This story is a part of Rowan’s centennial series to celebrate 100 years of Rowan University. Rowan Blog contributor Jordyn Dauter, a junior from Quakertown, PA, double majoring in elementary education and dance, collected these insights from fellow students. David Martinek, a graduate student in the MS Teaching: Theatre program from Glen Burnie, Maryland:“I like […]
#RowanPROUD
National Best Friends Day
Story by:Jessica Nguyen, elementary education and literacy studies major Photos by:Stephanie Batista, senior business management major Valentina Giannattasio, sophomore dance and marketing double major
#PROFPRIDE: Leah Boyle, RA for the LGBTQIA+ Learning Community
Today we speak with Leah Boyle, who graduated this May with a degree in Psychology. Leah comes from Haddonfield, NJ in Camden County and is a first-generation college student. She has been an on-campus resident all four years and worked as an RA (Resident Assistant) for the LGBTQIA+ Learning Community in Holly Pointe for the last two years.
What has it been like being an RA?
It’s been so good. I love everything about it. I’ve gotten so many opportunities through it. I am the RA for the LGBTQIA+ Learning Community. I make programs and oversee all of our students as they transition into Rowan.
Is there a moment that stands out to you as particularly meaningful being the RA of this pod?
Making programs [focused] on helping people introduce themselves and finding footing in a completely safe space for the first time has been the most impactful to me. Just having people refer friends to me if they have questions. Knowing that I myself am a resource has been my favorite thing about it.
Do you get a lot of first years?
Yes, it’s only first-years. I’m so happy I was able to do it. It’s been the happiest job I’ve had. It’s been so positive and a great environment.
Can you tell me more about the programming that you’ve offered?
Because of Covid, it’s a little bit different. This semester I taught American Sign Language every month on Zoom. Last year I did Coming Out parties and LGBTQIA+ History Trivia Nights (showing the names and faces of people who are really important to our history). We have certain events for people who were celebrating their one-year anniversary since transitioning. It was so great, we had so much fun.
It’s a little different with Covid. I had a Diversity Movie Club, where everyone would watch the movie on their own time and then we would get together later on and discuss whether it was reflective of our experiences. It’s more flexible, but last year I had a lot more [spontaneous yet purposeful] events.
What feedback have you gotten from residents in comparing this community to where they originally come from?
I’ve had people tell me that this is the first time that they have had people refer to them by the name that they always wanted to be referred to by. [I’ve been told], “You’re the first person to ask me what my pronouns are and if I’m comfortable” or “I was nervous about my roommate but because I’m part of the LGBTQIA+ Learning Community, we’ve had the same experiences and I feel validated.” It’s so important that we have this space for people to meet other people. They all go off and join clubs together and lead together through Rowan. Having people show up to events that don’t even live in my pod and knowing more people around campus is so great. This has been great too. If people are happy within the community, it will continue to grow and grow.
When you talk about your job with people who are not directly part of the campus community, such as parents or relatives, do they embrace it or do you find yourself having to explain its importance?
One of my favorite things about coming to college has been that everyone comes from a different understanding of the community. It’s a bit confusing for people who are older than me or don’t really understand [why] I work specifically with this community. [It] also means that sometimes my job is more difficult than the people who live in neighboring pods because it comes with more difficult conversations. Sometimes I have to explain that, “Yeah, I have fun programs but sometimes it can be really intense.”
It’s a bit different from a typical resident assistant but a lot of times my friends would always want to show up to these events, meet people, and get people involved. I think it’s important to talk about it and learning communities at Rowan are so important. They’re really, really successful. I hope that the more we talk about it, maybe we could have learning communities in one or two other buildings. I like to spread the good word and let people know it’s a really great space.
Have you ever encountered any hate towards you as being the RA or towards people who live in your pod?
I think with having a diverse community living in a space, people can make the decision to come through and be judgmental or defacing property. In those situations, we have a lot of things in place to make sure that students are feeling supported. It’s not very common. I’ve been in this position for two years and very few times have I had to sit down with someone and say “Let’s talk about why you’ve done this thing.”
It doesn’t really happen that often. A lot of the time we get people who didn’t sign up for it but they’re really just happy at the end of the experience because they were able to learn. I’ve had a lot of people grow and learn more. It helps not only our community but the people around us. Yes, we’ve had situations where people have not been accepting, but Rowan has a very strict policy for any of that behavior. It’s always been taken care of.
For people coming into the university, do they have to share who they are to be able to qualify for this pod in terms of identifiers?
We don’t want anyone to feel like they have to out themselves to their family or friends when they’re coming to Rowan. So, what they can do is when they sign up for housing there will be boxes of all of our learning communities. You can select that you want to be with first-gen people or social justice people. Then you can have information sent to your personal email about the LGBTQIA+ community and find out if you were able to be placed.
I don’t get a list of [how] people identify. You can join if you’d like to and it’s not shared with a lot of different people. So I go into my job [thinking] that maybe this person signed up or maybe they didn’t. It’s more of an educational experience. A lot of people will come in letting me know that they’re so excited and share their past experiences. This year is different because we have different numbers than usual. I have people who don’t identify as LGBTQIA+. They have the complete same housing experience as everybody else. They just get more resources. It’s a win-win.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Marian Suganob, public relations and advertising graduate
Photos by:
Stephanie Batista, junior music industry major
Senior Reflects: Dyone Payne, PR Major, Reflects on the Joys of College
Today we speak with Dyone Payne, who will be graduating this May with a degree in Public Relations and two minors in Journalism and Strategic Communication. Dyone is from Glassboro, NJ (Gloucester County) and is part of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority.
