Story by:
Caleb Jones, junior psychology major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
References
Hudson, J. I., Hiripi, E., Pope, H. G., & Kessler, R.C. (2007). The prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in the national comorbidity survey replication. Biological Psychiatry, 61(3), 348–358.
Marketing and Supply Chain & Logistics Major Erin DeBiasse Shares Her Passionate Work Ethic
Erin DeBiasse, a sophomore Marketing and Supply Chain & Logistics major and Spanish minor from Denville, NJ (Morris County), is highly passionate about her field. When she was growing up, she always went to work with her dad at Snap-on Tools, which saw her traveling a lot, inspiring her to develop a hard work ethic. “I wanted to do something where you put so much work into it that you get something out of it,” Erin says.
Coming into Rowan University, her intro business courses were super general and informative, which allowed her to explore marketing and supply chain logistics in a more in-depth manner. This helped her decide where she wanted to be within those fields. Currently, she works at Rowan University’s Business Hall. This past summer, she worked in a recruiting agency in Parsippany, NJ, which she found through ProfJobs. She plans on working in a supply chain and logistics internship next summer, which she found through her marketing professor.
Erin pointed out Kelly Young, her academic advisor, as a role model and mentor who supported and motivated her to push her boundaries to their fullest potential. She was extremely helpful in navigating her schedule and in helping her decide what she wanted to do.
Erin is a part of University Innovation Fellows, a Stanford University run program where students are recommended by their university business or engineering professors to get involved in. She was one of the four students chosen from Rowan to join the program. The four students are tasked to find a problem with the university and attempt to fix it by getting funding. Erin chose to focus on solving the hunger problem at Rowan. She devised a plan in which students can donate their meal swipes to other students in need. This is in its beginning stages, and if it passes, the group will be sent out to Stanford in the spring and go to Google’s Headquarters to present.
Erin’s time at Rowan has only been very brief so far, but she already has highly enjoyed her time here. She looks forward to her next two years at Rowan and advises others to take risks. “Identity which risk to take and go 100% with it,” she says.
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story by Enzo Ronchi, junior public relations major
Photography by Adam Goskowsky, junior advertising major
The Mental Health Benefits of Cosplay
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 Allison Niemiec, a first year graduate student in the Higher Education Administrative Track program, who wrote this article because cosplay has been […]
Beyond the Classroom: Ryan Clare and Ian Nielsen Canvassing for Bernie Sanders
Meet the partners and leaders of Rowan for Bernie at Rowan University — President Ryan Clare, a junior in Music Composition from Jackson (Ocean County), and Vice President Ian Nielsen, a senior with a major in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Allentown (Monmouth County).
Rowan for Bernie is a group dedicated to canvassing and talking to individuals around campus about their political ideals on Bernie Sanders and to help upcoming voters build their opinions leading to the upcoming election. Their mission is to network with as many people as they can to persuade and educate them in the hope to get votes for Bernie Sanders.
Ryan and Ian first met at a Bernie Sanders networking program, which helped students start groups and organizations in their colleges and provided the support and tools to help students understand canvassing. Through this meeting, Rowan for Bernie was created.
They were able to support a decent following on-campus with around 20 dedicated members going to club meetings as of now, and they look to further expand the organization.
Ryan explains his passion for his position: “Bernie Sanders has inspired me to really get involved with the political process, and I feel like he is our one chance to get somebody into the White House that has been this consistent for his entire political career…”
Ryan further adds, “…he has motivated me, and I feel like I have to fight as hard as I can to get this man elected.”
Ian also shares why he wanted to get involved: “I wasn’t really super political, [but] I always was somewhat into politics all throughout my high school years.”
Ian also explains his viewpoint: “I just really believe that it’s our responsibility as citizens to participate in the democratic process and make sure that people are taken care of. Bernie has 
been consistent over the decades, whether it comes to talking about healthcare he’s been pushing for Medicare for all these years. He was on the right side of civil rights, which is something we can not say for other candidates. He has been pushing for $15 an hour wage, that’s something he has been pushing for years … He is not only pushing for these things in Congress but he is actually doing them right now.”
One of their upcoming goals is to become a chartered organization at Rowan. As of now they have a petition with 200 signatures and are looking to propose their organization to the Student Government Association for further advancements.
