Language and Culture: Preparing Global Citizens

Countries sign.

Faculty chairperson & alumni answer: How does a world languages degree benefit students? The Department of World Languages at Rowan University, led by Dr. Marilyn S. Manley, is committed to preparing students for active participation in language exploration and cultural understanding. The department offers a diverse array of courses and academic programs in American Sign Language, Arabic, […]

Travel-Loving Night Owl Thrives in Summer Classes

Sophia smiles at the camera with her hand on her hip.

Today, we feature Sophia L. (she/her), a junior commuter student from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sophia is a Music Industry major with a Business Concentration, a Modern Languages & Linguistics major with Spanish and Italian Concentrations, Entrepreneurship & International Studies minor, and a CUGS in Entrepreneurial and Independent Media. She is here today to describe her experience with summer classes […]

Passing the Torch: Passionate First-Generation College Student Shirley Celi-Landeo

Internship & Experiential Learning Stories Learn how Rowan Profs go Beyond the Classroom to grow professionally, as well as personally, through internships and other experiential learning. Experiential learning includes hands-on learning opportunities provided through research, student clubs, campus leadership, student worker jobs, service-learning projects and volunteerism. In addition, Rowan’s Office of Career & Professional Development provides career support that’s more than just […]

Passing the Torch: International Studies, Modern Languages Dual Major on Taking Advantage of Every Rowan Opportunity

Ashley walks down Bunce Green in her cap and gown.

If there’s one member of the class of 2021 who truly knows the ins and outs of Rowan University, it’s Ashley Hermansen.

The Gloucester County native and dual major in International Studies and Modern Languages and Linguistics works as an Admissions Ambassador coordinator. In this student leadership role, she has recruited and trained dozens of students to connect prospective Profs and their families with Rowan’s history, culture and campus.

Portrait of Ashley in front of Bunce Hall.

As a sophomore, Ashley led the Spanish Studies Association as its president. She’s also been involved with the Arabic Club and Model UN, contributed articles to Her Campus, coordinated opportunities for the Office of Volunteerism and studied abroad

“The more you talk to people and the more you take advantage of all the opportunities you have, the more you’re going to feel like you got out of it. And so I feel like I’ve exhausted all my opportunities” at Rowan, Ashley says.

“I’ve done everything. And I’m ready to pass the torch on to the next incoming [first year] class because there are so many things for them to take advantage of. And I know I did, and I know they could totally do the same thing and have just as great and even a better experience, too.”

Her favorite experiences — and people — extend to the classroom as well.

Ashley smiles and stands on Bunce Green.

“My advisor, Christine Larsen-Britt, she’s my favorite person on this planet. She has helped get me from point A to point B in college, and I could not have done it without her. She’s the best.”

She adds, “My favorite class was with Dr. Schrader. He was absolutely awesome. He’s turned my research from high school level to academic and professional level. I’ve had experiences with all the Modern Language professors, Dr. Hernandez, Mousa, mainly all of them.”

Ashley hopes when she enters graduate school, it will even compare to the level of connection and care she has had with her Rowan professors. 

“They care about you so much. They just want to see you succeed. They’re so happy when you do succeed, they all support you really well,” she says.

Ashley photographed from behind in front of Bunce Hall.

Ashley will head to Washington, DC this fall to begin her master’s program in International Development Studies at The George Washington University.

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Leadership #PROFspective: Kalie VanDewater, Editor-in-Chief of the Whit

Kalie sits and smiles outside on campus.

Internship & Experiential Learning Stories Learn how Rowan Profs go Beyond the Classroom to grow professionally, as well as personally, through internships and other experiential learning. Experiential learning includes hands-on learning opportunities provided through research, student clubs, campus leadership, student worker jobs, service-learning projects and volunteerism. In addition, Rowan’s Office of Career & Professional Development provides career support that’s more than just […]

5 Juniors Share Why They Changed Their Majors

These students recognized their majors weren’t the right fit and took the time and energy (which isn’t much) to make the switch. If you don’t absolutely love what you’re studying, it might be good idea to make a switch to improve your college experience!

Selfie of Bria Riley.

“I was exploring a couple different paths such as addiction counselor, teacher and community health educator, but I realized they weren’t for me. Then what really drove me to add world religions was just my own personal experiences with spirituality, and I realized that I really value critical thinking and multicultural competency … everyone having peace with one another and getting along.” – Bria Riley, junior Psychology major (previously Writing Arts) from Washington Township (Gloucester County)

Outside headshot of Michaela Navarro.

“I wanted a place where I could do music business and not have to deal with the recording and playing an instrument. My ex-boyfriend took me to see ‘Wicked’ and that was the deciding factor for me. I wanted to do theatre and I wanted to make amazing theatre like ‘Wicked.’ I just always really loved the technical aspect of everything. I do live sound, so I mix musicals here and I do lighting.” – Michaela Navarro, junior Musical Theatre-Design/Technical major (previously Music Industry) from Howell, NJ (Monmouth County)

Jackie Carlton sits on a purple chair outside.

