Reflections and next steps for Drew’s graduates
May 2026 – Now that the academic year has ended, we turn our attention to the first steps the Drew University Class of 2026 will take as they share memories and appreciation for their time in The Forest.
Read on to learn where some of Drew’s outstanding recent graduates are headed next, and how their Drew experiences helped them reach their goals.
Nadia Porchetta
Major/Minors: Biology major, Italian and Public Health minors
Hometown: Robbinsville, New Jersey
Post-graduation plans: 11-month Accelerated Bachelors of Science in Nursing (ABSN) at Drexel University.
Clubs/Sports: RISE student researcher for over two years with Dr. Bayne—project is topoisomerase two alpha resistance to etoposide. President of HerPath, an organization coordinating events to empower young women in professional fields and setting them up for success to further their career goals. Vice President of New Jersey Global Medical Brigades—assisted two trips to bring medical clinics and healthcare assistance to rural communities in Panama and coordinated and organized fundraisers ultimately raising $40,000 to support. Drew Women’s Field Hockey player and sports broadcasting. Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Teaching Assistant.
Advice for Drew students: Keep an open mind and try something new, the beauty of your Drew education is you will be a greatly diverse human! Take a class that does not align with your major whatsoever every semester if you can, you will learn wonderful things about your neighbor and create connections and values with the world at large. This is a place where you can learn about anything from experts that love what they do, as long as you are willing to listen. Also, always write a thank you card!
Favorite spot on campus: A second floor table in the library that has a huge window.
Achievements at Drew: Community Leader Award, Drew University’s Trustee Award, ICUNJ Johnson & Johnson Nursing & Allied Health Award, Gamma Kappa Alpha: National Italian Honor Society.
Reflection on your time at Drew: My time at Drew has been a period of growth and self-discovery. I’ve learned that the most valuable experiences often come from stepping outside of your comfort zone, whether through leadership, research, service, or trying something completely new. Drew has shaped me into a more confident, open-minded, and driven person, and I’m leaving with a stronger sense of who I am and what I’m capable of.
Shoutouts: Professor David Iskowitz—he was my piano teacher for a semester, and it was the greatest decision I could’ve made. That class rekindled my desire to be a student of life. It showed me that I can begin something completely unfamiliar, put in the time and effort, and watch it transform into something beautiful, a literal song. More than anything, it reminded me that I’m capable of more than I think, as long as I’m willing to try.
Hawk Ricketts
Degree: Master of Arts in Religion
Hometown: Zionsville, Indiana
Post-graduation plans: I will continue my education at Drew University, pursuing a Master of Sacred Theology (STM).
Clubs: Spectrum (Drew Theo’s LGBTQ+ Organization), DEAL, Madison United Methodist Church.
Advice for Drew students: Be involved, Drew University has many opportunities waiting to be shared with its students, once you find your community here you will find yourself.
Shoutouts: Dr. Laurel Kearns, Dr. Stephen Moore, and Dr. Traci West are some of the most genuine kindlers of scholarship I have ever come across, I would not be the academic I am today if it weren’t for their patience and bold ways of teaching.
Michaela Fajardo
Major/Minor: Psychology major and Marketing minor
Hometown: Elizabeth, New Jersey
Post-graduation plans: I plan to pursue my master’s in sports and psychology after a gap semester.
Clubs/Sports/Interests: Transfer Student Organization (TSO) event coordinator, member of Track & Field team, and I love the worship nights and talent show Intervarsity hosted on campus.
Favorite spot on campus: My favorite thing to do is sit outside on Mead Hall Lawn and read a book or listen to music in between classes.
Advice for Drew students: This is your time to explore who you are, find new hobbies, and make new friends. I think a lot of people are scared of making friends, but the best friendships I’ve made at Drew were going up to someone or someone I sat next to in a class. Go to club events, join one or two, bring your friends to events, and get involved. It gives you a sense of belonging and college is just the place to make memories.
Achievements: Made the Dean list and was awarded for my work with TSO.
Reflection on your time at Drew: I transferred to Drew from community college where I had accomplished so much, had many accolades, played my favorite sport, and made such good friendships. Drew was going to be a new transition, starting fresh, and circumstances in my life were not helping. But I remember thinking back to one of my English classes where the professor was an alumni of Drew. She talked about how much growth she had personally and the love she grew for Drew was soft yet she grew very fond of who she became because of Drew. I can still remember the tour, and going to my cousin’s graduation at Drew in 2024. I remember listening to the speaker and taking notes for my own speech I was to deliver just a couple of days later at UCNJ. These words would resonate not just in my speech but during my time at Drew. I found a community with TSO and commuters as well as the track team. I also found community with my peers in the classroom—that’s what made me grow personally and professionally. College is for freedom. It’s up to you what you do. Drew fostered that freedom to help me find friendships I would’ve never have otherwise found, in dance, in class, and even in BC.
Shoutout: Professor (Phoebe) Tang left a great impression on me. When life was falling apart and political science seemed to make no sense, she was encouraging and willing to meet with me whenever I needed. She didn’t let me give up and is such a light. Professor (Rob) Roche is also such an amazing professor. He’s able to draw parallels from his work as an NFL agent to material in class in a way that is super engaging and useful.
Gabriela Ribau
Major/minor: Biology major, minor in Environmental Studies & Sustainability
Hometown: Newark, New Jersey
Post-graduation plans: I will take a gap semester to travel Europe and get a job for more experience (preferably as a lab technician or animal care technician at an animal welfare station). However, my ultimate goal will be pursuing my PhD in Ecology and Evolution. I plan to study how humans affect vulnerable species like the American toad. I will be applying to start the following year after graduation.
Clubs/activities: I was president and senior advisor of DrewFirst, which is the first generation club on campus. I was a TA for introductory biology labs 150 (Ecology and Evolution) and 160 (Diversity of Life). I was a CA for Brown 1, a first-year dorm. I was also involved in Tri-Beta, the national biology honors society, and Tri-Alpha, which is the national first generation honor society.
Favorite spot on campus: Zuck Arboretum as I love seeing how the seasons change in The Forest. My favorite time of the year is spring when the spring peepers and American toads are out. My second favorite part of campus is the Hall of Sciences, the biology department.
Achievements/awards: At Drew, I was awarded the Dean’s list every semester. I won the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) Roger Conant Grant-in-Herpetology for 2026 in the undergraduate category with a $500 award to pay off many laboratory supplies. I also won the Cucchi Research Grant of $1,460 through Baldwin Honors. For academics, I won the Anna-Lisa Barofsky Award in Biology which is awarded to a junior or senior majoring in biology or psychobiology who presented the best research paper at a scholarly biology conference.
Reflection: I remember starting Drew being a shy individual who was open to trying many things. I was confused on what to study, but I always knew I enjoyed learning about the environment and animals. With career changes from being pre-vet to now having a goal of obtaining a PhD, I am content with my future and accomplishments. My favorite time at Drew is conducting DSSI with Dr. Windfelder and Dr. McQuigg where my love for animals grew. I am so grateful for these opportunities and now that I have the ability to conduct research for my thesis on how microplastic impacts the American toads. With my remaining time at Drew, I hope I get to inspire the freshman I work with just as I was inspired.
Shoutout: Dr. McQuigg for believing in me and allowing me to conduct research in microplastic!
