TCNJ

12 SPRING 2016 12 SPRING 2016 >My mom was born in Saint Lucia and my dad in Morocco. They both came to the United States when they were 19 and never had the opportunity to attend college. So being at TCNJ is something I never take for granted. > Last summer I interned with Mitsubishi UFJ Securities in New York City. I interacted with people from across the company—human resources, payroll, product control, accounting— and gained experience that will be invaluable when I start my business career. But one of the best perks was the beautiful view I had from the 29th floor on 50th Street. > I took a writing class my freshman year in which we examined modern superheroes—Batman, Superman, Captain America—through a postmod- ern lens. It was cool to watch a movie like The Dark Knight and question whether Batman's use of force is counterproductive to the good of the city—then tie that into a larger discus- sion about power struggles between governments and their citizens. My professor made the topic so much fun I decided to minor in English. >I wasn't even a comic book fan until I took that class, but now I collect. I'm on a college budget, but I hope to expand my collection once I get a job. SPORTS > How I Got Here > ZAKARIA ROCHDI '17 The accounting major/sprinter-jumper talks comic books, cityscapes, and living life in locomotion. THE PRAIRIE 12 SPRING 2016 >TCNJ has become another home for me in many ways, and I like helping other students embrace the school in the same way. As a peer mentor in TCNJ's Pride Mentoring Program, I assist other first- generation college students who come from diverse backgrounds. Being a commu- nity adviser gives me the chance to help younger students find their role in the TCNJ community. > My main focus is always academics, but I also came to TCNJ to be an athlete. Coach J [track and field head coach Justin Lindsey] was definitely part of the reason I chose the college. I admire his knowledge of and passion for the sport. I'm learning life lessons from him that I'll take with me after I graduate. > I love the winning culture here and the feeling that comes from competing. If I had to pick a favorite event, I'd say it's a tie between the triple jump and 400-meter. Both are equally rewarding. There's a lot of technique involved in properly executing the phases of a triple jump, and it's physically draining to sprint 400 meters. >There's a quote from my favorite comic, The Flash, that I think describes my time at TCNJ: "Life is locomotion. If you're not moving, you're not living." I have a lot going on—schoolwork, being a peer mentor and community adviser, competing on the track and field team—but I thrive off the controlled chaos. The busier I get the more focused I am. I'm driven by a desire to challenge myself and learn from my mistakes, because I believe that's the key to success. —as told to Brandon Gould Favorite event Rochdi says it's a toss-up between triple jump and 400-meter.

• Cover