With all the time put into the organization, they truly share a passion and work hard toward creating a bigger following and sharing some amazing experiences in the field. Ryan adds: “I’ve just really enjoyed canvassing and talking to new people, we openly will discuss ideas to people from very different political backgrounds … just really enjoyed sharing my views and backing them up with facts as opposed to just how I feel about things.” Ian further adds his most favorite experiences so far, “Just hearing people’s personal stories is just really moving and it really inspires me to keep pushing and try and make things better for everyone.”
For now, they look to further expand their club and to help people understand the importance to participate in the election and to have fun doing it!
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story and photography by:
Adam Goskowsky, junior advertising major
A Leader in Rowan’s First-Year Connection: Volunteerism Program
Meet Amanda Yannarella, a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Engineering from Burlington Township, NJ (Burlington County). This summer, Amanda became a student leader for this year’s Rowan’s First-Year Connection: Volunteerism Program. Today she will share with us her experience in the program and what she’s learned from being a student leader.
Why did you decide to join Rowan’s First-Year Connection program?
“Last year as a freshman, I wanted to get acclimated to campus and wanted to start of my year well by volunteering.
I volunteered a lot in high school, too. I was in Key Club, so I did a lot of volunteering then and I wanted to continue here. I was a leader this year because I loved it so much my freshman year. I wanted to do it again and have a positive impact on the incoming first-year students, because that was really important to me.”
What kind of activities did you do?
“We went to the Food Bank of South Jersey and we helped sort all the donations they had into proteins, soups and grains. Two people went into the bakery to bake muffins, so that was really cool. We also helped with the Saint Bernard’s [disaster relief] Project, which is similar to Habitat for Humanity, in which I am also involved in. We went to someone’s house that was damaged by Hurricane Sandy and we helped fix up their house. We did flooring, drywall, spackling and hurricane clips, which is supposed to help the roof stay on with strong winds.
“Then we helped with the Little Owls Preschool at Rowan. We were cleaning their classrooms to prepare for the school year. It took us about two hours, which would have taken all the Little Owl teachers all day. Then we did SAIL Bowling Night; they do activities for adults on the autism spectrum. We had a great time bowling with them and making conversations — just hanging out and having fun, but it was important because I feel like we were making everyone’s day better. I’m not good at bowling, but still had a good time.”
What was your favorite activity?
“The Saint Bernard’s Project was my favorite because you learn skills that I feel you can transfer to your own house. Now I know how to put in hardwood flooring, and that’s pretty cool.”
What knowledge or skills have you developed through this program?
“When we went to the food bank [someone] told us the amount of food we sorted, which was a lot, was between 2,000 to 5,000 pounds. The guy was like, ‘Congratulations guys, you really helped us out, but there are still families going to bed hungry tonight. And even though we worked so hard there is still a lot of work to be done.’ Then you’re like, ‘Wait what? I just did this whole work and you’re telling me that there’s more?’ It’s kind of eye opening. That is why I like doing stuff like that because you get impacted and it’s good to get reminded with that kind of stuff. And as a leader I learned leadership skills, like learning to communicate. I use to hate talking. I was so quiet when I was younger, but this actually helped me get more comfortable talking to bigger groups of people.”
What did being a leader for Rowan’s First-Year Connection program mean to you?
“I liked being able to have an impact on incoming students and setting them off into a positive way. We were focusing on the volunteering stuff all week and the importance of that, but we were also getting them ready for campus. And it just meant a lot to get that kind of leadership experience under my belt.”
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major
Beyond the Classroom: Interning in Israel
Meet Alyssa Salera, a junior from East Greenwich, NJ (Gloucester County) majoring in Biochemistry from the College of Science & Mathematics. This summer, Alyssa interned in Israel at a rehabilitation hospital, where she worked closely with physical therapists and patients. Today, she will share with us her experience abroad.
Where did you intern this summer?
“The hospital is called Herzog Hospital and it’s in Jerusalem, Israel. It’s a rehabilitation hospital.”
How did you hear about this internship?
