BLAST
BLAST
Bantivoglio Leadership and Service Training
BLAST Peer Mentoring Program
The Bantivoglio Leadership and Service Training (BLAST) peer mentoring program pairs upperclassmen with incoming Honors students to help guide them through their first semester in Honors and at Rowan. Incoming students are invited to join shortly before the start of their first semester in the program.
Professor Flocco is the Coordinator for First Year Experience and the Bantivoglio Leadership and Service Training (B.L.A.S.T.) program in the Honors College. Her recent awards include: 2016 College of Communication and Creative Arts Excellence in Service Award for Writing Arts, 2018 Rowan University Autism Ambassador, and National Association of College and University Residence Halls Faculty Member of the Month (NACURH, Nov 2018).
Email: flocco@rowan.edu
Evelyn Atkins is one of the 2023-2024 BLAST Coordinators. Evelyn is a Mechanical Engineering student who joined the Honors College in Fall 2021.
Email: atkins54@students.rowan.edu
Hi! My name is Lila Swietanski. I'm a Communications Studies major with a dual minor in Political Science and Journalism. I’m Co-Coordinator of the BLAST Program, and this will be my third semester being a mentor. I'm an Admissions Ambassador on campus, and I'm the lead singer of a band. I'm from Mount Royal, NJ. In my free time, I love to write music, go to the gym, and travel! I also love Taylor Swift and going to the beach.
Email: swieta24@students.rowan.edu
BLAST Mentors
Fall 2023 Mentors
| Name | Year |
Major(s) |
Hometown |
About Me |
|
 |
David Theuma | Senior |
Chemical Engineering
|
Hammonton, NJ (Commuter) |
I am very involved in the College of Engineering and the secretary of the 3D Printing club. I’m also a huge Marvel fan! |
 |
Soumya Rednam | Junior |
Biology |
South Brunswick, NJ (Resident) |
I am involved in Alpha Phi Omega (service fraternity) and Habitat for Humanity. I also enjoy tennis, baking, cooking, and TV! |
|
|
Amelia Biermann | Junior |
Inclusive Education |
Mullica Hill, NJ (Commuter) |
I am the co-president of Rowan Unified Sports and the VP of Kappa Delta Pi. I also love music (Dad Rock) and TV! |
 |
Jamie Ivan | Junior |
Political Science |
Old Bridge, NJ (Resident) |
I am a VP of the Pre-Law Society. I am also a member of RIPPAC and Circle K. I am the AVP of Governmental Relations for SGA. |
 |
Glenn Johnson | Sophomore |
Chemical Engineering |
Asbury Park, NJ (Resident) |
I am the 2026 Class Representative for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and I also am an active member of the math team. |
 |
Srivalli Valluri | Junior |
Biomedical Engineering (3+4) |
Hackettstown, NJ (Resident) |
I am a member of the BME Society, Circle, K, and the Math team. I am also a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo! |
 |
Alex DeStefano | Sophomore |
Music Education |
Dorothy, NJ (Resident) |
I am a dedicated musician. I especially love playing piano and composing music. |
 |
Gianna Canuso | Sophomore |
Early Childhood Education |
Mt. Ephraim, NJ (Commuter) |
I play on the Rowan Club Field Hockey Team and volunteer with GetFIT. I also enjoy reading and watching RomComs! |
 |
Alexa Gonzalez | Sophomore |
Commupting & Informatics |
Toms River, NJ (Resident) |
I am involved in ACM-W, Circle K, Alpha Phi Omega. I am also an Admissions Ambassador! |
 |
Kayleigh Naprawa | Sophomore |
Political Science |
Columbus, NJ (Resident) |
I am involved in Circle K, Pre-Law Society, and Alpha Phi Omega. I am also an Admissions Ambassador! |
 |
Mackenzie Sozio | Junior |
Biology |
Washington Twp., NJ (Resident) |
I am VP of the Pre-Health Society, and a member of Circle K. I also work with Dr. Vega in the JHSC lab. |
 |
Ohm Sharma | Senior | Biomedical Engineering (3+4 BS/MD) | Roswell, GA (Resident) | I am the secretary of the BME Society and co-leaders of the Honors Food Insecurity Program. I am also an avid sports fan! |
 |
Megan Steckler | Senior | Marketing & Entrepreneurship | Mullica Hill, NJ (Commuter) | I am an on-air host for Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM and a member of the American Marketing Society. |
 |
Rose Mularadelis | Senior | Biology & Environmental Science | Burlington, NJ (Resident) | I work in the Rowan Writing Center and an Environmental Science Lab. I am also involved in the Honors Choir and Honors Murder Mystery! |
 |
Hannah Turrisi | Senior | Biological Sciences | Parsippany, NJ (Resident) | This is my 4th semester as a BLAST mentor. I am also the Senator for Circle K Service organization. In my free time, I spend time reading, hanging out with friends! |
 |
Kate Burton | Sophomore | Exercise Science | Franklinville, NJ (Commuter) | I am the social chair for Circle K. I am also involved in the Public Health Club and the National Wellness Institute. |
 |
Cora Mejia | Senior | Biochemistry | Ocala, Floria (Resident) | This is my final semester at Rowan and I'm so excited to mentor again! I am a musician and play 8 instruments! |
 |
Calvin Suoto | Sophomore | Biochemistry | Micketon, NJ (Commuter) | I work in Dr. Grinias’ lab on Chromatography and analytical chemistry. I also love to hang out with friends, golf, play video games, and watch anime. |