Could you share your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes?
My favorite class memory was with Dr. Schoenstein during IMC. Every week we would give a presentation about a product or company we created. From start to finish, we created the logos, company brand, position statement, and most importantly the presentation. She actually wanted us to be prepared for the real world. She wanted us to be able to present a brand in a short amount of time.
Could you share your favorite social memory?
Meet the Greeks is one of my favorites. To see all of the organizations come together, perform, have a good time, and most importantly inform students about who they are.
What are your career aspirations?
I aspire to work in the marketing and advertising space. I would love to contribute to storytelling, especially in this environment.
How did the people or programs at Rowan help to support you with your professional growth or career aspirations?
The EOF program is how I got admitted into Rowan. They have been a major support system to and for me throughout the past four years! Shout out to everyone in that office.
Do you want to give a thank you shout out to your family, friends, advisors or mentors?
Shout out to my advisors and professors, Mr. Morton, Ms. Brucker, Mrs. Mummert, Prof. Farney, and Prof. Rodolico. From beginning to end, all of you have pushed me to grow beyond boundaries, ask questions, and go beyond what is expected of a student, person, and most importantly, a professional. I value each lesson I learned from every one of you.
Who is your favorite professor? What class did you take them for? And why is this person your favorite?
Professor Royek! I believe I took Composition Writing I or II with him my freshman year. Professor Royek taught me so many lessons, but most importantly he taught me to always ask questions, be patient, and learn something from what others have to offer. I’ll never forget he helped me with my paper and as we did the mock interview he taught me how to be conversational rather than sticking to the script.
I then applied that to my life by always having a plan and if the plan fails, improvise! Want to learn from people. Want to be friendly. And most importantly take your time!!
What advice would you give to incoming first years or transfers about making the most out of their college experience?
Incoming freshmen, take your time. Whatever you want to do, do it and don’t let anyone stop you! You’ll learn so many things once you just live life outside the classroom. At the end of the day, JUST DO YOU!
Like what you see?
Story by:
Marian Suganob, senior public relations and advertising double major
TRANSFERmation Tuesday: Radio/TV/Film Major Paul Romeo
Today, we speak to transfer student Paul Romeo! Paul is a Radio/TV/Film major from Cedar Grove, NJ (Essex County) who transferred from Southern New Hampshire University. He shares with us why he chose Rowan and gives advice to out-of-state students.
What are your professional goals? And how is Rowan helping to support you in those goals?
My professional goals are to work toward being a filmographer or cinematographer for a major TV or movie production company. Rowan has provided me with resources to work towards this — of course the pandemic has made this difficult and caused many issues in pursuing this.
How does your field impact the world? What impact would you like to have on the world in your field?
My field impacts the world in many ways, both steering and being steered by culture of the world around us. We are able to provide entertainment and also highlight issues in the world in a way that can not be silenced. We are able to bring light to the darkness and bring forth the newest important things.
What inspired you to choose your major?
Honestly it was just a lot of realizing myself and understanding that I do not enjoy majors that are not creative. The major I had before was a programming major, and I did not succeed in it at all.
As a student from North Jersey, how did you become aware of Rowan University?
I looked at it originally before I decided on my previous university. My friend attended and told me how much he enjoyed it so I decided to give it a try. When I did, I finally fell in love with a campus, for the first time I’ve ever felt at home somewhere.
How long is your trip/drive “home” to North Jersey?
My drive is about two hours up to home.
What are some of the benefits for you, living this distance from home?
My parents aren’t able to show up when they randomly want to, haha. It’s nice to be able to feel like I have to be there for myself. If I don’t cook, I don’t eat, if I don’t shower, no one is going to tell me to, so it forces me to be more independent.
What are a few interesting or new things (to you) about Rowan’s South Jersey area that you would share with future out-of-state students?
Delsea Drive-In is something that’s really cool! Also just the open space and flatness of South Jersey is so nice compared to North Jersey, biking is great in the area.
What off-campus, local fun places do you recommend students check out?
The food around campus is great, there are so many unique and interesting places to eat at.
Why did you choose to transfer to Rowan University?
It felt right. That’s it, there was a feeling I had that both terrified me and made me feel like it would challenge me to be a new person, and I’d say it’s done a good job at that.
Like what you see?
Story by: Bianca Torres, senior music industry major
We are #RowanPROUD to be included on Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s 2021 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes select nationwide colleges and universities that foster dynamic pathways for transfer students.
Black STEM Majors Share Advice for Black High School Students Interested in STEM
Today, we’re highlighting Black STEM majors as they share some advice on where to start when looking into STEM.
“Attend as many events as you can to meet new people that has the same interests as you and to also carry out with your interests,” says Ylanda Souffrant, a sophomore, first-generation college student and Math Education major from Trenton, NJ (Mercer County)
“It’s alright if you know you’re interested in STEM, but you don’t know what you want to do with it in life. Carefully choose the school/program you join because that is how you will position yourself and expose yourself to experiences and individuals that will guide you along your journey,” says Josephine Babatunde, a senior Biochemistry major and transfer student from Union County College (Union County, NJ).
