Are there any professors you feel are a visionary in your field?
Definitely. Dr. Stanley Yeldell in the Law and Justice Studies department, and Dr. Demond Miller in the Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management department. They both send their students job opportunities, and, especially senior year, it is important to look at all the opportunities and try to line up jobs. They have both been big helpers with my internship. They also both gave me a lot of help along the way with helping me decide what courses I should take, and helping me maximize my education.
What career field do you see yourself in after graduation?
As of now, I am still deciding, but I am thinking of going into the Law and Justice field and becoming a police officer, or something in emergency management.
Why did you choose your majors?
I chose my majors because of being an EMT. I knew I wanted to be in the emergency response field, whether that’s the police or EMS. I figured, I love it so much, why not study something in that field? I had an interest in it, and I was already working in the field, so I thought I might as well study it.
How do you feel that your field impacts the world?
Especially today, a lot is going on in the world. Especially in the Law and Justice and police area specifically. The Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management side definitely impacts the world, because disasters happen all the time, and the emergency managers are the people who handle those disasters. Someone is needed to run operations when there is a disaster or big storm, and these events are always going to happen. There is not only job security, but the field has a great impact on the world.
What would you share with a future student that was interested in one of your majors?
Get involved within the major. Law and Justice has a few clubs, one that I know of is the Criminal Justice Preparation Club. In clubs related to your major, you can meet other people in your major, discuss job opportunities. It is a great way to meet other people in your major, as well as get ready for your future.
Today we feature senior Michael Grabowy, an adult learner double major in Physical Education and Health Studies from Vineland, NJ (Cumberland County). Michael transferred to Rowan from Cumberland County College. Tell me about your experience at Rowan. I love Rowan. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be here. All of the students and faculty here. With […]
Today we feature History majors and their professors, who suggest historical sites to visit over winter break.
Kaan Aktas, a senior education and history double major from Fairview, NJ (Bergen County), is a transfer student from Bergen County Community College and a first-generation college student. He recommends that Rowan students visit the Statue of Liberty, or Ellis Island, because “Ellis Island has the Immigration Museum, which is also indoors and can get pretty empty during the wintertime. The Statue of Liberty is very beautiful and breathtaking. It shows the relationship between France and the U.S., and also the importance of immigration to our country.”
Anthony Raisley, a senior history major with minors in international studies,entrepreneurship, and new media studies and a CUGS in Italian, is from Middletown, NJ (Monmouth County). He also recommends that Rowan students visit Ellis Island, as well as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City Transit Museum, American Museum of Natural History. He says “Much of what’s at these museums I feel that even if you are not a history major you can relate to and learn.” He also tells us about his favorite museum or historical site. “Ellis Island is my favorite. All of my great grandparents came to the United States from Italy through Ellis Island. It was very impactful to see the sight first hand and what other immigrants coming to the United States went through, and how immigration has enriched New York City, and the U.S. today.”
Jen Gruberg, a senior history major with minors in education and international studies is from West Deptford, NJ (Gloucester County). She recommends visiting the James and Ann Whitall House Museum and Red Bank Battlefield. She says “The Whitall House sits on the side of the Delaware River and was a private plantation since 1748. It was used as a field hospital in 1777 during the American Revolution. It’s now a museum and park in Red Bank, NJ. My favorite part about the park is the artifacts left in the trenches and in the house itself. There are cannons, cannonballs, anchors, and medical equipment, but unfortunately due to COVID, you can only see things that are outside of the house.” She also tells us about her favorite museum or historical site. “It’s so hard to pick a favorite, but my favorite museum or historical site I’ve visited would be the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I’ve been there a handful of times and I’m always in shock of the sheer beauty of the place.”
Connor Hoagland, a senior history major with a minor in French from Mount Holly, NJ (Burlington County), is a transfer student from Rowan College at Burlington County. They recommend visiting the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia, or the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. They say: “Both of these places are primarily outdoors. I like the arboretum since it’s one of the last of its kind remaining, and I’ve been there a few times when I was younger. The Grounds for Sculpture has some really impressive works of art and it’s fun to just explore.” They also tell us about their favorite museum or historical site. “My favorite historical site would have to be Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The free tour and the knowledge that the country was literally founded in that building was pretty nice. History has always been my strongest subject, and I’ve always had an interest in the revolution, especially since it pretty much happened in my own backyard.”
Bobby Scott a senior secondary education major with history subject matter, is from Elk Township, NJ (Gloucester County). He recommends students visit the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, or the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. He says “Each of these museums or locations show true insight into what life was truly like for people who have through trying times of history, or pay remembrance to the sacrifices that others have made in service to their nation in the hopes of bringing freedom to others.” He also tells us about his favorite museum or historical site. “Pearl Harbor was perhaps the most significant sight I have ever visited, however, it is quite a distance from Rowan University and sadly out of reach for many college students. Arlington holds an even more impactful memory upon me, as seeing the thousands of graves of those who selflessly gave their lives for their friends and their country. Pictures cannot capture the emotions, and words are difficult to choose that convey the emotion and overwhelming presence of such a place. The Holocaust Museum, which is only a short distance from Arlington, gives a truly personal account of the horrors that Jews and other minorities were forced to endure during some of the darkest days of the twentieth century. Many who walk out of there are often in tears, as they finally come face to face with the odds that men, women, and children had to go up against. Each of these locations can often take even those who find history a dull and boring affair, and can turn it into a life-altering experience.”
Dr. Kelly Duke Bryant, history professor, recommends that students visit The Newark Museum of Art. She says “I teach African history, and this museum has a wonderful collection of African art. They are currently featuring the “Arts of Global Africa” in a special exhibition. Even if you can’t go in person due to distance or the pandemic, the online exhibition is worth a look. ” She also tells us about her favorite museum or historical site. “The National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian) is my favorite museum. I visited this museum a number of years ago, shortly after it opened, and was impressed by the range of historical artifacts on display and the complexity (and honesty) of the historical narrative presented. The building itself is gorgeous, too.”
Dr. Emily Blanck, history professor, recommends that students visit the Harleigh Cemetery in Camden/Collingswood (Camden County), Historic Germantown (Philadelphia), and Washington’s House (Philadelphia). She says “These two off-the-beaten-path destinations have interesting aspects. I love Walt Whitman, and in the COVID environment, it is good to stay outdoors. Bundle up and go visit Walt Whitman and many other souls in Harleigh Cemetery in Camden. It is one of the oldest with lots of prominent folks with interesting headstones. Historic Germantown is great because they have worked to engage with the past of slavery as well as feature important elite homes. There are many small and medium historical sites here, and they’re not well-trod, so the chance that you’ll be in a crowded indoor space is slim. The Johnson House is especially a gem, but there are a couple of small museums dedicated to understanding and remembering the black experience too. Another COVID-friendly outdoor spot is Washington’s House near Liberty Pavillon in Philadelphia. It is just the frame of the house and it focuses on the interpretation of George Washington’s slaves when he was President. Great stories and it’s really accessible. ” She also tells us about her favorite museum or historical site. “I can go on the Independence Hall tour over and over. I don’t know why. I like hearing the different interpretations from the rangers and hearing the outlandish stories folks have about America’s founding.”
Dr. Steven Hague, history professor, recommends that students visit The Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA; the Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern, PA, and Stenton historic house in Philadelphia. He says “As a former museum director I would suggest three great and very cool hidden gem museums in the Delaware Valley: The Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA; the Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern, PA, and the Stenton Historic House in Philadelphia. Imagine a giant concrete castle built as a museum filled with objects from the early time of America, everything from a whaleboat hanging from the ceiling to a gallows. Chock-a-block filled with great stuff. That is the Mercer Museum. Wharton Esherick was an American artist who worked in wood and built his own house. Quirky, fun, and absolutely worth the visit. Call ahead. The Stenton Historic House is one of the best-preserved 18th-century historic sites anywhere. Off the beaten path with remarkable collections and history. And a Rowan grad runs their award-winning educational programs!” He also tells us about his favorite museum or historical site. “There are so many (in addition to the regional ones mentioned above): Art Museum: The Louvre in Paris – stunning – with a close honorable mention for the Met in New York and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is world-class. Historic site: two houses – Beauport, a rambling house filled with amazing collections, in Gloucester, MA. Similarly, Sir John Soane’s Museum in London. Both were put together by quirky, eccentric individuals with lots of flair.”
Dr. Mikkel Dack, history professor, recommends students visit The German Resistance Memorial Center. He says “The memorial’s (virtual) permanent exhibition provides extensive documentation of the motives, aims, and forms of the fight against the Nazi Dictatorship. This is an important topic of German and WWII history that most students are unfamiliar with.”
Denis Long, a senior history major with a minor in American Studies, is from Point Pleasant, NJ (Ocean County). They recommend that Rowan students visit the Monmouth Battlefield in Freehold, New Jersey. They say “While I’m not sure if its Visitors Center will be open, Monmouth Battlefield in Freehold, New Jersey is a beautiful, scenic location filled with historical significance to the American Revolution. Since its Visitors Center is likely closed, I recommend reading up on the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse beforehand, it’s a really wonderful piece of American history! I’ve been going there most 4th of Julys ever since I was young. I have many great memories there of traversing the fields and Comb’s Hill with my family, taking in the history. I also did research on the battle that I presented for an undergraduate research workshop at Penn early this year and to be able to spread my love for this event makes it even dearer to my heart.” They also tells us about their favorite museum or historical site. “Besides from Monmouth Battlefield, Ellis Island struck a chord when I visited it last summer. It was a beautiful museum packed with information and stories about immigration to the United States that helped show the importance of immigrants and diversity to this nation. People of all races, ethnicities, and other walks of life were there and to see people come together to learn about all of this honestly made me emotional.”
Today we spotlight Max M. Morgan, a senior Radio/Television/Film (RTF) major from Marlton, NJ. Max reflects on 5 game-changing skills he’s developed while at Rowan University.
How to write a script.
As a senior looking back, the screenwriting courses really stood out to me, and helped me develop an initial method to approach any type of production and maximize the value. Also, the in-class discussions and critiques helped me fine-tune my vision and develop new perspectives, which instilled in me the importance of listening to other voices.
How to capture any subject on camera.
Another course of great importance to me was Film Production, in which learning the process of how professional video production works is invaluable. I had no idea how much is involved before I enrolled at Rowan, like the different types of camera lenses, how to stylize an image to give a certain look and feel, color correcting, and the different types of microphones. All of this enabled me to showcase my work and add to my personal portfolio.
How to edit/score a production.
Any one of these software programs are really intimidating to a first-time user, but with Rowan’s access to free Adobe Creative Cloud programs for students, it gives hands-on experience with today’s cutting-edge technology. The most common software programs I’ve mastered here are Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop and Logic Pro X.
How to create custom graphics in Photoshop.
Intro to New Media and Foundations of Media are courses that have given me useful experience in Photoshop, creating unique graphics, lower thirds, etc., in a very easy-to-understand, digestible way. Photoshop is an invaluable tool in my arsenal; being able to turn average photos into amazing ones, extracting precise elements from an image, being able to piece together and make something new and exciting!
How to develop a voice.
Podcasting and Media Performance Techniques classes have really helped me develop my voice and communication skills that translate in everyday life, and have given me the confidence I wish I had years ago. The voice is the most practical thing I’ve developed here at Rowan, and I am using what I have learned everyday already.
I feel that Rowan has helped me grow so much, not only in my field, but as a young adult, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a Prof!! Furthermore, I’d like to give a shout-out to some extraordinary instructors who shared their own talents and experiences to enrich my own learning. Thank you!
Recent grad Julia McAleavey shares guidance through this advice column for incoming students. A student with well-rounded experience, Julia earned a bachelor’s in advertising this spring. She transferred to Rowan her sophomore year, after another school wasn’t a great fit. While at Rowan she started as an exploratory studies major, unsure of what to major in. She’s lived both on campus and off campus, held student worker jobs and internships, and participated in clubs and sports.
