RVCC Alumni Association
Our community begins with you!
It may sound cliché, but we’re here for YOU. Beyond providing an information lifeline about all things RVCC, we also invite you back to campus! We host numerous events—from our annual Opportunity Summits to our Toast to Summer reunions to our autumn “homecomings”—all tailored to keep you informed, engaged, and proud of New Jersey’s BEST community college. We also celebrate you, your accomplishments, and your journeys—from the Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards to your stories featured in the RVCC Foundation Annual Report and Notes from the Valley.
Be seen. Be heard. Be engaged.
So if you want to stay informed and network with fellow RVCC grads—some 20,000 strong—and maybe even lend your support to those following in your footsteps, then this is your place. The RVCC Alumni Association.
Notes from the Valley, Fall 2023
RVCC Foundation Annual Report, 2024
READY TO BECOME PART OF THE RVCC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION?
It only takes a moment to join, but it offers a lifetime of relationships, benefits, and opportunities to become more engaged. And there’s no membership fee—the RVCC Alumni Association is FREE.
Mentorship Matters
Industry professionals like you have invaluable first-hand knowledge and experience that is vital for students.
With this in mind, RVCC’s Office of Career Success & Experiential Learning, in collaboration with the RVCC Alumni Association, is developing a roster of interested graduates to connect our current students to various career-related options and experiences. This initiative will help students choose a major, clarify career goals, assess work environment fit, and prepare for internships or professional job searches.
Students will be able to directly access Lions-Connect through the College Central Network (CCN) platform to find and connect with alumni.
The Benefits of Membership
Raritan Valley Community College offers a wide-range of benefits to alumni who join the association.
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Robert Nichols, '01
An RVCC Associates in Liberal Arts degree holder, this 12-time inductee of the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame (inductions include “School of the Year,” “Instructor of the Year,” “International Instructor of the Year,” and “Man of the Year”) has led one of the largest Martial Arts schools in NJ from 2001 through the present. The Union, NJ facility serves inner-city areas such as Newark and Elizabeth, with a program focused on personal development, leadership training, and community involvement. To date over 450 individuals have earned their black belts at Robert’s facility, as well as over 250 individuals participating in Leadership certification. He has also volunteered as an Anti-Bullying Coordinator for 12 public schools from 2004 to 2019, and served on the board of Martial Arts with Hearts Charity Foundation. His first book, “Earn a Black Belt in...An Average Guys Guide to Life” quickly became an AMAZON #1 Best Seller. Robert is also a 12-time US Commerce Award Winner for Best Business.
Elisabeth McConville, '95 & '04
With three degrees (Paralegal, Humanities, and English) from RVCC—all with high honors (the latter two, “Cum Laude”)—it is clear that few grads have gotten more from the College than Elisabeth. And few have given more: RVCC has benefitted significantly from her philanthropy, the seeds of which may have been planted during her years of working as the personal assistant to Doris Duke (yes, that Duke!). Having established a scholarship at RVCC in memory of her sister, the Mary T. Zanetti Scholarship has benefited some 23 students. Elisabeth served on the RVCC Foundation Board of Directors from 2010-2018. She has also been honored as “Lady Commander in The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem” (also called Order of the Holy Sepulchre)—this is a Roman Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the Holy See. Elisabeth also received the Courier News “Star Award” for her work with the Bridgewater Police Crisis Intervention Team.
Jamal Kassim, '11
As a first-generation college graduate who was raised by single mother, Jamal overcame all obstacles he faced, and now enjoys a flourishing career in the education sector. His Associate of Arts Degree in Communication Studies at RVCC has served Jamal well, having gone on to get both a Bachelor’s degree (Communications and Human Resources) and a Master’s degree (Labor Relations) from Rutgers University (with a perfect 4.0 GPA in his Master’s work). Jamal brought his expertise back to RVCC in 2016, finishing his tenure as Transfer Articulation and Graduate Associate (he is currently Assistant Registrar at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University). While at RVCC, Jamal was credited with improving the graduation application process and increasing graduation participation among graduates. Jamal also helped revive Black Student Alliance (BSA) and served as its faculty advisor. He was also “all in” for the RVCC Foundation’s annual “Giving Day” and helped elevate the BSA’s fundraising results. He also volunteers as an Assistant Football Coach for Somerville Branchburg United.