“One major key of advice I would give for high school STEM students is to not give up. I know this sounds a bit cliché, but you’re going to run into many obstacles and people who try to hold you down or stop your progress, but you can’t let nothing stand in your way. The road is going to be rough and tough but like my family always used to preach to me, ‘If someone already did it, you can too,'” says DéVon Malloy, a junior, first-generation college student and Biomedical Engineering major from Hillside, NJ (Union County)
“Hold your head up high! The courses may seem rigorous and tedious, but you are more than capable. You are just as competitive as anyone else around you; don’t give up! Ask for help if you need it, take advantage of programs that cater to your major whether it is directly or indirectly correlated with the unrepresented, be sure to make connections any chance you get, and try to get some some volunteer experience in the field if possible.” — Briana Davy, junior, first-generation college student and Biological Sciences major (planning on receiving a CUGS in Spanish), Honors Concentration, transfer from RCSJ Cumberland, Vineland, NJ (Cumberland County)
“Start early. Time flies really fast and you never know what the next day will bring you. Get involved in programs, especially offered by the schools you go to, because it not only looks fantastic on your resumé but also the skills and knowledge you acquire from it goes a long way. Get involved early too, don’t be afraid of clubs and participating, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people in college now and ask questions.” — Akil DeBruhl, junior Biological Sciences major with a minor in Psychology, South Orange, NJ (Essex County)
Like what you see?
Story by: Bianca Torres, senior Music Industry major
Photography by: Stephanie Batista, sophomore Music Industry major and Joe Gentempo, Senior Art major
5 Early Childhood Education Majors Share How Their Major Interests Them
Today, five Early Childhood Education majors tell us why their passion lies in teaching and why their major interests them!
“I’ve always wanted to major in special education. My cousin has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of ASD. I began working in a special services school district and realized how much I loved doing what I do. Once I fully made my commitment, I transferred to Rowan.” – Jordyn Briner, senior, Early Childhood Education major, Psychology minor, transfer from RCBC, Burlington Twp., NJ (Burlington County)
“I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I began working in a daycare center and felt like I was in the right place. It was then that I wanted to learn more about this field.” – Cheyenne Smith, senior, Early Childhood Education major with a Africana Studies and American Studies dual minor, transfer from Camden County College, Somerdale, NJ (Camden County)
“I’ve always been interested in early childhood education!” – Alicia Bramble, junior, first-generation college student, Early Childhood Education major, transfer from Camden County College, Vineland, NJ (Cumberland County)
“For my whole life, I have been surrounded by early childhood education from my mother. After babysitting and looking after my neighbors and friends, I fell in love with helping children learn.” – Tyra McCombs, sophomore, Early Childhood Education and Liberal Studies major, Swedesboro, NJ (Gloucester County)
“I have known I wanted to be a teacher since I was very little. I would always play ‘teacher’ in my basement and would write on the walls as if it was a classroom.” – Grace Badillo, senior, Early Childhood Education and Literacy Studies major, Orangeburg, NY (Rockland County)
Like what you see?
LEARN MORE
Story by:
Bianca Torres, senior music industry major
Photos not submitted by:
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
Junior Major Moments: Studying Abroad and More with International Studies Major Alexander Rossen
Today, we speak to Alex Rossen, an International Studies major with Jewish Studies and Sociology minors from Westfield, NJ (Union County). Now a senior, Alex is also an on-campus resident who lives in the Townhouses. He tells us more about his junior year and his favorite Rowan moments.
Could you share your favorite moment with a faculty member or a favorite experience in one of your classes?
My favorite memory with a faculty member would have to be with Professor Manning. I first met him my freshman year when I started as an intern working for him, and he’s been a huge mentor for me ever since.
In summer 2019, Dr. Manning led the Rowan Study Abroad trip on Holocaust Memory, which I was on. One day, Dr. Manning was chatting with me and a couple of other students on the trip, and he jokingly said, “Just so you all know, Alex is my favorite student.”
What is the most amazing or interesting thing you’ve learned in your major this year?
I guess I would have to say the most amazing thing I’ve learned this year was meeting [Canadian military officer] General Romeo Dallaire when he came to give the annual CHSS Lecture. I was volunteering to help set up the event and got the chance to meet him before his speech. I really admired his work as a peacekeeping leader in Rwanda and as an advocate for human rights.
When I asked him how he handled all the indifference, ignorance and extremism he’d seen throughout his career, his answer was pretty simple, but also very powerful. He just said, “Don’t blink, stand your ground, young man.”
What pre-professional experiences are helping to support your growth?
I think my time interning for the Rowan Center for the Study of Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights (RCHGHR) was one of the greatest experiences in pre-professional growth I’ve been lucky to have. I applied and got accepted into this internship through the CHSSMatch program. In addition to that internship, I serve as treasurer for the RCHGHR Student Association and am now also starting out as Secretary for the College Democrats at Rowan and Multimedia Editor for The Whit.
All these experiences have helped me work toward personal and professional goals that I feel passionate about in areas like photography and human rights awareness. They’ve also helped me develop as a leader and build valuable professional skills.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Bianca Torres, senior music industry major
Photos courtesy of:
Alex Rossen
#MeetRowan2024: Sports Communication and Media Major Danny Collins
Meet #Rowan2024, Danny Collins! Danny is an incoming Sports Communications and Media major. He can’t wait to start his journey at Rowan. He tells us more about himself and why he chose Rowan.
