Human Service professionals work with diverse populations providing a wide variety of social, personal and health services depending on need. Potential career paths include becoming a case worker, social advocate, welfare service professional, child welfare professional or law enforcement. Meet adult learner Dimirra B. a senior human services major who aspires to continue to be […]
camden campus
Breaking Down Camden Cliches with Alexander Dossantos
Today we speak with senior Alexander Dossantos, a first-generation college student and dual Theatre major with a concentration in Tech and Design and Art major with a concentration in Studio Art. Alex works full-time for One Theatre and several other venues in Philadelphia while remaining a part-time commuting student. Alex proudly hails from Camden, NJ (Camden County) and is part of the Photography Club.
Is there anything you can share as a resident of Camden to dispel the negative stereotypes or talk about your experience?
Rutgers and Rowan have been taking the time, effort and resources to make it as safe as possible and to clean up downtown Camden and turn it back into what it used to be.
A lot of people hear “Camden” and think that there’s still violence and shooting. I sit there and think “Camden used to be the number 1 most dangerous city.” It’s nowhere near the top 10 anymore. Between the police force — being torn down to the basics and being built back up — Rutgers, Rowan, Camden County Community College, Campbell Soup and Subaru, they’re bringing business back. A lot of what people here is old news.
Yes, there are still parts that are iffy but they are nowhere near where the campus is. I had a good childhood.
What are some of the things you liked to do growing up?
I’ve always played baseball. I started playing tee-ball when I was 5 or 6. I played all the way up until I came here. Sports don’t really line up with theatre because of our schedule with theatre. It never lined up for me to even try out for the baseball team or any club sports. That was a sacrifice I had to make. I like working on cars. When I wasn’t playing baseball or hanging out with friends, I was working on cars.
Anything to add about Camden?
What it comes down to is that you get out what you put in. If Rutgers and Rowan weren’t putting in so much effort and money, Camden would still have that really bad reputation. All of the good business and all the people are coming back, it’s making it a place where you can be proud to come from. I don’t hide it.
I’m proud that I was born and raised in Camden. Now, I’m at a university. Anywhere you go, you’ll find the bad things if you look hard enough. The bad things shouldn’t outweigh the good that’s coming out from it too.
I personally went to a youth group growing up and that helped me get to a good place in my work ethic right now [where] I love to learn. Their program is growing and growing. They help more students and kids [get] away from that stereotype [of], “Oh you come from Camden, you amount to nothing.” [And finally get] to, “I live in Camden. I’m proud that I live in Camden. Now, I’m a proud student or graduate of a university.”
How come you did not choose a course on the Camden Campus?
I was part of a test program for Camden High School students where they let the senior students take college courses in high school. I was part of the engineering program at Camden County Technical School on Berlin Cross Keys. [Technically], I transferred in with credits but I came here as a freshman.
They didn’t offer the programs I was looking at when I applied. I applied to the theatre department and the engineering department. They said I have to choose one or the other. I had a conversation with someone from my school about the whole engineering career path and we discovered that it really wasn’t what I wanted to do. What I wanted to do related more to theatre because I always wanted to be part of the design process but also the fabrication process. So [becoming] a theatre technician was the way I wanted to go.
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Story by:
Marian Suganob, public relations and advertising graduate
Photos by:
Stephanie Batista, junior music industry major
#PROFspective: Emergency Management with Kevin McCarthy
Internship & Experiential Learning Stories Learn how Rowan Profs go Beyond the Classroom to grow professionally, as well as personally, through internships and other experiential learning. Experiential learning includes hands-on learning opportunities provided through research, student clubs, campus leadership, student worker jobs, service-learning projects and volunteerism. In addition, Rowan’s Office of Career & Professional Development provides career support that’s more than just […]
Junior Major Moments: Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management Major Connor Crafton-Tempel
Today we feature Disaster Preparedness and Management major Connor Crafton-Tempel from Freehold, NJ (Monmouth County). Connor is a transfer student and commutes to campus.
Could you share your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes?
Professor Carty, who taught my Disaster Planning, Mitigation, and Recovery course at our Camden campus, was a really big influence on me. When I first came into the program, I knew I wanted to work for the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM), but I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do with the OEM.
Then, Professor Carty was teaching us about threat and risk assessments, just before the COVID-19 outbreak turned into a pandemic. It was during her class that I realized I wanted to go into disaster planning and specially work on disease-related disasters (mainly epidemics and pandemics).
What is the most amazing or interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year? 
I think that the most interesting thing I learned this year was how to perform a threat assessment. This is becoming really helpful, since my parish has asked me to help with the reopening.
What pre-professional experiences are helping to support your growth?
I’d have to say my honor society (Epsilon Pi Phi, the DPEM honor society) and Rowan University EMS. Rowan EMS is helping me gain new skills as an EMT, and the honor society is beneficial for getting connections within the industry.
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Senior Reflects: Studio Art Major Carlo Martines
Today we feature Carlo Martines, a Studio Art graduating senior from Cherry Hill, NJ (Camden County). Carlo transferred to Rowan from Chestnut Hill College, and before social distancing, he commuted to campus.
Could you please share your favorite social memory? My favorite social
memory was becoming acquainted with all peers from Cross Country/Track and Field. Another funny one (before I was even officially a Prof) was going to a summer party/kick-back and asking an AEPhi girl if she was in DPhiE. My buddy, who had brought me to this social event, thought it was hysterical.
Could you please share your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes? My favorite moment with a faculty member was answering a handful of questions correctly in a row for a final review for Macro-economics. I wasn’t sure why I was so strong in that class but I received a B and that was my best mark all semester.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen or transfers about making the most out of their college experience while choosing a university close to home? Stay grounded by doing your best academically. Social life will come no matter what. But if you are doing poorly in class it will affect all aspects of your life as a Prof.
Do you want to give a thank you shout out to your family, friends, advisors or mentors? Shout-out to André Baldarrago, Paulo Nascimento, Kenny Stetser, Joe Paolini, Jan Conradi, Herr Schmidt, Joe Finoochiaro, Eric Dubois, Coach Dimit, Nick Neville, Jenna Pumphrey, Tyler Kline, Adam Lovitz, Rowan Club Soccer, Stephen Kümmer, Michael Schillo, David Vaccaro, Joey Baldarrago, and Zach Bruno, as well as my family, all of my professors from my time at Rowan, and all Profs involved with extra-curricular activities.
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#PROFspective: Biology Pre-Medicine Major Emeli
Today we speak with Emeli V., a sophomore biology major on a pre-med track, from Cherry Hill, Camden County, who lives on campus in Edgewood Apartments. Emeli will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she’s getting the most out of her college experience as […]
#PROFspective: Marketing Major Lauren Bitzer
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