College professors. Some are great, some are not so great. Your relationship with professors will likely be different than it was with teachers growing up. Think of it this way, have you ever texted any of your teachers from high school? My guess is probably not. Believe it or not, texting professors, among other things, are pretty normal in a college environment. Some connections you build with your professors might last you a lifetime, and might get you that connection that lands you a job. Here are some ways to connect with the professors that you will have in college.
Speak up in class: As you likely already know, hiding in the back of the class, not saying a word the entire time, is not going to get you noticed by anybody. Participating in class is the first step to getting noticed by a professor. The good thing about Rowan is that since classes are somewhat small, professors will learn your name quickly. However, you have to speak up, or they will forget all about you.
Ask for advice: This could be before or after class, or during their office hours (which I highly recommend taking advantage of). If you have questions on the lecture or an assignment, seeing the professor on extra hours is a given. However, you may even have questions about how to fix your resume, or how you should dress for a networking event. These are all things professors want to help you with, and ultimately, this is how you will build that relationship with them.
Go to extra events they may have: Whether it be extra study sessions or club meetings they’re in charge of, they are more than likely to have some kind of extra meeting throughout the semester. Going to these events will help you to get to know the professor on a more professional level, rather than just as a student. You may learn about some real-world connections they have that might interest you. Plus, it is something to help build your resume up.
College is a time where all kinds of connections and relationships are made. However, having a good relationship with a professor can go a long way. They might be the one to write you that letter of recommendation that lands you your dream job. Getting close with professors is definitely worth it, and Rowan makes it easy with smaller class sizes. Don’t be shy if you have a question about something. Staying after to talk to the professor might just be the start of that professional relationship.
Today we feature Reinaldo Vázquez Jr., a junior Physics major and Mathematics minor from Paulsboro, NJ (Gloucester County) who has an off-campus rental.
Tell us about one club, organization, or group of friends that make you feel like Rowan is home. Queer People of Color, or QPOC, is a multicultural and LGBTQ+ support group on campus. I spent the last two semesters as Treasurer and Vice President with the goal of making QPOC a diverse community free of ignorance and judgment. I know every meeting that all of our members are going to feel safe expressing themselves and speaking what’s on their minds.
Could you share a moment you’ve experienced in which you have felt that Rowan is a welcoming environment for you? When I came to Rowan almost two years ago, I was with a different major. I worked in the department, but it wasn’t a good fit for me. I felt disconnected and isolated, and I carried that feeling with me for my entire first semester anytime I entered the building. It wasn’t until I met my best friend, partner, and the President-to-be of QPOC, Jahnaya, at the start of the spring semester that I started to feel welcome at Rowan. Naya helped create an environment where I could feel comfortable, and proud, of who I am and does the same for everyone she meets.
What’s your favorite thing about your typical Monday at Rowan? QPOC meetings were always the best way to unwind at the end of a long day. Since the meetings were on my “off day,” I would do homework all day and then spend a couple of hours catching up with everyone else.
What is one thing about Rowan that was a happy surprise for you? As a native of South Jersey, I had the opportunity to see Rowan University as it grew over the years. I can remember when the Nexus Apartments were home to Glassboro residents and Holly Pointe Commons and Rowan Boulevard were still just expansion plans for a small-town college. I came to Rowan primarily out of convenience but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is still growing every year, both in students and new projects like the one happening right now on 322. And despite this rapid growth, Rowan has managed to keep students closely engaged with campus life.
Describe for us an experience you’ve shared with a professor or staff member in which you felt like they truly cared about your wellbeing. My Physics professor Dr. Carol Guess is hands-down my favorite professor thus far. Whenever I needed help, whether it was for her class or just guidance during a difficult time, her office door was open. When I wanted to change my major from Engineering, it was thanks to her help in class that I knew Physics would be a better fit for me, and it was thanks to her guidance outside of class that I was able to make the change.
Today’s TRANSFERmation Tuesday features Molly Worek, a transfer from Bloomsburg University and Rowan College of Gloucester County (RCGC). Molly is a CADP English accelerated to master’s in teaching major. She holds a CUGS (certificate of undergraduate studies) in Japanese, a minor in international studies and is also pursuing Teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language certificate through another entity. She earned an associate degree in English from RCGC. Wrapping up her junior year, Molly lives at home in Mullica Hill, NJ (Gloucester County) and commutes to Rowan.
Could you share with us one moment that made you feel inspired or confident that you’re in the right field for you?
One moment, among many, that made me feel inspired and confident that I was in the right field for me was when I realized that on more than one occasion I actually taught my professors something new. I realized that if I could teach my professor, I could teach anybody. It was a huge confidence boost. Inspiration drove my determination to teach someone, anyone, something new every day. If I could teach someone every day, intentionally or not, then I am a teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere I go.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year?
The most interesting thing I have learned in my major this year is in Dr. Cindy Vitto’s course, Chaucer. There is not one thing I can specifically choose to be most interesting, as this course and its professor are simply amazing. (And yes, I have taken Dr. Vitto before, and will do so every chance I get!)
Why did you choose Rowan?
I chose Rowan because it was only 10 minutes from home, has an excellent teaching program, offers Japanese, and has an equestrian team. Rowan was also an affordable option for me. I hope to graduate without any debt to enable me to move directly into my career overseas. My choice to transfer to Rowan has also enabled me to be inducted into several national and international honor societies related to my new major including the Golden Key Society, Pi Lambda Theta, Sigma Iota Rho, and Tau Sigma.
What are you most looking forward to at Rowan next year?
Next year at Rowan, I am most looking forward to my field hours teaching in schools: interacting with students, making lesson plans, learning from other teachers, and making a difference in the lives of those I influence. I am also looking forward to the possibility of studying abroad in Japan or Europe. My current goal is to teach English as a foreign or second language in Japan at the high school level! I plan to move to Japan in 2022 after graduation, and once there, I will consider obtaining my doctorate and teach at the university level.
I also look forward to the fall season of the Equestrian Team as our spring season was cut short. Traveling to other universities and gaining points towards zones, regionals, and then nationals is incredibly exciting, and hard work! The hours we put in on top of our studies to fine tune our riding and participate in team activities is well worth it. Outside of Rowan, I look forward to representing my school, state, and nonprofit platform as Miss USA Petite New Jersey!
Meet Jodi Lynn Heady, a graduating senior concentrating in literacy studies under subject-matter education with two minors in education and psychology. Jodi commuted to Rowan during her last semester from her home in Mantua, NJ (Gloucester County). She’s a first-generation college student who transferred here from Rowan College of Gloucester County.
Favorite Classes at Rowan: My favorite experiences at Rowan with my classes would have to be School Reading Problems and Supervised Clinical Practice in Reading. In those classes, I got to tutor children, seeing how much they grew from the beginning to end of tutoring was wonderful. They were the best classes to look forward to each week.
Favorite Memory: My favorite moment at Rowan was working at Rowan University Early Childhood Demonstration Center. The children and staff there were all so sweet, and it was the best way to either start or end my school day!
Career Aspirations: My career aspiration is to teach and shape young minds and get them ready for the years ahead of them. The College of Education supported me throughout my journey. They have provided wonderful classes with great professors.
Shout outs! I would like to give a shout out to my family (my mom, my dad, my sister, and my grandma), my friends, the children I babysit and their families, Rowan University Early Childhood Demonstration Center, my advisor (April Ellerbe), and my favorite professors at Rowan (Dr. Lee, and Professor Atwood).
Favorite moment: A number of favorite moments come to mind so with that in mind I’d like to take this time to thank the entire mathematics department in Robinson Hall for always being there and willing to answer any questions that I had about my math courses!
Most Meaningful Moment: The most meaningful personal moment that I had at Rowan has to be the friends I made while student teaching. I never would have made it through it all without them! You know who you are!
Career Aspirations: I finished my degree in mathematics and it was one of the most difficult things I had ever done. Once I finally start teaching, I can’t wait to help my students overcome the obstacles that I struggled with for so long. None of this would have been possible without a select number of extremely helpful and kind math professors.
Shout outs! I’d like to thank my family for supporting me all through my college career and I’d also like to give a special thanks to Dr. Charalampos (Babis) Papachristou and Dr. Edward Dougherty both from the Rowan mathematics department who always went above and beyond whenever I asked for help.
Today we feature first generation college student Sylvia Hogue, a graduating history major who transferred to Rowan from Camden County College. Sylvia commuted to campus from home, in Pine Hill, NJ (Camden County.)
Could you please tell us about your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes? I’d have to say my favorite moment experience at Rowan was my second visit to the South Jersey Tech Park to work on the Warsaw VR Project. That day I got to experience the VR project inside of the CAVE and I knew then that the Warsaw Project was going to be very special and would be worth all other time and effort our multidisciplinary team puts into it. What was your favorite or most meaningful personal moment at Rowan? Last semester, I went to the New York Jewish Heritage Museum with the Rowan Center for the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights (RCHGHR) to see the first traveling exhibit about Auschwitz outside of Europe. Being there and seeing the remnants of the atrocities of the Holocaust solidified my desire to pursue a career in Holocaust education.
What are your career aspirations and how did the people or programs at Rowan help to support you with those aspirations? It is my goal to work in public history, helping to educate others on the horrors of genocide so that hopefully, one day, such tragedies no longer occur. I also wish to help design a federal Holocaust curriculum and develop teaching resources for public schools. The entire history department is endlessly supportive of its students. However, I personally own much to Jennifer Rich, Stephen Hague, and Jody Russell Manning.
Dr. Rich brought me onto the Warsaw Project with open arms and never misses an opportunity to lift up her students and makes them feel like they can do anything. Dr. Hague always pushes back, challenging me to do better and to look at things from a different perspective. Professor Manning, apart from always adding into my personal reading list, always makes me ask the bigger questions and never accept the easy answers as true. Such skills not only serve to make me a better historian in general but also give me a wider lens to see the world.
Do you want to give a thank you shout out to your family, friends, advisors or mentors? I never would have made it this far without the endless support from my parents (Pat and Ken), my fiance (Phillip), and my best friend (Steve) who have spent the last 4 years being the most patient and understanding people on the planet. I would also like to give a shout out to my friend Gina Torres who’s been stuck proofreading my papers since we met in Historical Methods.
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.
Meet Phil Brenner, a graduating senior from Westville, NJ (Gloucester County) who majored in athletic training. Phil lived on campus in Evergreen, on Rowan Boulevard and in off-campus campus during his time at Rowan.
Favorite Class: One of my favorite moments in a class was during Mr. Christy’s therapeutic exercise class when our class had to go into the cold whirlpool for 20 minutes at 8 a.m. in the morning. It was definitely better than the effect of any coffee.
Most Meaningful Memory: One of my most meaningful experiences at Rowan was joining the Unified Sports Club my freshman year. I had so much fun competing with all of the athletes and partners. It was one of the things I looked forward to most on the weekend when it was soccer or basketball season.
Career Aspirations: My career aspirations are to continue in the athletic training program at Rowan so I can get my master’s in athletic training. I aspire to be an athletic trainer for a high school. I got to learn alongside two of the best high-school athletic trainers (shoutout Mr. Evans at Woodstown and KB at Delsea Regional High School). They taught me the ins and outs of what it takes to be a high-school athletic trainer and I’m very grateful for their mentorship. Also, the professors and educators of the athletic training major helped me reach where I am. They have challenged me and pushed me to be the best I could be. It was definitely a lot of work but without their guidance, I wouldn’t be where I am at right now.
