The more than 1,500 first-year and transfer students entering Ramapo College of New Jersey this fall were chosen from the largest pool of applicants in the school’s history.

August 28, 2025

by Lauren Ferguson

Ramapo College of New Jersey welcomed more than 1,500 new students Sunday. The roughly 1,120 first-year and 395 transfer students descended on the college’s picturesque Mahwah campus for its annual check-in day.

Following a full morning and afternoon of moving into residence halls, getting acquainted with campus, and mingling at the welcome barbeque and carnival, the class of 2029 and transfer students officially kicked off their Ramapo journeys. They participated in the New Student Assembly (NSA) and the college’s time-honored Arching tradition.

“Today isn’t just another day–it’s the start of your Ramapo story,” Ramapo College President Dr. Cindy Jebb told the newest Roadrunners gathered on the floor of a packed Bradley Center Arena during the NSA, while their families looked on from the stands.

“Ramapo is ready for you to jump in. Clubs, teams, internships, research, study abroad, service learning, mentoring, and prestigious scholarships and fellowships—if you jump into even a few of these, you’ll leave here not just with a degree, but with the confidence, humility, awareness, relationships, and experiences to navigate a complex future and thrive along the way,” Jebb told the students.

SGA President Liz Mendicino ’26 addressed incoming Roadrunners.

They also heard from other college leaders, such as Student Government Association President Liz Mendicino ’26, of Chesterfield, NJ. She encouraged the newest Roadrunners to put themselves out there and try new things.

“College is what you make of it. Get out there, get involved, make a difference, because no one else is going to do it for you. And that’s the best part,” Mendicino said. “You’re entering a chapter of your life where you get to try, to succeed and fail and grow and learn. It’s a spectacular thing.”

Arching: A Time-Honored Tradition

Immediately following the NSA, the newest Roadrunners filed out of the Bradley Center, and made their way up the hill of Mansion Road toward the historic Havemeyer Arch.

Family and friends gathered along the sides of the rock-wall lined pathway to cheer, clap and rejoice in the start of their students’ undergraduate careers. The students were congratulated at the Arch by President Jebb and college leadership, before walking underneath.

Parents and family lined Mansion Road to cheer for their students.

At Ramapo, Arching ceremonies mark the beginning and the end of a student’s college experience. When they first become Roadrunners, students walk up the hill of Mansion Road and under the Havemeyer Arch, signifying the beginning of their time at Ramapo College. Then when it’s time to graduate, they walk under the Arch, and down the pathway, closing their tenures as Roadrunners.

“It felt really good,” Katherine Argueta ‘29, a nursing major from Moonachie, NJ, said of the Arching ceremony.

It was a proud moment for Jennifer and Ryan Herd of Pompton Plains, NJ. They said their son Riley Herd ‘29, a chemistry major, is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a 1978 Ramapo alumni who also studied chemistry.

“It is emotional. It is a big deal for us,” Jennifer Herd said.

“We have seen him through all the other things in life. Middle school and high school, he was part of the marching band, it was phenomenal. But now you see that next step,” Ryan Herd said looking at the Arch. “As he’s going through here, you’re also envisioning, wow, in four years we’re going to be right back here, and see him go the other way. It’s very exciting. I’m proud of him.”

Riley Herd ’29 joined his parents Ryan and Jennifer after he participated in the arching ceremony.

By the Numbers

The newest group of Roadrunners was chosen from a 10% larger group of applicants than last year, the most in Ramapo history. They include:

136 students participating in the Educational Opportunity Fund program, the largest group in college history who chose to call Ramapo their #HomeSweetPo.

135 students who will proudly wear the Roadrunner logo as NCAA DIII athletes on the field, court, track, diamond, and in the pool, the largest group of incoming athletes in Roadrunner history.

48% are the first to attend college in their families, making this the largest First Generation group of incoming students in college history.

130 students enrolled in Ramapo’s 4+1 programs and joint medical or law school programs.

Students from all 21 counties in New Jersey, as well as Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Spain and Italy.

Rocky took part in the celebration.