Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ) has announced that Talin Medzadourian Araian, Candidate for Doctor of Counseling Psychology at Felician University, is one of 11 women awarded scholarships under the organization’s Graduate Merit Award Program. EWNJ the state’s premier organization for senior-level executive women, has announced the 11 recipients of its annual Graduate Merit Award Program, awarding a total of $37,000 in tuition assistance. These scholarships reflect EWNJ’s commitment to fostering the next generation of women leaders, in furtherance of the organization’s mission to ensure that women have equal opportunities and representation in senior corporate leadership.

Talin Medzadouran Araian

“Receiving this award fills me with immense gratitude and motivation. As a divorced, single mother returning to school for a second career, the journey has not been without its challenges. The financial strain of pursuing my doctorate while externing, with limited opportunities and time to earn income, has been significant. This award will help alleviate some of that burden, allowing me to pay off accumulated interest on my unsubsidized loans. It will also help cover commuting expenses, including tolls for my weekly travel to Fordham University for my externship. I am deeply touched by the support of EWNJ, an organization that empowers women like me,” stated Araian.

Talin Medzadourian Araian is a dedicated third-year doctoral student at Felician University. Prior to pursuing her doctorate, she built a successful career in pharmaceutical sales. Embodied with a blend of passion, scholarship, and a fervent drive, Araian’s mission is to make meaningful impact on those who need it most. Her research interests include understanding the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities, intimate partner violence, relationships, and post-separation abuse.

The largest provider of scholarships for women who are non-traditional students seeking advanced degrees at colleges and universities across New Jersey, EWNJ’s Graduate Merit Award Program has granted more than $1.4 million in tuition assistance since its inception.

EWNJ defines ‘non-traditional students’ as those returning to their studies several years after receiving an undergraduate degree, those who may have completed their undergraduate degree at a later date, those who changed careers and are returning to school to retool their professions, or those who come from non-traditional educational or socioeconomic backgrounds.

“EWNJ is dedicated to breaking down the barriers that women face on their journeys to the C-suite and beyond. The rising cost of education continues to be a significant challenge, especially for those returning to school later in life. Through the Graduate Merit Award Program, we are honored to help ease the financial burden for these extraordinary women as they develop the leadership skills that will shape the future. We congratulate this year’s recipients and look forward to the incredible contributions they will undoubtedly make.” shared M. Courtney McCormick, Esq., President of EWNJ and Senior Vice President of Audit, Enterprise Risk & Compliance at PSEG. 

“At EWNJ, we are committed to empowering future women leaders, and strive to help women acquire the skills they need to advance their professional journeys. We understand that the path to leadership is rarely linear, and for many women, an advanced degree is a stepping stone to reaching their full potential,” stated Diane Dunn McKay, Esq., Chair of the EWNJ Scholarship Committee and Member of Calderone McKay LLC.  “These scholarships represent more than just financial assistance – they are an investment in the future of women who are shaping industries, communities, and the world.”

The awards were presented during EWNJ’s annual Holiday Party, hosted by the Brach Eichler law firm in Roseland, NJ on December 11th. This year’s scholarship sponsors are Prudential, PSEG, and RWJ Barnabas Health.

For the full list of scholarship recipients, visit www.ewnj.org/scholarship/2024-scholarship-winners/.

About Felician University
Felician University is more than just an institute of higher learning. It is a community that inspires and engages over 2,100 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students through programs in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education. Our commitment to our students’ success is evident in our rankings and recognitions. Over the past five years, Felician University has consistently ranked 3^rd among private institutions in New Jersey for best value according to payscale.com and has been recognized as the #1 Safest College Campus in New Jersey according to niche.com. Our Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. We are proud to be designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the thirteenth year, a testament to our strong support for Veteran students. Our diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), with underrepresented students comprising more than half of the student population, is a reflection of our inclusive and supporting environment. With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, the Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, please visit https://felician.edu. 

About EWNJ
EWNJ is the most powerful voice advocating for the advancement of professional women in New Jersey. Our mission is to ensure that women have equal opportunities and representation in senior corporate leadership. Through our mentor program and our Graduate Merit Award Program, we are seeking to establish a pipeline for future women leaders to excel and flourish in corporate spaces. We are the largest provider of scholarships to women who are non-traditional graduate students in New Jersey.

 In support of our mission, we publish a biennial report on the number of women on boards and in the senior governance of publicly traded companies in New Jersey. This report is the only one of its kind in the state. We also host events to build connections and amplify our work. To learn more about EWNJ, visit www.ewnj.org.