“I went to Israel last summer on a trip called ‘Birthright.’ I was at Barnes and Noble getting coffee with the on-campus Rebbetzin [a rabbi’s wife or a teacher], and we talked about ways on how I could go back to Israel. I told her that I want to go to PA (physician’s assistant) school or med school one day, and she told me about this program that would get me back to Israel and they would set me up with an internship where I could be in a hospital and get both things that I wanted.”
What’s the name of the program, and how was it structured?
“The program is called ‘Onward IsraeLinks,’ and it is a mixture of an internship component and also with that a learning portion. We had a Rabbi and Rebbetzin on the trip with us, who were from Georgia and who taught us in the first 10 days. We talked about what you’re supposed to believe as a Jew and how that translates to life now and modern society. And the last six weeks was just straight internship.”
What kind of things did you do at the rehabilitation hospital?
“I worked with a lot of chiropractic patients, who had just had strokes, and I worked with a lot of kids who were in the ICU. With the chiropractic patients, we worked on getting them started to being able to sit up on their own, to stand up and to walk with our assistance.
There were a few patients, but one in particular, she could barely open her eyes on her own when I first got there; by the end we were able to have her walking on her own with a walker. There was another patient I worked really closely with and he again on my first day in the hospital could barely lift his legs. I worked with him and the physical therapist to have him standing. And on my own we did our own stretches together and exercises. I got to choose pretty much what I wanted to do with him and by the end of the summer he got his red dot, meaning that he can walk on his own with his walker unassisted. So, I was just an extra set of hands, I would get to help them with different sections.”
What did you learn or gain from your internship in Israel?
“It Is really hard to communicate with people who don’t speak the same language as you, and I know very little Hebrew, so it really helped me gain a greater appreciation for working with people who come from all diverse backgrounds and who don’t have the same story as I do. And it just really taught me a lot about confidence in what I’m doing and in that this is what I want to do with my life.”
What’s one memory you will always remember from interning at the hospital?
“That one patient who got his red dot saying that he could walk. I was the one to give him his red dot, because I worked with him every single day over the summer and just watching him barely being able to move his legs and then being able to walk on his own, that was incredible.”
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major
Best of Both Worlds: International Student Merges Love of Marketing & Basketball at Internship
For senior international student Marko Minic, a Marketing major from Serbia, (basket)ball is life! He came to the United States in 2016 to pursue an education in business and to continue playing the sport he loves.
“It’s business-oriented in America, and I felt that I could prosper here with an education in some sort of business, but I didn’t know what I wanted to study specifically,” he says. “I came to the conclusion that marketing was a good fit for me because I enjoy communicating and interacting with new people. I don’t just want to do the behind the scenes work; I want to be in the field of action.”
Marko decided to look into the Sports Communication and Media minor, which was brand new at the time, to combine his passion for sports and his knowledge in marketing. Dr. John Giannini, founding director of Rowan University’s Center for Sports Communication and Social Impact, was a mentor of sorts to Marko throughout his first year in the program, guiding him to find his niche in the industry.
“I got to know Dr. Giannini through my involvement in the Sports Communication Club, and he introduced me to an organization called Hoop Group. We decided it would be a great fit for an internship for me because of my interests. He connected me to the group and encouraged me to reach out for an opportunity he knew of, and the rest is history.”
This past summer, Marko accepted an offer as a marketing intern for Hoop Group, a renowned basketball training camp located in Pennsylvania. He spent his days capturing all that Hoop Group has to offer through its prestigious programs — photographing training sessions, managing the company social media accounts and staying in touch with camp alumni. He conducted player interviews each week for spotlights on the company blog, dabbled in Lightroom and Photoshop and weighed in on web design decisions.
But for Marko, the best part of the internship was the hands-on involvement with both basketball and marketing. “Being able to watch the games and be part of the action in an environment that I’ve grown up around, and being able to provide valuable materials to the company was the most rewarding part for me,” he says. “I learned a lot about editing and content design and had a nice mixture of both behind-the-scenes work in the office and being out in the action, photographing players and getting to know people. To see things from the other perspective, being on the production side of things, was pretty cool for me, since I had never thought about the detailed work that goes into events like this.”
As Marko enters his senior year, his schedule is brimming with a combination of academic and athletic commitments: “Nowadays, I have less time to dedicate solely to sports, so luckily Rowan has so many options to still play on club or intramural teams while balancing everything else in life.”
