the Honors Program!

Welcome to the Honors Program! The students in this brochure have volunteered to serve as Honors
Program mentors for the Fall 2016 semester. Please take a few moment to read the bios below. Pick
four students who you are compatible with. Mentor selections will be made Sunday, August 28th, or
during the first week of class by emailing them to [email protected] by August 25th.
AMY MAJKRZAK
Hi! My name is Amy and I'm so excited to be working with the new
honors freshman students! The honors program has helped me
develop into a confident and more established person and I have no
doubt it will do the same for you. Outside of the classroom you can
find me drinking coffee and eating chocolate. I love meeting new
people and am generally known as a rather loud person. I also am
first generation born American within my family, and as a result I
speak four languages and am learning another two! As I said, I'm
excited to help and meet all the incoming freshman and help you with the beginning of your journey at
Marist!!!
AMY MORSE
Hello! I have been a member of the Marist College Honors
Program for 3 years. Outside of Marist I am also enrolled in a
Parsons x Teen Vogue certificate program! For the past spring
& summer seasons I have been living & working in
Manhattan, NY. I interned with a free-lance photographer
and Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs. I served as an assistant
and social media curator in these positions. I was able to
cover NYFW and NYMD as well as the Liberty Fairs Trade
shows in both NYC and Vegas (yes, I flew there!). On campus I am a member of the Fox Photography
Club, SEED, Fashion Inc. & the Marist College Dance Ensemble. Upon graduation I would like to obtain a
position as a contributing member in a social media department curating new material for a fashionforward company.
JANINE LIM
Hello fellow Red Foxes! My name's Janine Lim and I'm a sophomore here at
Marist, born and raised in Queens (the best borough, of course)! I love
anything food, fashion and dog related, because let's be honest, who doesn't
love dogs? I spend a lot of my free time painting, doing DIYS, and watching
Netflix aka One Tree Hill and Friends. But when I'm not doing that, I'm going
for walks by the Hudson with friends or relaxing in the sun on Marist beach! I
really do love Marist, not only because of the amazing sunset and river
pictures, but because of the lifelong friends I've made and lessons I've learned.
I can't wait to meet all of you in the fall!
AJ LIBERTI
Hello! My name is AJ and I am from Long Island, NY! I'm actively
involved in Student Government, Club Fencing, Intramural Badminton,
Marist Ambassadors, Residence Hall Council, Psychology Club, and I
have a job on campus as well! When I'm not eating an entire pizza pie
by myself, you can find me jamming to Nicki Minaj or watching
American Horror Story. One fun fact about myself is that I once
convinced a gym teacher I was fluent in dinosaur!
ARIANA SINGER
I am a sophomore from a small beach city in Southern California. I am on
the water polo team at Marist, and I have been able to manage the
honors program and athletics. Over summer I work as a State Lifeguard,
this past summer was my third year as a guard. I also worked at a county
hospital with an oncologist, working on a project that looked at bone
health in breast cancer patients. I am currently studying to go to medical
school, and eventually become either a cardio thoracic or orthopedic
surgeon.
BRIANA PAGANINI
Hi there! First off, let me say welcome to the best four years of your life!
The honors program is one of my favorite parts about being a Red Fox,
and I know you’ll love it too! My name is Brianna and I am from Howell,
New Jersey. On campus, you can see me as a dedicated member of Marist
Ambassadors, Kappa Kappa Gamma, MCCTA, Relay for Life,
Communication Arts Society, and Toastmasters! I also was elected the
Freshman Class President last year! Academically, I am also a member of
the Dean’s Circle. Aside from my academic and campus involvement, I like to think of myself as an
optimistic and bubbly individual who is obsessed with Aly and Aj Michalka. (Obsessed isn’t an
understatement either.) I am also obsessed with sparkles, the color pink, dogs, every Shonda Rhimes TV
Show and anything cookies & cream! My favorite quote, and the motto I want to leave you with is,
“Every day is another opportunity to shine.” Make sure you take every opportunity at Marist to shine!
