Congratulations Graduates of 2013

Director’s Corner

Iam very proud to present the third edition of theEOF newsletter (Reflections). The purpose ofthe newsletter is to highlight the

accomplishments of our students, programinitiatives and the contributions of Ramapo Collegefaculty and staff.

The EOF program and our students continue topush the boundaries in an array of exciting newways. EOF students continue to excel in theclassroom, maintain significant campus leadershippositions, volunteer and satisfy civic responsibility,successfully complete internships and co-ops,participate in study abroad and alternative springbreak programs and assist faculty with scholarlyresearch projects.

These accomplishments and more are often madepossible due to the guidance and urging of ourtalented and dedicated EOF staff. The tireless effortof our programs Associate Director, DeirdreBright-Foreman and Student DevelopmentSpecialists, Nicole Baker, Erika Vega and MaritaEsposito as well as the office management ofNatasha Rodriguez play a significant role in thesuccess of our students and program initiatives.

We started the 2013-14 academic year with 102 firstyear students, the most in almost twenty years andwe are confident that many, if not all will becomeextraordinary members of the Ramapo community.

Overall, 88% of EOF students are in satisfactoryacademic standing with 38% maintaining gradepoint averages above 3.0.

Please enjoy this small glimpse of EOF reflectionsand thank you for your support of the program.

In closing, I’d like to thank Shaleah Peyton for herwork helping to create this newsletter.

Sincerely, Lorne Weems

2

Fall 2013 Volume 3 Issue 3INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Graduates........................................Cover Page

Director’s Corner.............................................2

Chi Alpha Epsilon.............................................3

Dean’s List .......................................................3

Faculty Research .............................................4

A.T.O.M.S .........................................................4

Etiquette Dinner..............................................4

Faculty Research .............................................4

Mentorship......................................................4

Senior Retreat .................................................4

Pushing Boundaries.........................................5

Study Abroad ..................................................5

In the Spotlight................................................6

Summer Program ............................................7

Alumni Profile ...................................Back Page

Visit the EOF website at:http://ww2.ramapo.edu/EOF3/index.aspxJoin our Group on Facebook:EOF, Ramapo College of New Jersey

Deirdre Bright-Foreman

Lorne Weems

Natasha Rodriguez

Erika Vega, Marita Espositoand Nicole Baker

Shaleah Peyton

3

Founded at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Chi Alpha Honor Society was organized in 1989.Responding to an increased need to acknowledge the continuing successes of students in the academicdevelopment program and recognizing that students who share similar experiences could serve as significant

models for others, a Greek letter honor society was proposed by Dr. Elbert Saddler. Members of XAE pledge tocontinue to excel academically, promote academic excellence in others, and help those who genuinely aspire to thesame goals.

Membership in Chi Alpha Epsilon is offered to eligible students and alumni who hold a 3.0 cumulative G.P.A. for twoconsecutive full-time semesters and who were admitted to the college/university via developmental or highereducation opportunity type programs.

Alpha Chi Chapter at Ramapo College of New Jersey was founded by eighteen members on May 1, 2000. Since 2000,there have been over 300 students inducted into the Ramapo Chapter of Chi Alpha Epsilon Academic Honor Society.

Chi Alpha Epsilon hosted the 13th annual induction and Pinning Ceremony on November 15, 2013. A total of 48students were eligible for induction or upgrade.

Dean’s List Spring 2013

Chi Alpha Epsilon Academic Honor Society

Almenas, AlexisAalverado, SolangeAngon, YolidaveyAarrendell, MichelleBadillo, SamuelBeaufort, BriaBurns, ChaseAlpeno. YeneiryCervantes, BridgetteCorcione, DanielleCuello Natera, MonicaEl-Amin, Madinah

Fernandez, LuisFlannery, FaithFrancis, McraeFrost, StephenGarcia, YovannaGerbi, JoanaGillison, AkilahGonzalez, MichelleHernandez, VanessaIlkovski, KristinaJohn, Lee-AnnaKaba, Valmira

Kajacka, RudinaKhanom, RunaLai, ThanhLovera, GersonMacer, FaithMagee, EdwinMaggio, VinceMazza, SamanthaMcCarthy, CatherineMcGowan-Rodgers,DanielleMejia, Jennifer

Mensah, MarvinMontanez, SamuelMorales, JulianNavas, LeslieO’Brien, RachaelPichardo, KelvinReynoso, AugustoRivera, AlexaRobinson, CadeaRoger, AshleyRowe, FaleciaSanabria, Ashlyn

Sanchez, JeffrySantana, MadelynSantos, JesusSenese, MollySong, EugeneTubman, ParkerVentura, JenniferVitale, EricWoods, BrianeZaidi, Mansouria

4

Achievement Through Opportunities and Mentoring in theSciences (A.T.O.M.S)Congratulations to Erika Vega for her work in successfullylaunching our newest program designed to increase the numberof EOF students’ that complete STEM and/or Pre-Health majors.Students participated in workshops entitled “Exploring STEMCareers,” “So you want to be a STEM major?” and “Why

Research?” Conferences attended included; New Jersey Nursing Students’ Conference,Mentoring in Medicine: Yes I Can Be a Health Professional, and the 57th Annual New JerseyAcademy of Science Junior/Senior Academies.

Guest speakers included; Dominga S. Padilla, MD, FAAP Assistant Professor and AssociateDirector of Cultural Competency Programs & Dr. Alexis Rodriguez of Rutgers University.

