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SSHS Travel and Academic Enhancement Scholarship

The Ramapo College Foundation is able to award this scholarship thanks to the generosity of a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

In creating the scholarship the donor indicated, “SSHS provides innovative learning opportunities for Ramapo College students majoring in social science fields.  To foster continued excellence and professional development, experiential learning opportunities are part of the core curriculum of SSHS.  The funds provided through this scholarship are aimed at providing academic enhancement opportunities for students majoring in the social sciences.  Examples of academic enhancement expenses are travel for educational purposes, conferences, seminars, books, supplies, equipment in support of student/faculty research and other expenses outside of tuition.”

    To be eligible for this scholarship, students:
  • Must be pursuing a major in SSHS
  • Demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA
  • Recommended by the Dean of SSHS

2018 Recipients

Liliana Flores

Liliana A. Flores graduated from Ramapo College with a Bachelor degree  in Social Work with a minor in Substance Abuse. She is currently working towards her Master in Social Work. During her time at the College, she has been a member of the Social Work Club, the Phi Alpha Honor Society, and the Golden Key International Honor Society.

Liliana was on the Dean’s list in the spring and fall of 2016. As of the fall of 2017, her GPA is 3.8. After receiving her Master’s degree, she intends to apply to a doctoral program in social work.

Graciela Montero

Graciela Montero of Clifton, N.J. is currently completing her Masters in Social Work. She has a 3.85 GPA. She is on the Dean’s list and is a member of the National Honor Society Phi Alpha. She also volunteers as a mentor for adolescents with behavioral and emotional problems.

At Ramapo, Graciela has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Social Work Club. She has also held internships at Alternatives to Domestic Violence, West Bergen Mental Healthcare and the Counseling Center at Fair Lawn. She also works as a residential worker for people with Schizophrenia, as a tutor at Passaic Community College and an emergency service specialist at Alternative to Domestic Violence.

Graciela has a passion for working with adults with chronic mental illnesses and trauma. After graduation she will be pursuing her LSW and LCSW with the goal to open her own practice to work with adolescents, adults and couples who’ve experienced trauma.

 

Mohammed Nurudeen Musah

Mohammed Nurudeen Musah completed his BS in Social Work at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ramapo College’s affiliate institution in Ghana. He has ten years of experience advocating and working with vulnerable children in deprived communities.

When he was volunteering with the Street Children Project, an agency that provides services for displaced and homeless children and their families in Kumasi, Ghana, he met visiting students and professors from Ramapo, and thus began the course of his journey to Mahwah, N.J. Today, he is working toward his Advanced Standing Master in Social Work. Off campus, he works with NJ Aids Services as well as the Alliance Against Homelessness.

“I have benefitted tremendously from the continuous support of the faculty and students in the MSW program, and am grateful to President Mercer and the College for helping to make my dream of pursing a Master Degree in Social Work a reality.”

Mohammed has a 4.0 GPA.


Steven Cruz

“Growing up in an environment filled with violence and poverty, and barely graduating from high school, I never envisioned that I would be where I am now,” says Steven Cruz of Guttenberg, N.J. a candidate in the Master of Social Work Program. The Dean’s List student has a 3.83 GPA.

Steven is part of the Golden Key International Honour Society and has worked with chapter officers and members to cultivate leadership skills that will prepare them for professional and personal success.  He has also helped fundraise for the New Jersey AIDS walk in Morristown, helping to raise awareness and managing merchandise booths.

Steven is currently interning at the Cliffside Park High SchooI with CarePlusNJ which provides individual and group therapy for students.  He hopes to join the Peace Corps after he earns his MSW.

“With a long list of life lessons and hardships I managed to remain determined through it all.”

Kaitlyn O’Donnell

Kaitlyn O’Donnell of Bergenfield, N.J. is a Master of Social Work student. She has a 4.0 GPA, and graduated with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a double minor in Substance Abuse Counseling and Criminology from Ramapo in 2014. Kaitlyn was awarded the Faculty Award for Distinction in Psychology during her undergraduate tenure, and was a member of several honor societies.

She works as a Senior Case Manager with Alliance Against Homelessness of Bergen County and also has an internship with Care Plus NJ Children’s Mobile Response Unit. Kaitlyn is the chairperson of the Stigma Free Committee in her hometown. She plans to pursue a career in community mental health.


Noelle Patire

“I can’t wait to help make the world a better place,” says Master of Social Work candidate Noelle Patire.  She has earned a 3.7 GPA and made Dean’s List for 3 consecutive semesters.

At Ramapo, Noelle has been active Phi Alpha Honor Society and the Social Work Club. She has traveled to North Carolina as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

Noelle is from Washington Township, N.J.

Kelsey Benjamin

Kelsey Benjamin of Clifton, N.J. is an advanced standing Master of Social Work student, who graduated with a Bachelor degree in Social Work and a minor in Substance Use Disorder Counseling from Ramapo. She has a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List status throughout her academic career, as well as Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges.  She also was recognized with a Leadership award for her role in creating and serving as president for an anti-bullying organization at Ramapo.