CAROLINE CHAN
Hi! My name is Caroline Chan and I'm a sophomore from
Central New Jersey, not too far from Princeton. I'm involved in
Marist's chapter of Society of Professional Journalists and the
Advertising Club. I'm also a Content Creator (writer) for
Odyssey Online at Marist. Apart from clubs pertaining to my
major, I'm part of Marist Singers and Marist Ambassadors, and
I volunteer on a weekly basis through Campus
Ministry. Outside of academics, I love to read, write, sing and
travel, as well as hang out with my friends, whether we're
going snow tubing on Hunter Mountain (a trip organized by Student Activities), or watching a movie in
someone's dorm room. Congratulations on choosing Marist and getting accepted into the Honors
Program. Welcome to the Red Fox family!
DAVID MEYER
Hi, my name is David Meyer I am from Summerfield, North Carolina
and I am a Junior here at Marist College. I am currently majoring in
Biomedical Sciences and I am also a member of the men's lacrosse
team here at Marist. In addition to being a member of the Honors
Program and playing lacrosse, I have also participated in campus
ministry, and many other volunteer opportunities through both
lacrosse and the College.
JULIA PARRIS
My name is Julia Parris and I am a rising senior, political science
major, and a philosophy minor. I'm a social justice advocate and Vice
President of the Black Student Union. I enjoy reading, modern and
classical art, music, and making vegan food. Currently I work for the
Center for Civic Engagement Learning and the Media Center. I was
also born in Guyana and I have traveled to most of the continents!
DANI HORBIAK
Hi there! I'm currently a senior studying Media Production for TV
and Film. Over my three years here, I have been very successful in
moving towards my career goals. I am currently the Vice President
for Marist College Television, the television station entirely run by
Marist students. MCTV is an incredible way to get hands-on
experience with professional-grade studio equipment. These
experiences in the studio have been invaluable, as I secured an
internship with Nickelodeon in Times Square this past summer and
will be returning for a fall internship as well! Additionally, I
currently have a job on campus in the media center, as well as a
video editing job at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum. Transitioning to college is never easy and I
am no stranger to anxiety, but the past three years have given me the skills and experience to overcome
my worries, have a great time at school, and make considerable strides in pursuing my career
aspirations. Cheers to a wonderful first year at Marist!
EMMA TALIS
I am a huge math nerd and have been a math major at Marist
since day one. I have participated in three summer Applied
Mathematics REUs (Research Experiences for
Undergraduates), all in Differential Equations and Modeling.
These REUs have brought me to the University of NebraskaLincoln, Iowa State University, and Williams College and are
incredibly rewarding (and profitable!) summer gigs. There are
REUs available in almost all STEM fields across the country
(and across the globe!), and I think everyone interested in
research should seek them out whenever possible. I would
love to help more students learn about and apply to these
types of programs. At Marist I work as a tutor in the Math Lab, and I pretty much live in the Hancock
Center. My field of interest is mathematical biology, so I have also taken many biology and chemistry
courses. I joined the Honors Program after my freshman year. Because of this, I know fitting core, major,
and Honors requirements into a schedule can be a little overwhelming, but I now know some tricks!
JONATHAN FERRIS
Hello! My name is Jon! I am from Cumberland ME, but spent two gap years
after high school as a full time Americorps volunteer working with
underprivileged inner-city youth who were at risk of dropping out of school. At
Marist I'm involved with MCCTA, Singers, Student Government, the Emerging
Leaders Program and the National Society of Leadership and Success, and
work in Student Activities as my on-campus job. I can't wait to meet you!
RIANA RAMIREZ
My name is Riana Ramirez. I was born and raised in New York
City. My family is from Puerto Rican and Dominican descent. I
love writing and I hope to become a writer in the future. I like
tutoring others in writing and English and helping them succeed
in college. I am very excited about being a peer mentor and I
hope to inspire and help you throughout your transition into
college!
MEGAN NICKEL
I'm from Northern New Jersey, and I have a passion for books, cooking,
politics and nature. I'm an avid member of the Emerging Leaders
Program, Campus Ministry's community service, and several other clubs
on campus. I have two dogs and two sisters, and I love them all more
than anything.
