First Year Voices: A Conversation with Molecular & Cellular Biology Major Laynie Sheppard

Laynie Sheppard is posing inside of Discovery Hall, wearing a white Rowan University t-shirt.

Today, we hear from commuter student Laynie Sheppard, a Molecular & Cellular Biology major from Bridgeton, NJ (Cumberland County). Could you share a few on-campus activities, clubs, sports, or events that you’ve attended so far? What was your favorite, and why? “I go to Cru weekly and absolutely love it. I haven’t attended anything else […]

First Year Voices: Finding My Place at Rowan University as a Music Education Major [VIDEO]

Aaliyah sits in Robinson green.

Today, we introduce you to Aaliyah Jenkins of Mercer County, NJ. Aaliyah, a first-year student, studies Music Education and lives on campus. Could you share a few on-campus activities, clubs, sports or events that you’ve attended so far? What was your favorite, and why? There are many on-campus activities to do. This is because of […]

First Year Voices: Carmine Petronglo on Finding Community in Classes and Activities

Mechanical Engineering major Carmine works on his laptop inside Engineering Hall.

Meet Carmine Petronglo, a first-year Mechanical Engineering major and member of the Martinson Honors College who commutes to campus from Gloucester County, NJ. Could you share a few on-campus activities, clubs, sports or events that you’ve attended so far?  I am a member of the Honors College. I attend a weekly Honors BLAST group meeting […]

Paving Her Own Path: Breanna Kiger’s Experience as a First-Generation Student

Exterior shot of James Hall.

Today, we introduce you to first-year student Breanna Kiger, who hails from Cape May County, NJ and majors in Elementary Education. Breanna is not only the first of her family to attend college, she is a first-generation high school graduate as well. She shares her first impressions of the campus community in her first year […]

First Year Voices: Jeszenee Turner of Denver, Colorado on Finding Your People

Jeszenee Turner sits smiling in Discovery Hall.

Today we feature first-year student and Theatre Arts-Acting major Jeszenee Turner (she/her) from Denver, Colorado. Here she shares with us some advice for incoming first-year students as well as what inspired her to attend Rowan University. Could you share a few on-campus activities, clubs, sports or events that you’ve attended so far? What was your […]

First Year Voices: Donovan Cruz Finds Rowan Classes Have “So Much to Offer”

Today, we feature Donovan Cruz, a first-year student from Galloway, NJ (Atlantic County), whose major is currently undecided. He looks forward to becoming more involved as he becomes more settled into this new chapter of life in Glassboro. When asked why he made the choice to change his major from Radio/Television/Film, Donovan explained he had […]

First Year Voices: History Major Abbigail Ealer

Today, we feature Abbigail Ealer, a first year History major from Washington Township, NJ. Abby is in the Honors program and a mentee of the Bantivoglio Leadership and Service Training (BLAST) peer mentoring program, which pairs upperclassmen with incoming Honors students to help guide them through their first semester in Honors and at Rowan. Abby […]

First Year Voices: Radio/Television/Film Major Sincere Silvera

Sincere poses on the stairs in the back of Bunce Hall.

Today we talk to first-year student and on-campus resident Sincere Silvera. Sincere is a Radio/Television/Film (RTF) major from East Orange, NJ (Essex County). Sincere is a first-generation and EOF student.  What do you like about living on campus? Well, I live in a single room. It’s pretty good, you know, I can just do whatever […]

First Year Voices: Exercise Science Majors Kim King and Tyler DelSignore

Kim and Tyler with friends at Holly Pointe Commons.

Today, we feature two Exercise Science majors within the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Kim King calls Shamong, NJ (Burlington County) her hometown. Tyler DelSignore, a first-generation college student, is from Cherry Hill, NJ (Camden County). “I went with some friends to Welcome Week … and trivia. I’m looking forward to labs, getting into […]

First-Year Student Amanda Drayton Performs in String Ensemble Concert [VIDEO]

Amanda dances in front of string players.

