When a person stays in the same field for over 30 years, it’s safe to bet that it’s their passion. And for Rowan College at Burlington County paramedic science instructor Tracy Iglesias, that passion is EMS, and her background is extensive.
Her background, passion and expertise recently culminated in earning Nurse of the Year from the 2021 National Conference on EMS.
For Michael Chulsky-Lopez and Scott Kubic, Rowan College at Burlington County offers flexibility, guaranteed admission to the four-year college of their choices and the invaluable experience of overcoming their anxieties.
Chulsky-Lopez, who studies creative writing and business, transferred to RCBC from Brookdale Community College after realizing he couldn’t complete his full degree online. When it came time for him to nearly finish his studies, he found that several critical classes were not offered online.
For the past six years, Rowan College at Burlington County student Owen Taylor has been teaching himself how to write music, as well as how to sing, play guitar and dabble in the piano.
“I spend a lot of my time writing and releasing songs under the name ‘Shulin’ on streaming platforms and making videos for them on YouTube,” Taylor shared. “Aside from music, I love reading and writing stories, hiking and camping, spending time with friends and exploring new places.”
Moving to a new country can feel daunting, and taking steps to learn a second language requires courage, patience and the willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone. Many choose to take that leap with English as a Second Language (ESL) courses offered through community colleges. Rowan College at Burlington County is no exception – providing small ESL classes that offer personalized attention with patient and experienced instructors.
For as long as she can remember, Olga Berry has had a penchant for mathematics. Her father, a remarkable mathematician, taught her through ancient math tasks – a form of intellectual games.
“I remember pleading with him that I wanted to play sports like all the other kids, to which he replied: ‘You can play chess – the mind sport.’ Since then, I have loved to play chess and still do with family and friends,” Berry shared.
Born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, she studied and taught mathematics in her home country before coming to the United States in 2000.
Rowan College at Burlington County’s culinary program offers an internship with Deborah Heart and Lung Center, New Jersey’s only specialty heart, lung and vascular hospital. Launched in January 2021, the Culinary Internship Program includes a structured curriculum that aligns with Deborah’s corporate governance and mission and values, while carefully following New Jersey State Sanitation Code and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points – vitally important regulatory checks in safe food handling.
Since childhood, Diana Walker had always wanted to become a chef, but before she even stepped foot into a culinary class, she enrolled at Rowan College at Burlington County to overcome a language barrier and set herself up for success.
At 64 years old, Marion Akins knows a thing or two about the time it takes to find yourself and summon the courage to pursue the path that’s right for you. As a child, Akins found little interest in school, preferring to socialize and network with others. Eventually, however, she grew to love her academic journey and continues to pursue higher degrees.
Chaunce Foster is the type of person who will only pursue opportunities that he truly believes will help him in the future. Growing up, his father was absent throughout his childhood, and his mother tragically passed when he was just a teenager. At the time, it forced him to make some tough decisions and to steer himself toward the path he truly wanted.
When he was in the midst of his college search, Chaunce considered geographical convenience, as well as what each college could offer him. He landed at Rowan College at Burlington County and hasn’t looked back since.
Nearly 50% of today’s college students are considered first-generation. For Dana Knittel, earning a college degree is a necessity. A first-gen college student, Knittel knows the challenges associated with lacking a college degree. She studies business at Rowan College at Burlington County and hopes to eventually pursue a career as a real estate agent.