Haley Mathis

Haley Mathis of Kinnelon, N.J. is an Elementary Education major enrolled in the Masters of Special Education Program. She has a 3.86 GPA and has consistently made the Dean’s List each semester. She is also a first-generation student and a member of the college’s Honors Program.

At Ramapo, Haley has been active in several organizations such as acting as current President of Future Teachers at Ramapo (FTAR), a member of Kappa Delta Pi, and a Peer Facilitator. As President of FTAR, she has helped motivate students and faculty with her ambitious drive.

She has been involved in off-campus activities as well including volunteering as a tutor for elementary students in her local community and as a vibrant student member for the New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children (NJCEC). In NJCEC, she is co-chair of the statewide volunteers and an advisory board member. She also works as a Dining Associate at Cedar Crest and substitutes in various school districts. 

After graduation, Haley plans to be a second grade teacher. Her goal is to be able to make a difference in the lives of future students and to inspire them to follow their dreams like her former teachers did for her.

Jasmine Jones

Jasmine Jones of Burlington, N.J. is an Elementary Education major enrolled in the Masters of Special Education Program. She has a 3.6 GPA and has made the Dean’s List numerous times. Jasmine is a first-generation student and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, a first year Honor Society. At Ramapo, she has served as Vice President of the American Cancer Society, a Peer facilitator, and a Program Coordinator for Ramapo’s Orientation Program.

Jasmine has also been involved in off -campus activities and organizations, as a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Camden, N.J. and as a mentor to Girl Scouts. Jasmine has her certification as a K-12 Substitute Teacher.

Once she graduates in the Spring of 2024, she plans to become an Elementary or Middle School teacher. Her goal is to inspire and give back to her future students and community in ways that her former teachers did for her.

Taylor Hemmer

Taylor Hemmer of Wantage, N.J. is an Elementary Education major with a Science minor who is enrolled in the Masters of Special Education Program. She has a 3.6 GPA and has made the Dean’s list almost every semester. At Ramapo, Taylor has been active in several organizations and activities, including a member of Kappa Delta Pi, President of Future Teachers At Ramapo, and a Peer Facilitator. This year, Taylor created a new event for FTAR that works closely with a local school to design and construct academic posters and anchor charts for several classrooms, her proudest accomplishment yet!

Taylor has been involved off campus as she began volunteering with Peace by Piece NJ, a nonprofit organization assisting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also works as a Paraprofessional. 

After Taylor graduates in May of 2023, she plans to become a first grade teacher. Taylor is interested in going back to school for another master’s degree in educational leadership. Her ultimate goal is to become an elementary school principal and make a difference in the lives of children.

Vanessa Messina

Vanessa Messina of Garfield, N.J. is an Elementary Education major with a minor in Psychology. She is a first-generation college student and is a part of Ramapo’s 4+1 Master of Arts in Special Education (MASE) Program. She has a 3.97 GPA and is a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education.

At Ramapo, Vanessa has been active in several organizations and activities, including Future Teachers of America and the College Programming Board.

Vanessa has also been involved in off–campus activities and organizations, including the Lindsey Meyer Teen Institute and the New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children. She is currently employed at a daycare in Garfield and as a K-12 Substitute Teacher for the Garfield Board of Education.