What is something you’re looking forward to next year at Rowan?
I am looking forward to meeting new friends, working hard in my classes and living on campus.
What is one activity, club, sport or hobby that you did in high school that you’d like to continue with at Rowan?
I would love to continue working with the television crew and being a cameraman for sporting events.
How or why did you choose your major?
I chose Sports Communication and Media because I am a huge sports fan and I like doing camera work. I aspire to be an NFL cameraman one day.
How did you get to know campus?
I got to know campus by attending several open houses, some sporting events, and accepted students’ events.
What music do you like?
l like Elton John, Elvis, Billy Joel, 80s, and Hip Hop.
Night owl or morning person?
I am a morning person. I am looking forward to early morning campus walks to start off my day.
Why Rowan?
I chose Rowan because they have an excellent sports communication program and fantastic support with a tutoring center, writing center and support groups. It has the components for me to become a successful college student.
Like what you see?
Story by:
Bianca Torres, senior music industry major
How I Made Friends At Rowan, Bianca’s Experience
Hi! My name is Bianca Torres. I’m a senior Music Industry major with a minor in Marketing from Morris County, NJ who has lived on campus all four years. Going to college has helped me get out of my comfort zone and has helped me become a much more well-rounded individual! I know that adjusting to college can be tough – especially when it comes to meeting new people.
Going to Rowan was an easy decision for me. My sister had gone here before me so I already knew a lot about the school. It’s about two hours away from where I live so it was the perfect distance for me, and Rowan has a really great Music Industry program. So I was pretty confident in my decision to go there.
The one thing that I was a little nervous about: meeting new people. I was excited about being independent and on my own for the first time in college. However, it was hard for me at first to find people who I really enjoyed being with. I quickly realized that I was going to have to put myself out there more. Here’s what I did to make some new friends.
Reached Out to People I Already Knew.
My first friend in college is actually someone I went to high school with! Although we never talked in high school, I figured it would be a good start to talk to someone I related with at least a little bit! I came up to him one day in the Holly Pointe dining hall and we started eating together almost every day! We instantly became friends. Then he introduced me to Racquetball Club.
Joined Clubs and Sports Teams.
Through Racquetball Club, I’ve found a sport that I’ve never tried but ended up really liking and found some of my best friends! Being a part of a team is a great way to meet people with the same interests and makes you feel like you are a part of something. Without Racquetball, I would have never found my friends.
Talked to My Classmates.
One of my best friends is someone who was sitting right next to me in class. The first day of classes is nerve wracking enough for a lot of us and finding the right seat is crucial. When I first walked in, I found a seat that I thought would be a good spot in the classroom. I never thought I would have ended up sitting next to my now best friend and roommate! We started doing class projects together, and I realized that we liked the same things and had the same sense of humor. Finally, I decided to ask if she wanted to get lunch with me one day. The rest is history.
Got To Know My Co-Workers.
I made some great friends through my on-campus job for the Rowan Blog! The great thing about on-campus jobs is that your co-workers are also usually students too. From going on shoots together, talking in the office, and getting lunch in between, it’s almost hard to not know a lot about the people I work with! I’m so grateful for the Rowan Blog and for all the great friends that I’ve made from the blog too.
There are so many ways to get involved on campus and to put yourself out there. It’s difficult adjusting to an entirely new environment and situation but one of the best things about going to a university is meeting all kinds of different and exciting people! Luckily, I found my people at Rowan!
Like what you see?
Story and Photos by:
Bianca Torres senior music industry major
3 Ways I Make College More Affordable
Today we feature junior Communication Studies major and Journalism minor Christian A. Browne, who commutes to Rowan from Sicklerville, NJ (Camden County) and is originally from Philadelphia. Christian transferred to Rowan from Camden County College. Let’s be honest, college is a huge financial decision. With food, textbooks and parking, there are a bunch of expenses […]
5 Benefits of Going to College Close to Home
There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home! While many people like Dorothy want to venture off to a place far away, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. There are a lot of benefits of staying close to home for college. I’ve learned this myself […]
Three Things I Love About My Student Worker Job
Hi there! I’m Nicole, a senior Writing Arts major from East Brunswick, NJ (Middlesex County). I am a student worker for the Rowan Blog through the Division of Student Affairs, and I love my job!
As a freshman newly enrolled in the Writing Arts major, I was eagerly looking for ways to get involved on campus, especially related to writing and communication. One day I came across a message in the daily student email that the Rowan Blog was looking for volunteer writers, and this seemed like a sign. I started writing stories that semester on a volunteer basis, and was asked to officially join the team that spring of my freshman year! I’ve been working for the blog throughout my four years at Rowan, and it’s been an amazing experience.
1. Every day is different and exciting
As a student worker, I have something different to look forward to each day — with every new assignment comes a new experience. One day I’m writing a blog post on why I love my job (hello!), the next day I’m filming the women’s ice hockey team at their practice, and the week after I’m photographing the equestrian team and their horses. I’ve even gone to the Salem County Humane Society to play with kittens and produce a video on student volunteerism! No two assignments are the same, and because of that, I get to learn so much about my peers on campus and all of the diverse interests and activities they are a part of. I’ve met student entrepreneurs, learned about the Vietnamese Student Association, attended informational workshops, and have been a part of a professional photo shoot with a marketing agency!
