TRANSFERmation Tuesday: Jelani James

Meet Jelani James, a senior journalism major who lives on campus in 114 Victoria from Stratford, NJ (Camden County). Jelani transferred to Rowan last fall from Villanova University. 

Jelani James posing outside of 114 Victoria on Rowan University's campus.

What wakes you up in the morning? “The drive to graduate! I’m finally a senior and I’ve waited so long for this moment. I want my family to see what I’ve been working so hard for.”

Could you share a moment you’ve experienced in which you have felt that Rowan is a welcoming environment for you? “Coming to Rowan’s campus, I wasn’t really introduced to any organizations other than sports. I was finally introduced to a Jewish organization I found very welcoming and a great opportunity to make new friends.”

And lastly, why did you choose Rowan? “I chose Rowan because it was the school I knew the most about when transferring. Being away from home in another state was fun, but I knew I wouldn’t want to go that far again. I was familiar with the environment at Rowan and I knew it’d be a perfect fit for me.”

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Story and photography by:
Alyssa Bauer, junior public relations major

What Profs Are Listening To: John Alviar

a close up shot of headphones
A vertical close-up portrait of a student listening to music on his phone.

“I have been listening to a mixed playlist consisting of classic rock, modern psychedelic, indie, 80s-90s pop/alternative/indie, modern hip hop, and old rap my favorite artist, or should I say duo King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.

My favorite song is in a complete different category — a rap song by Travis Scott ; NO BYSTANDERS. Also my favorite album at the moment is a classic album, ‘Bleach’ by Nirvana.” John Alviar, senior biology major from Stratford, NJ (Camden County).

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Photography by:
Jelani James senior journalism major

Meet our FAFSA Financial Aid Winner

Zoilemmy standing outside wearing the new Apple Watch that she won through the FAFSA contest
Zoilemmy standing outside showing off her new Apple Watch

Meet Zoilemmy Castellanos, a junior biological sciences major from Pennsauken, NJ. She’s the grand prize Apple Watch winner through the FAFSA financial aid contest! 

“It is a struggle sometimes, but being able to be an EOF/ASCEND student and fill out my FAFSA knowing I have the opportunity to study and make my dreams come true is a blessing in itself. I thank Rowan, my high school counselor, and God that I am able to go to school.”

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Photography by:
Jelani James senior journalism major

TRANSFERmation Tuesday: Francis Terry

Francis Terry stands in front of a tree for a portrait, wearing a black Rowan zip up

Meet Francis Terry, a Law and Justice junior who commutes from Laurel Springs, NJ (Camden County) and is captain of the track and field team. Francis is a first-generation college student and transferred to Rowan last fall from Neumann University in Aston, PA. 

Francis Terry stands in front of a tree for a portrait, wearing a black Rowan zip up

“Just knowing that I’m one of the first in my family to go to college and pursue my dreams of getting a degree is what gets me out of bed. The work that I have put in and my family that are now looking up to me telling me that they’re proud of me. It just gives me the confidence I need to get up in to morning and do what I have to do. 

“I chose Rowan because of how familiar I was with it. I just knew coming back home to Rowan was the best choice for me. I also chose Rowan because of how dominant our sports teams are. Being able to do what I love, while being able to be around great individuals all around campus, just makes the decision I made to come to Rowan even better.”

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Story and photography by:
Jelani James, senior journalism major

First Year Voices: Niambi Fetlow

Bambi sitting on a chair in the rehearsal room in Bunce
Bambi inside Rowan rehearsal room

“I love the Theatre and Dance Department here because everyone makes me feel at home no matter how many times I fall down. I know I have a huge group of people here supporting me and helping me in any way that they can.

The people here are just a reminder of a quote from Maya Angelou that I live by, ‘People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'”

Niambi (Bambi) Fetlow, theatre major (musical theatre concentration) from Pennsauken, NJ (Camden County) who lives in Rowan Boulevard Apartments. 

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Story and photography by: Vanessa Vause, senior public relations and theatre major

TRANSFERmation Tuesday: Jakira McCoy

Jakira smiles in front of a white backdrop

Meet Rowan Choice student, Jakira McCoy, a sophomore business major with a minor in African studies from Camden, NJ (Camden County). Jakira lives on campus in Holly Pointe Commons as a Rowan College at Gloucester County community college student enrolled in the Rowan Choice program, which allows her to have the full college experience on Rowan’s campus, before she transfers to Rowan University. 

