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Fishman, Abraham and Helene ’78 Social Work Scholarship

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Helene Fishman ’78 was raised in Brussels and arrived in the United States via France in 1958 with her father, as her mother had passed away when she was only a child. Helene attended Ramapo College as a returning adult student, and graduated with a degree in sociology. She continued her education at Columbia University’s School of Social Work. “I feel Ramapo prepared me for graduate studies particularly well. My professors at Columbia were very familiar and impressed with the College and the quality of my work.”

After earning her MSW, Helene worked in New York City with the homeless and later established a private practice in Nanuet, N.Y. She also earned further certification in substance abuse counseling.

The Abraham and Helene Fishman ’78 Social Work Scholarship will recognize seniors who are committed to furthering their education in graduate school, and who plan to pursue careers in community service

  • Students in the last year of the BSW program who have been accepted into a graduate program in Social Work
  • Candidates must submit a one-page essay concretely describing the changes and contributions they hope to make in the social work field
  • GPA 3.5+
  • Financial Need as determined by Ramapo College Foundation Policy

This scholarship is not awarded through the application process.


2023 Recipient

Sharese Carlisle

Sharese Carlisle of Midland Park, N.J. is a senior Social Work major and currently holds a 4.0 GPA. She has recently been accepted to the Advanced Standing MSW Program, as well as made the Dean’s List several times. 

She entered Ramapo College as a transfer student after she attended Bergen Community College and obtained her Associates degree in Social Work. “Coming to this school as a non-traditional student, I was a little nervous about the experience. I am glad to say this has been an amazing journey.” 

At Ramapo, Sharese is a member of various honor societies, such as the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, and Tau Sigma National Honor Society. She is also an active member of the Social Work Club and served on the student advisory board during the social work program accreditation process in the Fall 2022 semester.

 After graduation, Sharese looks forward to serve her community and those in need as a professional social worker.


2022 Recipient

Jordan Meredith

Jordan Meredith of Eatontown, N.J. is a Social Work major. She has a 3.6 GPA. Jordan has been on the Dean’s List 5 times since beginning at Ramapo in 2018. She is also a part of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.  

At Ramapo, Jordan has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Peer Facilitation Program, Orientation Program, and being President of Ebony Women for Social Change. 

Jordan has also been involved in off –campus activities and organizations, including being a current intern at Bergen’s Promise, a care management organization in Hackensack, NJ that services youth with behavioral and mental health issues in ages 5-21. Jordan also works at Chick-fil-A as a team leader and volunteered at Pony Power and MEVO Farm in Mahwah, N.J. 

Jordan plans to earn her BSW in Social Work and aspires to work as a licensed social worker for New Jersey or to pursue a dream of hers, which is to work in higher education.

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