I also enjoy how much I get to learn about Rowan University through these experiences. In my first semester, I quickly became familiar with all of the buildings on campus and so many of the organizations and activities available to students. Knowing all of this has helped me get my friends involved as well, introducing them to clubs I think they’d enjoy and people with similar interests.
2. I’ve added great skills and accomplishments to my resume
I have always had an interest in taking photos, but never had the chance to pick up a real camera and figure it out before working for the Rowan Blog. For each blog article I write, I have to photograph the students or faculty featured to produce images that really capture the story. Through endless practice I’ve become comfortable using DSLR cameras and editing my photos with Adobe programs, and I love it! I have also started to get more involved in the video production side of the blog, filming and editing videos for YouTube. Though I am certainly a beginner in making videos, my coworkers and peers are always willing to help each other out, since we each have our own strengths.
Focusing on photography has paved the way for me to become a part of many exciting projects through the Division of Student Affairs. The photos that my peers and I have taken are featured on the Rowan Admissions website and in admissions packages that go out to accepted incoming students, which is awesome! I’ve even become more involved with the social media department, and a couple of my photos have been featured on Rowan’s Instagram. It’s so rewarding to see my work improve each semester, and the excitement we all feel when we see our photos throughout campus makes the hard work more than worth it.
3. I’ve made new friends, mentors and connections along the way
With each new lead for an assignment comes a new potential friendship or connection. Most of the time, the leads I am assigned to write about are students I have never met before, so I love having the chance to meet new people I might see around campus. I get to learn about their cool internships, clubs and experiences at Rowan, and can usually find something in common with each lead to form a strong bond! Every lead becomes either a new friend, a LinkedIn connection, or at the very least, another smiling face to see on the way to class.
Through the stories I produce, I’m able to form connections with faculty and staff, too, which has helped me learn about new programs and events on campus. The faculty I’ve met specifically within the College of Communication and Creative Arts and the Rohrer College of Business have played an important role in my education and career path. A few of them have become mentors to me, trustworthy and seasoned professionals that I can always look to for advice.
Working for the Rowan Blog has changed the way I write, work and interact with others. It’s made me a stronger communicator and even sparked my interest to pick up two minors — Marketing and Strategic Communication. Being part of such a talented, passionate team of workers makes me #RowanPROUD, and the experiences I’ve had through the Rowan Blog are memories that I’ll cherish long after I graduate this spring!
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story and photography by:
Nicole Cier, senior writing arts major
First Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management Graduate Reflects on His Rowan Experience
Jeff Dever, a 2017 alum from Moorestown, NJ (Burlington County), has many reasons to be #RowanPROUD. He made Rowan history as the first student to graduate with a degree in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, and has made countless contributions to campus safety throughout his undergraduate years. But where did his success begin?
The walls of Robinson Hall were the sign he was looking for to launch a successful career. During his sophomore year, they were adorned with posters advertising the new Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management program at Rowan University.
“At the time, I was a volunteer firefighter, working part-time in emergency medical services (EMS). I’d always had an interest in the field, so I thought, why not go talk to my advisor and give it a try?” he recalls.
The advisors and faculty within the department were eager to help an interested — and experienced, as a bonus — student transition into this exciting new major.
“I had originally started at Rowan with a dual major in History and Education. I was headed down the teaching track when I realized maybe that wasn’t what I wanted to pursue,” Jeff says. “I spent a lot of time that semester in their offices as they helped me figure out how to incorporate the credits that I had already earned as an Education major into my progress in the emergency management program, as well as my experience as a first responder.”
The role models Jeff grew close with over the next few years in the program shaped the positive experience he had as one of the first students to enter the realm of disaster preparedness and emergency management. He credits his professors and advisors within the major for helping him explore careers in the field and find his place in the program.
“They wanted me to graduate on time and grow as a person, but also encouraged me to bring my outside experiences as a first responder into their learning environment,” he says. “I don’t think you get such personalized attention and assistance like that at many other universities, especially one that is growing as quickly [as Rowan is].”
One of the first professors Jeff met in the program, Len Clark, quickly became a mentor throughout his college experience.
“At the time [I was in Clark’s class], I was working part-time at the Gloucester County EMS. He was the former emergency management coordinator of Gloucester County, so we would always go into class and swap stories about our experiences,” Jeff shares. He stayed in touch with Clark beyond graduation, as he continued on to work with the Camden EMS and with FEMA.
Jeff credits the outstanding education he earned in the major to the variety of wise, experienced faculty members who taught him. Many of his professors were first responders and emergency management authorities throughout South Jersey themselves, as were his peers and classmates in the program. This is what contributed to such a tight-knit, collaborative environment within the program that led to lifelong friendships and impactful careers.
“The professors I had were all very invested in the success of their students, because they realized that these were the students who would be taking over their roles once they’ve retired. They want to leave people in good hands,” Jeff says.
“You see a lot more camaraderie in the program, because you have professors who are retired firefighters or police officers teaching current or aspiring firefighters and police officers. Of course you have professional expectations to get your work done and come to class, but you also know that these people genuinely care about your wellbeing and your success.”