Amanda, a first-year Dance major, rehearsed on Zoom with Associate Professor Paule Turner for weeks leading up to her first live performance during COVID-19. She steps out onto the stage for the first time and shares her experience as a performing arts student this past year. Like what you see? LEARN MORE Video by:Christianna Arango, […]

First Year Voices [VIDEO]

Nathalie poses outside of Wilson Hall.

Today we chat with Nathalie Hernandez, a violin performance major from Feasterville-Trevose, PA, and Marc Rivera, a music industry major from Ewing, NJ. These two freshmen share their experience so far this year and what they’re most looking forward to during their time at Rowan. Like what you see? LEARN MORE Video by:Max Morgan, senior […]

First Year Voices: Education Major Jayshalie Jennings

Jayshalie and friends.

Today we speak with freshman Jayshalie Jennings a Secondary Math Education major from Williamstown, NJ (Gloucester County). Jayshalie is a part of PROFFAMILY, a newly formed freshmen group focused on inclusion and fun. What has your freshman experience been like so far? It’s been very different just because we haven’t had the chance to come on campus […]

First Year Voices: Commuter, PROFFAMILY Member Jada Jenkins

Jada standing outside of Bunce Hall.

Today we speak with freshman Jada Jenkins, a Psychology major and commuter from Blackwood, NJ (Camden County). She tells us about her experience so far at Rowan. Jada is part of PROFFAMILY, a newly-formed freshmen group focused on inclusion and fun. Why did you choose Rowan? Rowan was one of my top two schools and they […]

First Year Voices: Chestnut Hall, Adjusting to College – Griffin Roughgarden

Griffin poses in a backwards hat in front of orange and green trees.

Today we feature freshman and Chestnut resident Griffin Roughgarden. Griffin is a Business Entrepreneurship major from West Caldwell, NJ (Essex County.) How do you like living in Chestnut?It’s really good, actually. It’s pretty quiet, it’s not really a loud place, there’s lots of amenities. It’s kind of the perfect location on campus.  Have you thought about […]

First Year Voices: Musical Theatre Major Lennon Heitz and Acting Major Shayla Hermann

Today, we speak to Musical Theatre major Lennon Heitz and Acting major Shayla Hermann! These first years both reside on campus in Magnolia Hall and Holly Pointe Commons. Lennon is from Middletown, DE and Shayla is from Pennington, NJ (Mercer County). They tell us a little more about living on campus and why they chose […]

First Year Voices: Biology Major Analiz Santana and Exercise Science Major Mia Guerra

Today, we speak with freshmen Analiz Santana and Mia Guerra. Analiz is a Biology major from Pennsauken, NJ (Camden County) who is currently residing in Mimosa and Mia is an Exercise Science major currently residing in Holly Pointe from Hasbrouck Heights, NJ (Bergen County). They tell us more about why they chose Rowan and how […]

(FRESH)man Voices: Radio/TV/Film Major Vicky Stein & Geology Major Sammy Mason

Sammy and Vicky walk together on campus.

Today, we speak to freshmen Vicky Stein and Sammy Mason from Lewes, Delaware who live on campus in Chestnut Hall. Vicky is a Radio/TV/Film major and Sammy is a Geology major. They tell us more about their favorite spots on campus and give some advice for incoming students. How did you two meet each other? Sammy: It’s […]

First Year Voices: Psychology Majors Katyana Rodriguez and Anaisis Santos

Today, we speak with two freshman Psychology majors, Katyana Rodriguez and Anaisis Santos. They’re both from Salisbury, Maryland and are currently residing on campus in Chestnut Hall. They tell us more about their time at Rowan and their favorite spots on campus. How did you two meet each other? Anaisis: Well, we actually met in […]

First Year Voices: Physical Education Major Jalen Baptiste

Today, we speak to Jalen Baptiste, a freshman Physical Education major currently residing on-campus in Chestnut Hall from Hackettstown, NJ (Warren County). Jalen tells us about living on campus and more about his first year so far. How do you like on-campus housing? I’m living in Chestnut. Chestnut’s not bad, though, because I live by myself […]

First Year Voices: English Language Program Student Steve Ngo

An aerial view of Rowan University's campus.

