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Starr, Dorothy and Harvey Scholarship

At the time Dorothy and Harvey Starr were ready to go to college, they were able to attend public institutions of higher education in New York for virtually no cost. Both were able to earn undergraduate degrees, and earn graduate degrees as well. Recognizing the value of higher education, Mr. and Mrs. Starr wanted to extend this opportunity to Ramapo College students by creating an annual scholarship.  This scholarship is $10,000.

  • Financial need as determined by the Ramapo Foundation Policy
  • Good academic standing
  • Students of any major are eligible, including transfer students
  • Applicants must submit an essay describing what it means to attend college, and their career goals
  • New Jersey residents are preferred
  • Recipients chosen by a committee which includes the Scholarship Coordinator, the Starr family, and a member of the faculty

Scholarship application is closed for this semester.


2024 Recipient

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.


2023 Recipients

Samantha Tricarico

“As a first-generation student, I want to bring awareness and change to Low-Income education, while working in editing and publishing,” says Samantha Tricarico of Montague, N.J. She is an English and Literary Studies major with a minor in Psychology and has an overall GPA of 3.2.

At Ramapo, Samantha has been active in the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and serves as the Panhellenic Delegate Officer. She is also a member of the Educational Opportunity Foundation on campus.

Off-campus, Samantha is active in her community by having a part-time position at Lightbridge Academy, and previously full-time during the summer months at her summer job, Highlands Farms.


Baila Pollack

Baila Pollack is a Nursing major with a minor in Psychology. She has a GPA of 3.93 and has made Dean’s List for all her semesters at Ramapo so far.

Baila comes from a very religious background where attending college was not the norm, and has fought very hard for the privilege of higher education. “Growing up, I never knew anyone who went to college. A college education is not something I will ever take for granted because it was never something I thought could be part of my future,” she states.

Baila currently works as a Medical Assistant at a community clinic, where she works with people who haven’t had access to proper healthcare. She takes her position very seriously, advocating for her patient’s needs and educating them on their health.

After graduation, Baila hopes to further her education by learning more about neuroscience and making a difference in people’s lives as a nurse.


2022 Recipients

Amy Alexander

Amy Alexander is a Social Work major and Substance Use minor from Clifton, N.J. She is in her senior year and has an overall GPA of 4.0. On campus she is a part of Phi Theta Kappa, the Honors program, and worked as a peer mentor for students on campus.

Currently, she volunteers at the Hackensack Shelter and holds the position of Head Mentor in a transitional program for adults with intellectual disabilities.

She is en route to continue her education to attain a Bachelor of Social Work degree, continue on for her Master of Social Work, and to ultimately gain her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) certification.


Michele Bodden

“I came to the United States from the Dominican Republic to escape poverty and corruption and seek a better life,” says Michele Bodden of Clifton, N.J.

Michele is a returning adult student with two young children. She is a senior Social Work major with a 3.3 GPA.

She volunteers at her church, the local hospital, and daughters’ schools. “My goal is to provide a better life for my daughters, and obtain a position where I can help others.”


2021 Recipient

Michele Bodden

“I believe I have the empathy and compassion to make a difference in someone else’s life and I would love to return the kindness and support that has been given to me during these difficult years,” says Michele Bodden of Clifton, N.J.

Michele is a returning adult student majoring in Social Work. She has a 3.74 GPA.

She has volunteered at her church, the local hospital, and before the pandemic, she volunteered at her daughters’ school. When she is not homeschooling her children, she enjoys spending time with them reading and playing. “My girls keep me going and it is because of them that I want to earn my Bachelor’s degree.”


2020 Recipient

Scott Roman

Scott Roman of Wyckoff, N.J. is a Communications Major with a concentration in Visual Communication Design.  He has a 3.3 GPA and intends to pursue a career in Graphic Design upon graduation.

Additionally, he is a member of Dumbledore’s Army, attends Connections Group meetings, and serves as the Vice President of the Sci-Fi/Comic Book Club.

