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Why Jennifer chose Rider

It was the strength of Rider’s science and education programs that first attracted Jennifer. “I knew the faculty was great and they did great things,” she says. “I knew I’d have the opportunity to develop a relationship with professors. I knew that interaction would be important.”

She also was excited at the ability to graduate with two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Arts in secondary education.

Rider's impact on Jennifer's career

What Jennifer didn’t expect was the opportunity to participate in Rider’s Freshman Science Honors Program and work in a research lab. “I was hesitant because it was such a commitment, but I ended up loving it. It impacted my teaching and my investment in the sciences. It turned out to be instrumental to everything I did and what I’m doing now.”

Throughout her four years at Rider, Jennifer worked in Dr. Julie Drawbridge’s developmental biology lab. She also became involved in the Science Learning Community, where she later mentored freshmen science majors. She also mentored students through the Summer Science Institute and tutored students throughout the year in biology, genetics and physics. “It showed me how students really learn and think. And, it helped to solidify my career choice,” she adds.

Continued success

As an education major, Jennifer had five different field experiences at middle schools and high schools. “My field experiences were great. They opened my eyes to other teaching methods and strategies and gave me hands-on experience in interacting with students,” says Jennifer. “It also confirmed my career aspirations.”

After completing her student teaching at , she was later hired as a ninth grade biology teacher. “I’m very satisfied and am working in a great school district,” she says. She primarily focuses on teaching various levels of freshman biology but also teaches a three-year research program to students from their sophomore to senior year. With hopes to grow within the education sector, Jennifer earned her master’s degree in cell and developmental biology from Rutgers University in 2020 and is currently working towards her school administrator certifications.

Jennifer credits several Rider professors, including Dr. Kelly Bidle, Dr. Paul Jivoff, Dr. Todd Weber and Dr. Julie Drawbridge for showing her what it means to be a great educator and researcher. “Some of the research laboratory skills that I gained at Rider I still use in my classroom today. I was so fortunate to learn from such great professors in both science and education while I was there, and I have carried forward many aspects of their teaching into my classroom.”