Shout outs! I want to give a shout out to my mom, sisters (Jenna and Kristina), my brother Chris, my girlfriend Grace, and my close friends who have supported me throughout my academic journey. I also want to give a shoutout to Colleen Grugan, Dr. Sterner, Dr. Mann, Dr. Pletcher, Dr. Bullard, Mr. Christy, KB, Mr. Evans, Steve Shultz, and Chris Pantellere for being educators and preceptors for me throughout my courses and residencies. My knowledge base is a cumulation of these high quality educators and I could not be more grateful for that.
Meet Tylar E. Bradley, a law and justice graduating senior from Delran, NJ (Burlington County) who transferred here from Howard University. Tylar shares her favorite memories, professors and her plan for law school. Tylar commutes to Rowan.
Favorite Memory with a Professor: I do remember having a very good conversation with Dr. Stanley Yeldell. I took his victimology course, which was a great class. We exchanged stories about our respective times in Washington D.C. where he went to college and where I transferred from. I also had great conversations with Professor James Jones. You can just tell he’s very passionate and knowledgeable about his job. I always loved hearing him speak.
Club Involvement: I had high hopes of getting involved in more clubs/organizations this upcoming semester but COVID-19 messed up those plans. Making friends as a busy transfer student is harder, but I can say that every person that I came in contact with was very nice.
Career Aspirations: I aspire to go to law school and practice law before ultimately becoming a judge or getting involved somehow with the FBI orCIA. I haven’t decided yet, but I plan on taking the LSAT regardless. One professor that supported me with my aspirations was Professor Hoerner. She was very informative on certain aspects about entering that field and was always very encouraging.
Shout outs! I want to thank my family, friends and professors for helping me through this transition as a transfer student while also being a single mother to a 2-year-old boy. It’s been very difficult but with my family and friends’ help and understanding professors– I’ve managed to not only succeed but excel in all of my courses.
Meet Kayode G, a graduating senior majoring in vocal music education who lives on campus on Rowan Boulevard. Kayode commuted to Rowan during his last semester, from his home in Pine Hill, NJ (Camden County). Kayode shares his favorite memories as president of the Table Tennis Club and as a performing arts student.
Favorite Memory with a Professor: My favorite moment with a faculty member was when Professor Art McKenzie, my high school and Rowan men’s choir director, asked me to choreograph/stage one of the men’s choir concerts. He had a brilliant vision and he believed in me to help bring it to life.
We had many creative meetings on the order of the music for the program, lighting & staging ideas, transitions, and choreography. He allowed me to have a voice in the process, and he didn’t have to. He is one of the most selfless, egoless, and talented people I have ever met. I learned so much from this experience. I felt honored to be able to work on this huge project with one of my inspirations.
Favorite Rowan Memory: My personal favorite moment at Rowan was when I was the President of the Table Tennis Club. My goal for the club was to get the history of the club to 100 members on Proflink. When I was elected president, there were about 40 students in the history, and by the end of my term, the club had over 100 members! That was a very ambitious goal, but I exceeded that goal. This accomplishment stands out for me because this club allowed me to meet and connect with many great students on campus.
My motto for the club was: It’s more about collaboration than it is competition!
What are Your Career Aspirations: I aspire to be a music educator and work in all areas of performing arts. I love to sing, dance/choreograph, play the piano, write music & poetry, and of course teach and inspire others to get involved in music. I have had many opportunities to teach and showcase my gifts whether it was front stage (singing solo/duets, piano recital) or behind the scenes (choreographing, staging and lighting). I thank all of the teachers who allowed me to share my love of music in a variety of ways.
Shout outs! I would love to say thank you to my family and friends who have been there during this long journey. All of the love, laughter, support, and meaningful moments have truly kept me alive.
Thank you to my table tennis friends. You will never truly understand how much this group has helped me through some of the hardest times at Rowan.
Huge thank you to Mr. McKenzie for all of your love and support! Thanks to Dr. Christopher Thomas and the choir who sang at my mother’s funeral. I will never forget that moment. Lastly, a huge shout out to Professor Karen Brager!!!!!! You truly mean so much to me! You are a huge reason why I made it to graduation. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Much love to you all.
A passionate graduate student who works on computer-aided drug and molecular dynamic simulations, Holli-Joi Sullivan’s research primarily focuses on different cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. First drawn into this field after taking a course with Dr. Chun Wu, Holli-Joi has been in love with the work that she does every day since. A graduate student in […]
Today, we speak to Natalie Torres, from Morris County, NJ, who is a Rowan alumna. She graduated with a Psychology undergraduate degree in May 2016 and then earned her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in August 2018.
We speak to Natalie about why she originally chose Rowan and how Rowan has prepared her for her success as a child psychologist and her current pursuit in becoming a board-certified behavior analyst.
“I originally chose Rowan because I felt like I would not be just another number. The size of campus and the size of the classes were perfect for me. I didn’t have to take a packed bus to different locations just to get to class, and everything was close by.”
Natalie also had heard that Rowan had a great Psychology program. She instantly knew that with the distance, size, affordability and the great reputation, that this was the school for her.
“I always knew from a young age that I had wanted to go into psychology. So many people would come up to me asking me for advice, I enjoyed helping them and working through their problems. I find psychology to be extremely fascinating and helpful! When it came time to start thinking about college and what route I wanted to take, I discussed the possibilities with a teacher of mine. I told her I wanted to go into psychology but more specifically, I wanted to work with children who have autism.”
Natalie feels passionate about helping the education, growth and development of children with disabilities and behavioral disorders.
“Autism hits close to home for me and my family. So when she told me that Rowan had an applied behavior analysis concentration and a master’s program as well, I knew that Rowan was where I needed to be!”
When Natalie wasn’t studying Psychology in her classes, she was pushing her education even further with her on-campus job.
“I first worked for the payroll services at Rowan, then the Rowan mailroom for two more years after that. Then, I finally began working as a research assistant for my professors in the ABA program. During my master’s, I worked for the ABA center as well.”
However, Natalie admits, she has had her fair share of obstacles during her time as a college student.
“The biggest thing I had to overcome was my time management skills. Once I knew that I had successfully gotten into the master’s program, I knew that I had to juggle doing hours of research, staying on top of my classes and doing my assignments on time. Time management was essential for me!”
Natalie has achieved so much during her time at Rowan, so we had to ask, did the future seem bright?
“Throughout my time at Rowan, I was fortunate enough to have amazing professors who were willing to help me at any time. My professors were extremely credible and well-known in the field, so that gave my classmates and I the advantage of receiving great advice and mentoring. I not only felt prepared, but extremely confident that I would succeed!”
Natalie was not only successful in finding a great education at Rowan, but she also made an amazing connection and relationship too.
“I believe Rowan has not only prepared me, but also my boyfriend of seven years, Gene.”
Natalie’s boyfriend, Gene Maier, is also a Rowan alumnus with two degrees in accounting and finance. He now works for the accounting firm Baker Tilly in Philadelphia.
Natalie shares: “Rowan has really helped us both in building our careers. Currently, I’m working for a specialized school for children with disabilities in their autism campus. There, I work with children from various locations ranging from toddlers to adolescents. We bought our first house a year and a half ago here in Cherry Hill. We also got our first dog together too, Carsen!”
While Natalie has so much success around her currently, we still wanted to know what she has planned for the future.
“I’m currently working on taking the test to get my BCBA certification. Once I become a board-certified behavioral analyst, I can continue to help and support so many more families and children.”
As I’m in the spring semester of my junior year, I wanted to take a look back on my Rowan experience over the previous two and a half years. I came in as freshman from Middletown, NJ (Monmouth County) not knowing what to expect when going to college. I moved in early in August as […]
Meet Hannah Holzhauer, a sophomore dietetics major from Sussex County, NJ who lives on-campus in the Rowan Boulevard Apartments. Hannah is on track for a 5 year master’s program to support her future career in nutrition.
Name: Hannah Holzhauer Year: Sophomore Major:Dietetics major (5 year master’s program) Hometown: Green Township, NJ (Sussex County) On campus resident or commuter: On-Campus resident in Rowan Boulevard Apartments. Academic or social clubs you are a part of: I am a member of the Exercise is Medicine Club, Nutrition Care Club, and the Culture in Green Club. I am also in the National Honor Society fraternity Phi Sigma Pi as the scholarship chair.
Why did you choose Rowan University?
“I chose Rowan because it is the perfect fit for me. It is the right distance away from my home; far but not too far. It has a big campus with lots going on, but at the same time, it feels safe and inviting. It is reasonably priced for in-staters like me. The biggest deciding factor, however, was that it offers the field I so badly wanted to study … Nutrition.”
What inspired you to choose your major?
“I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at 7 years old. For most of my life, my body had been at war with itself. I was tired of being a victim to my condition and accepting that my pain, frustration and sadness were inevitable. I knew there had to be some way that I could help myself, but never did I imagine ending up where I am today. After doing extensive research on the impact diet has over disease, I decided to try it out myself. I changed my diet overnight and stuck with it out of hope and pure desperation that it would do some good. It not only did some good, it put me in full remission. This is something no pill, injection, or procedure has ever been able to do for me. I knew from this point on that I had found my purpose; to help others heal their bodies and regain control of their lives.”
How does your field impact the world? What impact would you like to have on the world in your field?
“The field of nutrition is ever-expanding, with new discoveries and research coming out every single day. I am living proof that food is medicine and that what you put into your body matters. If we shift our perception and start treating food more like fuel, we have the potential to improve the wellbeing of our nation and change the way health care is looked at for good.”
Describe for us an experience you’ve shared with a Rowan professor in which you felt like you were working with a visionary in your field.
“One of the best people I have had the pleasure of knowing at Rowan has to be Dr. Leslie Spencer. She teaches the Health Behavior Theory and Counseling class that I am in this semester. Never have I met an educator so dedicated to her work, her students, and the university as her. She is incredibly smart and passionate about health and wellness, which makes being in class with her such a joy. The life skills and personal growth I have attained from her class has turned me into a better human being with a greater understanding of those around me. I have no doubt that the things I have learned from Dr. Spencer will stay with me forever and benefit me in my professional career. I honestly believe that everyone, regardless of what you are studying, should take this course with her. She has so much to teach you.”
Any advice for students interested in Dietetics or any advice in general?
“Nutrition is an exciting field to study with endless career opportunities. The biggest thing when choosing a career path, whether it be Dietetics or something else, is to establish your “why”. If you can’t effortlessly answer why you are studying what you are, then maybe you are not where you are meant to be. Find your why.”
Meet Sabrina Vargas, a freshman dance major from Atlantic County who lives on campus in Evergreen Hall. Sabrina joined Rowan through the Pre-College Institute Program and is involved with many clubs on campus.
Name: Sabrina Vargas Year: Freshman Major:Dance Minor:Sociology Hometown: Mays Landing, NJ (Atlantic County) Where do you live?On campus, Evergreen Hall First-generation college student? Yes
Academic and Social Clubs: I am the Student Government Association representative for the Atomik Legacy Dance Crew, and I am involved with MOCA, which is the Men of Color Alliance.
What inspired you to choose your major? Senior year of high school I applied to Rowan through the Common App. I had no clue what I wanted to do as a major. I looked through my options and saw that dance was an option for a major. I talked to my dance teacher, and my dance teacher said go for it. You should audition. So I did and I love going to school for what I love.
How does your field impact the world? What impact would you like to have on the world in your field? Not a lot of us dancers can truly express ourselves through words. We express ourselves through our body art. A lot of people can relate to not speaking on certain things. A dancer can give her entire life story through a show. For me, dance is my peace. Everyone in the world should find their peace in some way, and dancers give people the courage to do so. Dance is physically and emotionally draining, and we go for it every day.
What advice would you give your high school self about choosing a college? It’s OK to stay close to home because you make your own life at college. You can make your home wherever you are. I’m 45 minutes away from home and I barely go home because my home is at Rowan.