JULIA MCCARTHY
Congratulations on your acceptance and welcome to the Red Fox
family! I am from Northern New Jersey (yes, it is called taylor ham)
and adore this school. I love sharing my love for Marist with both
new and prospective students, which is what I get to do through this
program as well as the Ambassadors program. I am here to help
make your first year as amazing as mine was!
ANNA VELASQUEZ
Welcome to Marist and congratulations on your acceptance into
the Honors Program! After an amazing freshman year here, I am
excited to share my love for Marist and the honors program with
you! My name is Anna Velasquez and I am from Stratford,
Connecticut. I am majoring in Psychology/Special Education. At
Marist I am involved in the Relay for Life Committee, RHC, and
Campus ministry. Marist became a second home for me, and I
could not be happier here! I hope to make your experience at
Marist as great as mine has been so far.
JENNA VANADIA
Hi! I'm Jenna! I'm from Commack, Long Island, New York. I lived on
the 8th floor of Champ my freshman year. I came to Marist
undecided but have since declared my major as Environmental
Science and Policy. I work at the Marist Poll. I am actively involved
in many clubs and activities on campus such as Intramural Soccer,
Relay for Life Committee, and Campus Ministry. Welcome to Marist
and welcome to the Honors Program!
JEFFREY LUPIA
Hey, I'm Jeff Lupia, and I'm going into my Sophomore year at
Marist College. I am a Computer Science major, a member of the
Honors Program, and am involved in several activities across
campus, including Student Government, and the Honors advisory
board. I love being at Marist, and I'm very excited to have the
opportunity to help incoming students feel the same way about
this place. I am looking forward to helping out in any way I can,
and more importantly, making Marist feel like home.
JENNA WOULFE
Hi! My name is Jenna Woulfe and I am currently a sophomore here
at Marist. I am majoring in Digital Media with a minor in Creative
Writing. I come from the far away land of Rockland County, NY
which is about 30 miles north of Manhattan. However, despite the
close proximity to “the city that never sleeps,” I like to describe
myself more as the classic hometown girl. On campus, I am involved
in Campus Ministry, The Communication Arts Society, MCTV (Marist
College Television), Marist Ambassadors, Dance Ensemble, and The
Deans’ Circle. I also joined the Splash U program where I taught kids
the psychology of adult coloring, as well as Marist Yoga where I
surprisingly learned that with enough practice, a head stand is
actually possible! I never truly considered doing these various
activities until I pushed myself hard enough to explore out of my
comfort zone. As a mentor, I intend to encourage new students to do the same. It is also my goal to help
make your transition here at Marist is as smooth as possible. Whether it is revealing the special spots on
campus, knowing the best prices for a college budget, or simply being a trusted listener, I assure you
that I am more than willing to share my “freshmen secrets” to help you along the way.
JULIANN NEGRON
Hello! My name is Juliann and I'm from Suffern, NY. I'm a sophomore here
at Marist, and I'm planning to major in Applied Mathematics. During my
freshman year, I joined the Marist Ambassadors, Campus Ministry,
marching band, symphonic band, pep band, and guitar ensemble! This
year, I'll also be a tour guide and calculus tutor. When I'm not studying, I
love volunteering, reading, Broadway shows, Disney, hiking, and going on
Tumblr.
JESSICA RIEGER
Hello potential mentees! My name is Jess. I am a rising sophomore
majoring in computer science and minoring in French. I am also a member
of the Swimming and Diving Team here at Marist. Some of my interests
include cooking, baking, working towards environmental sustainability, and
badminton. Can’t wait to meet you all and welcome to Marist!
JESSICA REECE
Hi! I’m Jess, and I’m from Shelton, Connecticut.
On campus, I’m a board member for Teachers of
Tomorrow and Sigma Tau Delta. I’m also
involved in Campus Ministry, community service,
Kappa Delta Pi, and I work as a tutor in the
Academic Learning Center. Last semester, I had
the opportunity to study abroad in Florence and
travel
around
Europe. I hope you’re enjoying your summer, and I can’t wait to
meet you!
