Photo of campus fall folliage

Alumni Spotlight

Taylor Baltimore

After graduating with a BFA in Acting, Taylor relocated to Richmond, Virginia – about an hour away from her hometown. She has since been working steadily as an actor in the area being featured in productions of Children of Eden, A Little Night Music, Joseph…Dreamcoat, and recently, the world premiere of Austin’s Bridge, a new musical by Bill C. Davis. During the day she works full time at the non-profit organization, Children, Incorporated and teaches acting classes at The School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community. She is planning on moving back to the Northeast shortly to further pursue her career in acting. She has also adopted an adorable pug named Albus.

Christine Bray

Christine Bray graduated summa cum laude from Montclair State University’s Chemistry Department.  During this time, Christine aided Dr. Marc Kasner in his chemical research and had the opportunity to present and publish this work:

  • “An Ab Initio Molecular Orbital Theory and Density Functional Theory (DFT) Study of the Geometry and Conformational Energies of Propylcyclohexane”, Yokota M.; Kasner M. L.; Bray C.; Freeman F.; Hehre, W. J.  J. Molecular Structure (Theochem) (in preparation)
  • “A Computational Study of the Energy of Propylcyclohexane as a Function of Torsion Angles”, Yokota, M.; Kasner, M.L.; Bray C.  220th National ACS Meeting (Washington D.C.), August 2000
  • “An Ab Initio Molecular Orbital Theory and Density Functional Theory (DFT) Study of the Geometry and Conformational Energies of Propylcyclohexane”, Yokota M.; Kasner M. L.; Bray C.; Freeman F.; Hehre, W. J.  220th National ACS Meeting (Washington D.C.), August 2000

Upon graduating from Montclair, Christine began her graduate work as a research assistant for Boston University’s Chemistry Department.  Christine is currently finishing her master’s degree in Chemistry at Montclair State University.

Christine works as a high school chemistry and calculus teacher for the district of Ridgefield Park.  She has been employed there for the past six years.  Christine has had much success in the district.  For example, she mentored two groups of students who placed 1st and 2nd in the National Chemagination Competition.

In addition to being an exceptional teacher, Christine is the proud mother of a beautiful boy, Nicolas.  She and Nicolas live a happy life together and look forward to what the future has to offer.

Alyson Thelin Davison and Jim Davison

Alyson and Jim met at the Montclair State University Honors Program freshman orientation where all incoming honors students were divided into pre-selected groups. By chance, they were in the same small group.

Alyson received her Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude in Speech Communication and Musical Theatre and completed the University’s Honors Program. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Organizational Communication. Alyson is currently working on her PhD at Rutgers University.

Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude in Philosophy and Cognitive Science. While at Montclair State, he served as the Editor-in-Chief of The Montclarion, the student newspaper, and completed the University’s Honors Program. Jim is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Applied Linguistics at Montclair State University.

Both Alyson and Jim are employed at the University. When they aren’t on campus, they enjoy renovating their home and spending time with their Boston terriers.

Jessica Marini

Jessica Marini graduated summa cum laude from Montclair State University in May 2006 with a BS in Mathematics and a minor in Physics, and the distinction of “Outstanding Student in Mathematics, Class of 2006”. While on campus, she was involved in Montclair State University Emergency Medical Services as a Resident EMT, Phi Sigma Pi, and the Honors Program.  She also holds membership in Kappa Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Honor Society), Golden Key International Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi, and the Order of Omega.

After graduation, Jessica attended Columbia University where she received an MA in Statistics (May 2008) and a PhD in Measurement and Evaluation (May 2013).  During her graduate work she was a recipient of the Carl H. Pforzheimer Fellowship, held a research assistantship at Teachers College, Columbia University and was a graduate student intern at the College Board.  During this time she presented at various conferences including the annual meetings of the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) and the Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA) where she earned the award for Best Paper by a Graduate Student (NERA, 2011).  She has also published articles in various journals and College Board Research Reports.  After receiving her PhD, Jessica worked as a Research Associate for the Center for Research and Evaluation on Education and Human Services (CREEHS) within the College of Education and Human Services (CEHS) here at Montclair State University.

Currently, Jessica works as an Assistant Research Scientist at the College Board.  She has also remained active on campus as a member of the Recent Alumni Network and the Alumni Recruitment Team.

Dean Michael Maroulakos

Dean graduated magna cum laude from Montclair with a BFA in Acting and a Musical Theatre minor. He was involved in many main stage productions on campus, spent three years guiding prospective students around campus as an Admissions Ambassador, served a term as President and Vice President of Theta Alpha Phi (the National Dramatic Honor Society), and was a member of the Honors Program.

Since graduation Dean has been busy pursuing a career in acting. He has been auditioning in New York and around the country. This past summer he played the role of Francis in Forever Plaid at the newly renovated Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ. Late fall 2017 he is headed out to Bearcreek Farms in Bryant, IN where he will help ring some Christmas cheer in the show: Holiday Wishes. As the cold winter months drag on, Dean will be escaping the chill. He is headed down to the Brower Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs, FL. There he will play the role of Danny in the musical Baby, a part he has wanted to play for some time. He enjoys traveling all over the country doing what he loves and can’t wait to see where life takes him next!