The “everything else in life” just happens to consist of more great opportunities for Marko, such as an internship this semester with the Rowan Recreation Center and with Rowan Athletics next semester!
“I’ve learned that my professors are really here to support my career. That small positive word of mouth really put me on top and helped me stand out among the rest of the applicants [for Hoop Group],” he reflects. “Everything I’m doing is pretty exciting and rewarding right now, so I’m looking forward to the future.”
Like what you see? Come visit us!
Story and photography by:
Nicole Cier, senior writing arts major
Beyond the Classroom: Marketing Major Interns at Rohrer’s Center for Professional Development
Shreya Shah, a sophomore Marketing major from Hightstown, NJ 
(Mercer County), is charging through college in the Degree in Three Marketing program, and she’s making sure she gets the most out of her three years here.
With two parents in the computer and science industries, Shreya took a lot of science-related courses in high school. Shreya quickly found out she didn’t like any of them … at all! After talking to one of the marketing managers at Citibank where her dad works, Shreya dove into her family’s unknown territory into the business world.
After taking a marketing class in her senior year of high school and shadowing at Citibank, Shreya applied to Rowan’s Marketing Degree in Three program, where Rowan University students are eligible to graduate in three years (saving around $22,000 in tuition fees).
Last semester, Shreya visited the Rohrer Center for Professional Development (RCPD) for resume help before applying to a Social Media Services Manager position at EveryDayEspo LLC, a one-stop-shop for all multimedia and marketing needs. After receiving an offer for the job, Shreya went into the Center to thank the intern who helped her. The intern encouraged Shreya to apply to work at the Center in the fall, which is exactly what she did. Fast forward a few months and Shreya is now a marketing intern for RCPD.
Shreya is in charge of coordinating the International Business Industry Night happening in November, checking in students for resume, cover letter or career-related help. Shreya says: “I’m learning very quickly what I have to say as a female, and at my age, is factual and true in terms of what I am doing. It’s important to formulate your own ideas when you’re in a place that traditionally welcomes robotic personalities. I’m glad I have a job that loves my own individual thoughts and ideas.” 
Shreya attributes her confidence to the marketing four-year plan of Career Development Modules. Each workshop or programming, networking event provides her with the necessary tools to succeed in the workforce post-grad. The modules help her become a better speaker and professional, competitive employee. “I’m able to apply these skills to my everyday routine,” Shreya says.
Shreya is excited to see what else she learns while being a part of an incredible network of students. She advises, “The most important thing you can do at any job is to be yourself, as cheesy as it sounds … and networking.”
Like what you see? Come visit us!
Story and photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, senior public relations major
Beyond the Classroom: A Leader in Rowan’s First-Year Connection Program
Meet Rose Dickmann from Mount Laurel, NJ (Burlington County), a transfer student from Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) who is majoring in Supply Chain and Logistics at the Rohrer College of Business. Rose was a student leader for this year’s Rowan’s First-Year Connection: Volunteerism Program. Today she will share with us her experience in the program and what she’s learned from being a student leader.
Every year entering students (freshmen and transfers) who have registered for the program arrive early on-campus for the Fall semester and participate in group activities run by Rowan’s staff members and upper-class student leaders.
In 2018, Rose decided to join the Rowan’s First-Year Connection Program to meet new people. She had just transferred from RCBC and saw that the program was an excellent way not only to meet new people, but to help in the community. “That’s one reason I was attracted to the program, because it was something different and interesting,” she said.
Rose had a great time last year as one of the participants in the program and she decided to return this year, but as a student leader. “I loved the program so much last year, that I wanted to make it a good time for this year’s new students,” Rose said.
This year there were four student leaders and they all had to work together in planning different types of activities for the participants to do during their free time. “We put together a scavenger hunt and some games,” she said.
The leaders had responsibilities to accomplish throughout the one-week program, like coordinating trips and arranging breakfast and dinner in between their service projects.
Some of the service projects that the student leaders and participants got a chance to volunteer at this year were: Food Bank of South Jersey, Saint Bernard’s Project for disaster relief, Little Owls Preschool at Rowan, Salem County Humane Society and the Ronald McDonald House Southern New Jersey.