ELIZABETH GASSMAN
I am from Glenside, a suburb just outside of Philadelphia where I
have a younger sister and painfully cute dog name Daisy. I would
like to go into the publishing industry as an editor after
graduation. I just came back from a semester in Ireland, and
would love to eventually work overseas.
MATTHEW MAROTTI
Hey! My name is Matt, and I'm entering my sophomore year.
Some of the clubs and activities I'm involved in on campus
include Student Government, being an Orientation Leader,
Ambassadors, Business Club, Greek Life, and Intramurals! If I
could offer one piece of advice to the incoming class, it would
be to get involved right away. There's way too much to do at
Marist to be bored, so embrace opportunity!
LAUREN VECCHIO
Hi! Welcome to the Marist College Honors Program! I'm
happy you're here! Some fun facts about me: I know how
to juggle, I'm a picture hoarder, and I'm a self-proclaimed
Nutella enthusiast. This semester I'll be the secretary of
the Italian American Society, the treasurer of the FEMME
Club, and a board member of the Emerging Leaders
Program. I'm also involved in Campus Ministry, the Fox
Photo Club, Fashion Inc., and intramural soccer. I can't
wait to get to know you this year!
MARCELLA ROSE
Hi I’m Marcella, and I’m excited to be joining the
Honors Peer Mentor Program for a second year! A
little bit about me: I’m from Rochester, NY (that’s
actually upstate for you Long Islanders), I’m on the
varsity Women’s Crew team, and I’ve been working
on campus since my freshman year as a Desktop
Technician. I’ve been known to get a little snarky if I
go too long without coffee, but I promise it’s a
treatable condition (more coffee). If you’re ever in
need of recommendations for media classes, your
new Netflix binge, or just someone to convince you
that you WILL survive that ten page paper, I’m your girl! Welcome to honors!
ZACHARY SARGENT
My name is Zach Sargent. I am a rising junior from Andover, MA
studying Business Administration with a concentration in
Finance and a minor in Economics.. I am a founding father for
the Kappa Sigma Colony of Marist College. I manage the
Brothers in Action and Rush programs for the fraternity. After
college, I am interested in pursuing a J.D./MBA dual degree. I
plan on pursuing a career as either a Financial Advisor or
Corporate Lawyer. I am currently working for John Hancock
Investments this summer through an internship in the Mutual
Fund division of the company.
SANDEEP DHALIWAHL
Hi! My name is Sandeep and I am from the Town of Poughkeepsie/Pleasant
Valley area. My major is in Business Administration with a concentration in
Finance as well as a Pathway in Legal Studies. My interests include dancing,
listening to classical music or any music in general, singing, watching shows
about exotic cars, and occasionally discussing politics. Since I commute, I
know the area pretty well so let me know if you have any questions. I am
looking forward to meeting all of you guys!
RACHEL LAHEY
Hello fellow honors students! My name is Rachel and I am from Long Island,
NY. I look forward to meeting all of you next semester. College is an amazing
opportunity and experience for all who attend. I am a strong advocate for
Marist college due to the impact that it has had on me. It has essentially
changed my life and my whole outlook on my future. In particular, the Honors
Program has outlined a successful academic path for me that I would have
never imagined. With that said, college is still a transitional period that can be initially hard to settle
into. Being a freshman was not always easy for me. Although it may be hard at times, it is important to
never lose your path and goals that you have worked towards. I hope to help some you settle into
Marist and more specifically the honors program. Together we will ensure that you have the best
experience in the Marist college Honors Program!
MATTHEW GANGUZZA
I’m from Midland Park, New Jersey and hope to pursue a
career in the music industry, marketing a concert venue or
record label. To share a little bit about myself; I am a member
of Kappa Sigma, play guitar, and enjoy running. I am also the
head of recruitment for Kappa Sigma, recorded and album for
my band, and work as a waiter at a bar.
