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Benko Endowed Scholarship

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Cathleen Benko graduated from Ramapo College in 1985 with a degree in Information Systems. She continued her education at Harvard Business School, earning an MBA in 1989. Ms. Benko is currently Vice Chairman and Managing Principal of Deloitte LLP. In her career at Deloitte Ms. Benko was a leader in the firm’s “Digital Giants” practice, and was appointed Deloitte Consulting’s first Global e-Business Leader and subsequently as its technology sector leader. As Deloitte’s chief Talent Officer she devised a more inclusive career development model and led an award winning Women’s Initiative.

Ms. Benko is the co-author of several Harvard Business press books including the best seller, “Mass Career Customization,” “The Corporate Lattice and Connecting the Dots.” She holds a U.S. patent and sits on the board of directors for Nike Inc. Ramapo has recognized Ms. Benko with the Distinguished Citizens Award and the President’s Award of Merit.

  • Enrolled in the Anisfield School of Business
  • Information Technology Management or related major are preferred
  • GPA 3.0+
  • Essay should describe what the student hopes to achieve with a Ramapo College degree
  • Veteran in good standing, or active in the military preferred

Scholarship application is closed for this semester.


2024 Recipient

Shreya Ranjan

Shreya Ranjan is from Edison, New Jersey, and is an IT Management Major with a 3.75 GPA. She was on the Dean’s List for the Spring 2023 semester.

At Ramapo, Shreya has been active in several organizations and activities, including Enactus as the treasurer, Women in Business as an active member, and the Tau Sigma Honors Society as the president.

She has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations, including Toastmasters International, where she holds the Vice President of Public Relations (VPPR) position.

Shreya takes pride in being awarded an academic excellence scholarship in her first year at Ramapo, and would like the donors to know that she is a passionate and dedicated student who values education as a way to make a significant difference in their community and the world.



2023 Recipient

Matthew Pluzsik

Matthew Pluzsik of Demarest, N.J. is an Information Technology Management major and a Business Analytics minor. He has a 3.9 GPA and has made the Dean’s List each semester at Ramapo.

 At Ramapo, Matthew has been active in the Peer Facilitation program as a third-year peer, where he helps new students adjust to college life. He is also the founder of the Ramapo Sports Club, which allows students to connect with one another based on their admiration of all sports across campus. 

Off-campus, Matthew serves as an intern at Network Doctor, where he has worked with technology and built strong relationships with clients for over a year.



2022 Recipient

Kaitlyn Weikl

Kaitlyn Weikl of Ridgefield, N.J. is an Economics major with a Marketing minor. She has a 3.6 GPA and is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society.

At Ramapo, Kaitlyn has been active in several organizations and activities, including Leaders in Service, Residence Hall Association, Women in Business, and the national sorority Sigma Delta Tau. She has held leadership positions in many organizations and continues to stay involved. Kaitlyn is also a part of the Residence Life Staff as a Resident Assistant in The Village. 

Kaitlyn works as a lifeguard off-campus and enjoys being part of a community and helping others. Upon graduating from Ramapo College, she plans to receive her MBA at Ramapo and pursue a career as a management consultant.


2021 Recipient

Melanie Cardenas

Melanie Cardenas is a Cuban American student majoring in Information Technology. She is from West New York, N.J. At Ramapo College, Melanie has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Civics Engagement program “Leaders in Service,” the Honors Program, and Newman Catholic at Ramapo.



2020 Recipients

Snezhana Kaneva

Snezhana Kaneva is an international student from Bulgaria majoring in Information Technology and minoring in Finance. She currently holds a 3.9 GPA and has made the Dean’s List every semester. Snezhana is an active member of the Alpha Kappa Psi- Professional Business Fraternity and the International Student Organization. She also took part in the KPMG Mentorship Program.

Along with working in the George T. Potter Library as a Circulation Desk Assistant, she also works as a Data Analyst for a web development company. Snezhana plans to obtain her CFA certification before she graduates.

Nicholas Roesch

Since transferring to Ramapo in 2019, Nicholas Roesch of Ridgewood, N.J. has been on the Dean’s List each semester. The Information Technology Management major works at TD Bank and serves as a National Guardsman for the United States Air Force.  He hopes to join the Veterans Student Organization and the Ramapo Pride Club. “I hope to use my degree to pursue a career in federal law enforcement, where I’ll use my skills to help others,” says Nicholas.

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