Editor's Note: The CACC is doing a profile on each of the league's eight school nominees for the 2021-22 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. This installment features Rajene Bowe of the Dominican University softball team.]

New Haven, Conn. (7/21/22)  Dominican University softball standout Rajene Bowe is her institution's nominee for the 2021-22 NCAA Woman of the Year Award, as announced by the national organization in early July. She is in the running for the prestigious honor by demonstrating success on the diamond, in the classroom, and giving back to her local community. Bowe is a terrific role model for young female athletes everywhere.

The following is a profile on Bowe's impressive collegiate career which led to her honor as being Dominican's nominee for the national award. The NCAA will announce the conference's woman of the year award winner later this summer, as that individual(s) will move on for consideration for the national award with other conference honorees from all three divisions of the NCAA.

INFORMATION
Name: Rajene Bowe
School: Dominican University
Sport: Softball
Undergrad Major: Social Work
Cumulative GPA: 3.55

EXCERPT FROM NCAA WOTY PERSONAL STATEMENT
"Being a scholar athlete, and a leader on campus has tremendously impacted my life and has prepared me for my future endeavors. I have learned the importance of being on a team and being there for my teammates through the good times and bad times. I have learned that being a part of a team means that everyone is equally important, and a win or loss affects everyone the same. I have also learned the sacrifice it takes to become a leader, and to lead by example. Last year I was blessed to finish my season making 1st team all-conference, 1st team all-region, 2nd team all-American, all-academic, and I received the golden shoe spike award. This year has been an eye opener for me, and I have grown so much as an individual. The pandemic really affected my mental health and over the summer I experienced anxiety and depression for the first time. I didn't know much about mental health, and because of this I was scared to reach out for help. But before I started my senior year, I was terrified and reluctant because I didn't know what to do. I managed to push through my challenges and I went back to school. I reached out to the school counselor who was such a blessing. She taught me the importance of mental health and explained to me that depression and anxiety does not define me. We came up with many techniques that helped me grow as a person and techniques that helped me cope with my anxiety and depression. I'm proud that I was able to make the Dean's List both semesters pushing through my obstacles."

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
♦ Helped the Organization Feed 10,000 People in Need (2017). My teammates and I were a part of helping Feed 10,000 People in Need. I was in charge of helping package the food that went to individuals.
♦ Fundraiser for the Nyack Homeless Project (2021). As a representative from the social work club, I participated in creating positive quote items and treats, that the students could buy. The donations was distributed to the Nyack Homeless project. 
♦ Internship at Senator Reichlin-Melnick Office (2021-22). Involved in helping host events at the senator's office, advocated for vulnerable populations, and helped over 300 constituents with their unemployment benefits.

ACADEMIC HONORS/SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
♦ 2022 - Inducted into the 2022 Chi Alpha Sigma; Received Deans list for both semesters; keynote speaker for the Annual Social Work Student Advocacy Research Conference; hooded to be the representative of the social work department; graduated cum laude; and received CACC All-Academic Team honors.
♦ 2021 - Received all-academic team honors; named to the Dean's List for both semesters; and was inducted into the Phi Alpha Honor Society for social work.
♦ 2020 - Named to the Dean's List for one semester.

ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
♦ 2021: Made second team all-American.
♦ 2021: Golden Shoe Spike Award (the most stolen bases for all of D2 softball - 97).
♦ 2021: Golden Shoe Spike Award (the most stolen bases for all of D2 softball).
♦ 2021: Made first team all-region.
♦ 2018: Made all-tournament team.
♦ 2019: Made first team all-conference.
♦ 2021: Made first team all-conference.
♦ First softball player in school history to make all-American and receive the Golden Shoe Spike Award.