EMS Leadership
EMS Leadership
EMS Student Leadership
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Captain McKenna Blair McKenna is a biology major, chemistry minor with a concentration in both forensic and Honors Studies and will be graduating with the class of 2026. She had previously served as the Sergeant Secretary for the organization for a term and a half before being elected to the position of Captain. Outside of Rowan University, McKenna works for Hamilton Township Rescue Squad in Atlantic County, New Jersey and grew up in the Cologne and Collings Lakes Firehouses due to her parents' memberships. In the future McKenna Wishes to become either a Trauma Surgeon or Forensic Pathologist.
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First Lieutenant Tanya Pulavarthi Tanya is currently a sophomore Psychology Major with Minors in Chemistry and Foundations of Biomedical Sciences. She joined Rowan EMS in September of 2022 and gained her EMT license in High School (The Academy of Allied Health and Science, Neptune, NJ). Outside of EMS, Tanya is the senator for Habitat for Humanity and an avid volunteer at CentraState Medical Center's psychiatric screening department. She hopes to become a child and adolescent psychiatrist and an advocate for healthy mental well-being for future generations.
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Second Lieutenant Riley Glackin Riley is sophomore Biochemistry Major in the Honors College with plans to pursue medical school and a career in anesthesiology. Riley's initial experience with EMS started in her hometown as a cadet for Hazlet Township First Aid and Rescue Squad. Riley went on to complete their EMT schooling as a part of the senior year curriculum at their highschool, the Academy of Allied Health and Science, in Neptune, NJ. Outside of Rowan EMS, Riley is a BLAST mentor for the Honors College and a Holly Pointe CA. |
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Sergeant Treasurer Zoe Marino Zoe is currently a sophomore studying Biomedical Art and Visualization with a minor in Biology and CUGS in VR and Game Design. She joined Rowan EMS in the spring of 2023 and received her NREMT in August of 2023. She currently works at Buena Vista Township EMS. Zoe plans on becoming a medical illustrator/3D modeler in the future. |
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Sergeant Secretary Jake Bley Jake is currently a freshman studying biological sciences with minors in chemistry and psychology and a concentration in Honors Studies. Jake joined Rowan EMS in the fall of 2023. He has also been a member of the Wyckoff Volunteer Ambulance Corps since 2021 and recieved his NREMT during the summer of the same year. Other than EMS, Jake is an admissions ambassador for Rowan. |
EMS Professional Staff Leadership
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Vernon Howery, Chief Vernon is the Chief of Operations for EMS services at Rowan University. Vernon started with Rowan Public Safety in 1989 as a Patrol Officer. In 1997 he was certified as an NJ.EMT D and has 14 years of street EMS experience with several agencies. Vernon is a Certified MCI manager and also serves as the University Shelter Annex Manager with OEM. Vernon is responsible for the overall operation of the EMS unit as well as the Public Access AED program and serves as the liaison with Gloucester County, The Borough of Glassboro, The State Office of EMS and various department within the university. |
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Assistant Chief, Maribeth Novsak Maribeth is the Assistant Chief of Rowan EMS. Maribeth was a student member from 2017-2021. She graduated from Rowan University in May 2021 with a B.A. in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management. Maribeth has advanced training in Incident Management including; shelter operations, Active Shooter Incident Management- Advanced, Active Threat Incident Response. Maribeth has previously served Cape May County as an EMT. |
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Brian Rubino Brian Rubino is a Part-Time EMT in EMS. He primarily serves as a non-Emergent Transport driver as well as an AED maintenance technician. As well as his official duties at Rowan EMS he also serves as a mentor to all of our members. Brian became an EMT in 1994 and has served various agencies throughout New Jersey. Brian is an invaluable asset to Rowan EMS and the University as a whole. |
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Meghan Smith Meghan Smith is a Part-Time EMT at Rowan EMS. She primarily serves as a non-emergent tranport driver and also serves as an AED maintanence technician. Meghan has been an EMT since 2020 and has also served on the squad previously as an Undergraduate student and 2nd Liuetenant. |
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Shana Justice Shana Justice is a Student Worker EMT. She primarily serves as a non-Emergent transport driver and an AED maintanence technician. She is currently studying Public Health and Wellness with an anticipated graduation year of 2026. |
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Sgt. Frank Agosta, Advisor Frank Agosta is one of the two Advisors for Rowan University EMS. After receiving his B.A. in Law and Justice from Rowan University he began working for the Rowan University Police Department and is currently a Patrol Sergeant. With his EMS background and his time spent serving on Rowan University EMS during his time as an undergraduate student, he became an Advisor for EMS in 2012. As advisor, Frank is responsible for ensuring the members maintain a healthy balance between being a student and an active member of Rowan EMS. Along with this, he also assists the executive members with their transition from a general member into a supervisory role. |
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Dr. Joe Lizza, Advisor Dr. Joe Lizza serves as the Director of the Student Center & Campus Activities at Rowan University. Dr. Lizza is responsible for the administrative vision, leadership, and management of the Chamberlain Student Center and Campus Activities, a comprehensive department that provides an array of programs, facilities, and services in support of the Division of Student Life and University’s mission and core values. In addition to Dr. Lizza’s full time responsibilities he also serves as an adjunct instructor in the College of Education and deputy Title IX Coordinator for the university. Dr. Lizza has served on executive leadership teams within student affairs organizations and has extensive experience leading and managing in higher education. He currently serves as Chair-Elect for the NASPA Campus Safety and Violence Prevention Knowledge Community and member of the Atlantic County (NJ) Mental Health Advisory Board, as well as a volunteer firefighter/EMT within his community. Dr. Lizza has held a variety of emergency preparedness and response certifications including firefighter, emergency medical technician, fire instructor, fire officer, and fire official/inspector. Dr. Lizza serves as a Disaster Response Crisis Counselor and has public and private emergency management experience. Dr. Lizza earned his bachelor’s degree at Monmouth University in Education, History, and Political Science, and completed his master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and doctorate in Educational Leadership at Rowan University. |
