Rebecca Sincavage
Major : Elementary Education with Special Education Certification
High School : Highland High School
Hometown : Blackwood, NJ
Activities : Campus Ministry COR team, LISN Counseling Center team, Sandwiches for Survival student leader, Eucharistic Minister and Lector
Rebecca Sincavage admits she was very nervous about going away to college. She had never been apart from her family for any significant length of time. After conferring with her high school guidance counselor, she developed her criteria. “I wanted a small Catholic college close to my home in Blackwood, New Jersey, that had a solid education program,” she explains. “I wanted to be close enough to home so I could visit if I wanted to. I wanted a college where I would be a name, not a number. At home I was very involved in our youth group. I wanted to continue this activity and keep my faith going.” Neumann College fit her requirements like a glove.
“I felt like I belonged the minute I drove up on campus,” Rebecca recalls. She found the campus size manageable, and was particularly impressed with the atmosphere and people she met. “Everyone was so friendly and helpful unlike some other schools we had visited,” she says.
Rebecca’s first impression has withstood the test of time. Even though she had some rough times getting adjusted her first year, she’s established what she believes are life-long friendships, and has settled in. Now in her second year, Neumann is her home away from home. “I’m proud to be a part of the Neumann family,” she reflects. “We are a small school with a unified student body. We come together to support one another. It’s an active community. Students are involved and get things done. We care about one another.”
According to Rebecca, Neumann’s compassionate environment also extends into the classroom. “I have great teachers who have been more than willing to help when I need it,” she says. “They push me to work hard. They encourage me and challenge me to exceed limits. They want to help me succeed. This is so comforting.”
Rebecca is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education with special education certification. Having always loved working with children as a summer camp counselor, she believes teaching is the “right” career for her. “I want to make a difference in someone’s life, and I feel teaching is the best way to do it.” After graduation, she plans to continue on to earn a master’s degree in special education. Her long range goal is to teach autistic children. “While at summer camp, I met a kid who was autistic,” she explains.” A lot of other people had a hard time handling him. I worked with him and was able to get him to cooperate. I thought if I could handle an autistic child when no one else could, then working with autistic kids is something I should be doing.”
Getting involved in activities is something else Rebecca feels is worthwhile. “When I first came here, I used to lock myself in my room. But I found that when I got involved with an activity, it made me want to do more. I met more people, made more friends, and I felt more at home.” Now very involved with several of Neumann’s Mission and Ministry groups in peer counseling, she is reaching out to help others. “I was very shy and quiet. People here at Neumann helped me. I’m not afraid to open up. I discovered who I am and am much more comfortable with myself. I feel I discovered who I am at Neumann.”
