Being an international student, I am spending a portion of my summer break back at home with my family in Argentina. However, I knew that I wanted to stay on-top of my coursework, since I am double majoring at Rowan. This summer, I am taking Business Logistics (Course: MKT 09375) and Retailing (Course: MKT 09372) […]
What inspired you to choose the major that you are pursuing? I’ve always had a passion for music, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pursue a career in the field for a while. Eventually, I determined that what I wanted was to work in a creative environment, but not do a creative job […]
Today, we’ll hear from Maridel Tineo and David Rodriguez, who will earn their undergraduate and master’s degrees in five years and ultimately save money through Rowan’s 4+1 program in Strategic Communication.
Maridel Tineo is a senior from Camden, NJ (Camden County) who will graduate with bachelor’s degrees in Public Relations and Advertising this spring. Maridel is a first-generation college student and part of Rowan’s EOF program. She found out about the 4+1 program last year in her Public Opinion class. Her professor, Dr. Bokyung Kim, serves as the advisor to the program and encouraged Maridel to apply.
“After she introduced the program to the class, I applied for it because I always wanted to get my master’s degree. It was always just a thought, but when I got the opportunity and information, I had to do something about it,” she explains.
She was accepted into the program in her second semester of junior year.
Maridel Tineo
Maridel ultimately decided to choose the program because the classes are closely related to what she was already majoring in (Public Relations and Advertising), she liked the coursework and she will save money by shaving a year off of her studies.
This program does have its unique challenges, though. Maridel shared that the coursework is accelerated and very fast-paced. “The professors definitely hold you to a higher standard. There are great expectations in this 4+1 track because it’s so calculated to make sure you’re able to finish in the five years,” she says.
A class that stuck out to her was a graduate-level Strategic Communication course with Professor Alison Novak. “[Dr. Novak] made the course engaging even though it was online,” Maridel says. “A lot of things that we covered were so interesting to me. My favorite topic was starting my own [fictional] business from the ground up and learning what goes into doing it. Even though it was challenging, it made me realize how interested I was in what we were learning about.”
Maridel’s end goal is to start a nonprofit organization to give back to her community in the future and take what she has learned in her coursework to make it happen.
David Rodriguez, a senior and first-generation college student from Clayton, NJ (Gloucester County), will graduate with his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations this spring. David also heard about the path to a fast-tracked master’s degree through a class with Dr. Kim. He ended up choosing the program because it was a cost-effective option to achieve a long-term goal he’s always had. “I never thought I would get my master’s degree from Rowan, but I like the professors here a lot and I’m saving money,” he says.
David was accepted into the program in summer 2020 and began his experience the following fall semester.
David Rodriguez
This program does come with its challenges, though. “The professors in graduate classes expect more. I’ve had the same professors in undergrad classes and graduate classes, and you can tell the difference,” he says.
When asked about an influential professor, David shared his experience about his Graduate Strategic Writing 1 class with Professor John Moscatelli. “He’s a tough grader but made me a better writer. I find myself using the rules and tricks he required in my other classes,” he says.
David’s end goal is to end up in the public relations sports or fashion worlds because it ties what he’s interested in with what he’s learned from his time at Rowan.
Today, we speak to Jamal Samah, a Rowan Global student in the Engineering Management master’s program from Deptford, NJ (Gloucester County). He earned his Mechanical Engineering undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh but decided that Rowan’s graduate program was the right fit for him. He tells us more about his online program and why he chose Rowan.
“I chose to pursue a master’s in engineering management because I work in a business office and want to grow and move into a management position,” Jamal says.
What inspired Jamal to pursue the master’s program in Engineering Management was the combination of engineering and business he’s noticed as he progresses in his career. He currently works in Philadelphia and looks forward to furthering his career into management.
He was part of the online master’s program even before COVID-19 and finds it suits his lifestyle — the online program works around his schedule.
When asked why he chose Rowan, Jamal shares: “I like having a college that’s local … and some of the other programs I just found were a little too expensive. So, it was a combination of cost and location.
“I have three courses left. They’re 100% online, which benefits me because I get the flexibility. You have all your lectures online. If I have to stay up to midnight, I can do that. The faculty supports me even more than when I went for my undergrad. I can send an email and they’ll get back to me at any time. I don’t have to worry about office hours. I like the online format.”
