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Faiza Bashir’s journey began in Swat, Pakistan, where access to education was limited, but her passion for learning was limitless. In 2017, she moved to the U.S. in pursuit of greater opportunities, ultimately earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences through Rowan’s 3+1 program in December 2024. She chose 3+1 for its affordability and structured path, allowing her to graduate debt-free.

 

With aspirations of becoming a biology teacher, Faiza is dedicated to fostering curiosity and scientific thinking in students. Her role as a Peer Mentor for students with disabilities and her peer-nominated Rowan Global Above and Beyond Award—recognizing students who make significant contributions to their communities—underscore her dedication to education and service.

 

Beyond academics, Faiza enjoys painting and reading. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she shared her artwork with hospital patients to spread hope. Her advice to new 3+1 students? “Ask questions, use your resources, and stay focused on your goals—you’ve got this!”

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Nathan Beam, a senior at Rowan University’s School of Professional Studies, has charted a path of determination and growth throughout his academic career. Originally unsure about pursuing higher education, Nathan started at a community college where he began studying business management. His curiosity and a desire for greater job security led him to transfer to Rowan as a Healthcare Management major.

 

Setting a goal to excel in college, he proudly achieved a place on the Dean’s List and earned an academic award in Healthcare Management. Through his internship at 4WALLS LLC, which is in the behavioral health sector of healthcare, he is given the opportunity to work with both parts of his degree, Healthcare Management and minor in Marketing.

 

Beyond academics, Nathan is passionate about golf, a sport that helps him relax and recharge. His advice for students is simple yet important: work hard, stay focused, and take time for mental breaks to succeed in both academics and life.

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Meet Emma Muigai, a dedicated Public Health and Wellness major at Rowan University with aspirations of becoming a physician. Emma aims to address healthcare challenges and improve lives both locally and globally.

 

As a consistent Dean’s and President’s List honoree, Emma has excelled academically, further enhancing her expertise through internships at the South Jersey Institute of Public Health and the Art and Science of Health Promotion Conference. She is also involved in Rowan’s Public Health Club and is president of Strong Tower Family—reflecting her passion for community and service.

 

Emma balances a busy life as a resident assistant, pharmacy technician, and avid pianist. Her ultimate dream is to establish a healthcare clinic in Kenya that offers accessible care.

 

To new Rowan students, Emma advises: “Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Self-care is essential; you can't pour from an empty cup.”

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As a first-generation college student, Melissa Cosgrove knows the unique challenges of navigating university life. Currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Leadership in Higher Education in Rowan’s College of Education, Melissa has a personal mission: to ensure future students have the resources and support needed for a smooth college transition.

In addition to her studies, Melissa works as the STEAM Academy Coordinator in the College of Science and Mathematics Dean’s Office, where she’s already making an impact on student success. Her role allows her to blend her passion for educational leadership with hands-on experience, connecting students with valuable resources in the sciences and beyond.

Melissa aims to become a Dean of Students, advocating for all students and supporting them academically and personally. She is committed to removing barriers and creating a supportive environment, so every student feels empowered to achieve their academic and personal goals.

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Esian Caldwell, a first-generation college student at Rowan, stands as a beacon of resilience and ambition. Born in Ghana, Esian draws inspiration from a family deeply rooted in education and achievement. Her grandfather, the first African American to earn a pilot's license in Toledo, and her mother, a saxophone player and Cornell alumna, instilled in her a passion for knowledge and a drive to excel.

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Diane Duncan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology through Rowan College at Burlington County's (RCBC) 3+1 program. The hybrid format of her courses, split between online learning and RCBC’s Mount Laurel campus, provided the affordability, accessibility, and flexibility she needed to succeed.

 

During her time in the program, Diane worked as an Academic Advising Assistant in Rowan University's College of Humanities & Social Sciences (CHSS), gaining valuable experience in higher education. One of the highlights of her journey was building strong relationships with peers and faculty while achieving her degree in a timely manner.

 

Diane often advised fellow students to follow their passions and focus on creating and maintaining meaningful connections throughout their academic careers. She also emphasized the wealth of opportunities available for personal and professional growth.

 

Diane is now a proud 3+1 alumna and is pursuing her Ed.D. at Rowan University, continuing her dedication to education and student success.

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Meet Michael Matalavage, a graduate who completed his degree in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (DPEM) in Spring 2024. His journey through higher education was fueled by a passion for learning and a strong desire to serve his community.

Michael started at Rowan as a freshman, and choosing the DPEM program was a perfect fit for his career goals in the public sector. Throughout his time at Rowan, he was also working toward selection for Marine Officer Candidate School, showing his dedication to service and leadership. One of his standout moments was interning with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District, a role that really shaped his academic and professional path.

Living at the Jersey Shore, Michael found balance by spending time on the ocean, enjoying activities like paddleboarding and kayaking. As he looks back on his time at Rowan, his advice to incoming students is to get involved on campus, especially through Greek life, as it can help build leadership skills and open up future opportunities.

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Meet Tammi Hammond, a first-generation college graduate defying the odds to achieve her dreams. Inspired by her parents’ aspirations, Tammi, whose family hails from the segregated South, has worked tirelessly to build a future in education administration. Balancing work, school, and raising a child (now an adult, who was only five when she earned her first Master’s in Elementary Education), Tammi has once again reached a major milestone. She graduated in Spring 2024 with her second Master’s degree in School Administration.

Tammi credits her success to her family’s sacrifices, emphasizing that this degree belongs to all of them. “Choosing Rowan University was an easy decision. After careful research, reviewing the opportunities, and speaking with Rowan graduates, I knew I needed a program that offered the flexibility of online learning with a strong reputation. Rowan delivered just that. I completed the program in two years and met some amazing people along the way.”

Graduating with a 4.0 GPA and earning both Principal and Supervisor Certifications, Tammi is grateful for the support of her fellow educators throughout her journey. Her advice to students: “Knowledge is an everlasting possession, and the best is yet to come!”

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Saira Ahmad graduated in Spring 2022 with a degree in Applied Professional Communication through RCBC's 3+1 program at the Mount Laurel campus. The hybrid format, which included evening and online courses, was perfect for Saira as she balanced full-time work with her studies.

Saira says the highlights of her time in the program were the supportive faculty, the friends she made, and the valuable knowledge she gained along the way. Her advice for current students is to stay focused, stay organized, and never hesitate to reach out to advisors and professors for help when needed.

Since graduating, Saira has started an exciting career as a Personnel Trainee in the HR Division of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

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Natalie Alcott earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology through Rowan College at Burlington County’s (RCBC) 3+1 program in Spring 2020 and her M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Rowan University in Spring 2022.

 

Natalie chose the 3+1 program because it was affordable and let her stay connected to Rowan University, where her dad went to school. She loved that it made getting her degree more flexible and cost-effective.

Her favorite memory was walking in the Psychology program’s graduation ceremony during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. For Natalie, it was a special moment that made all the hard work worth it.

 

Now, she’s focusing on her career while juggling life with 10 pets! Natalie’s advice to students? Go after your goals, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to push yourself to be great.

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In 2021, Faith Orozco earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology through the 3+1 program at Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC). She went on to study Mental Health Counseling at Holy Family University. Faith chose the 3+1 program for its affordability, reputation, and proximity to her family, making it a perfect fit for her academic and personal needs.

Faith encourages students to build strong connections with their advisors and professors, emphasizing that their guidance and support can make a big difference in your journey. Reflecting on her time at RCBC, Faith’s favorite moment was graduating from the 3+1 program, as it marked a significant milestone toward achieving her ultimate goal of becoming a doctor.