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Parekh and Mehta Scholarship

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Purvi Joisher Parekh ’01 ’04 graduated from Ramapo College with Latin honors with a degree in Information Systems and later earned an MBA. Her sister Manshi Joisher Mehta ’02 also graduated from Ramapo with Latin honors (magna cum laude) with a degree in Information Systems.  The sisters, along with their spouses, Bijal and Apurva, followed in their parents’ footsteps and established this endowed scholarship to recognize the educational opportunities the College provided their family.  The intent of the Parekh and Mehta Scholarship is to help international students in good academic standing defray their college expenses. This is the second endowed scholarship the family has created at the College.

  • For international students (F-1 status); students from India preferred
  • Applicants must submit a one-page essay describing how they have made the most of being a student at Ramapo College
  • 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Candidates may not be receiving any other scholarship
  • Reviewed by family members, the International Student Advisor, and the Scholarship Coordinator

Scholarship application is closed for this semester.


2024 Recipients

Ritika Dawadi

Ritika Dawadi is an international student from Nepal with a major in Computer Science. Her GPA of 3.8 has consistently earned her a place on the Dean’s list. 

Ritika holds notable leadership positions on campus such as Vice President of the Engineering Physics Club and Public Relations Officer in both the South Asian Association and the International Student Organization.

Her freshman year, she demonstrated her commitment to diversity and inclusion as the Secretary of Diversity and Inclusion in the Student Government Association. Additionally, she has actively contributed to the college’s Civic and Community Engagement Center (CCEC) as a dedicated student staff member supporting initiatives that make a positive impact in the community.

Sadikshya Shrestha

Sadikshya Shrestha is an international student from Nepal. She is a Junior majoring in
Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science.

Sadikshya has been active in various clubs and organizations. She was the freshman
representative of the International Student Organization and later also served as the Public
Relations Officer. Sadikshya also served as President of the Math Club at Ramapo. She works as a Peer Advisor for the Cahill Career Center where she helps students get started with their resumes and cover letters. Sadikshya Shrestha also works for the ITS department at Ramapo, and assists students and faculty with technical issues.

She is utilizing the opportunity to collaborate on a research project with a Professor from Florida International University this summer.



2023 Recipients

Rojja Kharel

Rojja Kharel of Kathmandu, Nepal is a junior International Studies major with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She has a 3.8 GPA and has made the Dean’s List every semester. 

At Ramapo, Rojja works as a student aide at the George T. Potter library on campus and is also a Resident Assistant at Laurel Hall, the vice president of the International Student Organization, Secretary of Naach, and the Honors Mentoring Team Leader.

After graduation, Rojja wishes to go to law school and later work to better the lives of people in terms of education and work in breaking societal barriers that are keeping people around the world to get an accessible and practical education.

Suraj Neupane

Suraj Neupane of Kathmandu, Nepal is an Engineering Physics Major with a minor in Mathematics. He has a 3.9 GPA and has consistently been on the Dean’s List.

Suraj is the president of the Engineering Physics Club. He works in ITS and is a Physics Tutor on campus.

Upon graduating, he wants to pursue his career in Mechanical Engineering.


Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.


2022 Recipients

Sibika Silwal

Sibika Silwal of Nepal is a Computer Science major. She has a 3.88 GPA. 

At Ramapo, Sibika has been active in several organizations and activities, including International Student Organization and Naach Dance Club. She is very passionate about dancing and has performed in different college events, where she was able to showcase her culture from back home. 

Sibika has worked as Orientation Leader helping new students transition into their college lives. She has also worked as a Math and Computer Science tutor for the Office of Specialized Services. 

She is currently working as a Web Developer Intern at Rockland Web Design Inc. 


Luka Marjanovic

Luka Marjanovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Theater major with a concentration in Acting and a minor in Creative Writing. He has a 3.97 GPA and makes the Dean’s List each semester, in addition to being a Presidential Scholarship recipient. 

Luka is in the Honors Program, part of Ramapo’s comedy improv troupe, the Fooligans, and writes numerous articles for the Ramapo News. He has also performed in the following mainstage productions: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, She Kills Monsters, and The Diaries of Adam and Eve, which was a virtual production. 

He enjoys watching local theater and participating in off-campus comedy and improv nights. After graduation, Luka plans on enrolling in an MFA program and possibly teaching theater.

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2021 Recipients

Shreeti Shrestha

“Computer Science, in all its quirks, has become a way of life for me,” says Shreeti Shrestha. “Identifying problems, working towards solving them, and learning from the process.”