Tell us about your transition into college and how you pushed through any challenges. I automatically connected to everyone at Pre-College Institute (PCI). I was nervous, but I knew everyone from PCI had my back. I knew I had mentors there and that I could ask for help if I needed it. In the mix of doing the hard academic bootcamp at PCI, you get a family. I live in Evergreen with my PCI family. I walk into the ASCEND office and I feel at home. I can’t imagine my college experience without it. We did a lot of self growth activities and it taught me how to be a good student.
I took an Elements of Dance class with Paule Turner, the theatre and dance department chair, during PCI, which helped me transition into the dance department at Rowan. Paule said that him having me as a student in the summer proved to him and showed him that I deserved to be here as a dance major. I knew the department and Paule so I felt a step ahead from the other freshmen dance majors when college started.
Meet Adriana Simiriglio, a junior Elementary Education major specializing in Mathematics from Gloucester County. Today she shares how her mathematics professor changed her outlook on teaching and learning that ultimately made her a better problem-solver and soon-to-be teacher.
I’m an education major. This means that I will relearn nearly 12 years of schooling, but this time from another perspective.
I was a little hesitant to take my math class my first year. I was good at math, but I was never the strongest at it, and I was afraid that college math would be at least 50 times harder than what I experienced during my regular school years.
It wasn’t.
I walked into the classroom to meet my bright-eyed professor, William Smith, who welcomed me with open arms and was already practicing everyone’s names. He placed us sitting in different groups, where I was able to meet three other education majors who were scared of math just like me.
He started out by handing us all a pencil because he knew a lot of us would ultimately forget. However, it was what he had inscribed on the pencil that got my mind reeling.
“Math is not a spectator sport.”
Professor Smith began to explain what this math class really was. We had to relearn all of math, starting with regular addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and then next semester, we’ll continue with fractions and probability. I was shocked. I had to relearn addition and subtraction? That was a kindergarten skill that I had already mastered many eons ago.
I thought I knew it all. I was wrong.
To help support us, Professor Smith made his own textbook and made it available in a PDF form. He explained he would never to assign too much homework because assigning book problems that don’t give us an answer and show us how to solve the problem are useless because we will never learn that way.
As soon as he was done explaining, he put addition problems on the board. Simple addition problems, but this started the epiphany of why math isn’t as scary as it looks.
The problems were easy, 2+2, 5+5, 20+10. When he asked us to explain our answer, we just simply said that “we knew it.” There was no explanation.
That’s the problem. We are never forced to explain. We are robots to the common knowledge, but we don’t know why or how we got the answers to the problems.
Now for the big guns, 367+83. Everyone was amused by what we thought was humor. So, we grabbed our papers, carried and borrowed with confidence, and all came up with the same answer. When we were asked why, it was just because “we were taught that way.” We had absolutely no knowledge of why we did math the way we did math.
This is when he explained the pinnacle of what math truly is:
We are forced in our classes to memorize formulas, patterns, ways of solving problems the quickest. We are never taught to look at the problem, become problem solvers, and think of our own way to solve it. He asked how many of us were told by our teachers “not to use your way,” or “don’t use your parents way, just stick to this” even though we were getting the right answers. We were forced to copy the work of our teachers, and expected to get the right answers. All of us raised our hands. He told us he is going to guide us through this class, but he is not going to teach it, we are.
We are going to explain our thinking of answers to the class, share our own ways of solving the problem so others can try, and most importantly: scrap all formulas and shortcuts because they will never show you what math truly is. No more carrying and borrowing, no more solving from the right to the left. He taught us so many different ways to add, subtract, multiply, and divide so we could find what works best for us. Tests told us on every question to use the method that works best for us.
Throughout the semester, he had us volunteer to lead the class lessons, and as I started to feel comfortable and confident with my own work, I took strides and led the class multiple times, even within the first week of school. He told us that if we are going to be teachers, we have to get up in front of the class and explain something that is our biggest fear to our peers first.
But why? Why did we feel confident? The answer is simple: We were allowed to let our brains work out and process problems in a way that we could figure out. We weren’t force-fed information that we had to mimic, but instead, we were given full range to expand our minds and understand what we were learning.
So yes, math is not a spectator sport. It requires effort, thinking, and problem-solving skills. But when you open your mind to the different possibilities that math has to offer, it is only the beginning of what you can accomplish. Not only did this class change my perspective on math as a future teacher, but it made me feel confident instead of belittled when I couldn’t solve a problem, it made me feel empowered that I could solve the problems the way that I saw fit, and most importantly: this class taught me that math isn’t something to be afraid of. It is only yourself that can make you afraid, but when you have the right teacher, math can be as easy as 3.14.
Interested in education? Learn more about our majors.
What is your area of expertise?Currently, my main area of expertise is engineering education pedagogy – basically, what are the best ways of teaching engineering students. I am also working on developing expertise in faculty development and leadership practices and diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering education. These new areas have synergies with each other and with my existing expertise, so I’m very excited to learn more.
Share an “aha!” moment that you’ve had within your discipline that made you feel passionate about your field. A few years ago, I championed the inclusion of weekly reflections in our first-semester first-year engineering clinic course that all engineering students take. As I began reading my students’ first reflections, I was struck by how many of them so clearly needed an outlet beyond what we typically provide in engineering (i.e., problem sets and lab reports). Their reflections were personal and honest and gave me a window into their lives that I don’t normally get. It reminded me that our students are whole people, and I had newfound motivation to provide them the best classroom experience I could.
Describe for us an experience you’ve had with a student that made you feel excited about educating the next generation in your field. I developed a project for our first-year engineering clinic class during which students learn about Net Zero Energy buildings and sustainability – we talk about solar power, heat transfer, and low energy appliances in the context of the engineering basics students are learning (like engineering economics). I think the project is super interesting and relevant, but I was so gratified when a student emailed me after the semester was over to let me know that his internship was going to require him to analyze solar panels and energy reduction measures and that he felt totally confident going into the internship having worked on the Net Zero project in my class! Our current students are the people who will be solving the most challenging engineering problems our society has ever faced and I’m proud that I can contribute to their development as engineers and people.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your academic discipline or your research focus? Just because a particular way of teaching/learning things worked for you doesn’t mean it works for everyone (or even the majority of people). Our education system has been designed to select for particular strengths, which means we’re missing out on a huge amount of talent that doesn’t happen to thrive in our current system.
What is a current project you and your students are working on? I have several students working on analyzing the reflections our first-year students are writing in their engineering clinic course. We are taking a few different approaches to this work—one is to try to understand how students think about the entrepreneurial mindset (curiosity, connections, creating value) and another is investigating how students conceptualize themselves as learners based on their responses to the prompt “Tell me about yourself as a learner”. We have found some interesting results—the publications are forthcoming!
The daughter of a welder/steamfitter father and a mother who did a little bit of everything, Kristen Cunningham knew she wanted to continue her education after high school, but wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. She also wanted to make her parents proud and be the first person in her family to go to college. Initially drawn to education and journalism, she shied away from those options when her hearing began to deteriorate as a young adult and she felt her hearing loss may hinder her in those areas.
She completed her associate degree at Mercer County College, while working full-time as a cook in a restaurant. Her colleague there, Cheryl Buono, a waitress, told her about then-Glassboro State College and said, “You’ve got to come to this awesome school with me.” Kristen checked out a few options, including other state schools and an art school, but ultimately decided, “If Cheryl’s there, sure. That will make the transition to campus life much easier. I didn’t want to risk not getting a degree.”
Once at Rowan, something just clicked with Kristen with criminology. “It blew my mind. I could still do the writing and the research that I enjoyed, but also focus on justice.” The law and justice studies alumna graduated in 1998, saying that the advice of her professors “saved” her. “I had one professor, Salerno, who asked me, ‘What do you want to do?’ We talked about it for a bit and he said, ‘I can see with your personality you’d be better at this, you’d be better at that.’ And he was right. He definitely geared me toward something that was a fit for me. He cared.”
Another professor taught her the importance of observation. “People never look up and that’s what criminals take advantage of. There’s a lot happening outside of your eyesight. To this day, when I’m walking down the street I always have eyes up. Those little nuggets, those were real-life experiences in that department. It was amazing and I loved it. We had people with years of experience in the field, being investigators, police officers and they were teaching these classes.”
Kristen also considers her involvement in Greek life to be paramount to her success at Rowan. “You went to classes and learned, but after class it was like family. Greek life made me feel like a part of the school.” Kristen affectionately earned the nickname “Sister of Justice” (something she is still sometimes called to this day) and led her sorority, Alpha Delta Epsilon, as president.
Today, Kristen is a 20-year employee of the judiciary within Mercer County. She started as an investigator, moving up to a probation officer after a year. She was voted Probation Worker of the Year in 2003. Two years later she was promoted to supervisor, a position she still holds today. As a court service supervisor in Probation/Child Support, she manages a team of six probation officers. “You get a lot of complaints. But as a civil servant you take the good with the bad. It’s rewarding because once in awhile I’ll get a letter that says that their lives changed for the better. That’s better than a bonus, when you hear that someone’s life has been bettered by an action you did – you go to bed that night feeling pretty good about yourself.”
As for her friend and waitress Cheryl? Successful in her own right as a leader in the marketing industry, she and Kristen are still dear friends 20+ years later.
What is your area of expertise? I think the biggest strength I bring to the classroom is a knowledge of culture and civilization, particularly of Germany and Austria. I’ve acquired this not only through formal study but also through a lifetime of experience in those countries.
The fundamental underlying human value language teachers impart is respect for other people’s differences. We impart it not by preaching but by introducing students to the rich cultural achievements of the peoples whose language we teach.
Share an “aha!” moment that you’ve had within your discipline that made you feel passionate about your field. There are so many “aha” moments in my many years of study that it is hard to single out just one. I must go back to high school, the summer of 1967, when I traveled to Germany and Austria for the first time with my teacher, Frau Cote, and several classmates. It was the overwhelming, life-changing experience one might imagine for a 16-year-old who had never left the country before. We spent three weeks in Germany and three weeks in Austria. I wasn’t back home much longer than a few days before I started thinking of ways I could return! A new world was opened for me. I returned from that trip knowing that I would do something with language and travel. It turned out to be teaching.
Share with us one aspect of student engagement that you enjoy most, and why? I enjoy interacting with students on so many levels. The youthful enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity they bring to classroom inspire me and help me to stay young at heart. Their questions keep me on my toes! They often have a keen interest in aspects of contemporary German culture that I know little about, the current music scene, for example. I think of Anna in “The King and I.”
“It’s a very ancient saying, But a true and honest thought, That if you become a teacher, By your pupils you’ll be taught.”
What is one thing you wish people knew about your academic discipline or your research focus? Again, I return to culture in terms of my academic discipline. When many think of Germany, it is Bavaria that comes to mind, the Octoberfest and brass bands, the Alps, and Mad King Ludwig’s fairytale castles. This is an irritant for my German friends. Although Bavaria is Germany’s biggest state, there are 15 other states in the country with diverse cultures.
How long have you taught at Rowan? What has inspired you to continue teaching? I am in my 17th year of teaching at Rowan. I love standing in front of a classroom of young people. Every class is different. Each offers its own rewards and challenges. One’s day is never the same. From my pupils I am taught.
Dr. Anna Sun, assistant professor of Educational Services and Leadership, saw the problem in both her teaching and research: how can faculty meet with students outside of class when the course is online?
Dr. Sun says she felt a range of emotions upon being recognized for her work.
“I feel honored, surprised and happy. I’m glad I’m recognized by peers, by students, by Rowan at large and as a community. And I’m surprised because online teaching relatively speaking is still new.
“I feel that more and more the community recognizes the importance of online teaching, sees it’s another way to meet the students’ needs, and it could provide the quality teaching and instruction in this pioneering format,” she adds.