Today we feature online student Kemet Rose, a Construction Management major from Ridgefield Park, NJ (Bergen County). Kemet is a second-generation college student who transferred from Eastern Gateway Community College and William Paterson University.
Could you share your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes?
I don’t have many experiences with faculty [yet] considering I an online student only. The most inspiring visionary related to the construction field right now is Elon Musk. He is changing the world with his new solar technology in addition to many other things like his tunnel project.
What is the most amazing or interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year?
Until now I was always ignorant of how long construction as an industry has been around and how important it is to society.
What pre-professional experiences are helping to support your growth?
I don’t have any pre-professional experiences that relate directly to my growth in Construction Management. I would consider all of my experiences up to this point as supporting my ability to grow.
Meet Liberal Studies major Krystal Mannering from Atlantic County, NJ. Krystal, a first-generation college student, works full-time while running a business, providing for her household and taking care of a toddler. Read her perspective on how Rowan has made her feel “accepted and welcomed” as an online student.
Being an online student for most of my educational career, the need for a connection with a physical campus might seem like a translucent goal. Common speculation is online students aren’t receiving “the college experience” that an in-person student receives.
For many online colleges and educational facilities, this statement is true. I’ve attended two other online colleges throughout my career, and Rowan University is the first online program where I’ve felt like an actual member of the student body.
From the moment I called Rowan, I felt accepted and welcomed. My heart had just been broken by my current school at the time, and as I was sobbing uncontrollably, I began calling multiple schools and explained my situation. The first Rowan advisor I spoke to was faced with the challenge of my vulnerability but ensured me that even as an online student, my role had a place.
I work a full-time job, have a home to provide for, a business, and a toddler to take care of, so online schooling is my only option. Two other schools stated they couldn’t help me, and another didn’t answer the phone. The advisors at Rowan greeted me with a cheerful attitude and helped me every step of the way. Even though I live an hour away, the Rowan staff took the necessary time I needed to feel comfortable with my decision.
A 2019 Rowan student orientation session
As I entered my first semester, I was armed with eagerness and fear. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wasn’t sure that I was going to feel the acceptance that I craved. I joined Rowan’s social media platforms and I was quickly comforted by fellow Rowan students. One student suggested that I attend the campus orientation and I signed up for the next available event (highly recommended!).
Walking through the Rowan campus reassured my decision to attend Rowan as an online student. It felt right to walk through the halls, dorms and college grounds. Each orientation leader was extremely informative to the incoming freshman students, and each demonstration I attended that day began to further confirm my choice.
The orientation leaders expressed that online students are offered the same accommodations as in-person students. My friend (and now fellow classmate) and I walked through the streets of the campus, and we were presented with cheerful little shops, wonderful eateries, statues and artifacts plastered throughout the campus.
Richard Wacker Stadium
As the event concluded, my friend and I decided to make our way out to Richard Wacker Stadium, the stadium that I will graduate in. Being eligible to attend a physical graduation as an online student is very important to me and is one of the many perks of studying online with Rowan University. As we stepped foot onto the track that surrounds the beautiful stadium, the reality of my choice to attend Rowan began to set in.
Overwhelmed with emotion, I was so thankful to have found Rowan University. The online classes are more organized than other schools that I’ve attended. The professors are extremely involved, and helpful if you maintain a consistent work ethic. The alumni at Rowan reassured me that my needs weren’t burdensome. Class sizes are manageable, and classmates are a welcoming wealth of knowledge. Each day, I continue to be thankful for my choice to attend Rowan University as an online student. My future is clear now that I’m a PROF!
Today we feature Francis Terry, a Law and Justice Studies major from Laurel Springs, NJ (Camden County) who recently completed his junior year at Rowan. Francis, a first-generation college student, is a transfer student from Neumann University and lives off-campus.
Could you share your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes?
My favorite moment with a faculty member was with my coaches on March 15, 2018 in Birmingham, Alabama at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. I finished 5th in the nation and earned my first All-American accolade. When they called my name I stepped on the podium and looked at the cameras, the crowd and my teammates cheering for me. My assistant coach, Coach Tate, handed me the medal. I remember hugging Coach Tate thanking him for everything he’s done for me.
Francis poses with Coach Tate after getting his award.