Osei Boateng, '16
Osei, a 2016 Pre-Med graduate from RVCC, earned his Human Biology & Society degree from Cornell University with minors in Business and Gerontology. He later attained a master’s in Healthcare Administration from Cornell. As CEO of the OKB Hope Foundation, he’s dedicated to delivering healthcare to remote Ghanaian communities. His foundation operates a mobile health van, bringing medical aid and professionals directly to underserved areas, impacting over 5,000 individuals across 50 communities. Osei champions mental health support for 2,000+ high school students and created the Experience Ghana program, hosting US students for volunteering and internships in Ghana. His work earned recognition from Engaged Cornell, Echoing Green, Global Solutions Initiative, and CNN (he’s currently a Top 10 CNN “Hero of the Year” finalist). Osei’s community service extends from postHurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico to contributions at hospitals like New York-Presbyterian and Henry Ford Health System. At RVCC, he was an Educational Opportunity Fund leader and a math tutor.
Sebastian Galvez, '20
A 2022 Somerset County Business Partnership's "Top 40 Under 40" honoree, Sebastian, an RVCC and Montclair State University graduate, has excelled in his seven-year tenure at J&J, now serving as a Manager in Capacity Management for J&J’s Innovative Medicine sector. He's earned over 20 “Encore/Inspire” awards within J&J, recognized for his professional and philanthropic contributions. Sebastian's impact extends to the Hispanic & Latino Employee Resource Group at J&J, where he received the Rising Hispanic Star award. His leadership extends beyond J&J, evident in his participation in the Leadership Pipeline Program by the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility. Engaged in community service, he serves on the United Way of Northern NJ's Equity and Innovation Committee and the Advisory Board for The Salvation Army of Morristown, where his initiatives have led to significant contributions, making him the youngest member on the NJ State Advisory Board for The Salvation Army. Additionally, Sebastian has served on the RVCC Foundation Board of Directors since 2019.
Nicole DeRosa, '06
Nicole, an RVCC graduate in General Business, earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson. With 15 years as a CPA, she’s received accolades including the NJCPA 30 Under 30 and the 2019 NJCPA Ovation Award for Women to Watch. Recognized thrice in NJBIZ’s Power 50 in Accounting, she also serves on NJCPA’s Board of Trustees. Nicole recently achieved partner status in Wiss & Company’s Tax division. Beyond her profession, she’s a licensed Zumba instructor who provided free virtual sessions during Covid to foster community. Engaged in community service, she’s involved with the St. Jude Run/Walk Jersey Shore and volunteers at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. Nicole maintains her connection with RVCC, participating as a panelist for Business Career Night and instructing Tax Accounting for Individuals for four years.
Joe Forte, '11
Joe, an RVCC Social Science graduate, completed a bachelor’s at Rider University and pursued multiple master’s degrees, including in Public Administration, International Affairs, and certificates in Strategic Communications, Diversity and Inclusion. Currently Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Diversity Officer at the New Jersey Department of State, Joe oversees various departments, leveraging his state government experience from roles at the Department of Labor, Civil Service Commission, and under Governor Phil Murphy. A published author and recognized figure in LGBTQ+ advocacy, he’s been acknowledged by Roi-NJ.com and received accolades like Business Equality Magazine’s 40 under 40. Engaged in community service, Joe chairs the Lawrence Township DEI Committee, leads the PSHRA-NJ chapter, and actively participates in alumni boards and political caucuses. His RVCC involvement included leadership roles in SGA, LGBTQ Pride Alliance, and Relay for Life. Joe remains connected to the campus, attending events with his family and supporting the theater community.
Sonia Bhala, '12-'13
Sonia, an RVCC alumna, graduated from Lafayette College before pursuing her medical studies at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. As a medical student specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, Sonia’s future OB/GYN residency is underway. Her remarkable achievements include receiving dual distinctions at RWJMS for her research with the National Institute of Health and her innovative Electronic Medical Record add-on, PicClinic. With a nine-year tenure at NIH, Sonia contributed significantly to understanding telomere biology disorders, meningiomas, and cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, resulting in peer-reviewed publications and national conference presentations. She’s been honored with awards like the 2019 Team Telomere Executive Director’s Choice Award and the 2020 National Numeracy Network’s Steen Award for her publication. Sonia is also a published poet and a grant recipient from the National Cancer Institute. Beyond her work, she’s engaged with the Monmouth Medical Title X Family Planning Center, leading workshops for underprivileged women in Long Branch. At RVCC, Sonia held roles as a Student Ambassador and President of the Psychology Club.
Contact Us
Michael Marion
Executive Director, RVCC Alumni Association
Michael.Marion@raritanval.edu
Greg DeSanctis
Director of Alumni Outreach
Greg.DeSanctis@raritanval.edu