Etiquette DinnerFor the second consecutive year,Mrs. Theresa Salamenofacilitated a professionaletiquette dinner for the EOFgraduating seniors. The programwas very successful; nearly all ofthe graduating seniors attended.

“I really enjoy working with thestudents because they have suchenthusiasm, have welcomed meinto their midst and have beenvery eager to learn aboutetiquette, the finer points of diningand the importance of businesslunches.”

–Mrs. Theresa Salameno

Student ResearchWith the assistance of Professor AaronLorenz, Brooke Jamison presented herresearch on “Cyber Bullying” in theschool systems and the influence ofsocial media such as Facebook orTwitter at the Annual NortheasternPolitical Science Association Conferencein Philadelphia.

ASB/EOF Mentoring Program

Ramapo College faculty continues to do an extraordinary jobproviding research opportunities and mentorships to EOF students.Our students are gaining invaluable experience as a result of havingthe opportunity to work closely with such dedicated faculty.

Faculty ResearchLee-Anna John is assistingProfessor Elvira Katic with herresearch. They studied MarkRyden, a pop surrealism artist;who designed album covers forMichael Jackson and the RedHot Chili Peppers. His art workis very controversial because ofhis use of young children. InOctober they attended The 38thAnnual Semiotic Society ofAmerica Conference, in Ohio.

SeniorRetreatTo allow ourgraduating seniorsthe opportunity toreflect upon theupcomingcompletion of theirundergraduateexperiences andlearn strategies thathelp to ensure a

successful transition to life after college, Nicole Baker developedand coordinated a very successful EOF graduating senior retreat.

5

Name: DANNY ROSARIOClass status: SeniorEOF Entry Year: Summer 2009Major: AccountingHometown: Hawthorne, NJ

Danny has interned at The Liberty ScienceCenter in Jersey City, HFP Capital Markets inNew York and Keller & Lebovic, CPAs locatedin Fair Lawn, NJ.

“EOF has given me the necessary skills suchas leadership and ambition. EOF has made mea goal-oriented person and has given me theconfidence to achieve any obstacle I decide totake on.”

Name: PATRICIA BERGAMASCOStudent AthleteClass status: SophomoreEOF Entry Year: Summer 2012Major: International StudiesHometown: Newark, NJ

“EOF has helpedme stay focusedon my academicsand plans for thefuture. The EOFadvisors anddirectors havebeen greatmentors inprovidingconstantsupport.”

“Being a student-athlete requires alot ofresponsibility anddedication. Youhave to be willingto sacrifice and,manage your timevery well.“

Study Abroad and Alternative Spring Break Programs:EOF students continue toincrease their globalexperiences and perspectives.Recent student participation instudy abroad and internationalalternative break programsinclude: Spain, Brazil, China,Italy, Costa Rica, India and theDominican Republic.

Name: CHASE BURNSClass status: SeniorEOF Entry Year: Transfer 2011Major: Social WorkFrom: Morris County

“As a commuter (especially one who livesover an hour away) it is always difficult toforge connections with anyone on campus”

“The EOF program contributed to myacademic accomplishments by providing mewith an advisor who was consistentlyavailable, helped me with any challenges, andprovided recognition for how far I had come”

Pushing Boundaries to Success

In the Spotlight

6

Captions:1. 2013 Scholarship Dinner2. Gabriel Basulto, Lee-Anna John, and Kevin Seabrook attended

the National Association for Black Journalist Conference3. Ashley Vargas & Dr. Cornel West4. Shaleah Peyton & Govenor Christie5. Wendy Castro & Nicole Pulliam

6. Student Leadership Dinner7. Michelle Ng with her Penpal8. At the U.N.9. Felicia Crockett & Wendy Castro with Rick Brown10. Ramapo R.A.'s11. EOF Students with Kumasi University Visiting Delgation

9

10

11

7

8

4

5

6

1

3

2

7

Michael Boyle teaches literature and writing courses during the EOF summer program.

“I have worked in the EOF summer program for more than 20 years, I have returned tothe EOF program each year because I enjoy working with incoming students duringtheir first college experience.”

I find it so satisfying working closely with students to improve their writing skills. The EOFprogram is intense, and I have seen students’ progress in their writing skills… l also enjoyworking with the EOF team. We are all there for the same reasons, the welfare of thestudents, and there is a strong sense of dedication among the staff.

EOF welcomed 103 first year students into the 2013 SummerProgram. As usual, the academic program was intentionallydesigned to challenge our students. Subject areas studiedduring the six week program included writing, social science,

math, business, andscience. Students werealso provided theopportunity toparticipate in careerexposure programs, leadership development, academic success, civicresponsibility and volunteerism, self-identity, personal health and successfultransition to college.

2013 EOF SUMMER PROGRAM

8

ALUMNI PROFILE: Rosa Angela Pena-Lara Hometown: Perth Amboy

Law and Society Double Minor in Spanish and LatinAmerican Studies

EOF Class 1998 Graduation Class of 2002

Rosa currently works as the Supervisory CommunitySupervision Officer, for Court Services and OffenderSupervision Agency in Washington, DC.

“The EOF program provided me with many opportunities while atRamapo. Specifically, being the Co -Team leader of the Ramapo ServiceCorps provided me with leadership skills that I still am able to utilizewhen supervising federal law enforcement staff members.”

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FUND PROGRAM

505 Ramapo Valley RoadMahwah, NJ 07430