The College of Education professor’s research focuses on social justice and school administration leadership in K-12 settings. She also studies how counterparts in other countries approach similar issues, debates and questions in education.
Dr. Sun joined Rowan six years ago, as her department collaborated with Rowan Global to launch an online teaching program to better meet students’ needs. The online courses are called light hybrid because there are two face-to-face times scheduled between faculty and students each semester. Dr. Sun saw how successful this model was and sought to incorporate an element of this in her office hours for online courses.
“I wanted to create a online learning community,” she explains. “The challenge or the debate sometimes would be, there’s no face-to-face time. So that’s the time I thought we need to create with this e-office hours, like the face-to-face office hours.”
Dr. Sun designates the second Monday of the month to e-office hours, where students can make appointments and meet with her via phone, email, videoconference or other digital format to ask questions on or talk about the course.
She says students have appreciated the courses with e-office hours.
“They feel I’m very approachable and I respond to students’ questions right away. They felt that this is exactly what they learned from face-to-face,” Dr. Sun says. “The research [also] shows that in the online setting we should have this instruction presence; I want the students to feel like they can reach me at any time when they have questions.”
Her e-office hours contribution is just one part of a more expansive goal of Dr. Sun’s to prepare future school leaders.
“In my teaching, we have a lot of discussions about social justice school leadership, transformational leadership,” Dr. Sun says. “And I feel my teaching, my interactions with students provide cutting-edge, effective approaches for them to become the reformers, the leaders, to make big changes in education.
“Our program prepares candidates with social justice approaches to make a big impact in the field. Both my teaching and the research are so important in this regard.”
What is your area of expertise? I am primarily a philosopher of science, and my principal work to date is concerned with epistemological issues in science. Philosophers traffic in questions, and here are the ones I am most concerned with: how do theory and observation relate? How are new scientific theories discovered? How do we distinguish good science from phony science?
My most significant publication is N.R Hanson: Observation, Discovery, and Scientific Change (2010), which is a study of the thought of N.R. Hanson, an important philosopher, who was both a renaissance man and a wild man, and who passed away in his early forties. I also teach Epistemology, Symbolic Logic, Philosophy of Physics and Nietzsche. My first publication was a translation of an article by the German Expressionist poet, Gottfried Benn, on Nietzsche.
One of my favorite courses I teach at Rowan is American Philosophy. For some reason, Americans are either unaware or ashamed of their philosophers. Folks like Thomas Paine, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, C.S. Peirce, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, William James, Alain Locke and John Dewey are deep and interesting thinkers who can be read both for serious study and pleasure. I echo Tolstoy’s complaint that Americans celebrate politicians and industrialists to the exclusion of their fine writers and scholars.
Share an “aha!” moment that you’ve had within your discipline that made you feel passionate about your field. My moment really came before I had ever studied philosophy in any serious capacity. I have always loved math and science, and it came as a surprise to me when I worked as an electrical engineer that those marvelously elegant theories and methods I had learned only applied to the real world in the most partial and approximate ways.
I think that a philosophical analysis of background assumptions and expectations is part of any sophisticated process of inquiry, whether it be in science, ethics, politics or personal decision making. I find the feeling of doubt and disillusion stimulating since this is often the first step on the way from error to the truth.
Describe for us an experience you’ve had with a student that made you feel excited about educating the next generation in your field. Most of us drift through the world as sleepers or sleep walkers. We are told what to believe, what is valuable, what we should do with ourselves. I am always inspired when students are roused from these “dogmatic slumbers” and realize they have voices; they have their own lives and their own destinies that they must make real. I think of philosophy as the most potent source of empowerment. Emerson said in “The American Scholar” that each generation has to think through the problems of life for itself and write its own books. I love it when I see that process at work.
What’s your favorite thing about being on campus on a typical Tuesday?I greatly enjoy walking to class with my head abuzz with all of the interesting ideas and arguments of the day’s lesson. How things will be framed, how students will respond and where the discussion will lead is always an adventure. There’s a reason that so many people forsake lives of mindless comfort for philosophy. When one is in the grips of a legitimate philosophical problem, one is most truly and vigorously alive. When I was in college, I had many 3 a.m. discussions of the big questions. I am lucky enough to have these kinds of discussions every day when I teach.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your academic discipline or your research focus? There’s an odd perceived belief that getting a philosophy degree is an invitation to the life of a useless ne’er-do-well. I could cite data that show the opposite to be true, that philosophy majors score the highest, on average, on post-graduate exams and that their lifetime incomes are among the highest of any major.
However, I think that is not the right approach, since philosophy is rarely chosen for these ulterior reasons — students choose it for intrinsic reasons: the study of philosophy enriches one’s life and can make even the most mundane experiences redeemable via philosophical reflection. Many students have told me that they didn’t really comprehend what other disciplines were for until they had studied philosophy. After that, they knew what kinds of questions to ask and where the other disciplines were coming from. The university evolved out of philosophical schools, so it is not a mystery that philosophy still provides the conceptual glue to bind everything together.
Finally, and I hate to wax apocalyptic, but I believe that humanity only has about a century left to walk the earth if it continues on its current path. How are we going to deal with the destruction of the environment, intolerance, terrorism, increased surveillance, the erosion of human rights, ceaseless war, incompetent and violent political leadership? I agree with Dewey that technology cannot save us since our capacity to develop new things always outstrips our capacity to understand and deal with their social consequences. I honestly don’t think philosophy will save us from final destruction. However, just as I think sober reflection on one’s own personal mortality is necessary, if fundamentally unpleasant and terrifying, so too is sober reflection on the mortality of our planet and species. All we can hope for is that the life of humanity be as good and meaningful as possible, and philosophy contributes essentially to that goal.
What is your area of expertise? My area of expertise is program development and evaluation for minority communities, drowning prevention and aquatic safety among African American and Hispanic/Latino populations, youth development and culturally responsive teaching.
I currently serve as a member of the American Red Cross, Scientific Advisory Council, Aquatic Sub Council, and the director of education and research for Diversity in Aquatics, a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization whose mission is to save lives and reduce the incidence of drowning through global efforts.
Share an “aha!” moment you’ve had within your discipline that made you feel passionate about your field? When I came to realize that I could transform the perception of the field of health and physical education by showing how physical education can have a positive effect on public health. The perception of physical education and health education often times has been limited to stereotypical images of the “coach” with a whistle using their “outside voice” to encourage students to participate in physical education classes, hence physical activity. When I came to understand that I could become a “change agent” in my community, combining my love of family, culturally relevant pedagogy, social justice, to encourage youth through physical education/health and wellness, I strive to teach my students to view themselves as agents of change who will teach in classrooms with more than walls and balls.
Share with us one aspect of student engagement that you enjoy most, and why? The opportunity to empower communities and students to empower themselves with relevant and inspiring educational experiences that will enable them to take control of their lives, shape their career goals, imagine future endeavors and become active participants in their scholastic journey.
Describe an experience you’ve had with a student that made you feel excited about educating the next generation in your field? One of the most challenging aspects of academia is finding out how you will be able to add to the body of literature in one’s professional field in the areas of research, service and teaching. At times, I have struggled with finding my voice among the structured parameters of research which defines worth by one’s ability to “conduct a systematic investigation of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.”It is my belief that as an educator one must have or be willing to gain a true knowledge of the students and their world to present content that can evoke an intrinsic response.
From 2008 – 2013, I developed Project Guard: Make A Splash E.N.D.N.Y, an aquatic and water safety initiative developed for schools and community organizations to foster respect, responsibility and relevance. Project Guard: Make A Splash E.N.D.N.Y was a collaborative venture among the (ARC) American Red Cross of Long Island, USA Olympic Swimming: Make A Splash Initiative, Adelphi University, the Teaching for Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) Alliance and a neighboring local school district. It was this collaborative opportunity with students, at both the university and K-12 levels, that I believe that whether we are teaching in the local public schools or in an institution of higher education that we are supposed to provide students with relevant curriculum that will be meaningful and not dehumanizing to them. I believe we should design programs and opportunities because we believe that if we do not lead by example, we cannot expect our students to follow and model what they have learned and been taught.
I believe we teach because we believe that students are supposed to be researchers, problem solvers, critical thinkers, learners and much more. I believe we teach because we believe that students should be able to believe that goals in life are always achievable as long as they do not give in. I believe we teach because we believe that providing relevant physical education and physical activity may require collaborations beyond school. We do it because we know that students must be “global citizens” and culturally aware and be prepared to use strategies that will sustain them whether in the classroom and in life, for “a new world order is in the making, and it is up to us to prepare ourselves that we may take our rightful place in it” (el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, Malcolm X, 1963).
What is one thing you wish people knew about your academic discipline or your research focus? One of the things that I wish people knew about the field? It is more than a field of play. One purpose of health education physical education methods courses is to help preservice teachers develop an understanding of, and acquire, the pedagogical skills needed to facilitate learning through movement. As a professional, I strive to engage stakeholders in the K-12 experience. I believe that through the creation of innovative programs, embedded in the richness of the culture, curricula, and communities, that we are all a part of, we will begin to create the next generation of effective teachers who are truly reflective of the students and communities they serve.
Share an “aha!” moment you’ve had within your discipline that made you feel passionate about your field.
“Before I became a professor when I was still studying marketing, I had an ‘aha!’ regarding international marketing. The fact that even large corporations sometimes neglect to adjust their strategies to different markets and then fail to be successful was very interesting to me. Plus, it leads to some funny examples of failed translations or cultural mistakes! No matter how large or successful a company might be in their home country, consumers are different and companies have to adjust their strategies to specific regions.”
Describe an experience you’ve had with a student that made you feel excited about educating the next generation in your field.
“For me, the best feeling is helping my students get a job and be successful in their career. Often times I get emails from students who say that they applied methods I taught them in their current positions. It makes me so happy to hear from them and know that I contributed to their success.”
What’s your favorite thing about being on campus on a typical Wednesday?
“I love the atmosphere and nature on campus. I enjoy taking moments to myself and walking through certain stops on campus — especially by the pond behind the Engineering Building, I enjoy looking for turtles in that lake when walking back from picking up coffee.”
What is your area of expertise?
“One of mine is sensory marketing. I study how the environment and the effects influence value perceptions and shopping behavior. Another area is more quantitative. I develop scales so other researchers can use them in their surveys. I also work with new technologies. I’m currently studying how augmented reality (AR) affects consumer experiences.”
What is one thing you wish people knew about your academic discipline or your research focus?
“Marketing is not just sales or advertising. It’s not only for creative people, it involves a lot of math and writing that you wouldn’t think of. There are so many subsections of marketing and one of them is marketing research, which drives everything else. If you don’t know who your consumers are, then you do not know how to get them in the door and to buy your product.”
Share an “aha!” moment you’ve had within your discipline that made you feel passionate about your field.
When reporters at The New York Times and The New Yorker magazine produced solid, detailed and hard-hitting exposés of rampant sexual discrimination in Hollywood and other industries, ushering in the #MeToo movement. Good, dogged reporting can produce tremendous results — even in the face of intimidating and powerful people.
Describe an experience you’ve had with a student that made you feel excited about educating the next generation in your field.
In July 2016, my colleague Mark Berkey-Gerard and I took a class of students to cover the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Our students worked very hard and had so much fun. They reported on protests, politicians and celebrities. They worked in heat, torrential downpours and wind. The students got to mingle with journalism alumni who now work at NJ Advance Media, Fox News and the Burlington County Times.
What’s your favorite thing about being on campus on a typical Wednesday?
Since I have been advisor to The Whit student newspaper on and off for 13 years, a typical Wednesday means Whit production night. That is when the staff of editors and reporters gather in their office to put out the weekly newspaper — in print, on the website and via social media. I love discussing stories with the student journalists and hearing them chatting and bounding up the stairs to their office at 6 East High St.
