March 31, 2023

Ramapo College student Paolo Miyashiro Bedoya ’23 is a 2023 Dungy Leadership Institute (DLI) Fellow. This opportunity is part of the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program and awarded to select undergraduate students who aspire to be student affairs professionals and are from traditionally underrepresented and historically disenfranchised populations.

Miyashiro Bedoya has been a very active student during his time at Ramapo College, which includes being Student Government Association president, College Programming Board senior advisor, and working as a marketing and social media assistant in the RCNJ Office of Marketing. “This opportunity is important to me because it is an opportunity for me to interact with Fellows and student affairs professionals from around the country, gain different perspectives on the field of student affairs, and positively set me up for success in the field,” shared Paolo, who heads to Rutgers University in the fall to earn an Ed.M. in College Student Affairs. He will also be working as the graduate program coordinator for the Center for Social Justice Education & LGBTQ Communities on the New Brunswick campus.

Eddie Seavers, associate director of the Center for Student Involvement, shared how Paolo already brought a breadth of experience to his NASPA NUFP experience, and was eager to expand that even further. “Paolo asked to join meetings and dissect decisions to help inform his journey. I look forward to his transition from undergraduate student to graduate colleague in our state.” Mentorship is encouraged and embraced at Ramapo College. It is highly valued by not only for students, but staff and faculty as well. “The opportunity to mentor the next generation of higher education/student affairs professionals is rewarding. My colleagues and I continuously strive to create an environment which fosters growth for students. To have a student be inspired to do the same for others is incredible.”

Ramapo College continues to provide students opportunities to get involved and develop leadership skills through any of the more than 100 clubs and organizations housed in the Center for Student Involvement. Through hands-on learning both in and out of the classroom, the chances to be selected for prestigious opportunities such as the DLI are even greater for Ramapo College Roadrunners.