Shreeti is from Kathmandu, Nepal. She is a junior Computer Science student minoring in Mathematics, and has made the Dean’s List every semester. 

On campus, she is a Peer Tutor for Computer Science courses and is the Treasurer for the Computer and Technology Club. During the summer, she is a student leader for the Google Computer Science Summer Institute.


Subin Mali

“After graduation, I am determined to establish myself in the forefront of condensed matter research,” says Subin Mali, an international Honors student from Nepal. He is a senior majoring in Physics and minoring in Computer Science and Mathematics. He has a 3.98 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List every semester.

Subin is currently working with Prof. Catalin Martin on spectroscopy to measure optical properties of alloys. He is the current Vice President of Math Club, was the previous President of Physics Club, and now works as a Student Aide in ITS. After Ramapo, Subin plans to attend graduate school to pursue a PhD in Physics.



2020 Recipients

Prativa Parajuli

Prativa Parajuli of Kathmandu, Nepal is a Mathematics major with a minor in Information Technology Management. For the past two years, Prativa has worked as a student aide in the George T. Potter Library.  This summer, she volunteered for The Fund for Ramapo College phone-a-thon. Prativa is also involved in the Math Club, Chess Club, and the International Student Organization. After graduation, she plans to work in a data related field that ties her major and minor together.


Subin Mali

Subin Mali of Kathmandu, Nepal is an Engineering Physics major and Computer Science minor. He has a 3.9 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List since his first semester. A Presidential Scholar at Ramapo, Subin is currently involved in a research project with Dr. Catalin Martin regarding study of elasto-magnetic properties of ferro-magnetic alloy.

Subin is a President of Engineering Physics Club at Ramapo and has played an active role in organizing physics events throughout the year. In addition, he is an executive member of International Student Organization. After college, Subin plans to continue his studies to a doctorate level and ultimately pursue a career as a researcher.


Lumana Shakya

Lumana Shakya is a junior majoring in Economics and minoring in Mathematics. She has consistently earned Dean’s List status with a 4.0 GPA.

For the past two years, she has represented Ramapo College at the Inter-Collegiate Fed Challenge by the Federal Reserve of New York, and last summer, she completed an FP&A internship with a local CPG company. “I plan to attend graduate school to continue my studies in Development Economics and serve my purpose by doing meaningful research within this field,” says Lumana.

She works for the Potter Library and Institutional Advancement, along with holding leadership positions in the Dance Company and the International Student Organization. Lumana has received the “Outstanding Officer Award 2019” from the Center for Student Involvement for her leadership in ISO. Recently, she founded a new dance club, Naach, for students interested in Bollywood and South Asian dance forms.



2019 Recipients

Santosh Paudel

“I’m passionate about innovation through technology,” says Santosh Paudel, a Computer Science student from Kathmandu, Nepal. Santosh taught himself several programming languages and is keen on creating through programming. He aspires to be a Software Engineer after graduation.

He served as the President of //hackramapo for two years after introducing the club on campus, and is a member of the International Student Organization. He has worked as a student aide in the Information Technology Department of Ramapo since his freshman year.

“Receiving this scholarship has taught me how a simple act of kindness can do volumes for those in need.”


Nitesh Parajuli

“I am dedicated to promoting a commitment to cultural diversity and creating an atmosphere of understanding throughout the campus community,” says Nitesh Parajuli of Kathmandu, Nepa. Nitesh is a Computer Science Major with a 4.0 GPA that has placed him on the Dean’s List every semester.  He is also a Presidential Scholar and was one of the recipients of the “Outstanding Leadership by a First- Year Student” award.

Additionally, Nitesh is a Senator-At-Large in the Student Government Association (SGA), Co-President of South Asians Club, Treasurer of Computer and Technology Club, and a student employee at the Center for Student Involvement.


Rojina Shrestha

Rojina Shrestha, from Kathmandu, Nepal is a Biochemistry major with a minor in Bioinformatics. She has a 3.87 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List since her first semester. She has also been inducted to Sigma Xi, a scientific research honors society.

Rojina has been active in the Computer and Technology club, Biochemistry club, and the International Student’s Organization. She is a tutor and a teaching assistant for Biology at Ramapo, and she was part of a summer research program at the University of Rochester.

“After graduation, I want to go to graduate school to pursue my interest in biochemistry, possibly in the pharmaceutical field to do research on drug discovery.”



