Profiles of Students and Alumni

Danielle-Menta

Danielle Menta, Class of 2024

After earning an A.S. in Criminal Justice and an A.A. in Psychology at Sussex County Community College, Danielle transferred to William Paterson University (WPU), where she double majored in Criminology & Criminal Justice and Psychology. She also minored in Sociology, and completed a Certificate in Behavioral and Social Science Research Methods.

At WPU, Danielle was an active member of Phi Theta Sigma Honors Law Fraternity, Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honors Society, and Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. She also interned at NJ Transit as an Employee Court Advocate Intern, gaining practical experience in criminal justice.

Danielle’s academic excellence earned her several awards, including the New Presidential Scholarship Award, the Jason Miller Endowed Scholarship, and the Criminal Justice Academic Award. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA and was selected as the banner carrier for The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for the May 2024 commencement ceremony.

Danielle attributes her success to her peers, professors, friends, family, and her own determination and hard work. Her academic journey, marked by resilience and hard work, serves as an inspiration for students in the field of criminal justice.

Jessica-Krzastek

Rina Rosazza, Class of 2024

Rina Rosazza graduated from William Paterson University in May 2024 with a double major in Sociology with a social work concentration and Spanish. She graduated Summa Cum Laude‬ with a 3.88 GPA and was a 2024 winner of the Outstanding Student in Sociology Award as well as a member of Alpha Kappa‬ Delta Honor Society. 
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As an immigrant and a first-generation bachelor's degree holder, she became an active member of her‬ community, helping other immigrant families. She developed an initiative to help children‬ in school who have difficulties accomplishing homework due to a language barrier. 

Rina relies on her strength in God and her faith. Inspired by her three sons, she looks forward to‬ getting her Master's degree and showing that it is never too late to accomplish your dreams and‬ reach far.‬ 
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Rina considers every professor at WPU an inspiration; every class has been a wealth of‬ knowledge and experience. She has developed a special relationship with all of them, especially‬ her professors of social work, Professors Bailey and Lake.

Claudia-Antoci

Claudia Antoci, Class of 2023

A Sociology major and social science honors minor, Claudia Antoci is graduating from WPU in May 2023 summa cum laude with a GPA of 3.9. Claudia was awarded the Honors College Scholarship, New Trustee Scholarship and the Paul Vouras Award for highest GPA in sociology among students graduating in 2023. Claudia looks forward to serving people in her community through a non-profit or ministry. Claudia credits everything to God, who has been and will continue to be her help.
She is inspired by Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”





Nicole-Caggiano

Nicole Caggiano, Class of 2023

A 2023 winner of the Outstanding Student in Sociology Award, Nicole Caggiano will graduate summa cum laude in May of 2023 with a 3.9 GPA. Nicole is an Early Childhood Education major with a Teacher of Student Disabilities Endorsement and a Sociology double major. Nicole plans to pursue a career in early childhood education.








Taylor-Crowley

Taylor Crowley, Class of 2023

A 2023 winner of the Criminal Justice Academic Award, Taylor Crowley will graduate summa cum laude from the Honors College with a 4.0 GPA in May 2023. After transferring to William Paterson University in Fall 2020, Criminal Justice major Taylor Crowley became an active member in her school community. She developed an initiative collecting leftover food items from the Wayne Dining Hall to donate to Pioneer Food Pantry on campus. While a student at WPU, she was a member of the women's volleyball team, a sister of Theta Phi Alpha, and a member of Phi Theta Sigma Honors Law Fraternity. She was also a student mentor that worked for the PALs program and earned the Alumni Association Undergraduate Fellowship in the 2022-2023 school year. Taylor was selected as a prize winner for the annual Student Writing Across the Curriculum contest in 2022 and earned the Outstanding Senior in Pre-Law Award in 2023. Starting in fall 2023, Taylor will attend Penn State Law School.



Nur-Anwari

Nur Anwari, Class of 2023

After studying translation at Yarmouk University in Jordan for three years, Nur Anwari immigrated to the United States and transferred to William Paterson University to continue her education. At WPU, she studied Criminology and Criminal Justice, earning a 4.00 GPA.
As a member of the Bahá’í Faith, Nur believes in the inherent nobility of all people, and upon graduating, hopes to apply what she has learned in her courses to better the world around her. She plans to focus her energies on youth, helping them—especially those negatively impacted by social forces around them—reach their potential.





Andrew-Crawford

Andrew Crawford, Class of 2023

A former correctional officer and current police officer of nearly 9 years, Andrew Crawford returned to William Paterson in January 2022 to complete his Bachelor’s degree. A 2023 winner of the 2023 Criminal Justice Academic Award, Andrew will graduate summa cum laude in August 2023 with a GPA of 4.0.
Andrew is a revered and accomplished police officer who has received many commendations throughout his career for his bravery, integrity, critical thinking, and his participation in the community. Andrew is also a field training officer, hostage negotiator, member of the Crisis Intervention Team, and his department’s mental health resilience officer. Upon his graduation, Andrew plans to attend Seton Hall University and pursue a Master’s degree in Law Enforcement Executive Leadership. He looks forward to furthering his career, eventually being promoted through the police ranks, and perhaps becoming a professor at William Paterson in the Criminal Justice department one day.


