Imagine a small child -- nicknamed Smiley -- who wanders off to befriend and help strangers. That child is Janine Rivera, founder of the Kean University Human Rights Club. She was the peacemaker during grammar school - the one who loved helping others. That love has carried forward to today.
Rivera studied psychology as an undergraduate at Kean. Now, she is getting her master's in psychological services at the Nathan Weiss Graduate College at Kean and will graduate in May 2013. Her passion stemmed from her family life. She was raised with her younger sister -- who has learning disabilities -- prompting Rivera in her life's course in psychology and activism. Rivera says she took one of her first psychology courses in highschool
The now graduate assistant of the Human Rights Institute initially wanted to work in the field of play and art therapy for children. But there is so much more that Rivera wants to do -- hoping to incorporate artistic therapy with human rights. Pursuing something in a non-profit organization, such as UNICEF or a child advocacy group, might be her life calling, suggests the passionate student leader.
Rivera has a long list of accomplishments, one of which is becoming the first college graduate in her family. Other achievements include the "Human Rights Institute Conference Award in the category of Outstanding Human Rights Young Adult Activist", which she received at the recent 5thConferance
The reward acknowledges the work Rivera pioneered with advocacy for the 'Invisible Children' topic - which has recently become a pressing topic in human rights. She has continuously volunteered throughout both high school and college -- even kicking-off university-wide screenings of Invisible Children. During her time as a student programmer, Rivera also spent an immense amount of time crafting awareness bracelets from recycable
Scott Herman approached Rivera and asked if she was willing to form the initial
Human Rights Club as a student organized group. Though excited and honored to be given the privilege of starting the club, Rivera was also intimidated.
"It's a huge step from high school," she explained. But with the help of Scott Herman and Dr. Henry Kaplowitzpychology
"We take for granted of the opportunity to go to school. There are others around the world that want to but cannot," Rivera states. Her goal is to have students to reevaluate what it means to be human. "Everyone is stuck in their texting, but they need to wake up. Learning is key and we are here to enrich our lives."
