Bri is actively involved in campus organizations and serves as a senator in the College of Education and Human Services, Student Government Association (SGA) public relations chair, and is a member of Rider’s Community Standards Board.
Why Bri chose Rider
When looking for a four-year institution to transfer to, Bri, who is a first-generation college student, worried she wouldn’t experience the same level of support or sense of belonging she felt at her Maryland community college. Luckily, Rider’s dedicated staff made her feel at home before she even arrived. She notes that the support she received while navigating the transfer admission process was “incredibly warm, friendly and unforgettable.” Additionally, Bri was awarded Rider’s Transfer Trustee Scholarship, a prestigious full-tuition scholarship given to only three top students who transfer from community colleges.
Rider has a phenomenal track record of being transfer friendly for students going through similar walks of life. Working so closely with Phi Theta Kappa, I knew Rider has been on PTK's Transfer Honor Roll for the past several years”
Secondary Education and English, B.A.
Rider’s impact on Bri
Upon entering Rider, she held the position of international vice president with Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), an international honor society. As part of Bri’s 2021-22 term, she and fellow members worked to launch the CCsmart (Community College Smart) initiative which works to remove the stigma that surrounds attending community colleges by giving students reliable information about the positive aspects and opportunities of attending a community college, and other available resources.
Attending Rider has also allowed Bri to refine and practice her classroom knowledge through her work as a student teacher at Hopewell Valley Central High and Lawrence Middle School. While at Lawrence Middle School, she worked in the Extended Curriculum Program, which follows students through their middle school years to complete research and work on issues within their communities. She was also recognized for her research work when she placed third in the John S. Lewis Award Essay and Social Action Project Awards (given on behalf of Rider’s Multicultural Studies Program) for her essay on the unity of family in Black and multi-ethnic children's literature and films.
Aside from Bri’s many academic accomplishments, she remains highly involved in various campus organizations and honor societies and currently works in the Office of Admissions as a campus tour guide. She was also recently featured as a guest on Rider professor Dr. Mark Pearcy's podcast Pod Save the Teachers, which examines educational issues impacting New Jersey and addresses questions related to education in the United States.
Transferring colleges, let alone one in a new state, comes with a unique set of challenges, but Rider continues to provide Bri with the sense of community she desires along with the solid academic foundation necessary to become a leading educator.
It's fun to learn when your peers can gather in class and form a community where ideas, perspectives and experiences can be discussed in such a way that is open, safe, and respectful.”
Secondary Education and English, B.A.
Looking ahead
Bri will graduate from Rider in May 2023 and has plans to return to Maryland to teach for the Anne Arundel County Public School district, which is the same school district where she attended school. Long term, after pursuing a teaching career, she hopes to earn advanced degrees with an end goal to work in higher education. She encourages fellow and future Broncs to enjoy the moment and never be afraid to grow and challenge themselves. “Rider continues to teach me to be open to grow and be flexible. We all as humans need to grow, whether personally or professionally, and embracing growth will aid in bringing my best self to class and to the world.”