Dirt, Degrees, and Dollars: The RCBC Biology Experience

Spring 2026 President's Award Winner Ariel Howard

Ariel Howard, the 2026 President's Award winner at RCB, joins the show to talk about her journey and upcoming commencement speech. Ariel, a non-traditional student and full-time worker, overcame self-doubt to pursue early childhood education. She shared her military background, including 14 years of service and deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and her transition to the American Red Cross. Ariel emphasized the importance of perseverance and self-belief. She plans to continue her education at Rowan University and may volunteer at the Red Cross. Ariel's speech will encourage her peers to never give up on their dreams.

Dirt, Degrees, and Dollars: The RCBC Biology Experience

Take a deep dive into the biology program at RCB. Guests include Francesca Martelli, a three-plus-one biology major and member of the SEA-PHAGES program, Shannon Meadows, an assistant professor at RCBC and principal investigator for the SEA-Phages program, and Anne Tokazewski, also an assistant professor at RCBC and the architect of the 3+1 biology program, which allows students to earn a bachelor's degree from Rowan University for a fraction of the cost. The SEA-Phages program, part of the Science Education Alliance, involves students in identifying and isolating bacteriophages from soil samples. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, skill-building, and career preparation in various biology fields.

RCBC celebrates 10 Years of 3+1

Debt Undone: 10 Years of 3+1 with Rowan & RCBC What happens when two leading New Jersey institutions rethink the cost of college? In this special companion episode, leaders from Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) reflect on a decade of the groundbreaking 3+1 partnership, a model that has helped nearly 2,000 students earn both an associate and bachelor’s degree for about $30,000 total. 💰 $52 million in collective tuition savings 🎓 1,800+ graduates 📈 13 degree pathways (and growing) 🚀 A seamless, affordable path to a four-year degree Hear from the architects of the program and the students whose futures were transformed by it. Less debt. More opportunity. Ten years strong. Learn more: rcbc.edu/rowan/3plus1 #rowan #rcbc

2025 Winter Commencement Student Speakers

Meet the voices of the Class of 2025. In this special episode, RCBC Winter Commencement student speakers Omalayo Akinwole, Sherria Hannah, and Yvonne Tai open up about the exceptional stories behind their journeys and what it means to step onto the stage at Votta Hall Auditorium.

Thank You For Your Service

With Veterans Day and Thanksgiving this month at RCBC, we wanted to take time to say thanks to our veterans for their service and salute some of our own on campus. We are joined by RCBC Criminal Justice student and Army veteran, Reginald Taylor, RCBC Adjunct Instructor for the Paramedic Science program and Air Force Veteran, Stephen Hodsdon, and RCBC Coordinator for Military Education and Veteran Service, Jennifer George.