We took our picture and I had to get my pants and jacket back on and cool down because I had another race in about 2 hours. The 4×400 was the last event of the day and we finished 3rd in the 4×400. That placement would place us 3rd in the nation as a team. So after I hugged my teammates and congratulated the other teams I got back on the podium. When I got off the podium I saw my Head Coach, Coach Dimit, crying tears of joy so we hugged. We were all so excited to be ranked 3rd in the nation as a team. No, we didn’t win the National Championship, but we were all still proud of every single one of our teammates.
Francis poses with his team with their third-place trophy.
Is there anyone who is a visionary in your field who inspires you and goes above and beyond for you? I wouldn’t say he’s a visionary in my field, but someone who has impacted me tremendously at Rowan University is Eddy. He’s one of the janitors at Rowan University in Esby Gym [editor’s note: this staff member was identified as Edward Garrison, senior maintenance worker for both Esby Gym and The John Green Team House]. Eddy is one of the loudest, but also down-to-earth men I have ever met. Every time I walk into Esby Gym I can just feel his presence. He always screams “Yo Francis,” then shakes my hand and asks how my day is going. Some days we just stand in the hall and talk about sports, life, or anything on our minds that day.
No matter what, Eddy always makes time to say “Hi” to someone. He’s one of the hardest-working guys I know, and his attitude is always upbeat no matter what. I may not want to be a janitor in my lifetime, but I want to mimic the way he looks at life — his demeanor, work ethic, attitude and just his everyday life of bringing happiness to others. Eddy is one most influential people I’ve encountered throughout my life. Every day I’m blessed to have met a man like Eddy and have him to help shape me for the future.
What is the most amazing or interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year? The most amazing thing I’ve learned in my major this year was in my Law Seminar Class with Professor Stone. Even though the majority of the class was taught online due to COVID, this class really opened my eyes. During the course of the semester, we had to use an Excel spreadsheet and take our 40 questions and ask every student who was enrolled in that class questions about their family life. We then had to compare all of our work and compare it to our thesis. We wrote about a 10-page paper on our thesis and results that we calculated throughout the semester. It was an awesome experience working with classmates and developing our own short theory.
What pre-professional experiences are helping to support your growth? Due to COVID, I had one internship canceled, but two pre-professional experiences I have had would be being a Team Captain for the Men’s Track and Field team and working on the Board for S.A.A.C (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee). Being one of the Captains in the team I’ve definitely had to look at myself differently. Over the past 4 years at Neumann and Rowan, I’ve had many people to look up to and follow. Jeffery Tucker was one of the Captains in 2018, and he’s played a huge role in my life on and off the track.
Being a captain you’re held to a higher standard. As a captain, I’ve been in difficult situations with my own teammates but we’ve worked past them together. I always try and make myself available for my teammates or even other student-athletes. We all have stuff going on in our lives and every day I’ve learned something new from being around other student-athletes. When you’re around 70+ teammates and being one of the leaders of the team it gets very stressful. Being a captain doesn’t make me higher than anyone else, we are all still on the same team representing the same school and athletic department. I strive to represent myself in the best way possible in the classroom, on the track and even within the community. I hope that I can impact someone’s life for the better the way Jeff did for me.
Welcome to our new series to give you a glimpse into Rowan University, our campus culture, and the lives of our students, while practicing social distancing to protect society from the spread of coronavirus. Today’s story is from Don DeWitt, a senior isolating from his house in Gloucester County, NJ. Don, a Music Industry major, lives off campus.
With the official stay-at-home order from Governor Murphy, all Rowan students are adjusting to online class instruction and the unique challenges that come with it. Additionally, some students who have never worked from home before are continuing jobs and internships at home.
Suddenly working from home is the new standard for many Rowan students and staff alike, and some members of the Rowan community may be quickly realizing the challenges of working entirely from home. I am one of those students who finds myself not only taking all my courses online, but also working two jobs remotely. It is also likely for many Rowan students and staff that their family members are either working or taking classes online from home as well.
Because of this unprecedented time, I made the following guide of simple tips and advice for staying productive, focused and sane when transitioning to working from home. Please be aware that these tips come from my own experience working from home with my family in the past few weeks and may not work for everyone; however, if you are having difficulty taking care of business at home, then this advice is worth a shot!
