Meet Your Orientation Staff

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Nicole Casey

Hometown: Monroe Township, NJ
Class Year: 2026
Major: Elementary Education and Psychology, Minor in Special Education
Campus Involvement: Vice President of Philanthropy for Zeta Tau Alpha Women’s Fraternity, Front Desk Coordinator for the Office of Admissions, Member of Student Education Association and Kappa Delta Pi Education Honors Society, a Bronc for a Day ambassador, and an Orientation Leader!

Hey future broncs! Welcome to the beginning of your Rider experience! I am so excited to be one of your Orientation Leaders this summer and meet you all! Rider has so many wonderful opportunities in store for your college journey. My number one tip is to get involved and cherish your time here!

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Mekhia Gwynn

Hometown: East Orange, NJ
Class Year: 2026
Major: Arts Entertainment Industries Management & Film and Television. Minor in Dance
Campus Involvement: President of Resident Hall Association, Community Assistant, Tour Guide, Member of Rider Dance Ensemble, Member at large of Arts Management Association, Orientation Leader, Marketer for Relay 4 Life.

Hii !! Congratulations & Welcome to Rider, I’m so excited to work with you all. College is a very different world.  My advice is to stay true to yourself, even when you get thrown a few curve balls and remember to Follow your DREAMS <3

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Sherrie Manalo

Hometown: Avenel, NJ
Class Year: 2025
Major: Marketing, Minor in Arts & Entertainment Industries Management
Campus Involvement: President of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, Former Vice President of Recruitment of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, Secretary of Global Studies Society, Former Supplemental Instruction Leader for Academic Success Center, and Orientation Leader

Welcome new Broncs! I’m so excited to return as an Orientation Leader this summer and cannot wait for you to find your home away at Rider. It will be a rewarding experience and you’ll learn a lot about yourself that you never thought you would.

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Dontae Miller

Hometown: Bloomfield, NJ
Class Year: 2025
Major: Sports Media
Campus Involvement: Membership Development of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Former Philanthropy Chair of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Former Communications & Public Relations for the Inter Fraternal Council, Former Peer Counselor for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), President of Club Soccer, Two Time IM League Volleyball Champ, Orientation Leader.

Hey there, future Rider Broncs! Get ready for an incredible journey filled with endless possibilities, lasting friendships, and unforgettable memories. Welcome to the Rider family—I'm thrilled to begin this adventure with you all!

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Owen McCarron

Hometown: West Windsor, NJ
Class Year: 2026
Major: Radio & Podcasting, Minor in Sports Media
Campus Involvement: Former Brotherhood & Marketing chair, current Social Chair of Theta Chi social Fraternity. Division 1 Women's basketball Color/Play by Play commentator, Lawrence High School Baseball Play by Play Commentator, former Promotions Director and current Student Chief Engineer at 107.7 The Bronc, Commercial Producer, Sports Anchor, and Wake Up Rider Host on 107.7 The Bronc, Admissions Tour Guide, and 4 Sport Intramural Athlete: Basketball, Dodgeball, Volleyball, Flag Football.

What's up gang, I'm super excited to welcome y'all to come to Rider. The next four years will be some of the greatest and maybe most stressful times of your lives, so why not start off on a positive note and have a great orientation. See you soon.

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Emily O'Connor

Hometown: Jim Thorpe, PA
Class Year: 2026
Major: Film & TV and Arts & Entertainment Industries Management
Campus Involvement: Tour Guide, past Media Services Director and current Social Media Director at 107.7 The Bronc, President of Rider University Network, Producer of The Bounce, President of Arts Management Association, Sister and academic chair of Alpha Xi Delta, member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Orientation Leader! Interactive Social Media Content Creator for The Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market.

Hi all! I am so excited to give you a taste of what it is to be a Rider Bronc! Rider is full of opportunities, friendships, and memories. Welcome to the next chapter of your life—it's bound to be a good one!

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Evan Schwantes

Hometown: Maple Shade, NJ
Class Year: 2026
Major: Business Analytics & Finance
Campus Involvement: InterFraternity Council President. Fundraising Chair of Theta Chi Fraternity, Student Entertainment Council Off-Campus Trips Chairman. Former Philanthropy Chair of Theta Chi Fraternity, Former InterFraternity Council Director of Recruitment. 2 time Intramural Dodgeball champion, and Orientation Leader.

What’s up guys, welcome to Rider. Hope you guys are as excited as I am for you all to get started here. If there’s one piece of advice I could offer, it’d be to get involved and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.

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Julia Wilder

Hometown: Carmel, NY
Class Year: 2025
Major: Music Education, Vocal Concentration
Campus Involvement:  President of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, former Chapter Life Vice President of Alpha Xi Delta, a member of the Westminster Jubilee Choir, a member of Noted A Capella, a member of National Association for Music Education, a member of American Choral Directors Association, a member of LOTUS Community Choir, a member of SEC, a member of the Order of Omega Society, and a staff member at Star 2B Performing Arts as a Music Director.

Hello and welcome to the beginning of your experience as a Rider Bronc! I can’t wait to meet you all! I am so excited to be a part of your Rider experience and introduce you to the plethora of opportunities here at Rider. Get involved and make the most of your college time!

Meet Your Orientation Professional Staff