A Path of Perseverance and Public Service

When Maya Trajanoska reflects on her time at Montclair State University, what stands out is not just the academic accomplishments, but the growth she’s experienced within.

Maya came to Montclair with close ties to family — both biological and cultural. Originally from Macedonia, she followed in her brother’s footsteps, arriving at Montclair with a deep appreciation for global issues and a growing curiosity about law, society, and governance.

Maya is now completing her Master’s in Law and Governance after participating in the university’s combined BA/MA program. She earned her bachelor’s in Jurisprudence, Law, and Society last year, with minors in Russian and Sociology. “Coming from another country and being deeply tied to my culture, yet having lived in the U.S. for years, my field of study helped me become increasingly interested in international affairs and merging my interests,” Maya shares.

Throughout her five years at Montclair, she’s taken on academic challenges, worked on meaningful research, and mentored others—all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and graduating debt-free, thanks to prestigious scholarships and her position as a graduate assistant.

Her academic journey has been filled with formative experiences. Presenting her research on fast fashion’s exploitation of children at the Student Research Symposium was a highlight. So was the graduate seminar where she studied post-war development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, aligning international legal frameworks with global sustainability goals. “The concepts I’ve learned in law, sociology, and political science all interconnected in ways that made my studies feel incredibly relevant,” she explains.

Maya credits faculty like ProfessorJack Baldwin LeClair, who guided her through four courses and challenged her to think more critically. “He may seem like one of the tougher professors, but he always recognized when students put in the effort,” she says.

Outside the classroom, Maya thrived as a graduate assistant in the Political Science department, helping mentor undergraduates navigating complex case law. One student she tutored returned months later to share how Maya’s guidance helped her succeed. “It made me realize that I can support others the same way faculty and mentors supported me,” Maya says.

But her time at Montclair was not without difficulty. She experienced the loss of two grandparents during the pandemic and struggled with doubts about her own abilities. “I learned that I need to give myself more credit,” she says. “Rather than downplaying my achievements, I’ve learned to appreciate the effort it took to get here.”

Now, Maya plans to spend time with family in Macedonia before pursuing full-time work in law, international affairs, or public service. She’s open to where her path takes her, but one thing is certain: she’ll be walking it with confidence.

“Success is when I’m contributing meaningfully—to society and to myself,” she says. “If I can live a life where I’m satisfied in both my career and my relationships, that’s what matters.”

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Prospective Students and Parents: Learn more about Montclair admissions, our combined BA/MA in Jurisprudence, Law & Governance and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.