Get dressed. Yes, I mean what we have all been fearing the most after this is all over with: Put on pants! If you have trouble focusing and working as efficiently as you would in the classroom or office, try putting on some jeans and a T-shirt in the morning (or whatever your normal, everyday, going out in public outfit is). This could put you in a more awake, alert, ready-to-get-things-done mood.
Keep a schedule. Try to make a schedule that keeps you on track to take care of your responsibilities and meet the goals you had before the lockdown as closely as possible. I get up at 8 a.m. on weekdays to start working for my remote IT job at 8. I don’t prefer eating breakfast as soon as I wake up, so a benefit of working from home is having access to my kitchen around 10 when my stomach realizes I am actually hungry! The flexibility of working from home allows us to set times to take care of specific responsibilities while also doing things on our own time. After I stop working at noon I work through my list of responsibilities and make sure I have time to do everything that needs to be done during the day. It is also important to go sleep around the same time every night so your body gets used to waking up at the same time in the morning.
Make lists. Lists can be used to organize and prioritize your goals, assignments and projects, while making it easy to keep track of what you have already completed and what still needs to be done. Lists are flexible and can be as specific or general as you want. Every few days I make a list of what assignments, projects and chores I have for the days ahead. I combine my responsibilities for work, school and home all on the same list because it helps me see what is more important to work on and where I can fit each responsibility into my schedule. Before the lockdown, my lists were more separate and only pertained to specific topics like work or school, but my schedule has become more fluid except for planned Zoom and WebEx meetings. I use old-fashioned pen-and-paper, but you could use an app to keep track of your lists. It is all about what best helps keep track of the ever-growing pile of responsibilities during this chaotic time in our lives.
Going for a walk while practicing social distancing is a safe way to take a break from the computer screen.
Take breaks. With almost all work being done on a computer, it is important to step away from the screen once in a while. If you find yourself clicking through tabs in circles (the modern-day equivalent to reading the same paragraph in a book three times), it may be time for a quick 5 to 15 minute break. During this short break you can go on a walk (social distance!), eat a snack or have a conversation or phone call with friends or family (again, social distance!). You will come back to the computer screen with a refreshed mind, ready to get things done.
Have fun! Working at home can be just as stressful as working in a classroom or office but now we have the freedom to do the things we like to do while we work without bothering others, like listening to music. Put on the radio or make a playlist of your favorite uplifting tunes. If you are looking for a motivating work song I recommend Taking Care of Business by Bachmann Turner Overdrive. Additionally you can make your video conferences just a bit more fun using a cool program called ChromaCam. ChromaCam takes your video during web calls and replaces the background with any image you want. You can also use this to hide a messy room with a faux office to appear more professional!
Hopefully you will find some of the ideas in this article useful and can adapt them to your routine. If you have any useful ideas for being productive while working at home please share them in a comment. We will get through the lockdown by coming together while in isolation.
Welcome to our series to give you a glimpse into Rowan University, our campus culture, and the lives of our students, while we’re practicing social distancing to protect society from the spread of COVID-19. Today’s story is from Nicole Cier, a senior isolating in her house in Middlesex County, NJ. Nicole is a writing arts major who normally lives in Rowan Boulevard Apartments during the school year.
With the constant news alerts, cancellations, and changes in my college schedule due to COVID-19, it can be difficult to focus on what really matters. Each day, a new aspect of daily life changes for people around the world due to this virus, and it can especially be a rough time for college students to adjust. Now more than ever, it is extremely important to maintain a routine during the week, so we can stay on top of our work and ensure success.
A snapshot from my Google Calendar for these upcoming weeks.
Structure in our days is much harder to attain while we’re confined to our house, juggling family time and alone time, and still trying to hang onto our jobs and degrees. But small adjustments in our daily lives during a time of social distancing can have a positive impact on our happiness, productivity, and education. We, as college students, must strive to maintain a sense of normalcy to get us through these challenging times.
Plan out a schedule for each day. When it comes to school work (and for some of you, remote work or internship responsibilities), organization is still the biggest factor in your success. Use a planner or Google Calendar to keep track of your commitments, scheduling out specific blocks of time to work on certain things. Treat your remote courses as if they are in-person courses and avoid distractions. Don’t forget to include time for lunch, and intersperse a few short breaks to get up and stretch/walk/play with a pet/FaceTime a friend! You can also use these tools to keep track of your class video meetings, due dates and other important events.Personally, I also find that keeping a to-do list for each day is a great way to stay productive. I give myself a reasonable amount of tasks to complete by the end of the day, and feel like I’ve made the most of my time by accomplishing them.