Jakira sits on her couch at Holly Pointe Commons“I chose Rowan because it was closer to home and I did not want to be too far from my family. I also chose to come here because of Rowan Choice​. It was a cheaper option and saved me a lot of money. Since you are technically enrolled in a community college, you still pay community college tuition. It helps a lot and makes the transition to Rowan University easier.”

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TRANSFER NOW

Story and photography by:
Edris Forde, junior radio/TV/film major

First Generation College Student, Aspiring Doctor, Plans to Serve Camden

Luis Acevedo posing on the bridge behind the Engineering building at Rowan University.Luis Acevedo, sophomore dual biology and chemistry major from Camden, NJ, originally entered Rowan as an education major. Luis wanted to teach the people in his community about mobilization – something that is a challenge for many from the city. After a semester into his education career, Luis kept his promise to educate his community, but felt he would be able to make a bigger impact educating them on physical health. He rediscovered his passion for the field of medicine, and is eager to apply his passion at home.

Luis speaking at the First-Generation Student Symposium on Feb. 13, 2019 at Rowan University.
Luis speaking at the First Generation Student Symposium on Feb. 13, 2019 at Rowan University. Photo by Nicole Cier.

Luis explains, “The general knowledge of health is not known. Not all members of Camden have access to healthcare or are able to communicate their physical aches and pains to doctors. If people aren’t able to describe their pain, they won’t receive proper care to fix their problem.” Luis wants to provide people with the help they deserve, but aren’t receiving yet. Everyone should have the opportunity to a healthy life and adequate medical attention. His degree and skills sets will allow him to properly attend to the members of his community who desperately need it.

Luis appreciates his family members’ encouragement throughout his Luis Acevedo posing inside the main entrance of the science building at Rowan University.education career and the mentors who’ve built a family full of support at school. After an interview with Dr. Mateo for Rowan’s ASCEND program, Luis felt Rowan was a good choice. Luis’ judgement was right. He explains, “The Camden Campus is a small family. Everyone is welcoming and all are happy to be there. If I ever need help, any one is happy to help me. They are my nest.” Luis, being in the Flying First program, is introduced through the program to professionals and other first-generation college students on campus who advance his academic success. Dr. Mateo, known as “mama bird” to most ASCEND members, meets with Luis regularly to ensure he’s on the right path and connects him to other resources on campus – one of them being the Peer Referral and Orientation Staff (PROS), where he joined as a member of the orientation staff the summer after his freshman year. 

After finding PROS, Luis created a tremendous amount of connections on campus. PROS introduced Luis to faculty and students with different backgrounds, and knows learning to communicate with diverse cultures will help him in his future career.

Luis is setting a positive example for the people of Camden. His hometownLuis Acevedo posing outside the science building at Rowan University. holds a negative stereotype for fostering an adverse community. “A lot of people think we’re not prepared for college. The fact that people ask questions about the type of education I had is unreal. It’s important to inform people that we’re all the same and we were all accepted to the same university.” Luis takes advantage of his resources at Rowan, knowing these connections will prepare him to be a successful doctor.

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Enter for a chance to win a Rowan t-shirt! Email RowanBlog [at] rowan.edu with the date and time of your upcoming campus tour … we may just email you that we’re going to surprise you while you’re visiting!

Story and photography by: Alyssa Bauer, junior public relations major

Miguel’s Home Away From Home: The Whit Newsroom [VIDEO]

https://youtu.be/XAGBfHJZQZM

Miguel Martinez, a junior journalism major from Pennsauken, NJ (Camden County), shares his feeling of home here at Rowan, in the newsroom of The Whit, where he works as the multimedia editor. Miguel commutes from our Camden campus and is an English language learner. 

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Video by: Nicole Cier, junior writing arts major
Music by: Bianca Torres, sophomore music industry major

First Year Voices: Salma Elwy

Salma sitting at the piano inside Bunce
Salma sitting at the piano in the practice room in Bunce

“I’m very lucky to be studying acting at Rowan because the sense of community here is so strong. In just one semester, I’ve made friends who I already feel so comfortable around and professors who are so willing to help me grow in my field. The small class sizes make it easy to learn and to make friends without the intimidation of a huge lecture class. I’m so excited to see what the next three and a half years have in store for me!” Salma Elwy, freshmen theatre major and Arabic minor from Sicklerville, NJ (Camden County). (First generation American college student).

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VISIT CAMPUS​​

Enter for a chance to win a Rowan t-shirt! Email RowanBlog [at] rowan.edu with the date and time of your upcoming campus tour … we may just email you that we’re going to surprise you while you’re visiting!

