February 13, 2026

by Lauren Ferguson

Ramapo College of New Jersey will always be a special place for Natividad Gomez ‘03 and Isaiah Gomez ‘04.

At Ramapo, Natividad was a literature major, and a Residential Assistant (RA), while Isaiah was a sociology major and a student-athlete on the men’s basketball team.

Their paths crossed as scholars in Ramapo’s Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program,  created to ensure access to higher education for state residents coming from backgrounds of economic and educational disadvantage.

“We became friends. Then it flourished into a relationship. And now, 26 years and seven kids later, we are still together,” Natividad said.

She said EOF made all the difference in both of their lives. The program utilizes alumni connections and comprehensive support services – such as a summer transition program, one-on-one advising, mentoring, academic support, tutoring and financial support – to promote retention and progress through graduation.

“It was very meaningful, because I noticed that when you have someone there for you, supporting you and guiding you, like the EOF program did for us, it opens up a lot more opportunities,” she said.

Natividad Gomez ‘03 and Isaiah Gomez ’04 met during the 2000 EOF Summer Studies Institute.

Now the Gomezes are the ones opening up opportunities for others. In the decades since they graduated from Ramapo, they have built a life together focused on family, education and giving back.

“We do mentoring and coaching, so we believe in giving back to the younger generation,” said Natividad, who now lives with Isaiah and their children in West Milford, NJ.

Natividad and Isaiah both work for the Paterson Public School District. Isaiah is a middle school science educator and basketball coach. Natividad works with the district’s Full Service Community Schools, which link families with resources such as access to social services, and provide support such as afterschool and summer programs, school-based health clinics, mentoring, parent and family workshops and college and career preparation.

Last summer, the couple returned to the picturesque Mahwah, NJ campus where their journey together began. They came back to connect with the next generation of EOF scholars.

Natividad shared that when she immigrated to the United States as a child, she did not speak English, so she struggled in school, and her parents who also did not know English, could not help her. She did not learn to read until the third grade. But she overcame obstacles, and went on to obtain advanced degrees and become an educational leader.

She often shares her own story to show young people “There is possibility. They can make it,” she said. “It gives them hope that they can strive and it empowers them to believe in themselves, because we made it. We achieved it, even though we had barriers around us.”

Natividad is thankful to Ramapo for many reasons – from the support and guidance she received from EOF to bringing her and Isaiah together. “I’m happily married, 25 years, and I am very grateful,” she said.

Natividad Gomez ‘03 and Isaiah Gomez ’04 celebrated Isaiah’s graduation from Ramapo College together in 2004.

“I went to college for education. I ended up finding my husband, who I really love,” she said. “He is not only my husband, but my best friend at the same time.”

She hopes their example encourages young people to “keep going … always believe that there is something out there for you … believe in yourself. Believe in love. Believe in opportunities. You can succeed and achieve whatever your dreams are.”

In the Best Colleges 2026 rankings released by U.S. News and World Report, Ramapo College broke into the top 100 schools in the Top Performers on Social Mobility category – an indicator of the ability to improve one’s socioeconomic standing through education and career opportunities. Ramapo’s 34-point jump to #85 in the category, the highest increase by a New Jersey institution, is a testament to its strong infrastructure to support upward social mobility and its commitment to enroll and graduate students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.