2023 Award Winners

The Rowan University Department of Health and Exercise Science is honored to present the 2023 Department Award recipients. These students are nominated by faculty and departments for their outstanding academic excellence and achievements.

Heather Tomaselli
DOSA Health and Exercise Science

Heather Tomaselli is a 22 year-old student from Bound Brook, New Jersey. She is in the Coordinated Program of Dietetics and the Honors College. Heather is involved in a variety of Rowan activities including being a GetFit manager, being a research assistant for Dr. LoBuono, and her part time job at Saxbys. Heather is a lover of music, concerts, working out, and watching tv. Once she is a Registered Dietitian Heather hopes to have a career in community nutrition, where she can teach marginalized populations about body neutrality, food freedom, and sustainability.

Sponsor: The Department of Health and Exercise Science

Jennifer Wickham
Evelyn M. Reade Heath and Exercise Science Award

My name is Jenny Wickham, and I am majoring in Health Promotion and Wellness Management with a minor in Psychology. I enjoy backpacking, cooking, and playing tennis. For the past 2 years, I served as treasurer for the National Wellness Institute’s e-board and was an intern in San Diego for The Art and Science of Health Promotion conference in 2022. Recently, I was accepted to Thomas Jefferson University’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program. I plan to attend in fall 2023. Occupational therapy is my passion, and I plan to spend my future helping others gain independence in their lives. 

Sponsor: The Department of Health and Exercise Science

Megan Bischoff
Public Health and Wellness Medallion

Megan Bischoff is a Health Promotion Wellness Management major and Psychology minor. She is a proud transfer student who will be graduating from Rowan University this May as one of the President’s Scholars of Excellence. Throughout her time here at Rowan, she has been involved in many organizations and departments on campus including serving as president of Rowan’s Chapter of the National Wellness Institute, being a Fitness and Wellness Program Coordinator with Rowan Campus Recreation, and doing her senior internship with the Student Support Services as a Student Success Coach. After graduation, Megan plans on taking a year to gain more experience in the Health Promotion field before continuing on to graduate school. She is incredibly grateful for all the wonderful experiences Rowan University has enabled her to have and  all the amazing individuals she has met along the way. 

Sponsor: The Department of Health and Exercise Science

Indiana Jenkins
David R. Biren Award in Exercise Science

My name is Indiana Jenkins, but I usually go by Indy. I am a senior majoring in Exercise Science and will be graduating this May. Throughout my time at Rowan I have played on the Rowan Women’s Club Soccer team and worked at the Rowan Rec Center as a referee and supervisor for intramural sports. I have worked on several research projects with Dr. Kim throughout the years and have been able to present at two ACSM conferences. My future goal is to go to graduate school for either OT or PT and pursue one of those as a career.

Sponsor: The Estate of David Biren

Taylor Garron
Athletic Training Medallion

I am currently in my fifth year of Rowan University’s Master of Athletic Training Program and serve as the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association (EATA) Student Delegation President. This past summer, I was the teaching assistant for the Athletic Training Program’s cadaver anatomy lab. I am finishing my last clinical rotation with Rowan’s Softball team this semester. I have genuinely enjoyed all of my clinical rotations, and my preceptors have made every day enjoyable and a good learning experience. In the future, I would like to work as an athletic trainer in the secondary school setting and work towards earning my Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) degree. In my free time, I enjoy working out, gardening, and rock climbing.

Sponsor: The Department of Health and Exercise Science

Shirley Guzman
Outstanding Nutrition Student of the Year

My name is Shirley Guzman. I am in Cohort 5 of Rowan’s Coordinated Program of Dietetics. I am in the process of completing the Wellness Coaching Certificate of Graduate Study as well. I will be graduating in May with honors. During my time at Rowan, I have participated in the Nutrition Care Club, as well as conducted research with Dr. Vaughn, Dr. Hall, and Dr. LoBuono. I spent time serving in the NJ Army National Guard as a Healthcare Sergeant. I also worked as a Certified Pharmacy Technician learning about various medications. After getting my masters in Dietetics, I look forward to working with veterans, soldiers, and underserved communities. 

