Brianna Boxwell

Brianna Boxwell of Cranford, N.J. is a Nursing major with a 3.5 GPA and is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society.

At Ramapo, Brianna is a participant in the Nursing Student Organization, LEAD, and Anatomy and Physiology tutoring. Brianna served as the Vice President for LEAD for the 2021-2022 year. 

Brianna currently works as a Patient Care Technician in Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center. In addition, Brianna has also given back to the community with volunteer work through the Veterans of Foreign Wars Organization.  In her hometown, Brianna also works as a manager in her local movie theater. 

Kayla Gill

Kayla Gill of Montville, N.J. is a senior Nursing major. She has a 3.89 GPA, is on the Dean’s List and is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and the National Society for Leadership and Success.

At Ramapo, Kayla has been active in several organizations and activities including American Cancer Society on Campus/Relay (ACS), Ramapo Admission Student Ambassadors (RASA), the Peer Facilitation Program, and the Nursing Student Organization. Through her on campus involvement, she has served as a mentor and tour guide, is an E-board member of ACS, and has raised money for charities hosting large events on campus to bring the Ramapo community together. Although she loves all the positions she holds on campus, she is most proud of her work as a Peer Facilitator. “Making a difference in the lives of first-year students is very rewarding,” she says.

Kayla has also been involved in off-campus roles. She currently works as a Patient Care Technician in the ICU at Chilton Medical Center, and she is also a cashier at Barry’s Montville Pharmacy. In addition, she has given back to her community through the Common Health Project during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this organization, she delivered and made face shields each week for 3 months to healthcare workers in need of PPE. After working for a few years in the hospital, she hopes to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Alexis DeOliveira

Alexis DeOliveira of Hamburg, N.J. is a Nursing major. She has a 3.68 GPA and consistently makes the Dean’s List.  

Alongside her involvement in the Nursing Student Organization, Alexis volunteers at the Hospital Elder Life Program at Hackensack Regional Medical Center and at flu clinics. She has also extended her knowledge and passion for learning by facilitating lab demonstrations to Upward Bound students (high school sophomores interested in STEM).

While at Ramapo, she had the opportunity to travel with staff and peers to Ghana to increase her cultural competency, knowledge of healthcare delivery approaches, and to more accurately assess her obligations and position within the broader healthcare profession.

Alexis notes that her grandfather provided the inspiration for her chosen career path. She says, “As the seriousness of my grandfather’s Alzheimer’s disease became increasingly apparent, I made a vow both to him and myself to preserve and maintain the dignity, hope, and greatest quality of care for the individuals whose lives I may touch.”

Naomi Zoko

“As a transfer student, I was incredibly honored to be accepted into such a well-respected program, and now, becoming a scholarship recipient truly has me speechless,” says senior Nursing student Naomi Zoko.

Naomi is currently working as a nursing assistant at Newton Medical Center. “As a float pool CNA, I am allowed to view the diverse fields of nursing, which has made me truly love the profession!”

She will be the first of her eleven siblings to graduate with a bachelor degree. Post-graduation, Naomi plans on working as a med-surge nurse to gain experience, and shortly after, pursue her DNP.

In addition to her 3.65 GPA, her academic achievements include being a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and a nominee of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society.

Paul Kozakiewicz

“This scholarship will do more than just fuel my studies financially. It will stand as a reminder that those smiles and human moments you spend with a patient are just as important as the pharmaceutical ones,” says Nursing student Paul Kozakiewicz of Bergenfield, N.J.

Paul has a 3.8 GPA and is a proud member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society. He hopes that future classes and clinical experience will help him decide exactly what field of nursing to pursue after graduation, with a current interest in oncology.

At Ramapo, Paul has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Nursing Student Organization as well as working for the Center for Student Involvement in CSI Design.

Paul has worked a seasonal job at Panera Bread and contributed to the Extra Life charity benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Brianna Roveccio

Brianna Roveccio has had the opportunity, along with other Ramapo nursing students, to be a part of the first DEU (Dedicated Educational Unit) program at the school, which is held on an orthopedic floor at St. Joseph’s Medical Center. During this experience, she spent 12 hour shifts under the supervision of an RN, learning clinical skills and applying nursing-based knowledge in the hospital setting.

She is a float pool nursing assistant at Hackensack Meridian Health. “Being in the float pool exposes me to a variety of different patients, however I have a passion for oncology and hope to eventually work in this field.”  Brianna also hopes to pursue her master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner.

Brianna is from Pompton Plains, N.J. and has a 3.55 GPA.

Erin Lynch

Erin Lynch of Park Ridge, NJ is a Nursing major.  She has a 3.6 GPA and is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society.

At Ramapo, Erin was the Vice President for Catholic Campus ministry, and was also a Bible study leader.  She is also a member of the Nursing Student Organization.  She works as a patient care associate at The Valley Hospital, and hopes to work with the geriatric population after graduation.

As a member of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, Erin has traveled on mission trips to Peru and Mexico City.

Brianna Kropp

Brianna Kropp of Roxbury, NJ is a Nursing major. She has a 3.9 grade point average. Brianna has been inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta, The Golden Key International Honour Society, and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

At Ramapo, Brianna has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Nursing Student Organization where she held the vice president position. She has also been involved in Relay for Life as a team captain, as well as Intramural Volleyball.

Brianna has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations, including Mani’s for Grannies, a program that provides manicures to nursing home residents. She has also served as a patient care associate at Valley Hospital.

Jessica Valla

Jessica Valla of Montvale, N.J., is a nursing major. She has a 3.31 grade point average.
At Ramapo, Jessica is active in the Nursing Student Organization, the College Programming Board and Theta Phi Alpha. Off campus, she volunteers at a hospital and participates in various medical charities, food bank collections and senior citizen activities at nursing homes. Jessica is employed at a pediatric neurologist’s office.
Jessica plans to pursue a master’s degree. She said she has a profound interest in pediatric neurology and pediatric oncology.