Rowan College's New Trustee To Speak At Virtual Meeting

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The Rowan College at Burlington County community will have the chance to meet the college’s newest trustee during a virtual meeting this week.

Stephanie Berdugo-Hernandez. Berdugo-Hernandez, of Eastampton, earned a seat on the college’s Board of Trustees as alumni trustee after being sworn in virtually on Aug. 18, the college announced.

Berdugo-Hernandez has represented students at the state capitol; served multiple terms on the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) Student Advisory Committee; and was a prominent member of the Student Government Association, according to the college.

Berdugo-Hernandez and her mentor, Rowan College at Burlington County STEM Lab Supervisor Susan Taylor, will participate in this week’s Facebook Live Town Hall at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

“I decided to become an alumni trustee because I love RCBC and wanted to give back. I love to be involved and believe that this will be a great opportunity to allow for the students’ voices to be heard,” Berdugo-Hernandez said. “RCBC is an incredible school, and I want to be able to help make every student have an amazing college experience just like I did. I am very honored to be a part of this and look forward to working with everyone.”

As a former Educational Opportunity Fund scholar, Berdugo-Hernandez has used her voice to advocate for low-income students and increase awareness of various financial aid programs and opportunities. She was named Student Advisory Committee Chair during her first year on the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) and has since served multiple terms.

Taylor began her time at Rowan College at Burlington County as an adjunct professor for both math and chemistry and is now the STEM lab supervisor. She’s worked at the college for more than 20 years and oversees lab operations for all STEM classes.

She orders supplies, supports instructors, maintains equipment and coordinates sanitizing. She’s known Berdugo-Hernandez for several years due to their common residence in Eastampton and involvement on similar local committees.

“We’re very lucky to have someone so talented come to RCBC,” Taylor said. “Stephanie doesn’t just join clubs and organizations for the sake of joining; she helps to influence and lead.”

A 3+1 Biology student, Berdugo-Hernandez hopes to attend medical school after earning her bachelor’s degree and aspires to become an orthopedic surgeon.

“Attending RCBC has allowed me to be a part of the EOF program which has helped me with affordable education in order to continue my education and achieve my degrees,” Berdugo-Hernandez said.