What is your area of expertise?
I have several. As a journalist, I focus on news and feature reporting — teaching the nuts and bolts of writing and putting together a well-crafted story. As an educator, I focus on media ethics. This involves examining and discussing coverage of current events and how journalists can/should do their jobs in an ethical way. As a researcher, I focus on children and families journalism. My graduate school fellowship at the University of Maryland focused on issues and concerns of children and their families. That can be anything from the rising rate of children diagnosed with autism, to teens and technology to foster care trends. These topics sometimes get the short shrift in newsrooms, and I am passionate about their coverage.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your academic discipline or your research focus?
Journalism is NOT “fake news” and journalists matter now more than ever. The printed newspaper as a product may be in steep decline, but consumers’ hunger for news is greater than ever.
This story is a part of the “My Favorite Class” series.
Meet Giovanni Rodriguez, an Athletic Training major from Woodbury, NJ (Gloucester County).
Giovanni is seen here in Elements of Dance, one of the courses he’s taking as part of the Pre-College Institute (PCI), a summer orientation program designed to prepare students for their transition to Rowan in the fall.
“[Elements of Dance] is one of my favorite classes that the PCI program offers. I love everything about it, and our professor Paule Turner is very open, kind and patient,” says Giovanni. “I’m happy that I’m living in Mullica Hall and that it’s so close to the dance studio in Memorial Hall.”
Share an “aha!” moment that you’ve had within your discipline that made you feel passionate about your field.
As a theoretical scientist, one of the most exciting moments for me is when a new theory or method is “born.” Developing a new computational or theoretical method can take weeks or months of work and study, but I find that there is often an “aha” moment right at the end where the ideas and equations finally come together.
I will never forget when, as a postdoctoral scholar at Northwestern University, I created the new theoretical approach for studying electron transport that is the basis for much of my research today. The “aha” moment came when I finally figured out the final form of the transport equations. The excitement of bringing a new idea into the world that I could call my own was a moment that validated all of the hard work and study required to get to that point.
Describe for us an experience you’ve had with a student that made you feel excited about educating the next generation in your field.
Although I’ve been at Rowan for less than a year, I didn’t have wait long to meet an impressive student. After my very first day of teaching, a student came up to me asking to join my research group. He had a strong interest in nanoscale and materials science problems, so my group was a perfect fit. I was deeply impressed by the level of self-motivation that the student had. He has since become one of my top research students and is currently writing his own research software.
What’s your favorite thing about being on campus on a typical Tuesday?
On a typical Tuesday I often find myself walking around the third floor of Science Hall, and I often find students from my classes. Students usually sit in the central area of the floor and will often stop me to ask questions or just chat. This kind of organic interaction with students is one of my favorite things about Rowan. It brightens my day when I’m able to see how they are doing and answer their questions promptly.
What is your area of expertise?
My general area of expertise is theoretical and computational quantum chemistry. Basically, I focus on developing new theories within the field of quantum mechanics and then build computer models to study problems in chemistry. I’m particularly interested in problems that involve the transport of electrons at the quantum level. One major area of interest for me are electronic components (such as the transistors, resistors or switches) based on common organic molecules for use. These devices can replace the current generation of silicon-based components, yielding faster and more efficient consumer electronics like phones or laptops.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your academic discipline or your research focus?
As my area of research is a fairly technical field, many people have the impression that you need special skills or talents to do undergraduate research in quantum chemistry, especially since some of what we do is not covered by any course.
You don’t need any previous experience or skills to start research researching in quantum chemistry. I currently have students in my group ranging from freshmen to juniors all with varying levels of prior knowledge. In fact, those same technical skills, such as programming or working with supercomputers, can be seen as an advantage rather than a barrier. Computer skills in particular are always valued.
Meet Dr. Robert Whyte, Assistant Professor of Web and User Experience (UX) Design and Graphic Design & Digital Media within the College of Communication & Creative Arts.
What is your area of expertise?
Web and User Experience (UX) Design and Graphic Design & Digital Media
Share an “aha!” moment that you’ve had within your discipline that made you feel passionate about your field.
I have been hooked on the immediacy and sheer scope of the internet since the late 90s when I went back to school. Early on I had no idea how many seriously sharp folks were working in the background trying to connect with people in contextual communication.
Describe for us an experience you’ve had with a student that made you feel excited about educating the next generation in your field.
After a crash course in learning new XD software in web class and the usual OMGs from all the students, one student returned next class with a full blown series of user-experience designs, along with task analysis and customer journey maps. It made cohesive sense and all the right questions were asked and answered. Something kicked in, I was blown away.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your academic discipline or your research focus?
How important it is to make things that are useful, meaningful and impactful for our fellow humans, not just look good. This requires human research and iterations.
What’s your favorite thing about being on campus on a typical Thursday?
I love the smell of Westby Hall on Thursdays. Students have been working on art and design for days — bad ideas in the trash cans and good ideas on the board for further critique. Art is a process.
Graduating senior Alexander Belli, a double major in public relations and advertising – and recently granted with the highest honor for this year’s advertising students, the medallion – shares his story on how Rowan University was not his first choice, but ultimately was the best choice for him. Alexander commuted to Rowan from Voorhees, NJ (Camden County.)
When I was first looking into attending college my sole priority was making sure the major and department I chose would help me achieve my goals after graduation. This was a choice that I truly struggled with. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life – I was only 19 years old. How was I supposed to know what the right choice for me was? Eventually I came to the conclusion that I would attend a two-year college – giving myself more time to decide and explore my options.
During this time I explored biology, pre-med, accounting, nursing, and personal training. All of which ended up not being the right choice for me. However, my time to transfer to a four-year institution was approaching. I needed to decide quickly and be absolutely certain I made the right choice. Eventually I came to the aviation industry – settling on the idea that I wanted to become a pilot. This decision lead me to a university out in northern Arizona.
A year later I realized this was actually a terrible choice for me – I ended up not enjoying the program I entered and the college’s other majors all focused on the aviation industry. After getting past the fear of breaking the news to my parents, I revived the search for my future. When I thought about my next college Rowan University had appeared in my mind. Two of my three siblings had attended Rowan and both graduated from the university. I had hoped to do things differently than them, I just didn’t know of any other options that would fit me.
I came in initially as an advertising major, later adding public relations on after my first semester. Originally, I was the commuter student who went to class, went home, did my homework, and repeat. I wasn’t overly involved or active in the Rowan community; my only thought was graduation. However, when you attend classes at Rowan the students are incredibly welcoming and encouraging. It was because of talking to someone who sat next to me during one of my first classes that I got involved in a student club known as PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America). And through this club I received a scholarship and one of the College of Communication & Creative Arts’ prestigious medallion awards. Just because a kind student who sat next to me encouraged and believed in me. That’s just the kind of people Rowan has.
And my involvement didn’t end there. After the end of my first year at Rowan I received a student worker position as a digital content contributor for Rowan’s Division of Student Affairs. A position I received from interacting with one of my professors (who I now work with). She inspired me to pursue various aspects of public relations – eventually leading me to my passions in photography and cinematography. The position I held allowed me to develop these passions into skills that I can use to establish a career that I can enjoy and be proud of.
There’s still more Rowan has given me. Including the opportunity to travel to Austin, TX for a leadership conference, holding an internship in Philadelphia, PA, at an established advertising agency, having the opportunities to witness what goes on behind-the-scenes of a professional photography shoot, and making life-long-lasting friendships. I couldn’t be more grateful to the students, faculty, and the overall community at Rowan University. It’s because of them that I can feel so successful and prepared for my future. I only wish I had chosen Rowan sooner.
Story by: Alexander Belli, B.A. in public relations and advertising Photography by: Vanessa Vause, B.A. in public relations and theater; Bianca Torres, sophomore music industry major
Today, we speak with Justin Borelli, a senior advertising major from Malaga, NJ (Gloucester County) who lives off campus. Borelli will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student majoring in advertising and what inspired him to choose that major.
My research areas focus on game-based learning and engineering entrepreneurship. With both of these research areas, my focus is on how to improve the classroom experience so that engineering students can leave my classes well-rounded and ready to tackle the variety of challenges that are integral to the engineering field. More specifically, my work within engineering entrepreneurship focuses on the development of an entrepreneurial mindset.This doesn’t necessarily mean that students will start their own businesses, but that they will develop an innate curiosity about the world around them, be able to connect ideas and concepts from different classes, and, together, create products and/or services that will provide great value to the community around them.
Share an “a ha!” moment that you’ve had within your discipline that made you feel passionate about your field.
One of my greatest “a ha!” moments was when I could see differences in my students a few years after they had been exposed to the game-based learning techniques that I apply in my classes for developing an entrepreneurial mindset. I knew deep down that these methods of teaching would make a difference in the students and help them develop into individuals who would be prepared to take on the challenges of today’s world.However, when a student came back to me a few years after I taught them to share that they used one of the games they played in class as an example in a job interview, it really brought home that the use of these techniques is leaving a memorable impression on my students. This experience reinforced to me how leveraging teaching methods that actively engage our students and challenge them to work outside their comfort zone can really help in their overall professional development and lead to lasting memories they can draw upon.
Describe for us an experience you’ve had with a student that made you feel excited about educating the next generation in your field.
I have had several great experiences with students in my time at Rowan.With regards to Engineering Entrepreneurship, I believe one of my most memorable experiences is engaging with students as both a teacher and advisor.I have one student that I had the fortunate opportunity to teach and then advise as they are moving through the Engineering Entrepreneurship program.This student brings such a passion to everything that they do and is eager and open to learning whatever is necessary to be successful.The student often challenges the status quo and looks for opportunities to improve their and other students’ experiences on campus, thus applying an entrepreneurial mindset in and out of the classroom.
Engineering Entrepreneurship focuses on providing students with a technical foundation within engineering while providing students with the necessary business skills to become innovators within existing organizations or start their own businesses.I think that we too often overlook how essential business skills are to the engineering profession; this degree brings to the forefront that blending these skillsets can lead to new possible career directions that our engineering students may not have considered.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your academic discipline or your research focus?
I really wish that individuals would realize that Engineering Entrepreneurship is not exclusively for individuals that would like to start a business.Although this is one potential career pathway, most of the program is really focused around providing students with the technical and business skills necessary to take on critical and essential roles in the engineering industry.The jobs our students will excel at include business developers and technical sales positions, and other positions that interface directly with customers.The skillsets taught within this program focus on the cultivation of an entrepreneurial mindset which means students can recognize opportunities, are comfortable with ambiguity, can persist through failure, and can manage risk.These are skill sets that are so important to today’s society when the economy is constantly changing and individuals are having to pivot their careers.
What’s your favorite thing about being on campus on a typical Tuesday?
My favorite thing about Tuesdays is my chance to interact with junior and senior engineering students through our junior and senior engineering clinic program.As part of this program, students are grouped into teams that are assigned to work on different faculty projects.I always enjoy having discussions with my student teams and seeing how their curiosity has led them to new areas of investigation.Several of these projects are grant funded, which means the students are working towards publications that allow them to showcase their work to regional and national audiences.The amount of growth I observe in the students over the course of a semester is incredible and although not explicit, I believe that many of these students develop aspects of an entrepreneurial mindset as they start to recognize opportunities for further development, persist through failure, and deal with the ambiguity associated with research.
Jo Carter, a recently graduated senior from Lindenwold, NJ (Camden County), has always been full of ideas, but when she first transferred from Albright College, she wasn’t quite sure how to bring them to life. “I came to Rowan as an Exploratory Studies major, (within the College of Humanities & Social Sciences) unsure of what I wanted to do after graduation,” she says. “I knew in the back of my mind that I wanted to be my own boss, which required getting into business. I decided to explore entrepreneurship after looking into the college of business, since that is what I was most interested in. And the rest is history!”