Photography by: Vanessa Vause, senior public relations, advertising and theatre major

From Rowan RTF to CBS

Brandon inside the Rowan Radio studio

Brandon Ward, Radio/TV/Film major, landed the internship of a lifetime with a company he admires dearly. From traveling around the city of Philadelphia and seeking #trends online to watching breaking news happen live, Brandon got a dose of the action-packed new station career. Last summer, Brandon, from Oaklyn, NJ (Camden County) conducted a news internship […]

First Year Voices: Vanessa Moultrie

Vanessa from Rowan University stands in front of the sign for Chestnut Hall dorm, with her left elbow resting on the brown sign
Vanessa from Rowan University stands in front of sparse trees at Chestnut Hall, wearing a black fleece, hands in pockets
Vanessa stands with her left elbow resting on the Chestnut Hall sign in front of her dorm

“There’s a lot more to do here at Rowan than I thought. There’s almost an activity somewhere on campus every day, so I’m never really bored. When I first started at Rowan I didn’t really know what to expect. Meeting my roommates, and living in Chestnut Hall, has really made me feel at home. All of the residents here are all so close to one another, the RAs give us fun activities daily which is also a plus!” Vanessa Moultrie, law and justice major, from Atco, NJ (Camden County).

Like what you see? Come visit us!

VISIT CAMPUS​​

Enter for a chance to win a Rowan t-shirt! Email RowanBlog [at] rowan.edu with the date and time of your upcoming campus tour … we may just email you that we’re going to surprise you while you’re visiting!

Story and photography by:
Jelani James, senior journalism major

Students Charter Computer Science Cybersecurity Club to Gain Hands On Experience

John and Tapan, the leaders of the Cybersecurity Club by their project

The easiest way to get involved beyond the classroom at Rowan might be one of the most commonly overlooked — on campus clubs! Tapan Soni (from Voorhees, Camden County) and John Stranahan (from Cinnaminson, Burlington County) know this first hand, as they worked hard to charter the Cybersecurity Club at Rowan. The two senior computer […]

Living in Willow Hall

girls outside willow hall at rowan university

Meet the freshmen of the Willow lounge and see how they spend their time living on campus! Video featuring: Jordan Simhony, nursing major, Cherry Hill, N.J. (Camden County) Melanie Quido, exploratory studies major, Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. (Bergen County) Mike Rodolico, computer science major, Cinnaminson, N.J. (Burlington County) Maycon Pinto, international studies major, Delran, N.J. (Burlington […]

#PROFspective: Psychological Science Major Mark A. Ziegler-Thayer

Mark inside Campbell Library at Rowan on campus

Today, we speak with Mark A. Ziegler-Thayer, a junior psychological science major from Stratford (Camden County), New Jersey, who lives on campus, in the Rowan Boulevard Apartments. Mark will share their #PROFpective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how they’re getting the most out of their university experience […]

What I Wish I Knew: Students Share Their Experiences [VIDEO]

rowan boulevard showing off the hotel and whitney center

Vanessa Vause (senior, public relations), Natalia Panfilova (B.A. Public Relations 2017 graduate) and Alexander Belli (senior double major, advertising and public relations) talk about what they wish they had known before starting at Rowan University. Listen to see how what they experienced could help you be more prepared your transition into “Rowan Life.” Like what […]

Rowan 4+1 Getting You Closer to Your Master’s Degree

rowan bunce

Meet Emily Strauser a current 4+1 writing arts student from Stratford, NJ, who is undergoing her senior year as an undergrad while concurrently taking her first year of graduate courses. She is focusing on a dual-specialization in creative writing and new media and publishing within her bachelor’s degree. She earned her associate degree in English […]

#PROFspective Spanish; Secondary Education; Modern Languages and Linguistics Major Christina Terry

student outside international building

Today we speak with Christina Terry, a senior Spanish, secondary education and modern languages and linguistics triple major from Voorhees, Camden County, who lives on campus as an resident assistant in the International House. She 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 […]

#PROFspective: Elementary Education & Literacy Studies Major Katherine Brown

Today we speak with Katherine Brown, a senior elementary education and literacy studies major from Cherry Hill, Camden County, who lives off campus. Katherine will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she’s getting the most out of her college experience as a Rowan Prof.  Name: Katherine Brown – […]

#PROFspective: Elementary Education & English Major Lila Kelley

student preps for exam sitting at a table

Today we speak with Lila Kelley, a junior Elementary Education and English dual major from Sicklerville, Camden County, who commutes to Rowan. Lila will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she’s getting the most out of her college experience as a Rowan Prof.  Name: Lila Kelley Major: Elementary Education […]