Every student has a story, and today we’re celebrating the stories of seven recent graduates of RVCC. They all have focused on different academic areas and they each represent a different journey and a different set of accomplishments. But they all have one thing in common—a world of opportunity ahead.See what these graduates have to say about their RVCC experience and learn about their exciting post-graduation plans.
To discover how you can become an RVCC student yourself, be sure to register for an RVCC Information Session.Now let’s dive in and meet these accomplished grads!REBECCA PURNELLMAJOR: LIBERAL ARTSPLANS AFTER RVCC: PRINCETON YMCA PERSONAL TRAINER; NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE PERSONAL TRAINING CERTIFICATION“I never thought I would be able to graduate college post brain injury, and this fact gave me back something I lost after my accident—self-confidence. The amount of community, self-discipline, and knowledge I have gained from RVCC was so much more than I ever expected, and I will always be grateful to this institution.”ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:ASL Club Vice PresidentStudent Commencement SpeakerACE Program MentorCritical Resistance VolunteerHOPE Club MemberGraduated Summa Cum LaudeClick here to learn more about earning a liberal arts degree at Raritan Valley Community College. And if you’re asking yourself: “What jobs can you get with a liberal arts degree?” check out some possibilities on Career Coach.YANELY TEPEPA ROSALES MAJORS: LIBERAL ARTS – SOCIAL SCIENCE & TAX PREPARER CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION TRANSFERRED TO: RUTGERS UNIVERSITY“Graduating from RVCC means a lot to me because as a first-generation student, an immigrant, a proud Hispanic woman, and a survivor, I am so happy to present what diligence and determination can accomplish in times of hardship.”ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:ESL Club PresidentNon-Profit Civic Engagement AwardEOF Outstanding Achievement AwardPepsi ScholarshipNew Jersey Community College Opportunity GrantDomestic Violence/Sexual Assault TrainingInterested in what you can do with an associate degree in social science?
Explore options in Career Coach!SELMA MEHMEDAGICMAJOR: DIGITAL MEDIA/FILM STUDIESTRANSFERRING TO: MASON GROSS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY“I knew I was not ready for a larger university, especially when I graduated during very uncertain times. RVCC gave me the chance to start in small class sizes. I got to meet amazing people I would not be able to meet otherwise.
I gained communication skills and learned a lot from my professors.”ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:Honors CollegeFilm Club Co-PresidentInternational Healthcare Media InternshipNJ STARS ScholarPhi Theta KappaRaymond H. Bateman Memorial ScholarshipGraduated Summa Cum LaudeIf you are interested in pursuing a digital media degree, click here.YASH GOYAL MAJOR: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONTRANSFERRING TO: RUTGERS BUSINESS SCHOOL “I always enjoyed cultivating the sense of RVCC spirit with my peers, whether it was through spontaneous conversations, hanging out in the College Center, starting new clubs, or volunteering on campus.” ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:Honors College Phi Theta Kappa Vice PresidentSanofi US Corporate Mentor Program MenteeNewman Civic FellowshipRobert Sydney Needham ScholarshipSpeaker at CommencementGraduated Summa Cum Laude Learn about earning a business administration degree here.OLIVIA SIMSMAJOR: GRAPHIC AND INTERACTIVE DESIGNTRANSFERRING TO: UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN“I began my studies at RVCC as an entirely different young woman who was mentally lost and unsure of herself. That younger version of me would be so proud and shocked of who I have become just a few years later.
Graduating from RVCC personally serves as a reminder that so much can be experienced, overcome, and learned in such a short period of time.”ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:Leading Edge Innovations Marketing InternAcademic Award for Graphic and Interactive DesignPhi Theta KappaNational Society of Leadership and SuccessJuried Student Art Exhibition “Best in Show” AwardStudent Art Exhibitions/Nota Bene Artist, HonoreeGraduated Summa Cum LaudeTo learn more about pursuing a graphic design degree, click here.MARK DEN HOLLANDER MAJOR: EDUCATION: P-12TRANSFERRING TO: SETON HALL UNIVERSITY“Being a non-traditional student was not always easy because I had a gap in learning between high school and college. My professors were very helpful and assisted wherever they could.”ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:Honors CollegeAcademic Award for Education: P-12Young Republicans Club Vice PresidentStudent Government AssociationGraduated Summa Cum Laude Interested in early childhood education degree programs? Click here.ANA TABORDAMAJOR: COMMUNICATION STUDIESTRANSFERRING TO: RUTGERS UNIVERSITY“I came to the United States without knowing what to expect.
Sometimes I felt scared of the obstacles I had to face, but RVCC helped me to gain my confidence back and helped me find myself in the U.S.”ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:Phi Theta KappaDowntown Somerville Alliance InternshipNational Society of Leadership and SuccessGraduated Summa Cum LaudeTo learn more about the path to a communications degree, click here.The Next RVCC Graduate Could Be You!If you’ve been researching “accredited colleges near me,” you’ve come to the right place! Ranked as the #1 community college in New Jersey by WalletHub.com and Niche.com, RVCC offers students a high-quality education at an affordable cost, boasting 90+ degree and certificate programs along with a welcoming campus environment.Attend an RVCC Information Session. You will have the opportunity to explore programs, discover financial aid options, tour the campus, and more.
Be sure to register today! For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.