One of the items on my “quarantine bucket list” was to bake a cake!
Make time for fun and exercise. Although we’re working remotely and staying home, we all still need fresh air and vitamin D! Going outside is not off-limits, so long as you’re mindful of social distance. Make sure to leave yourself time every day to do something you enjoy and be active. Grab a family member (or call a friend) and go for a walk. Explore neighborhoods in your town you’ve never been to for a change of scenery. Wave to people as you pass by, to help us all feel connected. Take up a new hobby like yoga or DIY projects or virtual group activities (the “Netflix Party” extension for Google Chrome is my favorite). We may be quarantined, but that doesn’t mean we have to binge-watch Friends all day, every day!
Maintain your regular hygiene.Just because we’re not leaving the house doesn’t mean we must give up on our hygiene and appearance! On days you are working, put on “work clothes” (AKA anything but sweats, at this point). If you will be video chatting for class or internships, wear a business casual outfit. Shower regularly, brush your teeth and hair as usual, and even apply some makeup if you wish! Continuing your hygiene routine during quarantine will give you a sense of normalcy and will keep you feeling your best.
My boyfriend and I went on a “social distance picnic” at a park nearby.Keep a “quarantine bucket list.”Optimism is key at a time like this, and having a list of things you want to accomplish is a great way to stay motivated. Your list can include fun things such as tie-dying old t-shirts or learning a new skill, and it can include practical things such as cleaning your room or going through your old clothes to donate. These tasks will give you something to look forward to, keep you busy in moments of boredom, and hopefully prevent you from falling into a three-hour TikTok rabbithole (guilty). Try to allot time for at least one item on your bucket list each day, to keep some excitement and variability in your routine.
Develop an online community. Studying at home doesn’t mean you have to learn on your own; connect with other students in your class! Try utilizing remote platforms such asGoogle HangoutsorZoom for remote group study sessions. I created text and email groups so I can ask and answer questions.
This is my #RowanAtHome desk.
As we all try to find a new normal in our daily lives, it is important to allow extra time and space for growth and reflection. Mental health is even more important now, and maintaining a regular schedule and practicing self-care can help us navigate the realm of COVID-19.
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.”
Meet Susan Hacker, a mother and first-generation college student from Burlington, NJ (Burlington County) currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Today she shares her experience on how convenient Rowan’s RN to BSN program through Rowan Global has been for her.
“Returning to school at middle age and becoming a registered licensed nurse provides a sense of pride,” said Hacker.
Hacker, a registered nurse for Virtua Health System, will earn her bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree in spring 2020.
Hacker, a registered nurse for Virtua Health System, decided to further her education at Rowan for a few reasons. The 3+1 program offers partnerships between Rowan and local community colleges — making the transfer process easier and faster. “Rowan allows one to obtain a university degree at a well-known research school while simultaneously limiting costs and the prospect of long-term college debt,” said Hacker.
For Hacker, finding a work/life balance was important, and the 3+1 program has given her that balanced opportunity. “College is considered higher level learning, as is life. Much like life requires development and growth, through self-management of experiences, Rowan Global does the same. The online learning environment allows for self-management of study time through the limited log-in requirements,” said Hacker.
Attending Rowan has not only impacted her life in a positive way but her children’s lives too. Her children get to see her achieve each educational goal she sets, and for her, that is important.
Hacker (right) reviews a patient’s record with Anne Bertino-Lapinsky (left), advanced nurse clinician for Virtua Health System.
“Rowan has allowed me to develop professionally as well as personally, and [that] has not only changed my life but also the course of my children’s lives,” said Hacker. “Witnessing my passion to never give up as well as for learning and educational development later in life, Rowan has enabled me to instill the importance of education and the prospect that anything is possible in the eyes of my children.”
Hacker recommends anyone who is thinking in getting their degree through Rowan Global to do it. She said “it’s a convenient learning experience” while concurrently developing growth and maintaining a healthy balance between school, work and life.
“Every further step in education is an opportunity for new beginnings,” said Hacker.
Today we speak with Alison Pelose, a sophomore health promotion and wellness management major from Clinton, Hunterdon County, who lives on campus in Robo. Alison 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: Alison Pelose […]
“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. 
