Neumann has selected eight students to receive new $2,500 scholarships in 2026-27. The awards are funded by alumnus Dr. Darren Rodia ’05 ‘06, the CEO, owner, and founder of Kinetic Movement Reimagined, a physical therapy and movement clinic, and Sanare, a behavioral health firm.
Recipients include two students in the DPT program (Sarah Lipscomb and Hannah Singer) and 6, undergraduates (Daniel Ampofo, Alexandria Bergamesco, Danielle DiNafo, Leslie Huerto-Perez, Isaiah Kennedy, and Ya’Nayshia Thomas).
The students are required to take 2, 3-credit courses: professional development in the fall of 2026 and holistic and integrative health in the spring of 2027.
“Excellence looks a whole lot like discipline, which is a close cousin to consistency,” Rodia explained. “Teaching young people what excellence looks like will help them in any career.”
The undergraduates are studying fields that vary from nursing and health sciences to psychology and cybersecurity.
Dr. Chris Domes believes that the scholarships will provide critical assistance for the eight recipients. “Darren Rodia’s partnership with us will propel these students to their degrees and promising professional careers. His support validates their academic journeys, and we are grateful for his partnership.”
Professor Kathleen Swanik coordinated the selection process with assistance from colleagues Karen Wientjes, Etsuko Hoshino-Browne, and Kerry Hustwit. Undergraduate candidates completed an application, answered two essay prompts, provided a reference from a Neumann faculty member, and participated in an interview.
Launched in 2006, Kinetic Movement Reimagined offers clients a variety of services to improve their ability to move: physical therapy to maintain or restore physical function; training with performance coaches and experts in movement science; and Kinetic+, which focuses on movement with guidance from mobility specialists and exercise physiologists. Kinetic has ten locations in the Philadelphia suburbs.
According to Rodia, the goal of Sanare, which treats individuals for psychological dysfunction, is to help people rise, “not because we lift them, but because we give them tools to stand stronger." Sanare has many physical locations and virtual points of service in multiple states.