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College at a Glance

Profile

As the state’s premier public liberal arts college, Ramapo College of New Jersey is dedicated to providing students a strong foundation for a lifetime of achievement.  The College is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. Ramapo College emphasizes teaching and individual attention to all students. We promote diversity, inclusiveness, sustainability, student engagement, and community involvement.

Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, elementary education, nursing and social work. The College also offers articulated programs, including dental, optometry, chiropractic and health professions, as well as visual arts therapy and law, with colleges and institutions in New Jersey and New York.

Undergraduate students may choose to concentrate their studies in one of five schools with more than 539 course offerings and more than 36 academic programs. Ramapo College boasts an average student/faculty ratio of 16:1 and an average class size of 21; affording students the opportunity to develop close ties to the College’s exceptional faculty.

The College offers part-time graduate programs leading to degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Data Science, Educational Technology, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education.

Ramapo College prepares students to be successful leaders for a changing world through its distinctive commitments to hands-on learning and faculty-student mentoring. Ramapo’s mission also encompasses the core values of developing the whole person and respecting each other and our environment. The international mission is further accomplished through a wide range of study abroad and student exchange links with institutions all over the world. Additional experiential programs include internships, co-op and service learning.

Construction projects recently completed include the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence and the renovation of the G-Wing building, with expanded classroom, research and simulation laboratory space, and a 36,000 square foot facility connected by an overhead walkway to the College’s science/social science building. The campus also boasts the Sharp Sustainability Education Center, the Salameno Spiritual Center and the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts.

Newer projects scheduled include the renovation of the George T. Potter Library, construction of the Learning Commons, and the construction of the Padovano Commons. A campus-wide photovoltaic installation project is underway.

Ramapo College has received numerous awards and accolades. Ramapo has been named among the top three (after Princeton and Stevens Institute of Technology) and Number One among the public institutions in New Jersey in College Choice’s ranking for 2017-2018. This is the 11th consecutive year Ramapo College is listed in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine as among the “100 Best Values in Public Colleges.” The College also is ranked annually by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Regional Public Universities North category and is listed by the Princeton Review. The John Templeton Foundation named the College to its Honor Roll for “Character-building Colleges,” which recognizes institutions that emphasize character development as an integral aspect of the undergraduate experience.

Ramapo is recognized as a “Military Friendly School” by Victory Media, in the Guide to Military Friendly Schools and ranked as one of the nation’s Best Bachelor’s in Social Work by College Choice. And, Ramapo is featured on CollegesofDistinction.com, a website dedicated to honoring schools nationwide for their excellence in student-focused higher education. Ramapo also is recognized for its value among liberal arts colleges and for its campus housing.

Ramapo College joins an elite group of institutions with less than five percent of business schools worldwide earning the accreditation distinction of its business degree program by the Board of Directors of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). Additional accreditations include: the Social Work Program (Council on Social Work Education), the Chemistry Program (American Chemical Society), the Nursing Program (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing), the Teacher Education Program (Teacher Education Accreditation Council), and the Teacher Certification Program, approved by the State of New Jersey.

Dr. Peter P. Mercer became the College’s fourth president on July 1, 2005. A Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor of the State governs the College. The chairman of the board is William F. Dator.

Board of Trustees (2020-2021)
  • Vincent Colman
  • William F. Dator, Chair
  • Gary L. Montroy, Secretary
  • George C. Ruotolo, Jr., Immediate Past Chair
  • A.J. Sabath ’93
  • David G. Schlussel, Treasurer
  • Charles H. Shotmeyer
  • Bartholomew J. Talamini
  • Susan A. Vallario, Vice Chair
  • Sharlene S. Vichness, EOF Liaison
  • Thomas A. Zelante, Esq.
  • Student Trustee Mariella Zijdel
  • Alternate Student Trustee Breeanna Douglas
Executive Officers
  • Peter Philip Mercer, L.L.B., Ph.D., President
  • Angela Cristini, Ph.D., Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Executive Director of the Ramapo College Foundation
  • Kirsten Loewrigkeit, C.P.A., Vice President for Administration and Finance
  • Christopher Romano, Ed.D., Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
  • Michael Tripodi, Esq., Vice President and General Counsel
Mission and Vision

Mission

Ramapo College is New Jersey’s Public Liberal Arts College, dedicated to providing students a strong foundation for a lifetime of achievement.  The College is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. Ramapo College emphasizes teaching and individual attention to all students. We promote diversity, inclusiveness, sustainability, student engagement, and community involvement.

Vision

As the region’s premier public liberal arts college, Ramapo College of New Jersey prepares students to be successful leaders for a changing world through its distinctive commitments to hands-on learning and faculty-student mentoring.

Accreditation / Memberships

Accreditation

The College – Established in 1969 as a state-supported, co-educational, four-year College of liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 1975. Reaccredited in 1981, 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2015.

Social Work – The Social Work Program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1977, reaccredited in 1987, 1997, 2008 and 2016.

Chemistry – The Chemistry Program is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and was accredited in 2013.

Nursing – The Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and was accredited in 2013.

Teacher Education – Accredited in 2013 by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), the Teacher Certification program is approved by the State of New Jersey.

Business School – In December, 2010, the Anisfield School of Business earned accreditation for its undergraduate business program through AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB International accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools. Achieving AACSB accreditation required a rigorous, standards based, multi-year process that requires the commitment of the entire faculty and staff of the school as well as the on-going support of College administration. Key stakeholders include students, alumni and the business community, all of whom were included in the process. AACSB reaffirmed accreditation of the Anisfield School of Business in January, 2016 following a successful Continuous Improvement Review as recommended by the peer review team that visited the School in the fall of 2015.

