Earning National Academic Awards

Future Leaders
Ascend to the Top

By Diane Couzens  |  Fall 2024

During the 2023-24 academic year, 23 students submitted 46 applications to 21 competitive external prestigious fellowship and scholarship programs, including Fulbright, Gilman, Goldwater, Boren and more. This is both the highest number of applications submitted and number of students to apply to these programs. Twelve students were alternates, semi-finalists, finalists or recipients of 16 of these prestigious awards.

Professor Rebecca Root, Ramapo’s director of prestigious fellowships and scholarships, said, “These are nationally and internationally competitive awards whose names are known worldwide. If you win one of these, it opens doors for the rest of your life. It helps students get jobs, get admitted to strong graduate programs and connect with a whole network of individuals while enabling them to conduct cutting-edge research and travel the world.”

She said, “Often, another professor recognizes a student and connects them to me. We coach them together through their applications. In addition, the number of alumni who have received awards in the past is growing, which is paying dividends. They are a great asset – one of the first things we do now is connect a current student applicant with a Ramapo alum who has received an award. The alum provides advice about the application and interview process and the potential pitfalls.”

As an undergraduate student, Root herself received a Ford Foundation Fellowship, a program explicitly designed for students who wish to become academicians at the time. “It made all the difference in my career. I got a front-row seat to see what it was like to be a college professor. It was transformative.”

Sophia Kopreski ’26 earned the opportunity to study at the Queen’s University-Belfast this summer. Before she departed, she noted, “I’m from South Jersey and have never left the country. This is a chance for me to be in a different climate surrounded by students with similar interests. As a political science major, it will be interesting to be a cultural ambassador and to see if my perspective changes.” Upon her return from the three-week program, Kopreski reflected, “I explored the complexities of identities within divided societies and analyzed how these relationships impact the larger political, social and cultural sphere. Outside the classroom, I toured Derry/Londonderry, the North Coast and even visited Dublin for a day—all of which were wonderfully eye-opening and informative. My time in Belfast was incredible, as I was surrounded by the brightest, kindest and most empathetic people I could have ever imagined. I am beyond grateful to have been given this once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

Ossiris Garcia ’27 and Stefanie Viera ’26 were chosen as New Jersey Governor’s Hispanic Fellows, a program that provides a paid internship, professional development and networking opportunities to undergraduate students.

During Garcia’s internship at the New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, she conducted a wide-ranging research study comparing the health of children who are Medicaid members and whose parents are also Medicaid members versus parents who are not. As an aspiring pediatrician, she noted that her experience has made her consider how she might be involved in public health. “This is a great way for me to conduct research and test the waters.” Fellows also learn valuable career skills. “[Our workshop speakers have been] teaching us how to navigate the complexities of the global job market, specifically on networking and building strong relationships [and to] use our emotional intelligence to network, build and maintain strong relationships with those we meet.”

Viera, whose interests are human rights and refugee studies, interned at the Immigration & American Citizenship Organization. “In my statement, I wrote about the intersectionality of being a Hispanic woman. I am motivated to pursue work in human rights because I have seen how certain communities are marginalized and have inherent disadvantages. When I took the Honors Social Science Inquiry course at Ramapo, it was mind-blowing to understand how identities come together and form your own experience. During my internship, I saw the experiences of people working to become U.S. citizens. I saw the obstacles they faced, and the work I did, like writing lifestyle and health articles for the AsistenciaParaSeniors website and magazine, helped the immigrant community by providing resources.”

Going into her Gilman Scholarship in Italy, Abigail Rojas ’26 wanted to learn more about international politics and enhance her interpersonal skills. “I love learning about Rome, and what attracted me to the program were the courses themselves. In my Mafia, Politics and Law course, we had a speaker from the Italian Anti-Mafia Headquarters who gave us insights into organized crime and how close it is to politics. I’ve also noticed my Italian improving, and the food is fresh and delicious!”

Like several other students interviewed for this article, Rojas experienced imposter syndrome during the application process and was shocked to receive the award. “If I had to advise other students, I would say it’s okay to be scared. Have enough confidence to try. I don’t believe in rejection; I believe in redirection.”

Root concluded, “For an unsure student, having recognition from a professor, a mentor, President Jebb or a school dean helps them feel that they can do well and compete against other students. It’s special to watch a student transform from being nervous to becoming more self-assured and confident through this process. Sometimes, I catch myself being so excited for them as they go on and have these amazing opportunities.”

2023-2024 Prestigious Fellows and Scholars