MEGAN KLEM
Hi everyone, my name is Megan Klem and I am a sophomore at
Marist. I am a biochemistry major and hope to one day go to medical
school. On campus, I am actively involved in campus ministry, ACS
Club, and DEM (Marist's pre-health fraternity). Off campus, I
volunteer with the Fairview Fire Department as an EMT. In my free
time, when I'm not studying, I like to listen to music, play guitar, and
hang out with all the amazing friends I've met at Marist!
MORGAN IMOSSI
Hey! My name is Morgan and I am super excited to meet
and work with the new honors students! As a huge
wannabe freshmen (but sadly, an actual senior), I have
loved every minute of my time at Marist, and
can’t wait to help you get the most out of your experience
here. I am a Business/Marketing major and Fashion
Merchandising minor, and have had the most incredible
opportunities through Marist to help shape my
career path. I spent a semester interning in NYC at Stuart Weitzman and another studying abroad at the
Mod’Spe Fashion Institute in Paris, France. This past summer, I lived in Washington, D.C. while
interning in marketing for IBM. The honors program has been the most rewarding aspect of my
academic career at Marist, and I am excited you all have the opportunity to experience it as well.
Outside of the classroom, I love to cook and (most importantly) eat, and will take any opportunity to
experience a new place and meet new people. Once again, I can’t wait to meet you all and help out
wherever I can ? I hope you are ready for the best four years!!
NICHOLAS BRADFORD
Hi! My name is Nick and I'm a Texas-born Red Fox! This is my second
year here at Marist and I know firsthand what it's like to be far from
home and starting a new experience! You can't have chosen a better
place than Marist to start your journey! I'm so excited to hang out
with all our incoming Red Foxes this year!
PEGGY CHIANG
Hey! I'm Peggy Chiang! I'm from Madison, Mississippi, but I was
born and raised in Taiwan. In addition to being involved with the
fashion department and honors program, I spend my time with
the Ambassador Program, Singers, Chamber Choir, and Dance
Ensemble. I love to play tennis, badminton, beach volleyball, and
ultimate Frisbee (recreationally, that is). I read a lot of mysteries
and watch a lot of musicals. I love animals and nature in general,
so I'm always up for a walk down to the Hudson River or any
other excursion into nature.
STEPHANIE YOST
I'm Stephanie Yost but all my friends call me Steph! I am very
passionate about fashion and math so I decided to major in both! It
can be difficult majoring in two very different fields, but it is very
rewarding and fun if you love what you're doing. At Marist, I'm on a
committee for Relay for Life, involved in campus ministry, math club,
fashion club, and resident hall committee. I understand freshman
year can get tough and confusing but I'm here to help with any
challenges you might face.
MEGAN O’BRIEN
Welcome to the Marist College Honors Program, fellow Red Fox!
Congratulations on your acceptance. I’m Meg from Long Island, New York
(Lindenhurst, specifically). Marist has provided me with the best experiences
of my life, and I cannot picture myself anywhere but here! I am involved in
activities such as Campus Ministry and Residence Hall Council, and the
friends I have made through these programs has quickly made this school
my home away from home. I had the best freshman year experience
possible and would love the opportunity to share what I have learned with
incoming freshman. Get ready for the best year of your life!
SAMANTHA LEENAS
Welcome to the Marist Class of 2020! My name is Sam Leenas, and I am
a senior in the Honors Program. At Marist, I am involved in a ton of
activities on campus, including Marist Splash, Campus Ministry, Marist
Ambassadors, Enactus, the Emerging Leaders Program, Pi Sigma Alpha
Political Science Honor Society, Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor
Society, weekly community service, and intramural badminton. In the
fall semester of my junior year, I participated in the Washington, D.C.,
Semester Program where I studied global economics, business, and trade
and worked as an intern on Capitol Hill. This past spring, I participated in
a global business two-week attachment program with professors in the
School of Management to England, Scotland, and Wales. I also work on
campus as a student assistant in the Office of the Vice President of
Enrollment Management and as a campus tour guide. There are so many
great opportunities to take advantage of on the
Marist Campus! I can’t wait to meet all of you
and help you find out what Marist has to offer!
