Student is a ‘model’ of learning at Rowan

Last summer, 12 Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) students signed up to become student models for the college.

Over a few weeks, they participated in several photo shoots both in a studio and around campus and became the face of the college and its brand. They’re on benches, posters, banners and flyers all over campus, and they pop up in the promotional video posted on the college website’s home page.

Township resident Jamir Laster is one of the models. But he said he wouldn’t have attended Rowan if it weren’t for a girlfriend who dated him while she attended college classes, then encouraged Laster to apply. After taking the chance, he graduated with an associate’s degree in inclusive education last May, an accomplishment he has dedicated to that girlfriend. 

Laster is now finishing his bachelor’s degree in Rowan’s 3+1 program, which enables students to earn their associate’s degree there, take junior-year courses, then complete senior-year courses with Rowan University faculity. Laster hopes he can ultimately “be as supportive and as enthusiastic about learning as possible,” so that “his spirit rubs off on the (students) and makes them want to learn.”

Laster’s teacher, the late Rowan professor Dr. Leisa Karanjia, instilled in him that desire to lead the next generation. Laster fondly remembers a class exercise in which Karanjia knew every student’s name after only one pass around.

“I would like to carry out her legacy as best as I can,” he noted.

Laster put his education degree to work during a fall teaching internship that had him shadowing a kindergarten teacher at Howard Yocum Elementary School in Maple Shade. He watched the students work, and during prep periods, Laster asked questions he said were answered thoughtfully by the experienced teacher.

Outside the classroom, Laster is part of Rowan’s Brothers Achieving Excellence (BRAVE) program, where he connects with resources for male students of color, and the music club, where he can show his affinity for music with jam sessions. He is also an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) scholar and works as a peer mentor with disabled students.

Attending college has helped Laster leave behind his high-school mindset. College urged him to be more hard-working, a notable change from his high-school days, when he felt he wasn’t reaching his full potential.

“The environment (at college was) so different from high school,” he explained. “Everybody’s very encouraging and very supportive. Pretty much anywhere you go, you can make friends, and people are willing to help you and support you in whatever your desires are.”