An alumnus at the helm of two growing businesses has agreed to fund a total of $20,000 in scholarships for eight students in 2026-27.

Dr. Darren Rodia ’05 ‘06 is CEO, owner, and founder of Kinetic Movement Reimagined, a physical therapy and movement firm, and Sanare, a behavioral health firm. Next year, his companies will provide two $2,500 scholarships for students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and six $2,500 awards to juniors and seniors in any major.

The connection to the DPT program from which he graduated is apparent, but Rodia has a broader audience in mind for his undergraduate support.

“Many undergraduate students don’t know what they want to do,” he explains, “and I am very partial to Neumann students because many of us were born with real life challenges, finances being one of them. We have to go get it, and I want to support those students at all stages of their evolution.”

His admiration for Neumann was born of personal experience.

“I chose Neumann because of the excellent faculty and because they created a program for individuals like me who needed a quality program that allowed them to work during the week in order to meet my financial needs.”

Professor Kathleen Swanik is coordinating the selection process with assistance from colleagues Karen Wientjes, Etsuko Hoshino-Browne, and Kerry Hustwit. Undergraduate candidates must complete an application, answer two essay prompts, provide a reference from a Neumann faculty member, and participate in an interview. There is a separate application for DPT candidates.

The application deadline is February 18.

Recipients are required to take two 3-credit courses: professional development in the fall of 2026 and holistic and integrative health in the spring of 2027.

Regarding the need for professional development, Rodia is clear: “Excellence looks a whole lot like discipline, which is a close cousin to consistency. Teaching young people what excellence looks like will help them in any career.”

He is even more direct about holistic health as a way to “avoid poison, medical bills, MRIs and surgery.”

Swanik is grateful for the scholarships and Rodia’s past support. For years, Kinetic has provided internships, part-time jobs, and shadowing/mentoring opportunities for Neumann students.

“In my 30 years in higher education,” says Swanik, “I’ve never heard of a business coming to an institution and saying, ‘I really just want to help your students.’ I want to credit Kinetic and Sanare for trusting us to use their generous investment wisely.”

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.”

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.