 |
Medha Dabral | Sophomore | Biological Sciences | Howell, NJ (Resident) | I am a field training officer and staff on Rowan’s EMS squad. I am also the president of the Badminton club! |
 |
Riley Glackin | Sophomore | Biochemistry | Hazlet, NJ (Resident) | I am an EMT for Rowan’s EMS squad. I also love soccer, writing, and reading in my free time. |
 |
Grace Fox | Senior | English | Monroe Twp, NJ (Resident) | I am a member of cinema workshop. I love reading and watching terrible movies! |
 |
Jane Van Wie | Junior | Communication Studies | Clifton, NJ (Resident) | I am involved with Rowan Television Network and the secretary of Cinema Workshop. I am also a fan of different art forms such as painting and sewing. |
 |
Landon Nicholson | Senior | Finance & Management Information Systems | Mullica Hill, NJ (Resident) |
I am on the Student Government Executive Committee and an Admission Ambassador. I also love snowboarding and surfing! |
|
Lila Swietanski | Junior | Communication Studies | Mount Royal, NJ (Resident) |
I am the co-coordinator of the BLAST program! I am also an admissions ambassador and the lead singer of a band! |
 |
Dom Coutinho | Senior | Molecular & Cellular Biology (3+4 BS/MD) | Haddon Twp, NJ (Resident) |
I am a part-time phlebotomist at Our Lady of Lourdes and conduct research at Cooper Medical School. I play soccer and basketball in my free time. |
 |
Trina Basu | Senior | Molecular & Cellular Biology (3+4 BS/MD) | Washington Twp, NJ (Resident) |
I am the president of Women Inspiring a New Generation of Scientists, VP of Minority Association of Premedical students and Co-Captain of Rowan Rangeela. |
 |
Amanda Baliban | Senior (Transfer) | Anthropology | Haddon Twp, NJ (Commuter) |
I am a member of Rowan Club Tennis team and the Honors Choir. I love reading and am a big Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings fan! |
 |
Mary Moor | Senior (Transfer) | Computer Science | Bridgeton, NJ (Commuter) |
I am the secretary of Association for Computing Machinery. I am also the committee head of Rowan Robotics. Fun fact: I have my private pilot certificate! |
 |
Parker Bennink | Junior | Radio, Television, & Film | Hightstown, NJ (Resident) |
I am the talent/producer for the Rowan Television Network and the VP of Cinema Workshop. I love music, movies, and video games! |
 |
Sean Connelly | Junior | Psychology | Cape May Courthouse, NJ (Resident) |
I am a Senator for Habitat for Humanity. I enjoy making friends, watching movies, and making music. |
 |
Lacey Cicalese | Sophomore | Early Childhood Education | Haddon Heights, NJ (Resident) | I am a member of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and Circle K service club. I love the beach and hanging out with friends. I am a big Harry Styles fan! |
 |
Rose Critelli | Sophomore | Mathematics Education (4+1) | Ocean Twp, NJ (Resident) | I am a member of the Association of Women in Math and I work in the College of Education Dean’s Office. |
 |
Bryant Wang | Junior | Molecular & Cellular Biology (3+4 BS/MD) | Moorestown, NJ (Resident) | I’m secretary for the Pre-Health Society, a part of GetFit and the Honors Food Insecurity Program. I also play intramural soccer. |
 |
Nitish Kasarla | Junior | Molecular & Cellular Biology (3+4 BS/MD) | East Hanover, NJ (Resident) | I’m President of the Pre-Health Society, a part of GetFit and the Honors Food Insecurity Program. I’m a big sports fan! |
 |
Briana Reid | Sophomore | Biological Science | Clayton, NJ (Resident) | I’m involved in Rowan’s NAACP chapter and Rowan’s U-RISE Biomedical Research Program. I love to watch Netflix and play soccer. |
 |
Samay Shukla | Sophomore |
Molecular & Cellular Biology (3+4 BS/DO) |
Monroe Twp, NJ (Resident) | I’m involved in a Psychology research lab and volunteer with Rowan EMS. I enjoy basketball, video games and watching TV, especially Spongebob! |
 |
Jordyn Dauter | Junior |
Dance & Elementary Education |
Quakertown, PA (Resident) | I am captain of the Rowan Dance Team and the VP of RU Dance Extensions. I love to choreograph, and exercise. |
 |
Mia Shute | Junior |
Biological Science |
Mullica Hill, NJ (Resident) | I’m a Community Assistant in Holly Pointe and I love going out to eat, listening to music, going to the gym and hanging out with my dogs! |
 |
Emily Nelson | Junior |
Biological Science |
Washington Crossing, PA (Resident) | I’m on the Women’s Swim Team and work as an EMT for Rowan EMS. I’m also a lifeguard/EMT for the North Wildwood Beach Patrol. |
 |
Raaha Kumaresan | Sophomore |
Biomedical Engineering (3+4 BS/MD) |
Robbinsville, NJ (Resident) | I’m the Treasurer for Engineers without Borders, and I’m an undergraduate researcher in The Vega Lab. |
 |
Jackson Schaefer | Sophomore |
Mathematics & Sports Communication |
Sicklerville, NJ (Resident) | I’m a Stats intern for the Delaware Blue Coats and Wilmington Blue Rocks. I enjoy hanging out with friends and playing basketball! |
 |
Sara Rozengarten | Sophomore |
Molecular & Cellular Biology (3+4 BS/MD) |
Cherry Hill, NJ (Resident) | I am the special events chair for ImmunoClub and volunteer for the Pre-Health office. I love binge watching TV shows, soccer, and food! |