James Wolf
I'm James and I am from Long Island. I am so excited to be an Honors
Peer Mentor! I love the beach (especially the "Marist beach"), reading,
and learning about new languages and cultures. I chose Marist because of
how beautiful the campus is, how nice the people are, and how great the
academics are! I cannot wait to help guide you during the very exciting
and fun time that is Freshmen year at Marist College!
COLLEEN KELLY
Hi my name is Colleen Kelly and I am a sophomore from Westchester, NY
majoring in Accounting and minoring in Business Administration. I chose
Marist because of the small class sizes the Honors program has to offer. I
have been able to form close with all of my professors, which I know will
be valuable down the road. At Marist I am involved in the Math Club,
Campus Ministry, Booster Club, and Circle K. I enjoy long walks along the
Hudson River, swimming in the McCann Center and volunteering in the
Poughkeepsie community. Welcome to Marist and go Red Foxes!
PAUL NEMERGUT
I like to be extremely active. Along with running intramural
soccer, I play three other intramural sports and one club sport. I
also tutor various economic and finance courses. I am currently in
the process of applying to law school which I plan on attending
next year. I participate in multiple organizations on campus
including Beta Alpha Psi and Omicron Delta Epsilon.
REBECCA ZHUO
Hi guys, my name is Becca Zhuo and I'm so excited to be an honors
mentor! I met so many of my friends through the honors program,
and I'm usually one of the many people who are lined up outside Dr.
Snyder's door waiting to talk with him. I'm from Princeton, New
Jersey, and am obsessed with fashion, wiener dogs, and anything
green tea flavored. FRIENDS is my favorite TV show, and I also love
all sappy movies (500 Days of Summer is my favorite)! At Marist, if
I'm not hanging out with my friends or doing homework, you can
usually find me eating, at the gym, or taking photos by the beautiful
Hudson River (and getting kicked out by security after hours! Watch
out, it closes after sunset!) I'm so excited to meet you all!! I can't
wait to show you all the things I love about Marist!
THERESA CARCALDI
Hi everyone! My name is Tess Carcaldi and I’m a sophomore from
Brookfield, CT. I was born with my nose in a book and a pen in my
hand, so naturally I am studying English here at Marist. Throughout
the year, I’m involved in a bunch of clubs and activities, including
Dance Ensemble, Purple Thread, and Campus Ministry. I also love
working for Phonathon here on campus! But, if you really want to
get to know me, you should know these three things: I am addicted
to ice cream, coffee is my BFF, and I aspire to be Beyoncé. In the
meantime, I enjoy my days on campus, especially in the Honors
Program. This program has helped me to develop my mind and
expand my horizons while making amazing friends in the process. I
had the best Honors mentor this year who really helped me learn
the ropes of Marist and the Honors
Program, so that’s exactly what I want
to do for you! I am so excited to
mentor you guys!
TADD BINDAS
Hey, I'm Tadd. I am from Ringoes, NJ and I am a sophomore at Marist. I am
on the Men's Crew team, an officer for Toastmaster's club, in relay for life,
and do a bunch of other interesting things. I have 2 cats at home and I am
addicted to going to the gym. This past summer I interned in Bethlehem,
PA where I was a software developer. I hope you choose me as a mentor, I
can help with anything regarding athletics, school, AP credits, doublemajoring, or even surviving dining hall food. I hope to see you around this
semester!
ERIC SELTZER
Greetings Class of 2020 and welcome to the Honors Program! My name
is Eric, and I am from North Bellmore, New York. I am extremely excited to
begin my junior year as a Political Science major, History minor, and Pre-Law
Program participant. Outside of my studies, I have the pleasure to serve as the
Speaker of the Senate in the Marist College Student Government Association,
and am also an RA on the third floor of Champagnat Hall. In addition, I am
member of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, Dean's Circle, National Society of
Leadership and Success, and a member of the Honors Program Advisory Board. Lastly, and probably
most important, I am an insane Billy Joel fan and you can find me at the front row at all of his MSG
concerts. I look forward to meeting all of you this coming Fall and welcome to the Red Fox Family!