Memberships

  • American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
  • The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), a participant in the AASCU/ New York Times American Democracy Project
  • American Council on Education (ACE)
  • Association of American College and Universities (AACU)
  • Association of Governing Boards (AGB)
  • Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
  • The Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) founding member, a national alliance of leading liberal arts colleges in the public sector
  • Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
  • The New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (NJASCU)
  • Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)
Where to Turn for Specific Information

Main Number – (201) 684 – 0000
Closing Information – (201) 684 – 0000
Public Safety – (201) 684 – 0000

  • Academic Affairs (ACAF) – 7529
  • Administration and Finance – 0000
  • Admissions (ADM) – 7300
  • Advising (Center for Student Success) – 7441
  • Alumni Relations – 7093
  • Anisfield School of Business (ASB) – 0000
  • Annual Giving – 7093
  • Athletics (ATH) – 7674
  • Berrie Center Box Office – 7888, 7844
  • Bookstore (BKS) – 7800, 825-8770
  • Office of Student Accounts (BUS) – 7495
  • Cahill Center for Experiential Learning and Career Services (ELCS) – 7444
  • Center for Health and Counseling Services – Counseling Services – 7522
  • Center for Health and Counseling Services – Health Services – 7536
  • Center for Student Involvement (CSI) – 0000
  • Communications and Public Relations – 0000
  • EMERGENCY SNOW CLOSING – 201-236-2902
  • Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) – 7541
  • Events and Conferences – 7590
  • Financial Aid (FA) – 7549
  • Foundation (FCF/IA) – 7611
  • Graduate Programs – 0000
  • Help Desk – ITS –  6666
  • Institutional Advancement (IA) – 7611
  • International Education (IIE) – 0000
  • Library (LIB) – 7575
  • Marketing and Communications – 0000
  • President’s Office (PRES) – 7607
  • Public Affairs– 0000
  • Public Safety – 7432
  • Registrar (REG) – 7695
  • Residence Life (RL) – 7461
  • School of Humanities and Global Studies – 0000
  • School of Contemporary Arts – 0000
  • Social Science and Human Services (SSHS) – 7625
  • School of Theoretical and Applied Science (TAS) – 0000
  • Specialized Services (SS) – 7514
  • Student Affairs (SA) – 7456
  • Student Center – 0000
  • Student Development (SD) – 7593
  • Study Abroad Office (SAO) – 7463
  • Switchboard – 0
  • TEC Trailer – 7103
  • Teacher Education – 7627
  • Veterans Affairs (VA) – 7548
  • York Room – 7901
Special Facilities, Centers and Institutes
  • Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for the Performing and Visual Arts
  • Gross Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
  • Center for Reading and Writing
  • Center for Learning and Instruction
  • Faculty Resource Center
  • Institute for Environmental Studies
  • Instructional Design Center
  • Roukema Center for International Education
  • Sabrin Center for Free Enterprise
  • Salameno Center for British Studies
  • Sharp Sustainability Education Center
  • The Ramapo Art Galleries
  • The Ramapo News
  • WRPR-FM Radio Station
Campus Map

map

Travel Directions

From the South

Using Route 17

Follow Route 17 North to Mahwah to exit sign “202 Suffern/Morristown” on right. At the end of the short exit ramp turn left (Route 202 South). Continue on Route 202 to light. Campus entrance is on left.

Using Garden State Parkway

Leave Parkway at exit 163 (left lane exit). Follow Route 17 North, using instructions above.

Using Route 208

Follow Route 208 North until Route 202 in Oakland. Continue north on 202 until first light in Mahwah. Campus entrance is on right.

Using Route 287

Take Route 287 North to exit 66 (Mahwah); follow Route 17 South to Route 202 exit. At the end of the exit ramp make left turn (202 South). Continue on Route 202 to light. Campus entrance is on left.

Using New Jersey Turnpike

Take N.J. Turnpike (I-95 North) to end (exit 18W or 18E). Continue North to Route 80 West to Route 17 North. Follow directions above using Route 17.

Ramapo

From the North

Using Route 17

Follow Route 17 South (approximately 1.5 miles from Suffern exit on N.Y. State Thruway). Turn right at Route 202 exit. At end of exit ramp, turn left (Route 202 South). Continue on Route 202 approximately one mile to light. Campus entrance is on left.

Using NY State Thruway

Take N.Y. State Thruway (I-87) South to Route 287 South (New Jersey), exit 15 (Suffern) onto Route 17 South. Follow directions for “From the North Using Route 17.”

From Orange County Using Route 17

Follow directions “From the North” using Route 17 (above).

From Westchester and Rockland Counties

Follow Route 287 West over the Tappan Zee Bridge to Route 17 South. Follow directions above “From the North Using Route 17.’

Ramapo

From the East

Follow Route 80 or Route 4 to Route 17 North. Follow Route 17 North. Follow directions above “From the South Using Route 17 North.”

Ramapo

From the West

Follow Route 80 East to Route 287 North to Mahwah exit 66 (south on Route 17 to 202 South).

Ramapo

From New York City

Take the George Washington Bridge, Route 4 West to Route 17 North to 202 South.

Ramapo

From Connecticut

Follow I-95 to Route 287 West over the Tappan Zee Bridge, continue to exit 15 (Suffern) onto Route 17 South. Follow directions “From the North Using Route 17.”