About the Catalyst Program
Our Maternal and Child Health Workforce Catalyst Program is building an ecosystem of MCH expertise at Montclair, and shaping the future of public health leadership in New Jersey and beyond.
The MCH Workforce Catalyst Program is designed to prepare a new generation of public health professionals who are passionate and knowledgeable about improving health outcomes for mothers, infants, children, and families—especially those in historically underrepresented and underserved communities.
Through funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), this initiative will expand graduate-level education, mentorship, and hands-on learning opportunities in maternal and child health. Students will gain real-world experience through internships and collaborative projects with organizations such as the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ, connecting classroom knowledge to community impact.
Our program is built around three core pillars:
- Interdisciplinary Engagement: Bringing together students and faculty from across public health, nursing, social work, education, and other disciplines to tackle MCH challenges from multiple perspectives.
- Practice-Based Learning & Development: Creating pathways for students to work directly with local agencies, health systems, and community organizations addressing maternal and child health needs.
- Diversity as an Asset: Celebrating and leveraging Montclair’s diverse student body to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and leads with cultural humility and equity.
By developing new graduate courses within our MPH program, convening MCH-engaged faculty and experts in the field, and collaborating with our community partners, we’re laying the groundwork for a long-term ecosystem of MCH workforce excellence. We’re not only strengthening the MCH workforce — we’re shaping the future of public health leadership in New Jersey and beyond.