Sponsor: Gourmet Dining

Elizabeth Fowler
Chuck Wedon Scholarship

My name is Elizabeth Flower, I am a sophomore and majoring in athletic training. I am on the Women's Cross Country and Track and Field team. I am a distance runner, and I predominantly run the 5k. My future career goals are to work for a professional or minor league sports team after graduation, preferably baseball or football, but any sport would be really cool to work with. I really enjoy working with athletes.

Sponsor: Rowan University Athletic Training Program

Jordan Heckler
Dr. John Giannini Scholarship

The Dr. John Giannini award is presented to a student who demonstrates leadership within the Department of Health & Exercise Science - Athletic Training Program

My name is Jordyn Heckler. I am a first year graduate student in the Athletic Training Program. Along with classes and clinical hours, I am a student committee member of the Athletic Training Society of New Jersey. Through my role as secretary on this committee, I helped organize a food and toy drive and organize the student section of the ATSNJ conference. I am also the student representative for District Two. After graduation, I plan on working as an Athletic Trainer in the college setting.

Amanda McNally
Dr. Paul C. Davidson Scholarship

The Paul C. Davidson Scholarship is awarded annually to recognize the academic achievement, leadership, and service contributions of an outstanding student from the Health and Exercise Science Department who aspires to enter the field of Chiropractic or Physical Therapy.

My name is Amanda McNally and I am a third year Exercise Science Major and Psychology of Sport and Exercise Minor with a concentration in Honors Studies. Additionally, I am honored to be a co-captain of Rowan University's Women's Cross Country and Track and Field teams, the president of Rowan University's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a representative of the New Jersey Athletic Conference's SAAC, and a member of Leadership Rowan and Rowan's Catholic Campus Ministry. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I am currently planning on attending graduate school to become a doctor of physical therapy.

Kylie Casper
Dr. Michael Briglia Scholarship

My name is Kylie Casper. I am an exercise science major with aspirations to attend physician assistant school. I want to specialize in oncology. I was part of the Rowan Women's Soccer team. I am also a part of a research study on bone health. I coach an 8th grade girls soccer team. I am also a medical assistant at Advocare Pediatrics. I can not wait to further my education and provide medical care to people in need. 

Sponsor: The Estate of Dr. Michael Briglia

Devorah Berman
Joy Solomon Scholarship (Fall)

The Joy Solomon Scholarhip award recognizes student's dedication to Rowan University and the importance of leading a balanced academic and active lifestyle.

My name is Devorah Berman, and that is what I am called by my peers. I am a nutrition major, with a concentration in Dietetics. I was accepted into the Coordinated Program in Dietetics through Rowan this spring, and will start my masters degree in the summer of 2025. At the beginning of this school year, I was fortunate to start work as a research assistant to Dr. Leslie Spencer, on her Community Garden Initiative project. I have gained so many valuable experiences while working with her, that I could never have gotten in a classroom setting. 

Sponsor: Dr. Joy Solomon

Roheena Saleem
Joy Solomon Scholarship (Spring)

The Joy Solomon Scholarhip award recognizes student's dedication to Rowan University and the importance of leading a balanced academic and active lifestyle.

Roheena Saleem is a junior Public Health and Wellness major with a minor in Biological Sciences. She is the Treasurer of Rowan’s Public Health Club and is actively involved with Rowan Pre-PA and Muslim Student Association (MSA). She has worked as an undergraduate Research Assistant in Rowan’s CHASE lab in the Department of Psychology after being selected for the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). She hopes to continue research in the field of public health. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue her Masters in Physician Assistant studies and a Master of Public Health.

Sponsor: Dr. Joy Solomon

Charles Thumm
Roland Esbjornson Scholarship

My name is Charles Thumm, and I am an exercise science student here at Rowan University. I am a first-generation student who plans on graduating in May of 2024. Rowan University has provided me with wonderful opportunities to excel academically and involve myself in many different activities on campus. I am the current president of the National Wellness Institute here on campus and work with our stellar E-board to promote overall health and wellness on campus every semester. I am an active manager in the GetFIT program here as well, which has been one of my biggest joys since I transferred to Rowan University. I am also a bowling coach for the Bancroft Special Olympics team, which has been so rewarding to be a part of. I think Rowan University has held a critical role in helping me strive for my career goal of becoming an occupational therapist, and making a positive impact on the everyday lives of the people I will be working with. I feel grateful for being able to accept such an award at Rowan University. 

Sponsor: The Estate of Leone E. Esbjornson