Please note: This scholarship requires a specific essay.

Dr. Nicole Pulliam was born and raised in Passaic, NJ, is a first-generation college graduate, and is a proud EOF alumna of Ramapo College of New Jersey, EOF ’98; C/O ’02 where she majored in psychology. Dr. Pulliam went on to earn her Ph.D in counselor education and a master’s degree in counseling from Montclair State University.

Dr. Pulliam has dedicated her career to supporting access and equity efforts in higher education for 20+ years, including advising within EOF/EOP programs in New York and New Jersey. Dr. Pulliam has served as a full-time professor for almost 10 years where she teaches, researches, and publishes on the success and development of first-generation students and faculty of color. Dr. Pulliam is a business owner of a boutique firm that supports first-generation women and women of color who often struggle with the impostor syndrome. Dr. Pulliam serves on many boards while supporting philanthropic efforts toward historically marginalized and oppressed communities.

Essay Prompt: In 500-650 words, please describe what it means to be a first-generation trailblazer and how you plan to blaze a new trail for yourself after graduating from Ramapo College of New Jersey. This could include mentions of your future career, your family, your community, or any other area of your life. Be sure to include what being an EOF, first-generation college student who identifies as female means to you and how it will impact your trailblazing mission. 

• EOF student
• Identify as female
• First generation
• Junior or senior
• Good academic standing
• Black/African American or Latinx/Hispanic preferred
• Native Passaic, NJ or Passaic County preferred

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2024 Recipient

Katherine Morales

Katherine Morales of Paterson, N.J. is a senior Nursing major with minors in Psychology, Spanish, Public Health and a Spanish Certificate for Health Care and Human Services Professionals, while maintaining a 3.6 GPA. 

At Ramapo, Katherine has been active in organizations such as the Alpha Phi Omega Professional Fraternity, Nursing Student Organization, and ACS/Relay4Life. She is also in executive board positions, such as Academic Chair for NSO, being a NIM Educator for Alpha Phi Omega and being a part of the Decorations Committee in ACS/Relay4Life. 

Off-campus, Katherine volunteers at Englewood Health and Hackensack University Medical Center and transports patients and takes care of patients under the supervision of healthcare professionals.

As a First-Generation student, Katherine takes pride in being a part of multiple honor societies, and receiving both the Outstanding Leadership by a First-Year and Second-Year Student Awards.

After graduation, Katherine plans to become a Registered Nurse and become advanced in Spanish language, all while continuing the goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

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