Freshman Malique Prescott, a Biochemistry major from Bridgeton, NJ (Cumberland County) who lived in Evergreen Hall until campus closed due to COVID-19, reflects on his first year as a Rowan student.
What was one way you met friends this year? One way I met my college family was through the ASCEND program (PCI) and my peers in my dorm. Then I relinked with some people I had met during orientation. Now I’m just meeting people by networking through those I already know.
What is something you’re looking forward to at Rowan next year? Next semester I plan on finishing it completely without the help of a virus. I also plan on getting more involved with the campus community and making a presence for myself and possibly joining a few organizations.
What would you tell a future student who is interested in Rowan? As for advice to a future student, I would tell them to not be too shy and worry about it. You can put yourself out there because everyone on campus is loving and accepting. And to also have fun, you are only a freshman in college once.
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Rachel Rumsby, freshman communication studies and public relations double major
Why did you choose a university that is close to home? I chose a university that was close to home because I didn’t want to move too far away from home but I wanted some kind of commute to make me more independent.
What is one activity that you did in high school that you’d like to continue with at Rowan?
How did you meet new people and stay involved on campus as a commuter? 
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.
This first-generation college student let us have the amazing chance to get some insight on herself, her lifestyle and her opinions on some topics. Her major is 
Sometimes freshmen have a hard time transitioning into college, but not Anjeliah! She went through a six-week program in the summer before starting her first fall semester called the 
Name: 
What would you share with a future student interested in Construction Management?
Based on a suggestion from her high school art teacher and mentor, Jessica is working toward a career as an art therapist at a nearby hospital or cancer center. “[Art therapy is] really important for me to pursue. My sister had cancer, so it’s something that definitely hits home for me. And the possibility of working with little kids or anyone on the spectrum is something that’s so rewarding for everyone,” she says. “Art doesn’t have to be perfect; it doesn’t have to come out like you expected it to. Just the act of physically [making art] is so much more impactful than people might realize.”
Although my spring break (and the rest of the semester) is not what I have expected, I am trying my best to stay productive and not fall into a routine of slacking back. I have made a promise to myself that I will come out of this better, stronger (both mentally and physically), and more improved. Because I am normally jammed with three on-campus jobs and taking 18 credits in school during the academic year, my usual week is pretty hectic and my days can be overwhelming. 
As I will be graduating in about a month or so and will soon be out in the real world, I am using this time to prepare myself for a life after college; devoting my time to work on improving certain hard skills that employees look for, and searching for jobs that will help me get settled for a life in the U.S. upon the end of my college career.
Arts,
Meet Samantha B, sophomore 
Being a part of something like Food Recovery Network at Rowan, a university that encourages sustainability and practicing sustainable habits, is extremely rewarding. Being able to give back to those that have lent a hand in building beautiful Glassboro — the town that us Profs get to call home — is an opportunity I’m beyond grateful to have.
Meet Natalia Panfilova, a 2017 graduate from the 
Commuter
and say that the transition from high school to college was easy for me. I’m sure other people had smooth transitions and would love to share their stories, but for the people who are scared to move away, I want to let you know that you’re not alone.
I moved in a day before move-in day because I had a late orientation date. I had talked to my roommate before I moved in and we decided to live together because we were both 
During my first week of classes, I met professors who made sure I was comfortable and taking care of myself. I quickly learned that everyone cared about me and I wasn’t alone. I joined 
These are just three ways how I have gotten involved here at Rowan, but there are so many other ways to get involved.
His experience in leadership positions at Burlington County College, Rutgers University and Sussex County Community College (where he is currently the CFO and EVP of Administrative Services) inspired him to explore the differences in leadership styles between private educational institutes and higher education.
He came across the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program at Rowan University through recommendations from colleagues who had had a positive experience in it. 
ing through Twitter, like most students, waiting for class to start. I saw a post from Rowan University about the transfer deadline and cruised to the main website. I found a big transfer button and thought, “Why not give it a shot?” Rowan was the only school I applied to transfer to, so this was all or nothing for me.
Engagement
Meet Anjeliah 
“Don’t listen to people who are trying to put your idea down,” Anjeliah says. “They might say that it’s a horrible idea or it’s too much money, but If you keep a growth mindset and not a fixed mindset, then you can literally do anything.”
Your name:
Ben graduated magna cum laude from Rowan’s highly competitive 
Ben’s academic career flourished after that first semester. He joined the 
Devin says he came to Rowan specifically for the music program, and he heavily credits his humble experiences here so far to his professors.
Do you work on campus? I worked in the 
How is New Jersey different from Mississippi?
Ten toes in. This is the motto of 
Do you work on campus? If so, where/what do you do? Yes, I am a 
What’s your favorite thing about Rowan?
What inspired you to choose your major and the 4+1 program?
I took. But the major proponent that always puts me right back on track is my family, and how I would choose bioinformatics over nursing in a heartbeat.
With a few days left until the application deadline, I decided to apply to Rowan. I remembered touring it with my brother a few years prior and enjoying how it was a small and quaint school. Most people think applying as a transfer can be confusing, and it can be. However, Rowan’s process made applying simple and painless. I even received my acceptance letter a just few days later.
Before I knew it, I was all moved in. I cried as I didn’t want my family to leave because I was still scared to start this new chapter. But within a few days my worries subsided, and I found myself getting into the swing of my routine. I was starting classes, working on Rowan’s social media team and joining clubs, such as 
Today we talk to Erin O’Grady, a freshman 
Name:
Meet Elizabeth Hudak, a freshman 
What are you looking most forward to coming into your freshman year? “
🥬 The Student Center: students use an app called Tapingo to place several orders at several kiosks so everything is made to order. About once a month, there is a pop-up kiosk voted in by students. For example, last year there were kiosks devoted to salads, soups, sandwiches and pasta. Check out the bean and cheese quesadillas at Sono; Freshens for a kale Caesar flatbread wrap; Jersey Mike’s for a veggie sub that comes with chips, cookies or fruit; and Bowl Life for vegans specializing in beans, grains and veggies in a bowl, of course!
