A Fast Track to Success

Chloe Swift ’22 knew early on – by her sophomore year in high school! – that she wanted a career in television and journalism. And she wasted no time pursuing her goal.

“I was in the studio production and broadcasting program at Cumberland County Technical Education Center,” Swift explains. “From the time I started high school I was exposed to television, content creation, scripting and anchoring.”

She also participated in the school’s Early College High School program, which allowed her to complete an associate degree alongside a high school diploma. She was especially eager to find a college that had a strong television program, and that would accept the degree credits she had already worked so hard to earn.

“Montclair checked every box,” she says.

Swift transferred her entire degree, which left only two years to complete her bachelor’s. “The first year was remote due to the pandemic,” she says. “In my final year I was able to live on campus, in the Heights. I really enjoyed the experience.”

Building Skills and Community at Montclair

Even though Swift began college with a foundational knowledge of television production, she found that her Montclair classes pushed her to a higher level of expertise and excellence. “The expectations were high,” she says of her professors. “They treated us like professionals, which helped me build the confidence I would need going into the industry at such a young age. They saw my potential and encouraged me to embrace it.”

Swift was keeping pace with her classmates, but she was keenly aware of the age gap. “The other students were three and four years older than me,” she says. “The age difference made it hard to socialize.”

Joining Sigma Delta Phi helped. “The sorority made it easier to meet people my own age,” Swift says. “I’m still in touch with several of my sisters.”

The Honors Program, now called the John Martinson Honors EDGE Program, further strengthened her Montclair education. “I was very intentional in applying to this program, which included a framework of seminar-based interdisciplinary courses,” she points out. “I wanted to be in an advanced learning setting with like-minded students.”

Internships provided additional preparation for professional roles. She worked as a production assistant for Montclair Film and provided content for the launch of Hawk+, Montclair’s streaming service.

Swift’s brother Parker, who graduated from Montclair in 2024, was paying close attention to his sister’s progress. “Because Chloe was already a student, I could get a firsthand look at the program,” he says. “I realized pretty quickly that Montclair’s facilities stand out from the rest. I also saw how welcoming the professors are. On top of that, seeing Chloe succeed while freelancing in the Montclair area showed me how well the program prepares students for real-world opportunities. Her confidence and skills made it clear that Montclair would be the right place for me to continue my journey.”

From Freelance Work to National Broadcast Production

After completing her degree in Television Production, Swift built experience through a variety of freelance assignments with clients including the Episcopal Church of St. James in Montclair and Through The Lens Studios. Still, she wanted to be part of an ongoing team.

One of her Montclair professors reached out to her with an associate video producer opportunity at the Daily Racing Form, the news and data source for thoroughbred horse racing enthusiasts.

Fun fact: Swift’s parents fell in love at Saratoga Race Course, poring over the Daily Racing Form. “My dad used to take me to the races in Atlantic City when I was little,” she says. “You can imagine how excited they were when I told them I was going to work there!”

“It was an extremely fun job,” she continues. “I got to travel around the country for many of the big races – the Breeders’ Cup, Belmont, Preakness. It was a great experience.”

When she moved to Philadelphia, however, commuting to New York City was not sustainable. Once again, one of her Montclair contacts came through with a recommendation. This time, it would be for an associate producer role with the Caucus Educational Corporation (CEC), the nonprofit multimedia production company led by Steve Adubato, PhD, who graduated from Montclair in 1980.

Not too long after, Swift was named senior producer for One-on One with Steve Adubato, the CEC’s nightly interview program. “I get to meet so many fascinating people,” she says. “Authors, actors, advocates, and athletes – people who are making a difference in New Jersey’s communities. It is very inspiring.”

In 2025, Swift was able to return to Montclair in a professional capacity to produce a two-part program of Think Tank with Steve Adubato. “In the specials, Steve and President Koppell talked about the future of broadcasting, the value of a college education, campus safety and the role of universities in society,” she says. “It was a great program, and the audience was fantastic.”

Giving Back Through Education and Mentorship

Swift has begun her own journey as a change-maker as a member of the Cumberland County Technical Education Center Foundation board. “Education is important to me,” she says. “Cumberland is the poorest county in New Jersey; opportunities are not always accessible. As scholarship chair I organize and help distribute awards that change the trajectory of students’ lives. I hope to continue cultivating education in the future, perhaps as a professor or mentor.”

She also looks forward to staying connected to her alma mater. “Parker and I are really lucky to be Montclair grads,” Swift adds. “I mean, just look at the value you get – and when you put in the work, you get even more. I encourage students to talk to every single one of their professors. Reach out to the career and internship professionals on campus. And don’t forget to cultivate relationships with the community around you.”