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Raritan Valley Community College recently held its 2022 Commencement, awarding degrees and certificates to more than 1,200 graduates. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on six notable graduates in STEM, or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

As the demand for STEM degrees continues to rise, we know these students are in for a bright future. Learn about their plans after graduation and discover how you can become a STEM student yourself at an RVCC Information Session.

Without further ado, let’s meet some impressive STEM graduates!

WILLIAM J. KOHUT 

MAJOR: BIOLOGY 
TRANSFERRING TO: RUTGERS SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 

“Coming from working entry-level or blue-collar jobs to graduating Summa Cum Laude and speaking at graduation felt like a storybook ending to my time at Raritan Valley Community College.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• Sanofi Galileo Scholarship 
• Changebuilder Scholarship Award
• President’s Volunteer Service Award Bronze Category
• Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Member Hallmark Award
• Speaker at Commencement
• Chemistry Department Student Lab Assistant
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude

SANGEETHA PUNNAM

MAJOR: GENERAL SCIENCE/PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
TRANSFERRING TO: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

“My most memorable experience at RVCC was attending the Involvement Fair each semester. Hearing the roaring music alongside the passionate club leaders, I was enamored by the vibrant student community.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• Academy for Health and Medical Sciences
• All-USA Academic Team
• New Century Transfer Pathway Scholarship
• President’s Volunteer Service Award Gold Category
• Phi Theta Kappa Vice President of Communication
• Make A Difference Events Organizer
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude

MARY MOOR

MAJOR: COMPUTER SCIENCE
TRANSFERRING TO: ROWAN UNIVERSITY HONORS COLLEGE

“Being able to transition at RVCC made it less stressful then going to a four-year college. The support the professors provided, along with the Tutoring Center, helped me succeed at RVCC.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• Honors College
• U.S. Army DoD Internship
• Phi Theta Kappa
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• Computer Science Club Vice President
• Lois Rothschild Scholarship
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude

HENRY FRELIGH

MAJORS: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & CHEMISTRY
TRANSFERRING TO: PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

“RVCC provided me with a second chance. I worked diligently throughout high school and was disappointed with the colleges I was accepted to as I approached graduation. Between my disappointment, the descent into the pandemic as a member of the class of 2020, and the cost of college, RVCC made the most sense for me. I continued to work aggressively at RV and have now been accepted to one of the top universities in the country and the world.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• Phi Theta Kappa
• Honors College
• Engineering Club President
• NJ STARS Scholar
• Academic Award for Engineering Science
• American Society for Engineering Education Mid-Atlantic Conference Presenter
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude

OREOLUWA KPADE-JOHNSON

MAJOR: PRE-MEDICINE AND PRE-PHARMACY
TRANSFERRING TO: SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM

“Attending RVCC has made me realize my hidden potentials and has opened doors of opportunities that would enable me to thrive moving forward.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• Jack Kent Cooke Semifinalist
• Phi Theta Kappa
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• Scholarship for Fundamental Fairness Honoring the Life of John J. Grossi, Jr.
• Academic Award for Pre-Medicine and Pre-Pharmacy
• Achievement Center Intern/Volunteer
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude

VANESSA VAZQUEZ

MAJOR: HEALTH SCIENCE
ACCEPTED TO: Kean University, Chamberlain University, JFK Muhlenberg School of Nursing

“Graduating from RVCC is one of the biggest accomplishments I could ever have. The fact that I managed to graduate Magna Cum Laude while being a full-time student and working two jobs means the world to me, because it proves to me that I was able to push through even when I believed I couldn’t.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• EOF Leader/Mentor
• Phi Theta Kappa
• Raritan Promise Scholarship
• RWJ Nurse Scholarship
• Somerset Pediatric Group Medical Assistant
• Graduated Magna Cum Laude

The Next STEM Graduate Could Be You!

If you’ve spent time researching “STEM programs near me,” you’ve probably noticed that it can be overwhelming to narrow down the best options. Rest assured that RVCC offers top quality training for the fastest growing STEM related careers in 2022. For example:

• Students who take computer science programs at RVCC are poised for success! The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that computer science employment will grow 15 percent from 2019 to 2029, making it an ultra-smart career choice. If you’re wondering about the most in-demand field in computer science, look to the growing disciplines of cybersecurity, cloud computing, or big data.
• Students interested in health science programs can also expect a positive job outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow an impressive 16 percent from 2020 to 2030. When it comes to the best career in health science, the fastest growing fields include occupational therapy assistants, home health aides, and nurse practitioners, among others.

About RVCC

Raritan Valley Community College provides students with a high-quality education at an affordable cost. Ranked as the #1 community college in New Jersey by WalletHub.com and Niche.com, RVCC offers more than 90 programs—from academic degree programs to healthcare career training to professional certification opportunities, and more. Here, you can enjoy vibrant in-person instruction, accredited online courses, small class sizes, caring instructors, and a welcoming campus environment.

Ready to learn more? Attend an RVCC Information Session. You will have the opportunity to explore programs, discover financial aid options, tour the campus, and more. Be sure to register today! For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.