Today we speak to Steve Ngo, who recently completed his freshman year in the English Language Program. He lives in Egg Harbor Township (Atlantic County). Before the university closed due to COVID-19, Steve lived on campus at Holly Pointe Commons. Steve is a first-generation college student. What is one way you made friends this year?  I […]

First Year Voices: Shahir Mollah Talks Cars & Mechanical Engineering

Shahir poses with his motorbike.

Today’s (FRESH)man Voices features Shahir Mollah, a mechanical engineering from Galloway, NJ (Atlantic County) who lived in Mullica Hall until COVID-19 shut down the campus.  What inspired you to choose your major? I’ve always been a big car guy. Junior year of high school I wanted to build a car, which inspired my decision to […]

First Year Voices: Casey Hofacker Reflects On Her Year

Today we feature freshman (soon-to-be sophomore) Casey Hofacker, a psychology major from Lindenwold, NJ (Camden County), who lived in Holly Pointe Commons until COVID-19 shut down the campus.  What did you most enjoy your freshman year at Rowan? What I enjoyed most about my freshman year was meeting my awesome friends and exploring my major. How […]

First Year Voices: Hannah Catherine Kittrell Reflects

Hannah and friend sit outside on-campus.

Today’s (FRESH)man Voices features Hannah Catherine Kittrell, a theatre arts major from Williamsburg, VA, who lived in Holly Pointe Commons until COVID-19 shut down the campus.  What did you most enjoy your freshman year at Rowan? My first semester was challenging, and I often doubted my talent and strength, but this semester I can already see some growth in […]

First Year Voices: Football & Friendship

A candid photo of four male freshmen laughing together.

“We’ve been playing football together since we were 6,” says freshman Jared Armitage, a business management major from Estell Manor, NJ (Atlantic County) of his Magnolia Hall roommate, Chris Doughty of Buena, NJ (Atlantic County).  “We both played for Rowan this year,” Jared continues. It was fun living with someone he’s known since childhood, he […]

First Year Voices: Anjeliah Chiodo

Close up shot of Anjeliah

Our spotlight (FRESH)man Voices this week is Anjeliah Chiodo. I had the wonderful opportunity to write a story about her. She is an iconic Instagram influencer with 25.1k followers. This first-generation college student let us have the amazing chance to get some insight on herself, her lifestyle and her opinions on some topics. Her major […]

First Year Voices: Dance Major Sabrina Vargas

Sabrina is dancing in front of a window in the dance studio in Memorial Hall.

Meet Sabrina Vargas, a freshman dance major from Atlantic County who lives on campus in Evergreen Hall. Sabrina joined Rowan through the Pre-College Institute Program and is involved with many clubs on campus. Name: Sabrina VargasYear: FreshmanMajor: DanceMinor: SociologyHometown: Mays Landing, NJ (Atlantic County)Where do you live? On campus, Evergreen HallFirst-generation college student? Yes Academic and […]

First Year Voices: An Entrepreneurship Major Prepares to Launch a Lip Gloss Line

Exterior shot of the Rohrer College of Business

Meet Anjeliah Williams, a freshman majoring in Entrepreneurship, who also attended the Pre-College Institute (PCI) this summer. Anjeliah is from Sicklerville, NJ (Camden County), and she’s about to launch her own lip gloss line called “Anjel Allure.” Anjeliah decided to major in entrepreneurship because growing up she did not know what she wanted to do […]

First Year Voices: Music Industry Student’s Journey from Delaware to New Jersey

Freshman Music Industry major Devin Saienni sits on a bench on campus

“If you’re into music, this school is awesome!” says Devin Saienni, a freshman Music Industry major with a concentration in Music Technology from Wilmington, Delaware (New Castle County). He currently lives in Mimosa Hall and is a first-generation college student. Devin says he came to Rowan specifically for the music program, and he heavily credits […]

First Year Voices: Mattie Ballard-Millet

Mattie and her friend chatting outside on a grassy lawn.