Outside of school, Scott has been involved in multiple activities and organizations, including BBYO and The Boy Scouts of America, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.



2019 Recipients

The recipient wishes to remain anonymous.


2018 Recipient

Vanessa Loren Mirasola

“I ultimately hope to work within the civil rights arena, representing those without a voice who have been abused or oppressed,” says Vanessa Loren Mirasola of Teaneck, N.J.

The Sociology major hopes to attend law school, a career she became interested in at her job with the Bergen County Ethics Committee, where she interacts with attorneys every day. On campus she’s involved in Ramapo Pride, InQlusive, and GEAR.

The Sociology major, with a concentration in Criminology, has a 3.5 GPA. She was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta, Ramapo’s first year honor society.


2017 Recipient

Anthony Morales

Anthony Morales of North Bergen, NJ is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Management. He has a 3.45 GPA. Anthony was inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society.

Anthony is a Resident Assistant, Residence Hall Advisor, and Historian of A Better Tomorrow Charity club at Ramapo. He represented the College at the Active Citizens Conference in Washington D.C. and looks forward to furthering Civic Engagement at Ramapo.

Off campus, Anthony has volunteered his time with Habitat for Humanity.



2016 Recipient

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.



2015 Recipient

Joanna Bosques

Joanna Bosques of North Haledon, N.J., is a social science major with a concentration in justice. She has a 3.32 grade point average.
Joanna comes from a military family. Her husband is a sergeant in the United States Army and is deployed. She is the mother of two children. Joanna works full time and is a full-time student.



2014 Recipients

Chase Burns

Chase Burns of Sussex, NJ is a Social Work major with a minor in Psychology. Her goal is to work with and advocate for adolescents in the foster care system. “They face the most adversity in terms of being adopted into permanent, healthy homes,” she said. She would also like to increase the societal support these youths receive. Chase’s experiences are preparing her to reach her goal. She earned an associate degree in Human Services and Liberal Arts from the County College of Morris. She then took a semester off to build houses in Thailand with Habitat for Humanity. At Ramapo College, she was an intern with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency through a program called the Baccalaureate Child Welfare Education Program. Completing the internship enabled Chase to begin a career with the division this past January. “Attending college is not just a choice for me,” she said. “It is a critical necessity to establish the professional capabilities to pursue my dreams of helping to change the atmosphere of the child welfare services in our society.” Chase graduated with a 3.98 grade point average.


Aloha Wilkins

Aloha Wilkins of Boonton, NJ is a Social Work major with a concentration in Substance Abuse. A returning adult student, Aloha is a board member of Family Promise Homeless Shelter and a committee member for United Way of Northern NJ. On campus, she is active with Ramapo Readers and the Social Work Club. Aloha says, “It has been individuals in the helping professions who have helped me restore my sanity by providing me with their time, encouragement, counseling, and at times, shelter.” She now wishes to pursue a career in which she can enable others to reach their goals. Aloha has gained invaluable experience working as a direct care counselor with developmentally disabled persons. She describes herself as someone who knows what she wants and who is willing to work hard to achieve her academic and career goals. With a grade point average of 3.04, Aloha has proven herself as a conscientious and dedicated student, while providing an excellent role model for her two children.



2013 Recipient

Aloha Wilkins

Aloha Wilkins of Boonton, NJ is a Social Work major with a concentration in Substance Abuse. A returning adult student, Aloha is a board member of Family Promise Homeless Shelter and a committee member for United Way of Northern NJ. On campus, she is active with Ramapo Readers and the Social Work Club. Aloha says, “It has been individuals in the helping professions who have helped me restore my sanity by providing me with their time, encouragement, counseling, and at times, shelter.” She now wishes to pursue a career in which she can enable others to reach their goals. Aloha has gained invaluable experience working as a direct care counselor with developmentally disabled persons. She describes herself as someone who knows what she wants and who is willing to work hard to achieve her academic and career goals. With a grade point average of 3.04, Aloha has proven herself as a conscientious and dedicated student, while providing an excellent role model for her two children.


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