Stephen Krause

Stephen Krause of Mahwah, N.J., is a Social Work major. He has a 3.7 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List two times in his Ramapo tenure.

Stephen is a returning student, two years in recovery, and is proud to pursue a career in social work. The faculty have inspired him at Ramapo, who have supported and pushed him to be a better student and future counselor. He married in 2022 (to a Ramapo Class of 14 alum!) and looks forward to starting a family.

Stephen has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations, including being in a leadership role running recovery meetings at the Christian Addiction Recovery Education (CARE) ministry at The Plant Church (in Mahwah) and an adolescent substance use disorder counselor at New Pathway Counseling.

Paola Guevara

Paola M. Guevara of West Milford, N.J. Social Work major with a 4.0 GPA.

At Ramapo, Paola has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Social Work Club, founder of the Non-Traditional Students Support Group at Ramapo College. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Alpha (Theta Delta Chapter) and Tau Sigma Transfer Honor society. Additionally, her awards during her academic achievement are being part of the Dean’s List two consecutive semesters and Academic Achievement for Social Work. 

Off –campus activities and organizations, including volunteering as a student advocate at the Violence Intervention Prevention Center at Bergen Community College, providing education and resources for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Additionally, she is currently interning at Bergen Family Center (BFC) in Englewood, involved in many community projects.

Jane Marcillo

Jane Marcillo of Newark, N.J. is a Master of Social Work graduate student. She has a 3.6 GPA and is a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society.

At Ramapo, Jane is an intern for the Student Relief Fund in the We Care program. She assists students who are in need of supplemental funding, facing food insecurity, and/or are homeless. Due to COVID-19, she meets students virtually and provides the proper support to ensure their academic and personal success.

Jane is expected to graduate from the Advanced Master of Social Work Program in May 2021. She is excited to begin her journey as a full-time social worker and to use what she has learned in the classroom to help shape the lives of N.J. residents.

Christopher Rusk

Christopher Rusk of Lodi, NJ is a graduate student pursuing a Master’s of Social Work. He has a 3.97 GPA.

At Ramapo, Chris has made contributions to the school newspaper and pursued international opportunities through the Roukema Center.

Chris works full time at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center as an addictions counselor. Starting as a volunteer on the detox unit, Chris discovered a passion for working with and advocating for clients with Substance Use. He wrote proposals for three grants totaling $400,000 to fund the successful creation of a medication assisted treatment program and a regional peer recovery center at Bergen New Bridge. Chris incorporated social work values and principles learned at Ramapo into the programs, including respect for the dignity and worth of individuals and the importance of relationships as a vehicle for change.

“My goals post-graduation are to continue marshaling resources and creating programs for the often underserved substance use population.”