by Lauren Ferguson

July 28, 2026

At 6 years old, New Jersey Assemblywoman Ellen Park did not speak English.

Now, as the first Korean-born member of the New Jersey Legislature, she uses her voice to advocate for young people from throughout New Jersey to have access to high quality public education as an avenue to upward social mobility.

The Democrat from New Jersey’s 37th legislative district, which includes municipalities in Bergen County, shared her inspiring story with a group of engaged Ramapo College of New Jersey scholars at a special town hall meeting during the college’s Educational Opportunities Fund (EOF) Summer Studies Institute.

The EOF program creates access to higher education for state residents from backgrounds of economic and educational disadvantage, and provides financial support, alumni connections and services such as one-on-one advising and tutoring. Ramapo’s incoming EOF class that met with Park is made up of 122 students, about 90% of whom are first-generation college students.

“You should stick to the path of your dream, and then 20 years will go like this, and you’ll be like, ‘Wow, I’ve accomplished this much,’” Park, who was a first-generation college student herself, advised the group of scholars gathered in Friends Hall, on Ramapo’s picturesque Mahwah, NJ campus.

Ramapo College President Dr. Cindy Jebb sat down with Assemblywoman Ellen Park for a conversation with EOF scholars.

Ramapo College of New Jersey President Dr. Cindy Jebb told the scholars “Ms. Clark’s life is the American dream.” She arrived in the United States as an immigrant, not speaking English, feeling out of place, endured financial hardship, and committed to building a better future for her family.

Park shared her journey of immigrating from South Korea, and growing up in a one-bedroom apartment in Sunnyside, Queens with her tight-knit extended family. She worked to learn English and become a naturalized citizen, obtained a public education, switched majors and attended two different colleges, before discovering her passion for politics and voter registration drives. She pursued law school, and then public office. She now owns a law firm with her husband and serves as chairwoman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee and vice chairwoman of the Assembly Budget Committee.

“College is about exploring and learning about what it is that you like,” Park told the incoming scholars. “Throughout your college experience, if you need assistance, everybody here in this room is here to help you … including myself,” she said.

EOF scholars listened to and cheered for Assemblywoman Ellen Park during her visit to Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Park advised students that being organized is key to staying ahead, to not be afraid to try new things, to think about different points of view, foster open communication, get to know people on a personal level, read every day, speak clearly to get their messages across, and to take things one step at a time.

“I know it is a struggle and it feels like a lot sometimes, but just take it one day at a time,” she said. “Even for me, it’s like one week at a time, one month at a time, and eventually you realize all that work you’ve done will fruition into something … keep your eyes on the prize.”

Nursing Major Yeslian Nieves ‘28, a supplemental instructor for the EOF program, was impacted by the Assemblywoman’s words. Nieves, of Camden, NJ, said she grew up taking ESL classes and worked hard to not have an accent.

“I’m someone who struggled with language a lot, especially in the classroom … So hearing her story and how she came here knowing no English at 6 years old felt a lot like my story… she also had a lot of struggles with public speaking, and look at her now,” Nieves said.

Nursing Major Yeslian Nieves ’28 said she related to Assemblywoman Ellen Park’s journey.

During the town hall, Roadrunners had the opportunity to ask Park questions and advice. Nieves asked the Assemblywoman how the challenges she faced as a first-generation college student impacted her in a positive way.

“I definitely think it makes you much tougher, stronger, more independent,” Park said.

President Jebb told the scholars that Park has “a powerful voice, a powerful presence,” and that “you are truly, as students, the beneficiaries of her great support and advocacy.”

Jebb thanked Park for being one of the lead sponsors of legislative appropriations that allowed the college to receive state funding for its anatomy and physiology lab, and to expand the college’s nursing and healthcare programs.

“One of the great things that Assemblymember Park is doing for us, is making sure that public higher education is able to provide a high-quality education and make it accessible,” Jebb said.

EOF scholars packed into Friends Hall for the opportunity to hear from Assemblywoman Ellen Park.

Ramapo has been recognized as an affordable college with a high return on investment, with programs and professors that propel students to pursue their dreams. Ramapo ranks sixth nationally in the 2026 Best Value Colleges & Universities report by SmartAsset, with the lowest cost of attendance and highest graduation rate of the two New Jersey institutions to make the list, ranking third nationally for public institutions. Ramapo also made Money Magazine’s Best Colleges in America list. Factors including graduation rates, cost of attendance, and financial aid were analyzed to determine the College’s 4.0-star rating.