The Little Owls project was one of Rose’s favorite places to volunteer. The Rowan Preschool is in James Hall. “We went in and cleaned their two classrooms. We helped them out with their deep clean day. Once we finished just about everything was all ready for them,” she said.
For Rose, being one of the student leaders for Rowan’s First-Year Connection Program is important. “To me personally it’s an opportunity to make students feel welcome on campus and to encourage them to get involved in volunteerism, to get involved just in general on campus and to make sure their transition to college is as smooth as it can be,” she said
Being a student leader has taught Rose to work along with other fellow leaders, bounce off ideas from one another and how to make plans in a group where everyone agrees.
“I really loved getting to know my fellow leaders more and getting to know the participants,” Rose said.
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major
Beyond the Classroom: a Biophysics Lab Experience
Meet Gaspare Carollo, a senior from Marlton, NJ (Burlington County) majoring in Biophysics from the College of Science & Mathematics. This summer, he was able to partake in an research internship at Rowan. Today, he will share with us his experience working at the lab and some of the projects he worked on.
Gaspare is a transfer student from Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC). He earned his associate degree in Chemical Engineering and now plans to get his bachelor’s in Biophysics.
“Biophysics is a combination of many sciences — biology and physics for the majority. It looks at things on a molecular level. And it takes the physics on what’s going on, why is it happening and you kind of figure out why and how things work,” Gaspare said.
After talking to Dr. Nathaniel Nucci, assistant professor from the departments of Biomedical & Translational Sciences and Physics & Astronomy about the different summer programs he was looking into, Dr. Nucci told him about the summer internship offered at Rowan.
“I told him I was a senior and hopefully going into the workforce soon. I was just trying to get my foot in the door and get hands-on experience because you can get all the A’s and B’s you want and have a 3.3 or 3.6 GPA, but without the hands-on experience you’re going to go onto the working field lacking,” he explained.
This summer, Gaspare got the chance to work on two projects. The first project had to do with purifying proteins, which Gaspare explained it as:
“One of the things about the protein purification that we’ve done is that they fluoresce. It’s one of those things we do for bioimaging. If we want to know where this medicine is going or where this disease or tumor is located, you inject the patient with a particular protein that we know fluoresces at a certain wavelength or fluoresces at a certain light. Basically, the thing you want to see will glow, and that is the whole point of the proteins we are looking at. There are many other reasons for purifying proteins, but that’s the one we were looking into.”
The second project Gaspare worked on had to do with quantum dots. Quantum dots are used in a lot of electronics and medical issues. “What we are trying to do is find a better, more feasible way to find quantum dots,” Gaspare said. “They are made in high pressure and high temperatures, which is very expensive and dangerous, and we’re trying to find a way to make them in room temperature and atmospheric pressures.”
Gaspare is doing his work under a hood at regular temperature and regular pressure, because it’s much safer and financially achievable for most labs.
“If we can perfect and control the size of quantum dots then we can control what kind light it fluoresces and from there fabrications are all over the place,” he said.
Gaspare would like to do research and development after he graduates. He would love to be part of a team that would eventually come up with something to make a difference in the way people are medically treated. He says, “What if we can do chemo where it doesn’t hurt the individual, what if we can do chemo where it only hurts the tumor and doesn’t make them sick? To be a part of something like that and make a difference would be amazing and to be a part of that would be a dream.”
Gaspare’s advice for anyone wanting to major in Biophysics is to not expect an easy ride, but if you are willing to put in the time and the effort then the outcome and final result will all be worth it.
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major
Alumni Success: Julia Lechner, From NJ to LA
Julia Lechner is a Journalism graduate of the 2009 class from Pitman, NJ (Gloucester County). She reported for the Courier Post while she was still an undergraduate along with DJing for Rowan Radio and being the school mascot, Whoo RU. She worked for E! News after she graduated and is currently a senior writer with CBS Interactive.
What did you like the most about Rowan?
“I really liked the community feel on campus. It felt like professors really knew me and cared to get to know their students. There was also always a lot of stuff to do on campus.”
What were some extracurricular activities that you did?
“Along with working for the Rowan Radio and being the mascot, I tried to attend the intern fairs that they held on campus, and that’s how I attained my first job at the Courier Post.”
How did attending Rowan impact your decisions about your future career?