Kelsey currently works for NORWESCAP’s Pathways 2 Prosperity where she assists individuals transitioning out of poverty to become self-reliant. She also works for New Jersey AIDS Services by providing supportive services, housing opportunities, prevention strategies and community education. “I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had through my education at Ramapo.”


Dewiley Alla

“While growing up in a less than privileged community has posed financial and academic challenges, it has also helped me realize the value of a helping hand,” says Dewiley Alla of Newton, N.J.

Dewiley is pursuing a Masters in Social Work. She has been active in the Social Work Club and the Phi Alpha Honor Society on campus. She has a 3.5 GPA.


Sean Dorsa

“Throughout the past year, one of my biggest accomplishments has been being elected to the Board of Directors of the NJ AIDS Walk,” says Sean Dorsa of Oakland, N.J.

Sean graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from Ramapo and is currently enrolled in the Master of Social Work Program. He has a 4.00 GPA and has maintained Dean’s List over the past four semesters.

“I believe that my character and dedication to multiple populations throughout the social work community has made me the Social Worker I am today.”

 

 


2017 Recipients

Tamara Chatelain

Tamara Chatelain, from Rockland County, NY is currently pursuing her Master in Social Work degree. She is fluent in two languages, Creole and English.  Her family is from the beautiful island of Haiti, and she will be the first in her generation to receive an advanced degree in the field of social work. Her plan is to further pursue her education by getting a license in Clinical Social Work.

Tamara is passionate about helping the youth in her community.  As the leader of her church dance group, she helps give teens and young adults an outlet to express their spirituality in the form of dance. The group also connects with one another about life issues and connects with the community by providing performances. “My life goal is to always uplift people to their fullest potential, and to utilize my bubbly spirit to inspire others to always find the brighter side of life.”


Anaiis Gonzalez

Anaiis Gonzalez of Linden, NJ is a Law and Society Major double minoring in Philosophy and Public Policy. She has a 3.7 GPA.  She was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for maintaining above a 3.5 GPA her freshman year of college.

At Ramapo, Anaiis has been active in several organizations and activities, including Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassador, and Culture Club.  She currently maintains two positions within her sorority (Vice President and Secretary) and has volunteered at the Admissions office.

Anaiis has also been involved in The York Street Project and St. Jude’s Research Hospital.  She works part-time as a Pharmacy Technician.

Julisa C. Isom

Julisa C. Isom of Paterson, NJ is a second year graduate level Master’s of Social Work student. She has a 3.8 GPA and is a member of Phi Alpha the National Social Work Honor Society.

Julisa has been involved in off-campus activities and organizations including Relay for Life of Paterson, where she helps to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Julisa aspires to use her social work platform to work with children, adolescents and families, which she has always had a desire to do. After graduation, Julisa plans on working for a social work agency dedicated to child advocacy and/or children and family services.  


Jenisha Johnson

Jenisha Johnson of Paterson, NJ is a MSW candidate.  Her GPA is 3.7. “I was not a child who was forced to attend school, and education was not a demand in our household. However, I became aware of the importance of an education because I knew it would one day be an avenue to me achieving success,” said Jenisha.

“I always dreamed of being a first generation college graduate, and I am very proud to say that I successfully achieved this goal,” she added.  Jenisha earned her associate’s degree in Liberal Arts Humanities from Passaic County Community College, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Montclair State University. Her next educational goal is to earn a master’s degree in Social Work from Ramapo College, and continue her journey in helping others.

Cara Maloney

Cara Maloney of Boonton, NJ is enrolled in the Masters of Social Work program. She has a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the Phi Alpha Honors Society.

Cara works with adolescents at NewBridge Services, and helps at risk youth with job skills training.  She was offered a summer position with the organization after completing a first year internship.

She has always had a passion for working with children and adolescents and would love to further her career with that population. After graduation she plans to work as a school social worker with adolescent students or with a substance abuse prevention program in a school setting.

 

Kaitlyn O’Donnell

Kaitlyn O’Donnell of New Milford, NJ is a Graduate Level Masters of Social Work student.   Kaitlyn graduated with an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Ramapo College in 2014, and was awarded the Faculty Award for Distinction in Psychology that year. She is a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, Phi Alpha the National Social Work Honor Society, and Golden Key International Honor Society.

During her undergrad years she was active in the Peer Facilitation Program and is currently part of the MSW Association.

Kaitlyn works full time as a Senior Case Manager with Alliance Against Homelessness of Bergen County. “This scholarship is helping me to support myself, work full time, and earn my MSW at night, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA,” said Kaitlyn.



2016 Recipients

Ayatkin Asgarova

Ayatkin Asgarova is from Jersey City, NJ and is pursuing a Master’s in Sustainability.

Tammy Smith

Tammy Smith of Fair Lawn, NJ is a Social Work major.  She has a 3.96 GPA.  She was awarded the 2015 NASW Harriet Bloomfield Memorial Scholarship and the 2015 CSWE BSW Student Travel Scholarship Award for her academic achievements in social work. She was awarded the 2014 and 2015 Fair Lawn Sunrise Rotary Continuing Education Scholarship.

At Ramapo, Tammy has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Social Work Club, where she recently served as vice-president.

Tammy has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for NAMI Bergen County and on the town of Fair Lawn’s Stigma-Free Task Force.


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