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For RVCC graduate Tamara Jones, graphic design has always been a passion.

“I first developed an interest in graphic design in high school,” she says.“I appreciated the versatility of design, and that there were so many ways in which graphic design is in everything we do.”

Tamara attended Somerville High School and a part-time program at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School, where she studied graphic communications.

“As a first-generation, low-income student, I had always dreamed of attending college but didn’t know how to get there,” says Tamara. 

That changed when Tamara learned about the Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF), which provides eligible students with academic and economic assistance to help them earn their college degree. 

RVCC’s Director of EOF, Donyea Collins, visited Tamara’s high school in 2019 to share information about the EOF program with students. “This event would become a catalyst that changed the entire trajectory of my life,” says Tamara. “Without the EOF program, I would not have been able to attend RVCC from a financial standpoint.” 

In addition to being an EOF Scholar and student leader at RVCC, Tamara received the Raymond H. Bateman Memorial Scholarship and the SCDC Black Caucus Somerset County Future Leaders Scholarship. She also served as President of the Black Student Alliance and volunteered with the RVCC Food Pantry. 

“I was always taught that bettering one’s community is an essential part of life,” says Tamara. “I’ve had a passion for civic engagement that was instilled in me from my parents at an early age. I’ve taken this with me as I got older, especially when it comes to my academic journey. Helping to create a better community on my campus has become a real passion of mine,” she says.

After receiving her Associate Degree in Graphic and Interactive Design from RVCC in Spring 2022, Tamara transferred to Montclair State University, where she’s working toward a bachelor’s degree in social media and public relations. She is set to graduate in Spring 2025.

While completing her studies at Montclair State, Tamara works part-time at RVCC’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as the DEI administrative, marketing, and social media assistant. 

“While I had not worked in DEI before, I had always subconsciously been doing some of the work required for DEI,” says Tamara. “This past year, I have really grown to love and cherish the work that I’m doing. Being able to work alongside RVCC’s DEI Director, Dr. Windy Paz-Amor, has been an incredible gift, as is helping to create a safe and welcoming campus environment,” she says.

Adding to her already full plate, Tamara will be putting her design skills to use this fall as an intern in RVCC’s marketing department. “In doing this internship, I really want to get comfortable working with a team to collaborate and produce quality work,” she says. 

Her eventual career goal? “Graphic design showed me that I can take both my love of design and helping others into a beautiful, amalgamated form of art,” she says. “I’d love to be able to use my eye for design and my knowledge in DEI to help others in any capacity I can.”

Become the Next RVCC Success Story!

Whether you’ve been researching the best graphic design schools in New Jersey or are wondering: “how do you get into public relations?” Raritan Valley Community College has a program for you. 

Check our RVCC’s Art and Design career pathway to learn about arts and design careers and explore the graphic design classes that are part of RVCC’s graphic design associate degree program.

Or visit the Communication and Media career pathway page to answer the question: “What can you do with a public relations degree?” and explore RVCC’s Social Media Specialist certificate program.

About RVCC

RVCC is ranked the #1 community college in New Jersey by WalletHub.com and Intelligent.com. The College offers more than 90 degree and certificate programs, small class sizes, affordable tuition, a vibrant campus life, and more.

RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. Apply today or visit https://www.raritanval.edu for further information.