An article Jo came across on Snapchat sparked an epiphany, which would transform the rest of her time at Rowan. “The article discussed the fact that we will run out of fresh water by the year 2050. Here we thought we had an endless supply of water, but we really do not! I wanted to use my creativity to help,” she says.
Around the time she discovered the article, Jo was part of a class called New Ventures Development, where students expand on an idea for a potential startup business or product, and experience the process of bringing it to life. “In that class, I came up with the concept of a personal filtration system within a water bottle, called RefresH2O,” Jo says. “Wherever you are – hiking, spending time outdoors – you can scoop up water from a nearby body of water, and it will be filtered fresh. This will alleviate our plastic usage, and make us wiser about how we source our water.” Another class, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, helped Jo finalize the marketing plan and details for her product, including the target market and purpose. “I wanted to make a product that even a three year old could use. Everyone needs clean water — it’s a human right, but not everyone is lucky enough to have that,” she explains.
Jo notes her professors as the most impactful people in this stage of her life. “For a little bit, I became discouraged because not everything about my idea was perfect. That held me back a lot — the thought that I had to have everything completely set before putting it out there,” she reflects. She is grateful to have had class with Professor Kimble Byrd right before his retirement. “He was such an inspiration for the three or four semesters I had him. He kept us on our toes in class, and saw the fire in my belly and told me to keep my passion going, keep that drive, do what needs to be done, and just go for it.” Jo’s professors asked the tough questions she had tried to avoid in the past, and helped her stay on the track to success.
Her future plans include owning her own environmentally sustainable holdings or manufacturing company, and possibly even attending graduate school for a degree in engineering management, to continue to grow. She advises freshmen coming into the field to not let the idea of ‘perfection’ interfere with your goals. “‘Good’ is good enough; just get your name and idea out in the world and continue to work on your idea as you progress,” she says. “And keep track of your commitments! Juggling school work, being on the track team and my internship, senior year has been the most challenging year yet, but planning it all out and prioritizing made it a lot better.”
For now, Jo continues to accrue meaningful experience in the entrepreneurial field, working as an intern for the Office of Technology Commercialization at the tech park. “If a faculty member or student has research and the beginnings of a new venture or product that they are interested in marketing, we help them patent it, market it, or possibly license their technology,” she explains. As an intern for the office, Jo helps to build the content for the website and market the services the office has to offer.
“Now that I am familiar with the office and how it runs, I know that I can come here with my future projects and they will help me. I have a vision, I have a plan, and now my goal is to find similar people who can help me bring this to life. My mind just never shuts off with all these different ideas, and the entrepreneurship program here has really helped me put everything on paper. ”
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Story and photo by: Nicole Cier, junior writing arts major
“I’m really proud of you,” were Professor Glenn McDorman’s parting words to two of his graduates. “Please reach out if you need anything.”
Graduating with degrees in history and humanities, Cory Gibson (right) from Wall, NJ (Monmouth County) says that the best advice he would give his high school senior self about how to make the most out of college is, “Take advantage of all of the opportunities.” His friend, history major Jeff Fitzpatrick (left), a commuter from Marlton, NJ (Burlington County) agrees, adding, “Just try your best.” Jeff found that the best way to make friends on campus was through classes.
Monica Mahon, a rising senior from Mays Landing, NJ (Atlantic County), is one of the lucky kind of students who knew what she wanted to study before even coming to college. “I took a computer science class in high school and had a really great teacher that introduced me to it. It was something I really liked and could see myself doing,” she says, in regards to her Rowan career in the computer science major.
During her first computer science course on campus, Monica learned the ins and outs of the industry, as well as coding and communication skills that she would use later on. Her first professor in the field, Professor Chia Chien, “has been a huge help throughout my college experience. She really encouraged me and opened my eyes to great opportunities.” Professor Chien even introduced her to her current resume-builder, as a co-op worker for the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC). Through the AFMS (ASRC Federal Mission Solutions) program with the Rowan computer science department, students can partake in a real-life work environment and contribute to meaningful projects that improve their skills. “The program allows students to immerse themselves in a real job, full time, with the option to take classes part time, at night or online,” Monica explains. “You partner with industry companies and really learn how they function and how your knowledge can contribute.”
In the program’s second year, Monica is already making a major positive impact. She works with a software development company through the Department of Defense, to maintain ongoing company projects, and develop software solutions for the Navy. And while this may sound overwhelming for a college student, she explains that the ASRC pairs each new student employee with a mentor that is experienced and willing to guide their mentee through the experience, and help troubleshoot any challenge that may arise.
“Being quickly introduced to this opportunity and having work assigned to me right away, I learned how to work closely with other employees. They didn’t treat me like an intern,” Monica says. “Learning the workflow of an office environment and seeing the whole process in my specific field – from writing to testing to identifying software issues and engineering solutions, and building the final product – it’s helpful to be part of it and really see how it all works.”
Monica’s on-campus experience has helped her tremendously when it comes to being knowledgeable and prepared for this important role. “Rowan’s computer science program prepares you to work full-time. I felt like I could handle the job going into it, because we learned how to use different operating systems and programming skills right off the bat. Working efficiently in a team is something that is really emphasized here.” As a learning assistant within the department, she works alongside her professors, addressing student questions during class and tackling any issues they may need help with. She notes that having to communicate concepts to students has translated directly to her AFMS experience, where she must communicate her ideas to colleagues.
“For me, choosing computer science as a major was a risk,” Monica says, “I was intimidated at first to enroll knowing that I would feel like a minority as a woman in the STEM industry, but I found a bunch of great friends that really support me and make me feel part of the community. Being a woman in STEM here has felt empowering, instead of limiting.”
Meet Dr. Mahbubur Meenar, Assistant Professor of Planning in the Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability & the Director of Community Planning and Visualization Lab at Rowan University. Dr. Meenar has a multi-disciplinary background in architecture (B.Arch.), urban planning (MUP), and geography (PhD).
What is your area of expertise?
My academic training comes from multiple disciplines. I studied architecture and practiced for a short period of time before I decided to get a masters degree in urban and regional planning and finally a PhD in geography and urban studies. Currently I am an assistant professor in the Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability within the School of Earth and Environment. I teach courses connected to three of our majors: Community and Environmental Planning, GIS, and Geography. If I had to pick a specific area of expertise, it would be environmental planning.
I am interested in the intersection of natural and built environments and how it overlaps with the social environment. My current research projects are focused on brownfield redevelopment, green stormwater infrastructure, civic engagement, geo-spatial technology and visualization, and community food systems. My research lab website offers more information: https://www.planviz.org/
Share with us one aspect of student engagement that you enjoy most, and why?
I try to engage students using various methods suitable for different courses. I incorporate my professional planning experience in my classes as much as possible. The assignments for my “Community Planning and Site Design” course, for example, are based on real world projects—either a small part of a big research project or a replica of a mid-size project. These projects have real life clients (e.g., nonprofit organizations, local municipalities). Students visit project locations (e.g., Glassboro, Camden), meet clients or community partners, and complete site observations. They utilize that experience in class and engage in a design charrette—one of my favorite student engagement activities.
I create a replica of real-world design charrettes in class where students work in groups, with the help of a lot of prompts (e.g., maps, tracing papers, drawing supplies, cutouts of design ideas). Students brainstorm, debate on ideas and visions, and finally develop a design proposal. They present their group proposals in front of the class and students vote for the best proposal. We end the class with a group discussion reflecting on the process and outcomes.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your academic discipline or research focus?
Urban and regional planning professionals need to have intensive education and training specific to the profession, but they cannot and should not create plans on their own. In the real world they need to work together with policy makers, media representatives, and relevant professionals (e.g., architects, engineers, GIS analysts, landscape architects, public health professionals) depending on the type of plan/project. More importantly, planners must work closely with the community organizations, residents, businesses, and other stakeholders living or working in the community. They need to actively and meaningfully engage the stakeholders in the plan development process. It is not the professionals but the locals who have a greater understanding of their community’s strengths and shortcomings. We need to listen to their stories and visions in the beginning stage of any project in order to make a meaningful connection to the whole project.
Do you have a favorite Rowan memory?
It is difficult to pick just one because I have a collection of fond memories in my (almost) three years at Rowan. The success of our students—either in the classroom or in the professional field—define us in many ways. I have sweet memories attached to several class projects and students’ professional achievements.
I try to keep in touch with my students even after their graduation as the GPS department’s small size allows for meaningful connections between our students and staff to take place. In addition, I really enjoyed some field trips and community events that I organized with the help of my students. I am looking forward to make more memories here at Rowan.
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Your Name: Zachary PadronYour Major: Translation Biomedical ScienceYour Minors: Bantivoglio Honors Concentration in the Honors College, Pre-Medical Minor, Neuroscience Minor, and Ethics Certificate of Undergraduate StudyYour Year: JuniorHometown and County: Hamilton, NJ (Mercer County)Resident: Yes, I live as a Resident Assistant in the Townhouse ComplexAcademic Organizations: American Physician Scientist Association (Research Chair Executive Board Member)Social Clubs: President of Colleges Against Cancer and Chi Alpha Christian FellowshipOn-Campus Employment: Resident Assistant for the Townhouse ComplexOff-Campus Employment: Research Assistant in the Neuroscience Research Lab at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia […]
Today, we speak with Morgan Dean, a senior mechanical engineering major who rents a house off campus with friends. Morgan 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: Morgan Dean Major:Mechanical Engineering Minors or concentrations:Writing Arts, Mathematics; Bantivoglio Honors College Year: Senior Hometown and County: Washington Township, NJ (Gloucester County) Off-Campus resident: Yes, I live in a house on University Boulevard with my five roommates! Do you work on campus? If so, where/what do you do? I work as a tutor in the Rowan University Writing Center (in Campbell Library)
What wakes you up in the morning? The thrill of getting to do and/or learn something new. Also, I love to have my morning coffee while reading!
What is one thing you wish people knew about your academic discipline or research focus? I find that being a girl in engineering, especially one of the five or six in the MechE undergraduate program, is more advantageous than most realize. Additionally, although mechanical engineering tends to be associated with cars/engines/etc., the possibilities of post-undergraduate work are endless. You’re in no way tied down to any one field of work.
What is one thing this field has allowed you to do, that you either dreamed of doing or thought you’d never get to do? Through its interdisciplinary program, mechanical engineering sparked my interest in biomedical engineering. Although I once said I would never take another biology class again, I am now set to be a PhD Biomedical Engineering student come Fall 2019.
Could you share a moment you’ve experienced in which you have felt that Rowan is a welcoming environment for you? The Rowan Writing Center has provided me with a sense of belonging ever since I began working there. The staff took me in immediately as family and I always feel a sense of peace while in the space.
Why Rowan?I have made some incredible student-professor relationships here which have shaped my future by unlocking my potential. Professors Dr. Staehle, and Dr. Merrill and Writing Center Director Celeste DelRusso have exposed me to new areas of research through the engineering clinic curriculum, summer programs, and professional development conferences. Additionally, I would never have been accepted to graduate school if it weren’t for these valuable connections I made.
Meet Professor Joseph Higgins, a professor and musician who strives to inspire curiosity, creativity, and understanding through art.
In 2015, Professor Higgins joined Rowan’s faculty with the College of Performing Arts. He conducts the student wind ensembles, teaches courses in conducting and trains students who hope to be future music teachers.
“For the young musicians who love creating new things, who crave the power and connection of ensemble performance, who want to use their art to be a positive influence in their communities, this is exactly where they should be.”
