Cherry blossoms on campus

Meet Our Team


Bryan Murdock
Associate Vice President of Community Partnerships,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships,
Office of the President
Office Location: Susan A. Cole Hall 348E
Email: murdockb@montclair.edu
Phone: 973-655-6831

Bryan Murdock has more than thirty years of experience in program administration and management. He’s the founding director of the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships at Montclair State University where he’s responsible for the administration of numerous community-engaged programs, projects and initiatives that engage approximately 1,000 students; collaborate with faculty from the University’s five colleges and school; and partner with 200 community- and faith-based organizations, school districts, governmental agencies, and civic organizations. Since 2010, Mr. Murdock has partnered with the Orange Public Schools to support its Community Schools Strategy, having served as the Project Director of the University Assisted Full Service Community Schools project since 2014.


Krystal Woolston
Director of Public Service Programs,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships,
Office of the President
Office Location: Susan A Cole Hall 348D
Email: woolstonk@montclair.edu
Phone: 973-655-4268

Krystal Woolston is the Assistant Director of the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships at Montclair State University where she directs the Bonner Leader program, co-coordinates the Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellows program and the Orange Community Schools Initiative. She also oversees the EECO AmeriCorps program and the community-engaged learning program. She is passionate about getting students involved in volunteering, civic engagement and community leadership. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Family Science and Human Development. Her research focuses on the impact of clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse and institutional betrayal on survivor’s spirituality and post-traumatic growth. She hopes to make an impact on how faith institutions respond to abuse.


Jessica Pichardo
Director of NextGen Service Corps,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships,
Office of the President
Office Location: Susan A. Cole Hall 348C
Email: pichardoj@montclair.edu
Phone: 973-655-7882

Jessica Pichardo is the Project Coordinator at the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships at Montclair State University. Ms. Pichardo is actively involved with the Orange Community School project and further serves as the Program Manager for the Education, Environment and Community Outreach (EECO) AmeriCorps program. Ms. Pichardo has a BA in History from Montclair State University and an MA in Higher Education from Caldwell University. Ms. Pichardo further has work experience stemming from not for profit organizations, Community Schools and the Division of Child Protection and Permanency.


Daniela Chica
AmeriCorps Program Director,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships,
Office of the President
Office Location: Susan A. Cole Hall 348B
Email: chicad@montclair.edu
Phone: 973-655-7895

Daniela Chica is the Program Director for the New Jersey Covid Service Corps at the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships. Daniela graduated from Rutgers University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy and a minor in Asian Studies. She graduated from Montclair State University with a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a Forensic concentration and from St. Elizabeth University with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. Daniela hopes to continue working with the community to strengthen partnerships and to promote programs that consider all aspects of public health.


Aracelis Ruiz
One Square Mile Project Manager University Community Action Nexus,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships, Office of the President
Office Location: Susan A. Cole Hall 348
Email: ruizr@montclair.edu
Phone: 973-655-4139

Aracelis Ruiz serves as the Paterson One Square Mile Project Manager University Community Action Nexus. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Ramapo College of New Jersey, Ms. Ruiz brings a wealth of expertise garnered from over two decades of dedicated service within Paterson and various other communities. With an unwavering commitment to effecting meaningful change, she aspires to create a profound and enduring impact on the lives of community members.



Emely Bryan
Executive Assistant,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships,
Office of the President
Office Location: Susan A. Cole Hall 348B
Email: bryane@montclair.edu
Phone: 973-655-7645

Emely Bryan is the Executive Assistant for the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships at Montclair State University. Ms. Bryan received her Associate Degree in General Science from Essex County College. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus on Healthcare Management from Berkeley College. With over 10 years of experience in administration and business development Emely hopes to support the vision for community engagement here at Montclair State University and make an impact in local communities.


Mikaela Guzman 
Interim Bonner Leader and Service Coordinator,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships,
Office of the President
Office Location: Susan A Cole Hall 348
Email: guzmanm@montclair.edu
Phone: 973-655-3973

Mikaela Guzman is an alumna of Montclair State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance. Currently, she is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Higher Education. During her undergraduate years, Mikaela served as a Bonner Leader, a role that ignited her passion for empowering marginalized students through service. Her experiences in the Bonner program inspired her to co-found “Musicians for Social Justice,” a group dedicated to sharing minority stories through the performing arts.