2018 Recipient

Nischal Khatri

Nischal Khatri of Kathmandu, Nepal is a Mathematics major and a Computer Science minor. He has a 3.8 GPA. He is a Presidential Scholar and has made the Dean’s List for the last six semesters.

Nischal is also the president of Pi Mu Epsilon, which is the Math Honors Society. He served as the Treasurer for the International Students’ Organization and has enrolled in other clubs such as the Computer Science and Tech Club and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, among others.

He works on campus as a Network Assistant for the ResNet department and is also involved in Math research with Professor Kenneth McMurdy.



2017 Recipient

Ashish Ghimire

Ashish Ghimire of Kathmandu, Nepal is a Computer Science major with a 3.94 GPA.

At Ramapo, Ashish has been involved with hackRamapo and the Investment Club. He is a tutor for the OSS and also works for the HGS and the ResLife.

In his free time, Ashish likes to play guitar and play soccer. He is also a fan of high altitude trekking, paragliding and skydiving.


2016 Recipient

Raghav Sehgal

Raghav Prem Sehgal of Kolkata, India is a Business Administration Management major. He has a 3.325 GPA.

At Ramapo, Raghav is a center on the men’s basketball team.



2015 Recipient

Princep Shah

Princep Shah of Kathmandu, Nepal is a business administration major with a concentration in finance and a minor in mathematics and computer science. He has a 4.0 grade point average.  He is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta honor society and is on the Dean’s List.

At Ramapo, Princep has been active in several organizations and activities, including Student Government, International Student Organization and Dean’s Advisory Council.  He holds several leadership roles on campus and serves as a resident assistant and peer facilitator.

Off campus, he has also been involved in the Federal Reserve Challenge and the International Math Modelling Competition.



2013 Recipient

Dhantha Gunarathna

Dhantha Gunarathna of Sri Lanka is an Engineering Physics major with a 3.57 grade point average. He has the distinction of being the only student from Sri Lanka enrolled in Ramapo College this academic year. He is a member of the Physics Club, serves as a Student Ambassador and represents the residents on the third floor of Mackin Hall. Off campus he is a member of a rugby team. “College is extremely important to me because I believe in knowledge, which will last forever,” he says. Dhantha views attending college in the United States as a great achievement in his life.

This scholarship has given me motivation to continue to pursue my goals; I am grateful that my hard work has paid off.


2012 Recipient

Saroj Maharjan

Saroj Maharjan is an international student from Nepal majoring in economics and accounting. He has a grade point average of 3.94.
On campus, Saroj has participated in the Federal Reserve Challenge, the CFA Research Challenge Team, the KPMG mentorship program and the United Nation’s DPI Public Youth Conference.



2011 Recipient

Johnny Olsson

Johnny Olsson, of Sweden, is an International Business major. He attended a high school program geared toward students interested in business. His passion for business was fueled by a high school project that involved starting a company and running it throughout the school year. His company’s mission was to distribute free newspapers to high school students and have it financed through advertisements. Creating budgets, recording transactions and preparing financial statements gave Johnny “a taste of what the business world has to offer and to explore it more.” A junior, Johnny has a 3.84 grade point average.


2010 Recipient

Marta Zborowicka

Marta Zborowicka of Mahwah, NJ is an Accounting major. In her native Poland, Marta was a finalist in a contest sponsored by Price Water House Coopers in which she solved case studies in international tax law and management. In addition to earning a degree, Marta has a goal to become extremely proficient in English. Marta, who has a 2.46 grade point average, describes herself as an open-minded person who enjoys learning new things.

Scholarship is like a ‘kick’ of motivation. It will only make me work harder to accomplish my goals.


2009 Recipient

Monika Arnaudova

Monika Arnaudova is originally from Sofia, Bulgaria and is in her sophomore year at Ramapo College. Monika is majoring in international studies and has earned a 3.53 grade point average.

This scholarship means a lot to me and it reminds me every single day how lucky I am to be one of the chosen. This scholarship opens doors for me and gives me more opportunity for the future.


Year Recipient

Maria Esteban

Maria Esteban of Spain is pursuing an MBA. She said the program offers “hands-on learning and an extensive curriculum that is fostering and developing my personal skills for career enhancement.” She was an intern at Columbia University’s School of Public Health in New York City and has completed a number of internships in Spain and Croatia, including at the United Nations, UNICEF, the Spanish Ministry of Defense and the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Maria enjoys volunteering with Christian groups and is learning Japanese. She has a 3.00 grade point average.

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