Rowan College At Burlington County Names Alumni Trustee

Heather Casparro, 39, of Westampton, has been elected to serve as Rowan College at Burlington County's 2018-2019 Alumni Trustee, the college announced on Wednesday. Casparro graduated Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) in May with an associate degree in Human Services and a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Each year, a member of the college’s graduating class is elected to serve a one-year term as a non-voting member of the college’s Board of Trustees to represent the class. Casparro took the official oath of office at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 21.

“RCBC is proud to welcome Heather to the Board of Trustees,” Rowan College at Burlington County Board Chair George Nyikita said. “A dedicated student, mother and volunteer, Heather exemplifies the traits that serve our students and alumni well into the future. Her hardworking attitude and insight will be valuable as we look to expand successful initiatives and grow the top community college in the state.”

Casparro was a stay-at-home mom for two boys, Aiden and Dane, before enrolling at Rowan College at Burlington County in 2015. She had an undiagnosed learning disability and possessed few literacy skills, which made it very difficult to read, according to the college.

Her perseverance paid off in the end. She earned a scholarship from the National Organization for Human Services, beating a nationwide pool of students that included students working on their master’s degree, and received the Rowan College at Burlington County Human Services Academic Award and the Rowan College at Burlington County President’s Award scholarship.

“I worked on reading constantly. I knew that I was capable of a lot,” Casparro said. “RCBC gave me a second chance at life. I can relate to the hardships that many other students are facing and I look forward to providing a student’s perspective to the college’s Board of Trustees.”

“Heather has defied the odds and is someone that pays it forward in life by doing whatever she can to make a difference in the lives of others,” Rowan College at Burlington County Acting President Dr. Michael A. Cioce said. “I’m happy she selected RCBC for her education and that she will continue to be a part of the college community.”

Casparro said she was inspired to give back by a volunteer for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia who supported her in her darkest moments as her son, who was preschool age, was fighting a life and death battle with pneumonia.

“We were not sure my son was going to make it. I didn’t want to close my eyes for even second,” Casparro said. “The volunteer never left my side. When we knew my son was going to be okay, I asked her how I could ever repay her. She told me to volunteer in the community.”

Casparro is now a child advocate volunteer for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). This fall, she plans to intern with the Burlington County Coalition for Healthy Communities as she pursues a bachelor’s in behavioral science from Wilmington University. She hopes to obtain a master’s in social work and serve as a child advocate in a courtroom, or wherever she can make the most difference.

The attached image was provided by Rowan College at Burlington County: Heather Casparro is sworn in as the new Rowan College at Burlington County Alumni Trustee by Board Solicitor William Burns at the college's Board of Trustees Meeting on Aug. 21.