The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program at Montclair State University\u2019s College of the Arts requires dedication and hard work. But for Nicole Romero \u201920, reaching her goal of a bachelor\u2019s degree meant more than the usual academic and artistic challenges.<\/p>\n
Born in Peru and raised in Paterson since the age of 2, Nicole learned early what it meant to be cautious. She felt her parents\u2019 fear when news reports of immigration raids came out. Anxiety was part of her life. She learned why at the age of 16, when her parents told her that she was not a legal resident of the U.S.<\/p>\n
By the time Nicole reached Montclair State University, she had a story to tell \u2013 but how would she tell it? It was hard for her to trust others with the truth about her family history. How would Montclair State prepare her for the openness that a creative career required?<\/p>\n
\u201cI was lucky to have professors who cared about me, and who cared about where I came from,\u201d Nicole tells us. \u201cThat was very motivating for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLisa Raven, Jason Schafer, Karl Nussbaum and Roberta Friedman \u2013 they were among the professors who were so helpful,\u201d she says. \u201cThey were great mentors and I felt I could confide in them.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also talks about the isolation she felt as a DACA student. DACA refers to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a federal program designed to protect undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country as children. \u201cThere weren\u2019t a lot of other students in my major who were in my situation,\u201d she says. \u201cThe faculty were always so generous in pointing me toward resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was her Montclair State professors who encouraged her to tell her unique story. In 2018, she produced a documentary called \u201cDacamented,\u201d which brings attention to DACA \u2013 and to efforts to keep it from being rescinded. In her latest film, \u201cA Real Job,\u201d she tells the tale of a young teenager who is not allowed to walk home from school alone. It echoes the frustration and fearfulness of her own youth.<\/p>\n
\u201cDacamented\u201d won first place for Independent Short Film as well as the Doris Aaronson Award for Best Social or Environmental Documentary at the Passaic County Film Festival. She has submitted \u201cA Real Job\u201d to several film festivals and hopes to be releasing it more widely very soon.<\/p>\n
In her final semester at Montclair State, things became even more complicated for Nicole when the country shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. \u201cMy mother became ill with the virus,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was really hard. The faculty were so supportive.\u201d Thankfully, her mother recovered from the illness.<\/p>\n
Despite the challenges, Nicole has many wonderful memories of her time at Montclair State. \u201cI really loved being on campus in the fall,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd I loved being part of the Filmmaking program. Being on sets with my friends was so much fun. I am still in touch with many of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nicole misses the camaraderie of campus life, as well as the benefits of having so many resources at her fingertips. \u201cWhen you\u2019re on campus you have access to so much state-of-the-art equipment. Professors and friends are always around to help with your projects, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nicole recommends keeping in touch with friends and faculty after graduation. \u201cThese are the people who will think of you when projects come up,\u201d she counsels.<\/p>\n