Jeff attributes his accomplishments in his career so far to the rich experiences he gained through an on-campus internship with the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) at Rowan and as a line officer in the Rowan EMS. As an intern with the OEM, Jeff made numerous contributions to the safe environment Rowan students appreciate today, such as managing inventory for Rowan’s shelter stockpile and updating the campus emergency operations plan, in the case of any major incident on campus.
But his most memorable accomplishment as an intern was his role in Rowan earning the HeartSafe Campus status, which there are signs posted for throughout campus. Through this program, a certain percentage of students are trained in CPR, and CPR training events are held regularly on campus. It’s one of the many ways Rowan sets itself apart from other universities in terms of safety.
“All these experiences I had as a disaster preparedness and emergency management student not only helped me in my professional development, but it made the campus that I love a safer place. It was a really cool, win-win experience — and something I take a lot of pride in.”
As Jeff sets off to continue his career as an Emergency Management Specialist at the Wake County Department of Fire Services in Raleigh, North Carolina, he encourages more students to look into the disaster preparedness and emergency management program at Rowan.
“As we see more disasters being declared in the United States, a lot of jurisdictions and nonprofit agencies are seeking more formal education with their emergency management team.
What Rowan offers in this program — with accessibility to opportunities like Rowan EMS and internships — is a mix of that formal education as well as practical experience, which is so important in this field.”
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story and photography by:
Nicole Cier, senior writing arts major
- Alumni
- ...
Where Is He Now? Rowan Chemical Engineering Alumnus Theodore Cohen
Today we feature chemical engineering alumnus Theodore Maxwell Cohen, originally from Cherry Hill, NJ (Camden County). Now residing in Gladwyne, PA, he works as a project engineer on the design of pharmaceutical facilities at Integrated Project Services, LLC (IPS). Cohen shares with us how Rowan University helped him figure out what he was truly passionate about.
Before getting his bachelor’s in 2009 and his master’s in 2016 from Rowan, Cohen had to choose what university he wanted to attend.
“I applied to nine schools and got into all nine of them. I eliminated five of them that were pretty far away. Both of my sisters had gone to college far away, and I saw that it wasn’t all that fun. I filtered it down to Rowan, Rutgers and Udel (University of Delaware),” said Cohen.
After eliminating Rutgers from his list due to the immense campus Rutgers has, it was down to the University of Delaware and Rowan. Cohen visited the University of Delaware and asked, “How are you going to help me succeed?” Cohen said the University of Delaware responded, “We take about 100 chemical engineering majors (ChE’s) every year. We graduate 50 of them as chemical engineers, and the rest we find something for them to do.” He thought, “Huh, those aren’t terribly great odds.”
Cohen then visited Rowan and met with Dr. C. Stewart Slater, professor and founding chair of the chemical engineering department. He asked the same question, and Dr. Slater said: “Well, we take about 30 ChE’s and we graduate around 23 of them as chemical engineers. But if you are willing to work hard, we will help you be successful.”
“At the end of the day, that and my scholarship is why I chose Rowan,” said 
Cohen.
The program has since doubled both its enrollment and full-time faculty, yet still maintains a small faculty-to-student ratio.
During his time at Rowan, Cohen mentioned that he met some incredible faculty mentors, who really made a positive influence on him.
“I had a couple of great mentors that impacted my life. One of them was Chuck Clerecuzio. He was an adjunct professor who taught a senior level course in biopharmaceutical facility design,” said Cohen. “It was the course that I took that made me realize what I wanted to do in my life. Chuck was my mentor for many years. Unfortunately, Chuck passed away recently.”
Another great mentor who helped Cohen was Dr. Brian Lefebvre. Dr. Lefebvre was a chemical engineering professor at Rowan University from 2004-2008. While completing research for Dr. Lefebvre, Cohen was able to get a paper published as the primary author.
“His specialty was bio process, which is what I really loved. I did three and a half years’ worth of lab work and research for him learning the basics of upstream and downstream bioprocessing. He helped me get a paper published while I was an undergraduate on anion-exchange chromatography,” said Cohen. “We became friends while I was a student, and continued that friendship with him long after I graduated. Brian helped me get my first job out of school at DuPont working on a similar project to his.”
Cohen is currently working at IPS as a project engineer for the design of pharmaceutical facilities. His role is to ensure that the design of the facility is cohesive and meets all of the numerous requirements from both the client perspective as well as regulatory.
His advice for Rowan students is: “Work hard. Try to learn as much as you can. Don’t be so wrapped up in your grades, they’re important but not that important. Learn the information and try to figure out what you love because you will spend the next 40 years working. Do something you enjoy.”
Cohen is thankful for figuring out what he loves. “Brian and Chuck helped me figure out what I was passionate about,” said Cohen.
Like what you see, come visit us!
