Dominick Zona
Raritan Valley Community College
Dominick Zona, a second-year Education major, epitomizes what it means to be a civic student leader at Raritan Valley Community College. Dominick’s history of involvement as a member of his high school’s Mock Trial Team led him to his current role as a Senator for the RVCC Student Government Association. Through SGA, Dominick held a leadership role on the “RVotes Matter Campaign.” The initiative promotes electoral participation among college students through holding voter registration drives and creating informational material for students. As an Education major, Dominick is an active participant in the College’s Service Learning program. His hours of dedicated service in local schools and classrooms further readies him for a career as an educator. Dominick also proves his status as a civic student leader through his efforts to tutor his peers in his free time, helping them to develop productive academic skills that will support their success. Dominick also has helped the RVCC student community by playing a role in the revitalization of the Filipino P.E.A.C.E. Club. The club offers students of Filipino descent or those interested in Filipino culture an opportunity to have greater expression on campus.
Dr. Michael J. McDonough
President
Raritan Valley Community College
Personal Statement
As the child of a single mother, I learned firsthand the meaning behind the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” While working tirelessly to care for my brother and me, my mother received help from family and friends. This gave me both the foundation to succeed and also the drive to help others.
As an Education Major at Raritan Valley Community College, I found my calling in the Student Government Organization (SGA) working with other students who wanted to give back to the community. Through SGA, I helped revitalize the Filipino Peace Club (F.P.C.), which offers students of Filipino descent or those interested in Filipino culture an opportunity to have greater expression on campus.
Through SGA, I served in a leadership role in the “RVotes Matter Campaign,” which promotes electoral participation on campus. I organized voter registration drives and developed material to educate students about the electoral process. I also helped secure grants from organizations that wanted to encourage students’ civic activism. In my free time, I tutor fellow students in a variety of classes in which I excel. Tutoring enables me to help others develop successful academic habits and allows me to make lifelong friendships.
