Motivated Bloomfield College Scholar to Achieve Goal, Graduate in Three Years

By Alicia Cook

Upon enrolling at Bloomfield College as a freshman, Alexandria “Alex” Glasper ’16 was on a mission to graduate in just three years.

“I wanted to stand out to future employers. I’ll graduate in three years, then enroll in a graduate program, so I could say I earned my B.A. and my M.A. by the time I was 22,” said Gasper, who noted her plan has shifted, and she now plans to enter the workforce after graduating in order to gain experience for graduate school. She has her sights set on New York City and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

The vast majority of college students do not graduate in four years, according to a report from Complete College America, a nonprofit group based in Indianapolis.

In May 2017, Glasper will receive her degree in three years, accomplishing her objective. The Rancocas Valley High School (Mount Holly, New Jersey) graduate is a standout on the Bloomfield College Volleyball team, currently boasts a 3.95 GPA, and will earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business. She was the recipient of the Presidential Scholar Award, an athletic scholarship, and the Jeanne Palmer Soudekine Student Meal and Housing Assistance Fund Scholarship.

In order to reach her goal, Glasper knew early college advising was key.

“With the Bloomfield College staff, I figured out a plan right from the start,” explained Glasper. “My entire three years were mapped out for me. I knew I was going to have to take five courses each semester, six courses my final spring, and three summer courses to make this happen”

She balances her academics, volleyball, her part-time jobs as a tutor and youth volleyball coach, and her responsibilities as a student employee within the Office of Institutional Advancement seamlessly.

“I am like a robot,” Glasper quipped. “I battled depression in high school and my way of dealing with that was to stay focused on school and volleyball. Silver lining to all of that was it pushed me.”

In addition to her course load and work schedule, the go-getter built her resume and held down multiple internships during her time at the College.

Her first internship was for Ken Mandelbaum, Chair of the Board of VSA Consulting Group.

“That internship was really interesting because they would talk about business and how to market better, and how to have hard conversations with employees,” recalled Glasper. “I learned so much in one meeting, that might have taken a semester to learn. I also was able to input my own thoughts and recruit for the Board.”

Glasper’s next internship with Investor’s Bank was attained with the help of Board of Trustee member, Maureen Grant.

Glasper began working for the College’s Office of Institutional Advancement the second semester of her freshman year, once she reached junior status the job began to count as an internship.

“I’ve learned more and made more connections while working with the Office of Institutional Advancement than any other job or internship,” said Glasper. “Additionally, I learned how important fundraising is to an Institution. I got to be a part of it. It’s rewarding to feel important and needed and I know I am helping the College.”

While Glasper is excited to see what her future holds, she will miss the Bloomfield College community who supported her and her goals the last three years.

 “I am nervous, but excited, for the future. I am ready for the next step,” said Glasper. “I’ll miss my volleyball team, we’re a sisterhood. We’ve lived through everything together. As a team, you really are a family, the Athletics Department becomes family.”

Glasper plans to spend her summer in Europe before entering the workforce.