Story and photography by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major
#PROFspective: Nutrition and Dance Major Haley Migeot
Today, we speak with Haley Migeot, a senior nutrition and dance double major who lives on campus in 220 Rowan Boulevard. Haley 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: Haley Migeot […]
#PROFspective: Electrical & Computer Engineering Major DJ Stahlberger
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 […]
#PROFspective: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Student Dave Berg
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 […]
#PROFspective: Strategic Communications & Public Relations Master’s Student MST Aysha Siddika
Today, we speak with Aysha Siddika, a graduate student in strategic communications and public relations from Bangladesh who lives off campus. Aysha 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: MST Aysha Siddika […]
#PROFspective: Nutrition & Dietetics Major Brianna De la Cruz
Today, we speak with Brianna De la Cruz, a freshman Nutrition and Dietetics major from Hillsborough (Somerset County), NJ, who lives on campus in Holly Pointe Commons. Brianna 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 […]
#PROFspective: Civil Engineering Major Sidney McLeod-Whitener
Today, we speak with Sidney McLeod-Whitener, a freshman civil engineering major from Philadelphia (Philadelphia County), PA, who lives on campus in Holly Pointe. Sidney 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: […]
#PROFspective: Writing Arts Major Nicole Cier
Today, we speak with Nicole Cier, a sophomore writing arts major from East Brunswick (Middlesex County), NJ, who lives on campus in Rowan Boulevard. 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 Rowan […]
#PROFspective: English and Biological Sciences Major Kasey DiSessa
Today, we speak with Kasey DiSessa, a junior English and Biological Sciences major from Hackettstown (Warren County), NJ, who lives on campus in the Whitney Center. Kasey will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she’s getting the most out of her college experience as […]
#PROFspective: Early Childhood Education & Literacy Studies Major Melissa Martinique
Today, we speak with Melissa Martinique, a junior early childhood education and literacy studies major from West Milford Township (Passaic County), NJ, who lives on campus in townhouses. Melissa will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she’s getting the most out of her college […]
#PROFspective: Elementary Education & Liberal Studies Major Destiny Shoultz
Today, we speak with Destiny Shoultz, a senior elementary education and liberal studies major from Pine Hill (Camden County), NJ, who commutes from home. Destiny 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 […]
#PROFspective: Computer Science & Electrical and Computer Engineering Major Josiah Bell
Today, we speak with Josiah Bell, a freshman electrical & computer engineering and computer science double major from Pemberton (Burlington County), NJ, who lives on campus in Holly Pointe Commons. Josiah 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 […]
#PROFspective: Athletic Training Major Maribeth Novsak
Today, we speak with Maribeth Novsak, a freshman athletic training major from Cape May Court House (Cape May County), NJ, who lives on campus in Willow Hall. Maribeth 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 […]
#PROFspective: Art Education Major Melissa Glenn
Today, we speak with Melissa Glenn, a recent graduate this fall with a bachelor’s degree in art education from Randolph (Morris County), NJ, who lives in a rental house off campus. Melissa will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she got the most out […]
#PROFspective: Chemical Engineering Major Dylan Regan
Today, we speak with Dylan Regan, a freshman chemical engineering major from Toms River (Ocean County), NJ, who lives on campus in Holly Pointe Commons. Dylan 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 […]
#PROFspective: Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management & Political Science Major Kevin McCarthy
Today, we speak with Kevin McCarthy, a freshman disaster preparedness and emergency management, and political science major from Cranford (Union County), NJ, who lives on campus in Willow Hall. 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 […]
#PROFspective: Early Childhood Education and American Studies Major Chrissie McCabe
Today, we speak with Chrissie McCabe, a senior early childhood education & American studies major from Mantua (Gloucester County), NJ, who commutes from home. Chrissie 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 […]
#PROFspective: Management Information Systems Major Steven Brito
Today, we speak with Steven Brito, a junior management information systems major from Plainfield (Union County), NJ, who lives on campus in Triad Apartments. Steven 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 […]
Student Remembrance: Philanthropy at Rowan
See what philanthropic events take place at Rowan University as the students remember one of their own. Colette Bleistine was an incredibly inspirational and devoted person, who only knew how to give back. Listen to how people today continue the legacy she left behind. Visit Colette Paying It Forward for more information on Colette’s life […]
#PROFspective: Advertising Major Erika Solis
Today, we speak with Erika Solis, a junior advertising major from Elizabeth (Union County), NJ, who rents an apartment off campus. Erika 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: Erika […]
#PROFspective: Accounting Major Kyle Perez
Today, we speak with Kyle Perez, a freshman accounting major from Robbinsville (Mercer County), NJ, who lives on campus in Holly Pointe Commons. Kyle 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. […]
#PROFspective: Radio, TV & Film Major Nasir Nichols
Today, we speak with Nasir Nichols, a freshman radio/TV/film major from Paterson (Passaic County), NJ, who lives on campus in Laurel Hall. Nasir 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: Nasir Nichols […]
#PROFspective: Secondary Health and Physical Education Major Joe Frascella
Today, we speak with Joe Frascella, a freshman secondary health and physical education major from East Windsor (Mercer County), NJ, who lives on campus in Willow Hall. Joe 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 […]
#PROFspective: Environmental and Sustainability Studies Major Katie Elliott
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 […]
#PROFspective: Subject Matter Education and English Major Evan Newlin
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 […]
#PROFspective: Environmental and Sustainability Studies Major Ryan Hamblin
