October 14, 2026

by Lauren Ferguson

Three Ramapo College of New Jersey students have been awarded coveted LUPE Latina Leadership Scholarships.

Each year, LUPE – a nonprofit organization with a mission to educate, empower and engage Latinas to promote leadership and civic engagement – awards the scholarships to young women enrolled in New Jersey colleges based on their academic performance, civic engagement and financial need.

This year, LUPE awarded scholarships to:

• Nursing major Ossiris Garcia ’27 of Paterson in Passaic County, NJ;
• History major Rebecca “Bex” Rodriguez ’27 of Tinton Falls in Monmouth County, NJ; and
• Law and Society major Keiry Solis ’27 of Cliffside Park in Bergen County, NJ.

The aspiring nurse, professor and attorney were each encouraged to apply for the scholarship by Rebecca Root, PhD, professor of political science and international studies and director of Ramapo’s Office of Prestigious Fellowships and Scholarships. The trio said their Ramapo mentors and professors – such as Root – have made all the difference in their educational journeys.

“As a first-generation college student, having mentors and advocates who believe in my potential has made all the difference. They encouraged me during challenging moments, celebrated my successes, and provided opportunities that helped me grow both academically and personally,” Garcia shared. “Their support inspired me to believe in myself, and it has shown me how powerful mentorship can be. Because of their impact on my life, I hope to create that same sense of support and encouragement for others in the future.”

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Ramapo, Garcia plans to pursue her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), followed by her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP)

“My long-term goal is to become a nurse leader who not only provides high-quality patient care, but also advocates for underserved communities, mentors future healthcare professionals, and helps improve access to healthcare,” she said.

Her fellow LUPE scholarship winner Rodriguez is an aspiring professor who is applying for PhD programs in History. “I want to gain a PhD and work at a college or university so I can do more research into Latin American History and share/teach with others what I have found,” Rodriguez shared.

Rodriguez and fellow LUPE scholarship winner Solis were also two of the nine Ramapo students selected for the prestigious New Jersey Governor’s Hispanic Fellows Program last spring, the largest cohort in College history.

Rodriguez said she is extremely grateful for the opportunities she has been afforded as a Roadrunner. “I hope to be a role model for other Latinas in academia,” she said.

Solis is equally as ambitious.

She plans to go to law school to become an immigration attorney. “I want to represent families directly, but I also want to change the systems they have to navigate,” Solis said. “Working as a New Jersey Governor’s Hispanic Fellow in the Legislative Affairs Department showed me how laws actually get made, and how much it matters who’s in the room when they do.”

The first-generation college student encouraged fellow Roadrunners to lean into Ramapo’s tight-knit community and dream big. “To every Latinx and first-generation student at Ramapo: you belong here, whatever path you’re on. You don’t need to have it all figured out, and you don’t need to do it alone,” Solis said. “Ask for help, find your community, and apply for the opportunities you think are out of reach.”

Over the last few years, more students who identify as Hispanic or Latine have been choosing to enroll in Ramapo. Between 2021 and 2025, undergraduate enrollment of students who identify as Hispanic or Latine increased by 46%, while graduate enrollment rose by 68%.