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Ramapo College of New Jersey recently founded a chapter of the American Association of Men in Nursing (AAMN). In honor of June being Men鈥檚 Health Month, some of the chapter鈥檚 founding members explain the benefits of the organization being on campus.

June 18, 2026

by Lauren Ferguson

For Ramapo College of New Jersey student Sebastian Staciuk ’29, pursuing a career in nursing felt like the right fit.

鈥淚t combines compassion, service, and science while allowing me to make a meaningful difference in people鈥檚 lives every day,鈥� said the nursing major from Newark, NJ.

Staciuk is studying to become one of the rising number of men in the nursing profession.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, men make up over 12% of the total nursing workforce, compared to nearly 7% in 2002. And Ramapo鈥檚 enrollment mirrors the national trend. In the fall of 2025, males made up more than 15% of undergraduate nursing majors at Ramapo, compared to just under 8% in fall 2002.

Now Staciuk 鈥� and the growing number of ambitious Roadrunners interested in the healthcare field 鈥� have access to a new group on campus where they can find support, comradery and continuing education as they forge careers in service to others. The Ramapo chapter of the American Association of Men in Nursing (AAMN) launched in April.

The national organization has a mission 鈥渢o shape the practice, education, research, and leadership for men in nursing and advance men鈥檚 health,鈥� according to. One of its core values is inclusion, 鈥渁n unwavering stance on attracting the best of the best to our profession based on characteristics and principles, and not by gender or racial demographics,鈥� the website states.

Welcoming All

The advisor of the Ramapo chapter,聽 Dr. Christopher de la Victoria, an award-winning assistant professor of nursing, said the group is a way 鈥渢o tell the gentleman that you are needed in the healthcare profession, in the nursing profession.鈥�

Ramapo鈥檚 chapter has a mission of building a strong, supportive and inclusive community, focused on strengthening communities, nursing education and healthcare, according to de la Victoria. Along those lines, the group is open to all students, regardless of gender, he explained.

Assistant Professor of Nursing Dr. Christopher de la Victoria, left, is the advisor for the Ramapo chapter of the American Association of Men in Nursing.

鈥淭he organization is there to inspire the students to stay on track and be part of the nursing profession,鈥� said de la Victoria. The chapter will focus on engaging students, providing service opportunities, and preparing them to lead.

鈥淚t is about training them 鈥� all of them 鈥� regardless of gender or orientation,鈥� he said. The chapter is also open to alumni and faculty.

Creating Community

Staciuk, a founding member of the chapter, said he liked the idea of 鈥渃reating a community where male nursing students can connect, support one another and share experiences.鈥�

The organization 鈥渉elps ensure that male nursing students have access to the support, mentorship, and community they deserve. It also creates opportunities for networking, leadership development, and professional growth,鈥� Staciuk said. 鈥淲ith many first-year nursing students entering Ramapo each year, our chapter has the opportunity to raise awareness about these resources and help more men feel supported and encouraged as they pursue a career in nursing.鈥�

Another member, Owen Nappi ’28, a nursing major from Matawan, NJ, has ambitions to go into critical care nursing. 鈥淣ursing was a pretty big calling for me,鈥� he said.

He said joining the group was an opportunity for him to find others in his major to learn with and lean on. 鈥淕oing into the medical field, and going into nursing, it is important to have those connections,鈥� he said.

Nursing major Mel Justin Garcia ’27 of Paramus, NJ, said he is eager to give back to the community and help inspire the next generation of nurses. 鈥淚 want to contribute to an environment where students feel supported, encouraged, and empowered to succeed regardless of their background,鈥� Garcia said. 鈥淭hrough community outreach, mentorship, and professional development initiatives, the chapter can make a meaningful impact both on campus and in the communities we serve.鈥�

Members of the Ramapo chapter of the American Association of Men in Nursing Association have access to support, networking and a community to lean on.聽

Making a Difference

Since its launch, members have been busy. They already took part in the NJ Sharing Network鈥檚 5K Walk to honor the 鈥済ift of life鈥� and raise awareness about the role of organ and tissue donation in modern patient-centered care, according to de la Victoria.

They also have big plans for the near future.

The chapter is planning a continuing education webinar for August on how CAR T-cell therapy is transforming cancer treatment by reprogramming the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells and to explore key implications for nursing practice. Members are also gearing up to take part in Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚 in September. And they are organizing educational activities related to men鈥檚 health, health disparities, and advancements in medical and nursing sciences for the upcoming academic year.

De la Victoria said the group is an avenue to expose students to non-profit organizations, community outreach and professional development activities. 鈥淚t’s exactly like opening the doors, opening the windows, letting the students see other things in the real world. And it’s a great opportunity for them to grow early as nursing students,鈥� he said.

Ramapo has been named a top nursing school in New Jersey. To learn more about nursing at Ramapo College, including the BSN, RN to BSN, MSN and DNP degree programs, visit ramapo.edu/nursing.