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 […]
#PROFspective: Geographic Information Systems Major Tim Lemon
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 […]
#PROFspective: Philosophy & Religion, Biological Sciences Major Mahaa Ahmed
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 […]
New App Launched: Stunited Unites Students Across Campus
“It’s the high-end ‘Tinder’ to connect academically.” “The movement of the modern day student.” “This is the app we’ve been waiting for.” Buzz about senior finance student John Rondi’s newly launched app has been taking the internet by storm. John, from Wayne, NJ, held a Launch Party Celebration when the app was officially released for […]
#PROFspective PROS Edition: Chemical Engineering Major Steven Schwartz
Today, we speak with Steven Schwartz, a senior chemical engineering major from Manahawkin, NJ, who resides on campus in Holly Pointe Commons as a resident assistant. Steven will give us insight on his career as being a member of Rowan PROS and will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University […]
#PROFspective PROS Edition: Philosophy Major Donald C Roberts III
Today, we speak with Donald C Roberts III, a junior philosophy major from Irvington, NJ, who lives on campus in Edgewood Park Apartments. Donald will give us insight on his career as being a member of Rowan PROS and will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student […]
#PROFspective PROS Edition: Advertising and Public Relations Major Annie Busarello
Today, we speak with Annie Busarello, a junior advertising and public relations double major from Audubon, NJ, who resides in a new on campus apartment, 223 High Street. Annie will give us insight on her career as being a member of Rowan PROS and will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be […]
Rowan Students Receive Prestigious National Awards [VIDEO]
This spring Rowan University has had the extraordinary distinction of seven of our students being selected for highly competitive, national awards. We currently have two Fulbright Scholar winners and one alternate, as well as two summer Fulbrights. Fulbright is considered one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world and offers merit-based grants for international educational […]
The Kid Behind the Rowan Video [VIDEO]
Never in a million years did Shafayeth Syed, “Sha”, think that his pastime activities of vlogging and making humorous videos would go viral, but here he stands today with 132,000 views, 2,200 reactions and 1,400 shares on his latest video This Kid Made A Music Video At His Graduation. This Muslim rapper was raised in New York and […]
#PROFspective: Journalism Major Greg Scharen
Today we speak with Greg Scharen, a freshman journalism major from Middletown, Monmouth County, who lives on campus in Mullica Hall. 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. Name: Greg Scharen Major: Journalism in the College […]
#PROFspective Elementary Education and Mathematics Major Kaitlee Francisco
Today we speak with Kaitlee Francisco, a sophomore elementary education and mathematics major from Washington Township, Gloucester County, who lines on campus in the Townhouses. 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 experience as a Rowan Prof. Name: […]
#PROFspective Liberal Studies Sequence Business and Sociology Major Tiara Nock
Today we speak with Tiara Nock, a senior liberal studies: sequence business and sociology major from Franklinville, Gloucester County, who rents an apartment off campus. 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 experience as a Rowan Prof. Name: […]
#PROFspective: Biomedical Engineering Major Kelsey DeFrates
We are so #RowanPROUD to share that junior Kelsey DeFrates was named a 2017 Goldwater Scholar, which is widely considered the most prestigious award in the country for undergraduate students in STEM disciplines. Kelsey is just one of 240 sophomores or juniors across the country who won the award. Way to go, Kelsey! We are […]
#PROFspective: Chemical Engineering Major Nick Testa
Today we speak with Nick Testa, a sophomore chemical engineering major from Hainesport, Burlington County, who lives on campus in Whitney Center. Nick 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: Nick Testa Major: Chemical […]
#PROFspective: Business Administration Major Anthony Ramos
Today we speak with Anthony Ramos, a junior business administration major from Oxford, Warren County, who lives on campus in Rowan townhouses. 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. Name: Anthony […]
#PROFspective: Biology Major Kevin Jacome
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 […]
#PROFspective: Political Science Major Arthur Andrew Bautista
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. […]
Dominating the Stage at 3 Feet Tall
Don’t let her size fool you; Mackenzie Trush is a force to be reckoned with. A sophomore at Rowan University originally from Franklinville, Gloucester County, Mackenzie Trush is making history on Tohill Stage as the first little person to star in a mainstage show. Standing at 36 inches tall, she was born with one of […]
Alumni PROFile: Cassie Aran & Brandon Lucante of Cookie Munchers
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. […]
Alumni PROFile: Mike Jenkins, Anchor Moving & Storage
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 1992 graduate Mike Jenkins, who now owns Anchor Moving […]
Alumni PROFile: Kari Janisse, Creative Juices by Kari
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 2004 graduate Kari Janisse, who owns Creative Juices by Kari. […]
#PROFspective: Biomedical Engineering Major Shanna Davidson
Today we speak with Shanna Davidson, a junior biomedical engineering major from Pretoria, South Africa, who lives on campus in residence hall Laurel Hall. Shanna 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 […]
#PROFspective: Biomedical Engineering Major Haley Schappell
Today we speak with Haley Schappell, a sophomore biomedical engineering major from Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, who lives in Whitney Center apartments at Rowan. Haley 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: […]
#PROFspective: History Major Jimmy Witkoski
Today we speak with Jimmy Witkoski, a senior history major who commutes from his Marlton, Burlington County, home. Jimmy 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: Jimmy Witkoski Major: History […]
#PROFspective:
Advertising & PR Major Nicole Baglivo
Today we speak with Nicole Baglivo, a senior advertising and public relations double major from Glassboro, Gloucester County, who commutes to Rowan. 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 ouf her college experience as a Rowan Prof. Name: Nicole Baglivo […]