Following her graduation with a bachelor’s degree, Mikaela was invited to serve in the New Jersey Covid Service Corps AmeriCorps Program as the Community-Engaged Learning Coordinator. Upon the successful completion of her AmeriCorps term, Mikaela assumed the role of Bonner Leader and Service Coordinator. In this capacity, she oversees the Bonner Leader and Community Engaged Learning Programs.


Lauren Dinour
Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning Scholar,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships
Email: dinourl@montclair.edu
Phone: 973-655-5395

Lauren Dinour, DrPH, RD, CLC, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ. Her research focuses on health-promoting policies, programs, and practices that improve childhood nutrition and food security, particularly in the areas of school food and breastfeeding. More recently, she has engaged in several studies regarding the development, implementation, and outcomes of service-learning pedagogy in dietetics coursework. A Registered Dietitian and public health professional, Dr. Dinour holds a DrPH and MPH with a focus on Public Health Nutrition. Prior to joining the Nutrition faculty at Montclair State University, Dr. Dinour worked as a practitioner and researcher in community-based and public health settings in the areas of childhood nutrition and food policy.


Racheal Afriyie
Graduate Student Assistant,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships
Office of the President
Office Location: Susan A Cole Hall 348
Email: afriyier1@montclair.edu

Racheal Afriyie is Graduate Assistant for AmeriCorps. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management and Sociology from University of Ghana. Building upon her undergraduate studies, she is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Business Administration and Management with a concentration in Marketing. She is committed to making a positive impact in the community. She hopes to continue working with the community to strengthen the members’ relations with the community.


Sara Duricko
Graduate Student Assistant,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships
Office Location: Susan A. Cole Hall 348
Email: durickos@montclair.edu
Phone: 973-655-3973

Sara Duricko is the Graduate Assistant at the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships. Currently, she is pursuing her Masters Degree in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health here at Montclair State University. Sara also received her Bachelors in Psychology from MSU and minored in Criminal Justice and Environmental Justice. In her undergraduate career she served as a Bonner Leader and R.I.S.E mentor. Sara wishes to pursue a career in which she can continue to serve communities and work within the mental health sector.



Sowmya Kampara
Technology and System Specialist UCAN Graduate Assistant,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships
Office of the President
Office Location: Susan A. Cole Hall 348
Email: kamparas1@montclair.edu

Sowmya Kampara is the Technology and System Specialist Graduate Assistant for the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships. Currently, she is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Computer Science at Montclair State University. Sowmya received her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from India. She has experience working at Cognizant as a Program Analyst Trainee and Accenture as a Full Stack Engineering Analyst. Sowmya wishes to pursue her career as a Software Engineer.



Oyeyemi Olagbaiye
UCAN Graduate Student Assistant,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships
Office of the President
Office Location: Susan A. Cole Hall 348
Email: olagbaiyeo1@montclair.edu

Oyeyemi Olagbaiye is the Community Action Nexus Program Assistant in the Office of Community
Engagement and Partnerships. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Lagos Nigeria and
was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in General Management at Montclair State University with a concentration in Marketing. Oyeyemi has a range of experience in operations and project management, marketing, team building, and leadership which she gained from leading her event management company. She aims to strengthen her leadership skills during her time at the Office and obtain valuable knowledge in community service and volunteering that will enable her to make a difference in her community.



Ariana Rosa
NextGen Graduate Student Assistant,
Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships
Office of the President
Office Location: Susan A. Cole Hall 348
Email: rosaa2@montclair.edu

Ariana Rosa is the Graduate Assistant for the NextGen Service Corps at Montclair State University. She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling at Montclair State University. During her undergraduate years at The Pennsylvania State University, she studied Broadcast Journalism and served in the community, working toward the unity of all Latino/Hispanic and Multicultural students on campus. Outside of her professional work, Ariana enjoys journaling, spending time in her faith and hopes to continue serving different communities and bridge the gap between mental health and faith.