In his days as a recent high school graduate and film school hopeful, Albaner C. Eugene, Jr. \u201918 hadn\u2019t yet learned that he was destined to serve others, or that he would become a force for shifting culture to one of personal accountability and growth. But as sometimes happens, life set him on course to a future as a sought-after speaker, influencer, and inspiration to others.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to go to film school in Chicago, but my mom kept encouraging me to get a well-rounded education first, as a way to build a solid foundation for pursuing my creative dream,\u201d he says. \u201cAs it turns out, this was some of the best advice I have ever received.\u201d<\/p>\n
While a freshman at a small college in Pennsylvania, Albaner started researching colleges and decided he wanted to be closer to his New Jersey home. A chance meeting with a Montclair alumnus \u2013 Michael Spence \u201914 \u2013 got him thinking about Montclair. \u201cMike was building a career as a motivational speaker, and he had so many good things to say about the University,\u201d he recalls. \u201cI was nervous about applying, though. I was so happy when I was accepted!\u201d<\/p>\n
Albaner enrolled as a business administration major with a marketing concentration, but something wasn\u2019t quite right. \u201cI love marketing, but it seemed like everyone around me was enjoying their major way more than I was,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
When he switched his major to psychology, things clicked. \u201cI loved developing my ability to understand people,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Albaner dove into campus life, using his skill as a videographer to become involved in a variety of activities, including the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program. \u201cI wasn\u2019t a part of the program, but the faculty and staff welcomed me with open arms, and I got to partner with them to help bring their vision to life by filming their events,\u201d he says. \u201cI loved the program and what it was doing for students. I attended a lot of the events the program offered and supported them in whatever way I could.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2018, the program recognized Albaner with that year\u2019s EOF Advocacy Award. Dating back to 2015, Albaner had begun creating and posting videos targeted to young people, urging them to take responsibility for themselves and their futures. As his audience began to grow, word got out on campus and soon a host of student organizations were inviting him to give presentations at their events.<\/p>\n
Albaner\u2019s ability to connect with young people was being further honed at his church, where he was a youth ministry leader.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never saw myself as a public speaker, but here I was being asked to talk to groups of students at Montclair and building out a series of workshops for church youth groups,\u201d he says. \u201cBetween events, young people were coming up to me looking for guidance. It birthed a huge responsibility on me to show up more for students at Montclair.\u201d<\/p>\n
After graduating from Montclair, he pursued a master\u2019s degree in counseling at Pillar University, and an internship with a counseling practice. He completed the program and earned his counseling certification in 2021. He became an ordained minister as well, and founded a nonprofit organization, Let\u2019s Move, with a mission to help people make progress in their lives.<\/p>\n
While Albaner enjoyed one-to-one counseling, he found the workshop and group counseling formats to be especially rewarding. So did his clients \u2013 and as a result, demand for his sessions skyrocketed. He knew he needed to think creatively, and to find a way to make his services as accessible as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of the high demand I had to shut down my counseling career and think about what to do next,\u201d he says. \u201cMy roots are in my faith, and I also have a professional mission to help people. I needed to find a way to allow people to get more access to my professional services while I am serving my local church and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
By this time, Albaner\u2019s YouTube channel had grown to more than 25,000 subscribers, with some of his videos viewed more than 40,000 times. Nearly 290,000 follow his messaging on Instagram. In January, Albaner will launch Momentum, a full-service app that will provide a range of videos, exercises, notifications, reminders, and other resources to scale up access to the \u201cMomentum\u201d experience. Plans include live events and workshops as well.<\/p>\n
Albaner has more appreciation than ever for his mother\u2019s advice to earn a degree, and for his choice to do so at Montclair. \u201cMontclair changed my life,\u201d he says. \u201cIf I had gone to film school only, I never would have had the ability to become a voice in my generation. My psychology degree enables me to serve the community in a profound way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven when it came to changing my major, which is very challenging process, the EOF faculty and staff at Montclair supported me,\u201d Albaner continues. \u201cI am forever grateful.\u201d His life lessons shape his advice for others: \u201cLearn to be okay with change. More often than not, people change course. Some of the best things happen in life when things don\u2019t go according to plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whenever possible, Albaner returns to campus to help with events. \u201cI try to be available, especially for the EOF program,\u201d he says. \u201cMontclair is a whole new world for students, and I love to see their eyes open to all of the possibilities. But it can also be overwhelming. I try to emphasize to all students that time management and prioritization can help them succeed in college.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI also love the reunions,\u201d he adds with a smile. \u201cThere is pride in being a Red Hawk!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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