2008
JESSICA D. OFFER (Accounting and Economics) has been promoted to senior manager at the accounting firm of WithumSmith+Brown, PC. Jessica works in the firm’s Morristown office. Previously, she was a manager specializing in audit and advisory services within the financial services and manufacturing/distribution industries as well as employee benefit plan audits.
2009
ANDREW MARTINS (Communication Arts) is the new managing editor of the Hillsborough Beacon and Hopewell Valley News, publications of Packet Media in Princeton. He has also worked for the Jackson Times and Toms River Patch.
I started school in 2008, I made lifelong friends, learned things I’d never have imagined, and pushed myself further than I ever could have dreamed possible. Ramapo set me up for success in many ways and I’ll always be thankful for the lessons and memories made here.” – Takanari is now a senior accountant at WithumSmith+Brown. Takanari received an honorable mention at the NJCPA’s 30 under 30 Awards in August 2015.
2015
2013
THALIA LOPEZ (Nursing) “The nursing program at Ramapo College was a challenging program that incorporated a variety of learning methods, such as: hands on simulation lab experience, exams, tutoring, clinical rotations, evidence-based projects, and proctored exams. The last two years required a lot of time and dedication. Thanks to the exceptional and caring faculty, I was able to successfully complete this program. The professors were always available for any questions or concerns I had; and I am truly grateful for all the support. I couldn’t be any happier with my choice of Ramapo College’s nursing program.” Thalia received the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award in Nursing and graduated with Latin honors. She is a member of the Nursing Student Organization, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Delta Phi Epsilon. She has now become a member of the nursing honor society, Sigma Theta Tau. She successfully completed her clinical rotations and is part of the Emergency Department Ambassador Program. Thalia accepted a Nurse Residency position as a fulltime, cardiac nurse at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, N.J.
PETER BYLSMA (Law & Society) has been promoted to full-time patrol officer by the Manalapan Police Department, where he will be assigned to the field training program. Peter joined the department in 2015 as a special law enforcement officer.
JOSEPH P. ROONEY (History) has been named director of admissions and recruitment at Cumberland County College in Vineland. Prior to his new appointment, Joe was associate director of admissions for the Ross University School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine in Houston, Texas.
2011
CAITLIN P. HESS (Biology), a biology teacher at Kingsway Regional High School in Woolwich Township, N.J., has been named the new varsity coach of the girls’ cross country program. She had been an assistant for both the boys’ and girls’ teams for the past four years. Caitlin has also served as the swim coach. KATHERINE T. THORN (Psychology; MAEL ’14) is elementary supervisor for grades K-5 for the Randolph Township Schools. Katherine had been supervisor of technology instruction and integration for the Roseland School District.
2012
TAKANARI TANAHASHI (Accounting) “Coming to Ramapo was one of the best decisions I have ever made. When
MICHELLE REGNA (Communications Arts) “The most important thing I learned at Ramapo was how to get in touch with my creativity. My professors were always pushing me to go further, to think harder. After graduation, it wasn’t easy finding work. But with an on campus job at CSI Design and an internship at Cosmopolitan on my resume, I eventually was hired full time at People magazine in January ’14. It wasn’t long before I realized that I wasn’t using the creativity that I had just spent the last four years fostering. But I persevered and continued to work towards my real dream of working at BuzzFeed, a place where creativity is embraced to the fullest. That dream came true when I left People and started as an Editorial Fellow at BuzzFeed. It truly is everything I dreamt of and more, and I feel incredibly blessed to be there. I’m proud of my journey and thankful for all the people who helped me get there.”
ROBERT POLICHT (American Studies) “Ramapo was a great place to start my academic career. The professors encouraged me to seek continuous improvement and stay hungry in my education, and I was launched to new heights.” Robert received his Master of Arts in Homeland Security and Emergency Management at Arizona State University. He completed his Master’s in www.ramapo.edu
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