Victoria Zorrilla

Victoria Zorrilla of Somerset, N.J. is a senior Social Work major in the BSW program, with a 3.6 GPA. She is a member of the EOF program and a member of the Tri-Alpha First-Generation Honors Society.

At Ramapo, Victoria has been a member in the Social Work Club, and a member of the Ramapo College Dance Company (RCDC).

Victoria plans to pursue her MSW at Ramapo, in the advanced standing program. Her goal is to take her licensing exam to eventually receive her LCSW and become a Play Therapist.

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.

Daijha Woods

Daijha Woods of East Orange, N.J. is a Sociology major with a concentration in Criminology. She has a 3.3 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List since Spring of 2022. At Ramapo, Daijha works in the library as a Circulation Assistant.

“After graduation, I plan to become a licensed Criminologist in order to research areas where crime is more prominent.”

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.

Brianna White

 “Since I have entered Ramapo, I have transitioned from a reserved girl to now someone who finds ways to become more engaged on her campus,” says Brianna White of Jersey City, N.J.

Brianna is a Business Management major with a 3.0 GPA.  At Ramapo, Brianna has been active in the Black Student Union and is Vice President of the Culture Club. As part of the Culture Club, she educates and welcomes everyone of different ethnicities and nationalities to share their history.

Elle Pascal

Elle Pascal of Passaic, N.J. is a Global Communications major with a minor in Digital Filmmaking. They have a 3.8 GPA and are an Educational Opportunity Fund Scholar. Elle is also a recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Leadership Award and a Peer Facilitator Scholarship recipient. 

At Ramapo, Elle has been active in several organizations and activities including the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead and The Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Services. 

Elle also holds on-campus positions working with the Center for Student Success and the Mentorship program for the EOF program.

Trisha Naawu

Trisha Naawu of East Orange, N.J. is a Political Science major with a minor in French.
She has a 3.3 GPA and is an EOF scholar. She has made Dean’s List and hopes to keep it up.

At Ramapo, she is active the Debate Club, the Black Student Union, and Students of Caribbean Ancestry(SOCA). She is also an Upward Bound tutor/counselor for high school students.

“My hope is to work as a legislative aid or teach high school history in the future.”

Ronald Mendez

Ronald Mendez of Dover, N.J. is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Finance. He has a 3.14 GPA. 

At Ramapo, Ronald has been active in several organizations and activities, including EOF and Ramapo College Men’s Soccer. 

Ronald tells us, “I am a proud member of the Educational Opportunities Fund program. As a first generation student, it is amazing to be so close to being the first member of my family with a bachelor’s degree! I also plan to utilize Ramapo’s 4+1 MBA program to get my master’s degree.  Being on the soccer team is also a blessing. I have a team full of brothers developing bonds that last a lifetime. It also shows how to understand other individuals as well as work together with them to get wins.”

Paulina Rusinek

Paulina Rusinek of Hamilton, N.J. is a Psychology Major. She has a 3.14 GPA. Paulina successfully completed the Educational Opportunity Fund summer program before entering Ramapo in fall 2018 as a freshman.

At Ramapo, Paulina has been active in several organizations and activities as her senior year is coming to a close, including holding the President position for Alliance of EOF and Friends (AEF), being a part of Sigma Sigma Sigma (Tri Sigma) a sorority on campus as the Vice President, and a Peer Mentor for the Incoming EOF Students. She has also been involved in off-campus extracurriculars, including as a Volunteer Religious Education teacher at St. Gregory the Great Academy CCD program in Hamilton, as well as recently starting at the Immaculate Conception to help with their religious education program. She also volunteers her free time to help those in need in her community.

“Once I graduate, I plan to enroll in a local Nursing school to achieve my second degree in
Nursing along with my current intended degree of Psychology. In the future I want to work in
pediatric psychiatric nursing as well as working with premature babies that have been affected by
the substance use disorders of their family members to grow and develop. I want my actions and
motivation to show other first- generation college students that nothing is impossible and to
never give up on their dreams, even with difficult circumstances that might be standing in their
way.”

Tia A. Wallace

Tia A. Wallace of East Orange, N.J. is a Biology major with minors in Anthropology and Public Health. She has a 3.34 GPA and has been inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Tia is involved in the Black Student Union, Students of Caribbean Ancestry, and was a Student Ambassador for the Ramapo Admissions Office. She is currently staffed as a Resident Assistant in the Village and a Student Aide for Admissions. For the 2019-2020 academic year, she was awarded Student Employee of the Year.

Off campus, Tia is an intern at East Orange General Hospital.

Ocia Milo

Ocia Milo of Newark, N.J. is a junior Business Management major with a 3.5 GPA.

At Ramapo, Ocia serves as a Peer Career Coordinator at the Career Center by assisting fellow students in navigating their career paths.

After graduation, Ocia plans to work in the Human Resources field, focusing on cultivating diverse and inclusive work environments. Ocia strives to attain a director-level position within the next five years.