“Rowan is really centrally located near a lot of work opportunities because you’re right near Philly and not too far from New York. Getting my job at the Courier Post really helped me find out what career I wanted to pursue, and I have Rowan to thank for connecting me with Courier.”
What got you interested in your field?
“I really enjoyed storytelling and that’s really the heart of journalism, I just love hearing others’ stories and what they are passionate about. I loved interviewing people who loved what they were doing.”
How did Rowan help you achieve your goals?
“I fully took advantage of all the things on campus — the career fairs, tutoring, working [with] my advisors to help me find the right workload for me. And because of that I was able to finish my degree in three years.”
How did Rowan help prepare you for your current job?
“I very much appreciate that Rowan helped me achieve my goals academically while I was still working for the Courier Post. Working and going to school taught me time management, being professional and other things that just classes won’t teach. Something that I remember from the Journalism program specifically was that all the professors were still active in the field and had insightful experience, and this was during the recession so they did not sugar coat the working world, which I appreciated. All the advisors and professors really wanted to help any way they could.”
Do you think you would have had the same career path if you attended a different university?
“No, I don’t think I would have. I would not have got my first job from the career fair at Rowan, and that job led to where I am now.”
Was there a specific mentor that you would turn to if you had a problem about anything?
“I had several, such as Kathryn Quigley, who I still keep contact with — she had extensive experience and knowledge about her field. She goes above and beyond for her students and still roots for them even after they graduate.”
What is your favorite accomplishment in your field?
“I really love seeing people sharing on social media something that I wrote (even if it’s negative), because something in it was something that they thought was worth sharing. Another accomplishment would have to have been meeting Richard Simmons and getting a hug from him!
What would be some advice for students who are on their way to graduating?
“Take advantage of all the resources on campus, have resumes and portfolios ready and don’t be afraid to ask someone to look over them. Also keep in touch with people — you never know what opportunities they might have for you!”
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story by:
Justin Borelli, senior advertising major
Future Pediatrician Shares Her Summer Lab Experience At Rowan
Meet Alyssa Sanders, a rising junior from Pitman (Gloucester County) majoring in Translational Biomedical Science (TBS) from the College of Science & Mathematics. This summer, she was able to take an internship offered at Rowan where she got the chance to do research on many projects, one of which was called The Drug Delivery Project.
“Some people put [TBS] as an advanced biology degree. So, you’re basically taking what you learn in the classrooms and then applying it to research,” Alyssa said.
According to Alyssa, a TBS major needs to take 12 credits of research hours to be able to graduate. With a bachelor’s in TBS there are many things a person can do. “We can go on to getting our Ph.D., go to med school or go right into the working field and become a research assistant,” she said.
Alyssa will become the first doctor in her family; both her parents chose different careers outside of the medical field. “I really want to become a doctor, so I liked how it [the TBS major] kind of had a built-in premed track. I want to be a pediatrician,” she said.
This summer, Alyssa worked alongside Dr. Nathaniel Nucci, assistant professor from the departments of Biomedical & Translational Sciences and Physics & Astronomy. “What I did mainly over the summer was purified proteins,” Alyssa said. “So, we purified red fluorescent proteins (RFP), that way we can use it during the school year since purifying protein is very time consuming.”
The Drug Delivery Project was one of the many projects Sanders did research for this summer. For this project, purifying RFP was the goal. “For The Drug Delivery Project, we are trying to find out a new way to deliver drugs to the body. Sometimes proteins are too big, or they are hydrophilic and they really can’t cross your blood brain barrier, or your body ceases them and signals them out because they are too big, even though they are trying to help you get better but the body will destroy them,” Alyssa explained.
“So, we are trying to use a mechanism like a bubble to engulf the proteins to disguise them, so the body won’t send signals out to destroy them. And then it can go to different parts to your body and actually be delivered to the body,” she said.
Alyssa started to do work in the lab last spring because that is when she had to start getting credits for her major. Dr. Nucci saw that she was working hard and doing an excellent job, so he offered her the summer internship.
“Nucci would definitely be like a mentor that is coming to my life through this opportunity because he knows so much. He’s a biophysics professor, but he knows everything. He knows stuff about chemistry, organic chemistry and he knows stuff about any field of science basically,” she said.