Name: Mattie Ballard-MilletYear: Freshman Major: Theatre, Musical Theatre Concentration within the College of Performing ArtsHometown: Biloxi, MississippiWhere do you live? On-campus, Holly Pointe Commons What first surprised you about Rowan?“I think how nice everyone is, because they say that northerners aren’t always the nicest. It’s a stereotype, but that’s not true. Everyone, especially within the Theatre […]

First Year Voices: Ocean County Native Makes New Friends

Elizabeth Hudak stands in front of Holly Pointe Commons at Rowan University with the building behind her

Meet Elizabeth Hudak, a freshman Radio/TV/Film major from Manchester, NJ (Ocean County). She moved into Holly Pointe Commons in September.  Elizabeth says attending freshmen orientation made it easier to meet people once she started on campus this fall. She was happily surprised at “how easily I made friends and how open everybody was to getting […]

First Year Voices: Biological Sciences Major Jace Robinson

Biological Sciences major Jace Robinson

“I’m hoping to become a veterinarian, so I’m excited to get to work in a lab and start my career.” — Jace Robinson, an incoming Biological Sciences major from Bridgeton, NJ (Cumberland County).  Like what you see, come visit us! VISIT CAMPUS Story and photography by: Chad Wittmann, senior Journalism major

First Year Voices: Computer Science Major Monica Torres

Future Rowan freshman and PCI student Monica Torres

Meet Monica Torres, a Jersey City (Hudson County) native and Computer Science major who attended the Pre-College Institute (PCI) this summer.  What are one or two takeaways you got from the PCI program? “I think I’ve learned a lot more about time management. I’m usually a morning person. I’ve learned to juggle my free time […]

First Year Voices: Joining Her Cousins at Rowan

Krishna stands at Rowan University posed with the owl mascot's wings behind her

After hearing good things about Rowan’s engineering program and with two cousins already here, Rowan was a natural choice for incoming freshman Krishna Barot.  Meeting people and forming the beginnings of lifelong friendships has been the highlight of Krishna’s summer at Rowan University. The first generation college student, from Galloway, NJ (Atlantic County), spent six […]

First Year Voices: A 4-Year Dream Begins to Launch

Alexis Benitez smiles, sits on a green bench with his bookbag by his side

Incoming freshman Alexis Pacheco Benitez of Bridgeton, NJ (Cumberland County) has waited patiently four years to finally begin his education toward his dream career. “When I was a freshman in high school we had this seminar to find out what you want to do, and ever since then I’ve known that I want to go […]

First Year Voices: Rowan Choice Orientation

A group photo of three freshmen outside Wilson Hall

Meet Ariana, Connor and Kayla, three Rowan Choice freshmen who met at orientation this summer. “I’m so excited for the new adventure here on campus,” says Ariana Trabucco, an incoming Marketing major from Wayne, NJ (Passaic County). “I’m most looking forward to being on a such a diverse campus. Rowan is a cultural mixing pot, […]

First Year Voices: Zenon Yanez

a student stands in front of chestnut pond

“Living in Holly Pointe is really nice because it’s like living in a suite your first year. Everyone is so close in the buildings there’s always chances to meet new friends.” Zenon Yanez, freshman electrical and computer engineering major from South Amboy, NJ (Middlesex County) who lives in Holly Pointe Commons.  Like what you see? […]

First Year Voices: Joshua Masucci

student in Rowan hoodie outside in front of fall leaves and trees

“Rowan has been very accepting, the people here are very open. It’s like a big campus, but feels small and everything is close together,” Joshua Masucci, environmental studies major, Nutley, NJ (Essex County). Like what you see? Come visit us! VISIT CAMPUS​​ Enter for a chance to win a Rowan t-shirt! Email RowanBlog [at] rowan.edu […]

First Year Voices: Edythe Nepomuseno

student wearing a rowan shirt on bunce green

“I really enjoy the campus. I enjoy the class sizes. I can have one-on-one with my professors and it makes it really easy being able to transition from high school to college. Being able to have that same relationship with your professors as you did in high school is reassuring,” Edythe Nepomuseno. Biomedical engineering major, Blackwood, […]