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Every student has a story, and today we’re celebrating the stories of seven recent graduates of RVCC. They all have focused on different academic areas and they each represent a different journey and a different set of accomplishments. But they all have one thing in common—a world of opportunity ahead.

See what these graduates have to say about their RVCC experience and learn about their exciting post-graduation plans. To discover how you can become an RVCC student yourself, be sure to register for an RVCC Information Session.
Now let’s dive in and meet these accomplished grads!

REBECCA PURNELL

MAJOR: LIBERAL ARTS
PLANS AFTER RVCC: PRINCETON YMCA PERSONAL TRAINER; NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE PERSONAL TRAINING CERTIFICATION

“I never thought I would be able to graduate college post brain injury, and this fact gave me back something I lost after my accident—self-confidence. The amount of community, self-discipline, and knowledge I have gained from RVCC was so much more than I ever expected, and I will always be grateful to this institution.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• ASL Club Vice President
• Student Commencement Speaker
• ACE Program Mentor
• Critical Resistance Volunteer
• HOPE Club Member
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude

Click here to learn more about earning a liberal arts degree at Raritan Valley Community College. And if you’re asking yourself: “What jobs can you get with a liberal arts degree?” check out some possibilities on Career Coach.

YANELY TEPEPA ROSALES 

MAJORS: LIBERAL ARTS – SOCIAL SCIENCE & TAX PREPARER CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
TRANSFERRED TO: RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

“Graduating from RVCC means a lot to me because as a first-generation student, an immigrant, a proud Hispanic woman, and a survivor, I am so happy to present what diligence and determination can accomplish in times of hardship.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• ESL Club President
• Non-Profit Civic Engagement Award 
• EOF Outstanding Achievement Award
• Pepsi Scholarship 
• New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant 
• Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Training

Interested in what you can do with an associate degree in social science? Explore options in Career Coach!

SELMA MEHMEDAGIC

MAJOR: DIGITAL MEDIA/FILM STUDIES
TRANSFERRING TO: MASON GROSS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

“I knew I was not ready for a larger university, especially when I graduated during very uncertain times. RVCC gave me the chance to start in small class sizes. I got to meet amazing people I would not be able to meet otherwise. I gained communication skills and learned a lot from my professors.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• Honors College
• Film Club Co-President
• International Healthcare Media Internship
• NJ STARS Scholar
• Phi Theta Kappa
• Raymond H. Bateman Memorial Scholarship
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude

If you are interested in pursuing a digital media degree, click here.

YASH GOYAL  

MAJOR: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
TRANSFERRING TO: RUTGERS BUSINESS SCHOOL  

“I always enjoyed cultivating the sense of RVCC spirit with my peers, whether it was through spontaneous conversations, hanging out in the College Center, starting new clubs, or volunteering on campus.”  

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• Honors College  
• Phi Theta Kappa Vice President 
• Sanofi US Corporate Mentor Program Mentee 
• Newman Civic Fellowship 
• Robert Sydney Needham Scholarship
• Speaker at Commencement
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude  

Learn about earning a business administration degree here.

OLIVIA SIMS

MAJOR: GRAPHIC AND INTERACTIVE DESIGN
TRANSFERRING TO: UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

“I began my studies at RVCC as an entirely different young woman who was mentally lost and unsure of herself. That younger version of me would be so proud and shocked of who I have become just a few years later. Graduating from RVCC personally serves as a reminder that so much can be experienced, overcome, and learned in such a short period of time.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• Leading Edge Innovations Marketing Intern
• Academic Award for Graphic and Interactive Design
• Phi Theta Kappa
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• Juried Student Art Exhibition “Best in Show” Award
• Student Art Exhibitions/Nota Bene Artist, Honoree
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude

To learn more about pursuing a graphic design degree, click here.

MARK DEN HOLLANDER 

MAJOR: EDUCATION: P-12
TRANSFERRING TO: SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

“Being a non-traditional student was not always easy because I had a gap in learning between high school and college. My professors were very helpful and assisted wherever they could.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• Honors College
• Academic Award for Education: P-12
• Young Republicans Club Vice President
• Student Government Association
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude 

Interested in early childhood education degree programs? Click here.

ANA TABORDA

MAJOR: COMMUNICATION STUDIES
TRANSFERRING TO: RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

“I came to the United States without knowing what to expect. Sometimes I felt scared of the obstacles I had to face, but RVCC helped me to gain my confidence back and helped me find myself in the U.S.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY BUILDING:

• Phi Theta Kappa
• Downtown Somerville Alliance Internship
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude

To learn more about the path to a communications degree, click here.

The Next RVCC Graduate Could Be You!

If you’ve been researching “accredited colleges near me,” you’ve come to the right place! Ranked as the #1 community college in New Jersey by WalletHub.com and Niche.com, RVCC offers students a high-quality education at an affordable cost, boasting 90+ degree and certificate programs along with a welcoming campus environment.

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.