If there is one thing that Alyssa has learned through her internship this summer is, “that science does not go according to plan and as Nucci says, ‘A lot is research for a reason. You can’t just search at once, you gotta keep doing it over and over again.’”
Her advice for anyone interested in her major: “It’s very hard. It’s not something that you can be like, ‘oh yeah this will be fun or easy.’ It’s not an easy major, but it’s worth it. If you want to go to medical school or get your Ph.D. it is definitely a major that is going to prepare you for that, because you have to take your harder classes like organic chemistry, biophysics and advanced classes that will prepare you.”
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major
Beyond the Classroom: Jesse Panico, an Act for Theatre Arts
Meet Jesse Panico, a junior Music Performance major with a specialization in Voice from Magnolia, NJ (Camden County). He is also the senior student technician for Rowan’s Theatre Arts Management.
Rowan offers many flexible job opportunities for its students. After meeting his (now) supervisors at Theatre Arts Management through other networking, Jesse asked them for a job, filled out some paperwork “and since then it’s been wonderful!” Jesse said.
Jesse helps runs events in both Pfleeger Concert Hall and Boyd Recital Hall.
“It greatly benefits me working there because I’m always there and the bookings are often from my own peers. Being able to work a recital (in Boyd Hall) and the person working it is someone you know and trust really takes the pressure off of the person performing,” he said. The work he does in Pfleeger Hall is little bit of everything, from ushering to lighting.
His behind-the-scenes knowledge with Theatre Arts has helped him with his own student work as well.
“Knowing everything off-hand helps me plan as a student. When I was planning my Junior Recital, I knew how far to plan in advance, what works and what doesn’t,” Jesse said.
“Rowan best prepared me by giving me to opportunity work with the technical side of what I want to do. I love to perform. It is very near and dear to my heart. It gives me insight on how to do certain things on stage — such as, many people think to stand right in the middle of the spotlight. But you actually should stand in front of the spotlight so you don’t have the lower half of your body cut off,” he said.
Jesse noted that Theatre Arts Management tries to emphasize working all parts of the theatre so you get a better understanding of what goes into everything.
“I have developed a lot of people skills from starting as a house manager, which deals with the public saying ‘No ma’am, you can’t bring food in.’ A lot of the training was learning as I go. The high-stress environment helped me to learn quickly. I’ve learned everything from lights and rigging to building the sets.
“I feel at home in Pfleeger Concert Hall,” Jesse said.
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story and photography by:
Justin Borelli, senior advertising major
Leading Camden Middle Schoolers to “All Pull Together”
“I’m never going to be afraid to do anything ever again,” says senior Kasey DiSessa. “If I can cheer and sing in front of judgmental sixth graders, I can do anything.”
The biological sciences and English double major lost her self-consciousness and found her voice this summer as an intern for the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School in Camden. A Servant Leader (teacher) leading a classroom of 11 rambunctious 3rd to 5th graders, Kasey immersed herself in classroom teaching to support her goal of becoming a biology teacher dual-certified in English.
Embracing the Kenyan tradition of Harambee, meaning “all pull together” in Swahili, each morning at the Freedom School Kasey, her four fellow Servant Leaders and approximately 50 students in the program got hyped for their day with upwards of eight special chants and songs. “It was a big deal for me to put myself out there like that,” Kasey says.
A national program primarily focused on reading, the Camden location extends its reach into STEM education too, which suits Kasey well, given her two majors. “I have my two passions,” she says, “and I’ve been able to personalize my education at Rowan to blend both.”
Kasey took classes in children’s and adolescent literature that helped her to prepare for her summer role. “I reached out to my professors and told them, ‘The books I read in your classes are in my curriculum — thank you! Your choices applied to my life in a way I was not expecting.’”
Toward the end of the summer program, Kasey led a two-week project on robotics. Stepping out of her comfort zone to do so, Kasey at first felt apprehensive — but then exhilarated at the project’s completion. “During the finale, parents came in to see their children’s final projects,” Kasey explains. “It was awesome. We had little robots from LocoRobo and we taught the students how to use an online app to drop and drag blocks of code and create shapes on the ground.
“We all screamed at the tops of our lungs when the robot went through the gates at the maze. They had created the code, using a function they had never used before. We lost our minds we were so excited,” Kasey says.