“I was a Mechanical Engineering major up until the fall of my sophomore year. I wasn’t really enjoying the classes that were more specific to it, I was trying to go to the clubs to figure out more what to do. But all the career stuff wasn’t really stuff I wanted to do. I want to get as much diverse experience as I can, I’m not really sure what I specifically want to get into, but I kind of want to learn a little bit of each field.” – Jackie Charlton, junior Civil & Environmental Engineering major (previously Mechanical Engineering) from Boonton, NJ (Morris County)

Shirley stands in front of a tree and a nearby academic building.

“I changed a bunch of times. I came to Rowan as a Biochem major, then I switched to Psychology, then I was undecided for like two seconds, then I was Physiological Sciences, and I became an Anthropology major and I recently doubled majored in Modern Language & Linguistics. Spring semester [sophomore year] I had to take an Anthropology class and I was given Natives of South America with Dr. Maria Rosado, and she changed my perspective on everything. Coincidentally, the major just became a major that same semester, if I’m not mistaken. – Shirley Celi-Landeo, junior Anthropology / Modern Language & Linguistics dual major (previously Biochemistry) from Newark, NJ (Essex County)

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Story by:
Luke Garcia, junior music industry major

Photos not submitted taken by: 
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
Quintin Stinney, sophomore Radio/TV/Film major

Junior Major Moments: Modern Languages and Linguistics Major Charisse N. Watts

Photo of Charisse.

Internship & Experiential Learning Stories Learn how Rowan Profs go Beyond the Classroom to grow professionally, as well as personally, through internships and other experiential learning. Experiential learning includes hands-on learning opportunities provided through research, student clubs, campus leadership, student worker jobs, service-learning projects and volunteerism. In addition, Rowan’s Office of Career & Professional Development provides career support that’s more than just […]

4 Juniors Who Are Reppin’ North Jersey

We spoke with juniors Shirley C.L, Jackie C, Julia M and Liz K about making the change from living in North to South Jersey. Their answers varied slightly except for one collective opinion: it’s different here in Gloucester County!

Shirley C.L poses wearing a denim jacket while smiling on a yellow bench.
“I’ve never seen a lot of farmland until I came here. North Jersey and South Jersey are really, really different. I didn’t really expect to be 20 minutes away from farm lands and a lot of vineyards. And then the accents, too.” – Shirley C.L, junior, first-generation college student and dual major in Anthropology / Modern Language & Linguistics from Newark, NJ (Essex County)

Jackie C smiles standing in front of the prof statue.
“It’s very spread out. I don’t know a lot about South Jersey, but it’s a little more quiet out here. I don’t go home that much just because it’s so hard to focus on school work when I’m home and it’s just kind of a separation of work.” – Jackie C, junior Civil Engineering major from Boonton, NJ (Morris County)

Julia smiles while wearing black in front of some green trees.
I didn’t think there would be this much emptiness, it’s so spread out here unlike North Jersey. [At home] we’re literally like 20 minutes from New York City. Even though Philly’s so close, the vibe here is just so different. I feel like it’s so important to get a sense of change, that’s when you can figure out what’s good for you and maybe what doesn’t work for you. I think it’s nice to get away from home. Obviously it works for some people and doesn’t work for others, but it’s important to be able to adapt to change. – Julia M, junior Theatre & Dance major from Montville, NJ (Morris County)

Liz K poses on a cement bench in front of some green trees.
“I think the culture of South Jersey is really cool and I think that’s because Philly is right there. It is so much fun to be able to explore the city life there and also come back. It feels like a completely separate state. I feel like they have their own culture down here. It’s got a little bit of a southern twist to it [with] the beach towns down here and the Philly culture on the side.” – Liz Kenla, junior Studio Art major from Verona, NJ (Essex County)

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Story by:
Luke Garcia, junior music industry major

Photos by: 

Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major

Quintin Stinney, sophomore Radio/TV/Film major

Roommates Reflect: What It’s Really Like to Live With You, Whitney Center [VIDEO]

brick facade of Whitney Center

What will they say? Whitney Center on Rowan Boulevard roommates Elizabeth Leick (sophomore writing arts and public relations double major), Hanna Dietrich (sophomore biomedical engineering major) and Olivia Grasso (sophomore history and modern languages and linguistics major) dish on what it’s really like to live with roommates at Rowan University. By: Natalia Panfilova, senior public […]

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

student outside international building

Today we speak with Christina Terry, a senior Spanish, secondary education and modern languages and linguistics triple major from Voorhees, Camden County, who lives on campus as an resident assistant in the International House. She will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she’s getting the most out of her college […]