Photo of University Hall

The heartwarming story behind this N.J. mom’s graduation

Read the full story on NJ.com

Posted in: Alumni Profiles

Michael Ruiz and his mother Maritza Rivera at Montclair State University Commencement 2016 held at the Prudential Center in Newark.
NEWARK — In the summer of 1993, Maritza Rivera was working a full-time job while raising two young sons and going to college part time. 

A political science major, Rivera hoped to take a few classes each semester, earn a degree from Montclair State University and attend law school, she said. But that all changed when she found out she was pregnant. "Having a new baby takes a lot of time for a mom," said Rivera, who stopped taking classes that summer. "I really didn’t think I was going to ever go back to school." 

On Wednesday, 23 years after she walked away from her dream of becoming a lawyer, Rivera donned a black cap and gown at Montclair State’s commencement ceremony after finally earning her degree in political science.

Read the full story