From Hackettstown, NJ (Warren County), Kasey stayed in South Jersey this summer solely to complete this internship. With she and her parents’ lacking familiarity with Camden — only knowing what they’ve seen on the news — at first Kasey’s parents had some trepidation about their daughter teaching in the city. “My dad is nervous about everything,” Kasey says. “But, the school was nice. The location was fine. I wasn’t nervous and the drive wasn’t bad at all.
“This program gives the students an edge they might not normally get in their regular school,” Kasey says. “It not just puts them on par with kids from schools with more resources, but also helps them to go beyond,” she says.
“I went in terrified and by the end I knew I wanted to come back and do this again,” Kasey says. “It was hard and there were days that it was emotionally taxing,” she continues. “But thanks to this program I feel more comfortable with teaching this age level and I would consider teaching in an urban setting, which is something I wouldn’t have considered before.”
Kasey will graduate this upcoming fall, a semester ahead of schedule, and plans to attend graduate school.
Like what you see? Come visit us!
Political Science Major Interns for Prosecutor’s Office
Meet Melissa Kolaski, a rising senior from Barrington (Camden County) majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communication Studies. This year, she was able to partake in an internship with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, which she says helped her realize her true passion.
Upon attending Rowan, Kolaski says she enrolled in an American Government class, which opened her eyes to her love of government. Classes such as Women in American Politics and History of New Jersey gave her the opportunity to study her passion as well as inspire her to become a woman in government.
Kolaski is in her third year of undergrad within the “3 + 3 program,” which allows students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and attend law school for another three years. She is also an active member in the Pre-Law Society on campus.
A member of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office spoke on a panel for Political Science majors earlier this year. Kolaski, who was actively looking for an internship at the time, realized that they were offering the perfect internship opportunity she was looking for. Within this investigative undergraduate internship, Kolaski has the opportunity to work closely with prosecutors, detectives and secretaries on many of their various cases. She even gets to attend the courts along with the prosecutors.
She says, “The members of the trial team at the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office are so helpful and able to answer all of my questions and give me endless advice on law school.”
After this upcoming school year, she will attend law school and hopefully obtain a legal internship.
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story and photography by:
Chad Wittmann, senior journalism major
Beyond the Classroom: Pre-Vet Club Makes the Trip to Africa
Meet Fiona Yueng, a Mount Laurel (Burlington County) resident and first-generation student who became one of four undergraduate students from Rowan University who got to experience the opportunity of a lifetime at the conclusion of the spring semester. Fiona Yeung, Kim Zullo, Emily Beardsley and Nicolette Madonna spent the first three weeks of their summer vacation in the town of Louis Trichardt in South Africa, shadowing professional veterinarians in the field.
Fiona has been an animal lover since a very young age. She spent her days reading countless books on animals, only because her parents’ allergies prevented her from having any animals of her own.
As she got older, Fiona turned her passion for animals into volunteerism. For the past couple of years, she has volunteered at the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, where she’s helped diagnose and treat indigenous species.
Fiona is now a rising senior in the Biology department and also a part of the Pre-Vet Club on campus, along with the three other students who attended the trip. These four students took it upon themselves to see real world veterinary care with their own eyes. With the help from the Financial Aid office, and donations from Rowan SGA and the Biology Club, their dream became a reality.
In late May, the four of them boarded a plane and headed to Louis Trichardt, South Africa. The first two weeks of their trip was spent shadowing veterinarians in their field and participating in the processes of veterinary medicine.
The students recalled that, “not only did these vets care for indigenous African species, but they also had the knowledge to care for farm animals as well.” These veterinarians were not confined to a specific area of veterinary medicine. They were fully trained and equipped to care for an array of species. While on this journey, they had the opportunity to see a number of extravagant wildlife, such as giraffes, lions, zebras, antelope, elephants and more.
“You see them in picture books, but it’s nothing compared to seeing them in real life,” Fiona (left) said.
Their trip concluded with a five-day stay at Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary. Here, they cared for orphaned rhinos, who lost their parents due to poaching or natural means.
In late June, the students returned home safely with memories and knowledge that they can take with them in their future careers.
Like what you see? Come visit us!
Story by:
Chad Wittmann, senior journalism major
Photos courtest of:
Fiona Yueng