Name: Kayla Vogel Major: Biological Sciences within the College of Science and Math.Year: Junior Transfer: Yes, Rowan College at Gloucester County (RCGC) Hometown and County: Mantua, NJ (Gloucester County) Resident: Yes, 220 Rowan Blvd Social clubs: Generation Action and Outdoor Club What inspired you to choose your major? I have always been interested in the […]
I have had two “a ha” moments that really stand out for me, and both directly tied to my teaching and research interests.The first “a ha” is regarding group counseling, which is my expertise. During a supervision session with my mentor we were discussing a session I led, which was part of an 8-week personal […]
Today, we speak with Jason Fisch, a junior mechanical engineering major from Cherry Hill, NJ (Camden County) who lives on campus in 220 Rowan Boulevard. Jason will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof.N […]
As a PR and Advertising double major with minors in Mandarin and Strategic Communications, junior Brittany Eng of West Orange, NJ (Essex County) always knew that writing would play a huge role in her future endeavors. She enjoyed creative writing throughout high school and into college, and writing has always been her strongest skill. How […]
Today, we speak with Nicole Grant, a junior psychology major from Cherry Hill, NJ (Camden County) who lives on campus in 230 Victoria Street. Nicole will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she gets the most out of her college experience as a Rowan […]
Your photography skills before the class vs. after? I had very little photography knowledge at the beginning of the course but was eager to learn more. I wanted to be criticized and really come out of the class with a new found perspective on how to approach photography. I quickly learned photography has a lot […]
Today, we speak with Luis Vera, a junior Music Industry major from Bridgeton, NJ (Cumberland County) who commutes. Luis will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. Name: Luis Vera Major: Music Industry Minor […]
Today, we speak with DJ Stahlberger, a junior electrical and computer engineer major from Pittsgrove, NJ (Salem County) who commutes. DJ will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. Name: DJ StahlbergerMajor: Electrical and […]
Today, we speak with Dave Berg, clinical mental health counseling graduate student from Wenonah, NJ (Gloucester County). Dave will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University graduate student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. Name: Dave Berg Major: Clinical Mental Health […]
Today, we speak with Max von Suskil, a junior biological sciences major from Wall Township, NJ (Monmouth County), who lives in a house off campus. Max will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a […]
Meet James Grinias, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, who earned his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.S. in Chemistry from Eastern Michigan University. What is your area of expertise? I am an analytical chemist with a focus on chemical separations […]
Today, we speak with Luke Altman, a sophomore classical performance major from Westfield, N.J. (Union County) who lives on campus in 230 Victoria Street. Luke will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he gets the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. […]
Environmental studies major Meghin Rollins of Carney’s Point, NJ (Salem County) applies her passion about the environment any way she can. Meghin’s dedication to a clean environment goes far beyond the classroom. She planned and participated in Rowan’s Stream Clean-up, where students and faculty collected garbage from different locations on Rowan’s main campus from the stream that […]
If you’re reading this, pay attention in class and take careful notes! Many students may not realize the value of every major course they take at Rowan, and how they can apply what they learn to real-life projects beyond graduation. Blackwood, NJ (Camden County) natives Mike Lombardo, a graduate student earning an MBA, and Kayvon Jahanbakhsh, […]
Meet Jamie Grace-Duff, costume lecturer and costume shop supervisor within the Department of Theatre and Dance, who earned her MFA in Costume Design/Technology from Temple University in 2012 and a BS in Fashion Design from Drexel University in 2002. What is your area of expertise? My focus is on pattern making, tailoring, and construction of […]
Today, we speak with Marcella Mazzuca, a sophomore physics major from Mullica Hill (Gloucester County) who lives on campus at Rowan Boulevard Apartments. Marcella 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: […]
Emil Steiner, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Program Coordinator: Sports Communication & Media Program Department/College: Journalism; College of Communication and Creative Arts Twitter: @EmilSteinerPhD Degrees: Ph.D., Media & Communication – Temple University, 2018 M.A., Journalism – Temple University, 2012 B.A., Political Science, Psychology – University of Pennsylvania What is your area of expertise? My research areas are […]
Your position at Rowan: I presently serve as the Executive Director of Rowan’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship where my team and I work to help students from all majors across campus bring their ideas to reality. I also hold the William G. Rohrer Professorial Chair of Entrepreneurship in the Rohrer College of Business and […]
Meet: Kathy Balin, Esquire Adjunct Professor (15 years, political science); former prosecutor and owner of The Law Offices of Kathy Balin Department/College: Political Science in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences Degrees: Juris Doctorate from Temple University, Beasley School of Law; Bachelor of Arts Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) What is your area […]
“We’re creating microfluidic devices to take analytical measurement of biologically significant molecules. Now, I know that sounds confusing…” When I first met with Jeremy, he spoke a language I probably could only follow about 80 percent of the time … but after listening to him explain and talk about his work, I walked away with […]
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 […]
Today, we speak with Andrew Milcarek, a junior Translational Biomedical Sciences major from Franklinville (Gloucester County), NJ, who commutes from home. Andrew will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. Name: Andrew Milcarek […]
Faculty in Rowan University’s Department of Public Relations/Advertising talk about how their programs impact students’ lives and future careers. Like what you see? Register for a tour or open house. Video production and editing by: Alexander Belli Senior, double major public relations and advertising
Jordan P. Howell, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Program Coordinator: Environmental & Sustainability Studies Department/College: Geography, Planning & Sustainability; in the School of Earth & Environment His website: users.rowan.edu/~howellj His Degrees: Ph.D., Geography – Michigan State University, 2013 M.S., Geography – Michigan State University, 2010 B.A., Anthropology – College of William & Mary, 2008 What is your […]
Come take a quick look at what my American Studies major is like! By: Hope Holroyd Senior triple major: Public Relations, Advertising, American Studies Like what you see? Register for a tour or open house. Related stories: Ask the Expert: Philosophy & Religion Studies [Video] Find Your Passion through Exploratory Studies Advice for Parents: Help […]
Today, we speak with Shane Walsh, a geography major from Gloucester County, NJ, who commutes. Shane will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be an adult learner at Rowan University and how he’s getting the most out of being a Rowan Prof. Name: Shane Canyon Walsh Major: Geography Minors and Concentrations: […]
Rowan Department of Philosophy & Religion Studies faculty Dr. Dianne Ashton, Dr. Matthew Lund and Dr. Ellen Miller share their insights on how Rowan students benefit from a degree within their program. Video by: Alexander Belli, Senior, double major advertising and public relations Like what you see? Register for a tour or open house. Related […]
Today, we speak with Katie Elliot, a senior environmental and sustainability studies major from Hopewell (Mercer County), NJ, who rents an apartment off campus. Katie 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 […]
Today, we speak with Evan Newlin, a senior subject matter education and English major from Mount Laurel (Burlington County), NJ, who commutes. Evan will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. Major: Subject Matter […]
Today, we speak with Ryan Hamblin, a senior environmental and sustainability studies major from Hillsborough (Somerset County), NJ, who rents a house off campus. Ryan will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan […]
Today we speak with Tim Lemon, a senior Geographic Information Systems major from Glendora (Camden County), NJ, who commutes. He will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. Your Name: Tim Lemon Your Major: Geographic […]
Today, we speak with Mahaa Ahmed, a junior philosophy and religion studies and biological sciences double major from Washington Township (Gloucester County), NJ, who resides on campus in 220 Rowan Boulevard. Mahaa 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 […]
Inside Tohill Theater, it is nearly pitch black except for the glow of two computer screens. Behind the screens sit a team of magicians, creating a story on stage – not with acting, but with light. Onstage is the classic horror story of Carrie, made famous by the 1970’s film featuring a bloody prom, and […]
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 […]
Today we speak with Frank A. Villarreal, a freshman Radio/TV/Film major originally from Venezuela, who lives on campus in Edgewood Apartments. Frank, who loves the craft of making movies and is passionate about becoming an actor, will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University international student and how […]
Today we speak with Dean A.A. Mason, a senior music major from Vineland, Cumberland County, who rents an apartment off campus and commutes to Rowan. Dean will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. Name: […]
Normally, our #PROFspective series highlights a day in the life of a major here at Rowan University, through the written word of the student. With sophomore music major Steve Solkela, however, we felt it best for him to tell part of his story in his own voice. A Minnesota native, the one-man-band will share his […]
Today we speak with Kevin Jacome, a senior biology, pre-med major from Mt. Laurel, Burlington County, who rents a house off campus with friends. Kevin will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. Name: Kevin […]
Today we speak with Erin Anderson, a junior education and history major from Marlton, Burlington County, who lives off campus. Erin 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: Erin Anderson Major: Subject Matter Education: History […]
Today we speak with Arthur Andrew Bautista, a junior political science major originally from the Philippines, who commutes to Rowan from Washington Township, Gloucester County. Arthur will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University international student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. […]
Dr. Li Yang, the Director of the International Center and the Intensive English Language Program, and Katelyn Sullivan, the administrative assistant, share with us 9 things we need to know about the International Center here at Rowan. 1. Rowan hosts 170 international students The International Center assures that our international students have a smooth transition coming from abroad […]
Having multiple jobs and an hour commute, I knew I was doomed to spend countless, fragmented hours piecing together my class schedule. RateMyProfessors.com and course catalogs were my best friends as I earned my education at my local community college. I have to say, I was doing fine – that is, until I once overestimated […]
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 […]
To meet a celebrity and be a part of a daytime talk show can be a dream come true. On Wednesday January 25, 2017, this dream was realized for me and some other excited Rowan students who attended a free field trip, sponsored by the College of Communication & Creative Arts, to New York City […]
Today we speak with Jeff Goodwin, a freshman marketing major from Erial, Camden County, who commutes to Rowan. Jeff will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. Name: Jeff Goodwin Major: Marketing […]
Today we speak with Anthony Young, a sophomore law and justice major from Sicklerville, Camden County, who lives on campus in Edgewood Apartments. Anthony will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. […]
Today we speak with Ricardo Oropeza, a sophomore music industry major originally from Caracas, Venezuela, who now calls Randolph, Morris County, home when he’s not living in Edgewood Apartments at Rowan. Ricardo will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out […]
Today we speak with Miles Cordero, a junior psychology major and passionate anthropology minor from Freehold, Monmouth County, who lives off campus. Miles will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof. Name: […]
Today we speak with Nicole Wyglendowski, a senior elementary education and English dual major from Washington Township, Warren County, who rents a house off campus. Nicole 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 […]
Today we speak with Kelso Borrell, a senior biochemistry and biology double major from Old Bridge, Middlesex County, who rents a house off campus. Kelso will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she’s getting the most of her college experience as a Rowan Prof. […]
Today we speak with Lauren Bitzer, a sophomore marketing major from Cherry Hill, Camden County, who lives in our on campus townhouses. Lauren 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: Lauren […]
Teenage Hollywood movies made up a big chunk of how I imagined college life to be. Crazy parties … lots of them, food fights and little to no homework. There has to be a fraternity or sorority in which you can only get in by passing some humiliating test. And, of course, let’s not forget […]
We are #RowanPROUD and we are Rowan Profs! Not exactly sure what a Prof is? It’s our owl mascot, Whoo RU. Read about him here. Our series of alumni spotlight blogs feature Profs who have stayed connected to the Rowan community after graduation. Here we speak with 2016 graduates Cassie Aran and Brandon Lucante, who own Cookie Munchers. […]
Timothy Schwarz, MM, DMA, is an accomplished musician, elite violinist and inspiring educator at Rowan University. At just 9 years old he won a competition to play solo with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He toured the world as an Artistic Ambassador on behalf of the U.S. State Department playing places like Syria, Egypt, Israel and Sri Lanka. […]
As an upperclassmen in high school, I had the “big college dream” that I’m sure you’re familiar with. I was going away to live in a majestic castle of a dorm with roommates who would be my best friends, to take classes like “How to Find the Perfect Job” and its pre-req, “What I’m Supposed […]