Sarika Blackman, originally from Guyana, had completed the requirements to become a United States citizen shortly before her Green Card was set to expire. By chance, she saw that Rowan College at Burlington County was hosting a naturalization ceremony and successfully requested that Immigration Services include her so she could take the oath on the campus that has been so important to her.

Blackman became an American citizen as part of a ceremony that included 100 new Americans from 45 countries at the college where she has flourished sets an example for her family.

While balancing on- and off-campus employment, Sarika has been very active in her campus life through her participation in the Educational Opportunity Fund and its Chi Alpha Epsilon honor society, the Phi Theta Kappa national honor society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the Baron to Baron marketing club.

She will be a part of the Educational Opportunity Fund graduation and awards ceremony this week, and she will graduate next week with her associate degree in business administration and plans to transfer to Wilmington University.

Sarika’s story is part of RCBC’s 50 stories for 50 years. In honor of the college’s 50th anniversary, RCBC is profiling students, faculty, administrators, alumni and the college community. Anyone interested in being featured can contact rcbcnews@rcbc.edu. To follow along on social media, use #RCBC50Stories.