Nicole-Eppinger

Nicole Eppinger, Class of 2023

A proud New Jersey native, Nicole has earned a GPA of 3.98 in her time at WPU and won an Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice Award in recognition of her academic performance and service to the community. Prior to arriving at WPU, Nicole received her Associate’s from County College of Morris and volunteered at Morristown Medical Center for several years. Her passion for the subject matter stems from her desire to be a part of her generation’s attempt to reducing inequality.







Sarah-Parker

Sarah Parker, Class of 2023

Winner of an Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice for 2023, Sarah Parker is graduating from WPU summa cum laude with a criminal justice major and psychology minor in the social sciences honors track. As an honors student, she wrote and presented a thesis paper entitled “Terrorism and the Internet: A Systematic Review of the Literature.” Sarah enjoys volunteering as an emergency medical technician with the Independence First Aid Squad and is looking forward to continuing her employment with the United States Secret Service upon graduation.






Francine-Troisi

Francine Troisi, Class of 2023

Francine has been a standout member of the William Paterson community for many years. A native of Paterson and mother of four sons, Francine returned to college in 2018 while working full-time in various roles at the University, including as secretary for the Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice. Juggling her roles as student, mom, full-time staff member, and volunteer at many university events, she maintained a GPA of 3.8. This year, Francine will graduate magna cum laude with a double major in Sociology and Criminal Justice and a minor in Social Justice Studies. She is also a winner of the Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice Award for 2023.





Jessica-Krzastek

Jessica Krzastek, Class of 2022

A bilingual first-generation college graduate, Criminal Justice and Sociology double major Jessica Krzastek graduated summa cum laude from WPU in May 2022 with a GPA of 3.98. Jessica accumulated an impressive array of awards as an undergraduate, including the Criminal Justice Academic Award, the New Presidential Scholarship Award and the Robert and Norma Marcalus Scholarship Award.  While a student at WPU, she was also a member of the Criminal Justice / Sociology Club, and honors societies in the fields of law and criminal justice.  As of July 2022, Jessica had been accepted to the graduate program in criminal justice at Rutgers and looks forward to a career as an academic.  Jessica is inspired by a quote from Socrates, translated as "Let him that would move the world first move himself” or “to move the world, we must first move ourselves.”







Jessica-Krzastek

Lauren Kuchar (BA, 2011; MA, 2020)

An officer with the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Lauren Kuchar was recognized this past year for her high level of professionalism in handling difficult situations with an Officer of the Year Award.  Officer Kuchar says her experiences at William Paterson University as well as the Sociology Department faculty helped mold her into the person she is today.  Officer Kuchar identifies Dr. Ranjan in particular as a mentor throughout her career at Essex County Sheriff’s Office.




Jessica-Krzastek

Michael Bordine, CCJ major, Class of 2017

Michael Bordine transferred to William Paterson University in fall 2016 after taking a long hiatus from college in order to work full-time.  Previously a student at York College, Bordine returned with a determination to excel at his studies.  His diligence paid off.  Bordine maintained a near perfect 3.95 GPA during his time at WPU.  In recognition of his academic achievements, Michael won the Sociology Department’s Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.  

Michael plans a career in community-based corrections while pursuing a Master’s Degree in either Applied Sociology or Professional Counseling.  Currently he works at The Center for Prevention and Counseling in Newton, NJ. In his spare time Michael enjoys playing golf, playing with his spirited Siberian Husky, and seeing the occasional Broadway show with his girlfriend, Kellie.  He was raised and currently resides in West Milford, New Jersey.            




Jessica-Krzastek

Edita Diunov-Uster, double major in CCJ and BA/MA in Politics and Policy

Edita Diunov-Uster is one of the most active students on campus.  She is pursuing a BA in CCJ as well as a BA/MA in Politics and Policy through an accelerated five-year program. Since fall 2015, she has served as assistant to the Deputy Director of the WPU Office of Public Safety.  In 2016, Edita provided research assistance to Professor Ruf, coding 100 articles from the press on their portrayal of sex trafficking. She also serves as president of the political science club. Despite her busy schedule, Edita has maintained a near-perfect GPA. Through it all, passion, ambition and intellectual curiosity are manifest.

A native of Israel, Diunov-Uster is fluent in Hebrew and Russian as well as English. She served in the Israeli military for three years, achieving the rank of second to first lieutenant.

Edita will pursue a career in academia, an aspiration she attributes in part to her experience with Professor Zdan.  According to Diunov-Uster, Zdan's  "classes are memorable and full of interesting information. I hope that one day I'll be an inspiration to my students to go out and research the world the way that Professor Zdan inspired me."