Debra M. McGarvey

After graduating from Montclair State University magna cum laude in 2003 where she was a four year member of the varsity swim team, Debra M. McGarvey attended Quinnipiac University School of Law for two years, and then finished her third year at Seton Hall University. After graduation, Debra clerked for The Honorable Edward T. O’Connor, Jr., J.S.C. from 2006-2007. Currently, she is working for the Office of the Attorney General as a Deputy Attorney General in the Employment Litigation Section. Debra is licensed to practice in both New Jersey and New York and currently resides in Union, New Jersey.

Cynthia McGeachen-Cruz

Cynthia graduated from Montclair in May of 1994, with a major of sociology and minor in legal studies. She worked for a year in between graduating college and starting law school in clerical/support positions at two different law firms. She then attended Rutgers University School of Law in Newark, and graduated in May 1998. Cynthia sat for and passed both the New Jersey and Pennsylvania bar exams in July 1998. She was a law clerk for the Honorable B. Theodore Bozonelis, Superior Court of New Jersey, in Morris County from September 1998 through August 1999. After finishing her clerkship, she worked for a small firm named Goldstein & Bachman for approximately 5 months. Cynthia decided she didn’t like private practice and then went to work for the Morris County Prosecutor’s office as a legal assistant. She worked there until October 19, 2000, which she can remember very clearly because she got married on October 21, 2000. Cynthia then became a Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, Division of Law on October 30, 2000, the day after getting back from her honeymoon. She was assigned to the section which represents the Division of Youth and Family Services and has remained in that assignment. She did take some time out though to go on maternity leave from 7/06 through 12/06, so she could have her beautiful daughter, Isabela Cruz on September 6, 2006.

Cheryl Anne Piegaro

Cheryl Anne received a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in political science from Montclair State University in 2005. During her career at Montclair State, she was an ambassador for the Admissions Department as well as a member of several clubs. She was a recipient of the Carpe Diem Award, an honor given to students who are active on campus. After graduation, she went on to earn a master’s degree from Columbia University where she was a Boxley Scholar. She is a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Teaching Honor Society.

Currently, Cheryl Anne is working at the Montclair Kimberley Academy as an eighth grade history teacher, student government advisor, and tennis and swim team coach. She has returned to Montclair State to earn a certificate in teaching middle school mathematics.

Alexandra Jordan Thelin Blackowski

Alexandra Thelin graduated summa cum laude from Montclair State University in May 2005 with a BA in Fine Arts with a concentration in Art History. While on campus, she was involved in Montclair State Cheerleading, social sorority Alpha Iota Chi and the Honors Program.

After graduation, Alexandra attended the Fashion Institute of Technology for an MA in Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory & Museum Practice, and Montclair State University to pursue an MA in Theatre with a concentration in Arts Management, and graduated in May 2008 with both MA degrees. She has worked as the Web/Communications Assistant for Web Services in the University Communications Department, and is currently working in the College of Education and Human Services as the Web Content Manager. In addition, she co-owns a Web Design business, Tri-Star Design. Alexandra is also an Adjunct Professor teaching in the Fashion Studies Department at Montclair State. Alexandra has worked with the New York Public Library for Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, the George Segal Gallery, the Cloisters Museum, and the Essex Fine Arts Gallery in Montclair.

Courtney Liotti Topic

After graduating from Montclair State University, Courtney attended Touro Law Center in Central Islip, Long Island. During her law school studies, Courtney was on the Dean’s list every semester, served as a Dean’s Fellow, and the Touro Law Review published her comment, entitled, “The Registrability of Primarily Geographically Deceptively Misdescriptive Marks: the Development of §1052(e)(3).” In her final year of law school, Courtney served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Touro Law Review. In May of 2007, she graduated summa cum laude and was Class Salutatorian. Currently, Courtney is clerking for Justice LaVecchia of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Following her clerkship, Courtney will work as an associate for Dickstein Shapiro LLP, a Manhattan based law firm.

Rachel Yannuzzi

Rachel Yannuzzi graduated cum laude from Montclair State University in 2005, with a degree in Business Administration and dual concentrations in marketing and retail management. While at Montclair State she was a four year member of both the varsity Swim Team, being named MVP for the 2004-2005 season, and varsity Track and Field Team, being named to the all NJAC team in the Pole Vault for 2002 season.

After graduation, Rachel began to work for Avenue.com, the Internet division of United Retail, Inc., a specialty women’s fashion company. Currently, she is working in the wholesale division of Quiksilver, Inc., an active lifestyle apparel company. Rachel works out of the Quiksilver showroom and sales office in Manhattan.

Gail L. Yosh

Gail Yosh is the founder and president of Quanta Communications, LLC, a consulting company that provides marketing communications and organizational productivity support to small businesses and individuals. Gail has more than 10 years of experience in marketing, corporate communications and event marketing for FORTUNE 500 companies such as Cendant Corporation and Medco. Through the years, Gail has developed promotional materials for numerous products, services and events and has authored and edited newsletters, fact sheets, white papers and corporate value propositions. Throughout her career, she has successfully implemented productivity and project management techniques that have enabled her and those she coaches and mentors to achieve personal and professional goals.

Gail has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s of business administration degree with a concentration in international business. She is a member of the American Marketing Association and the National Association of Female Executives. Gail has been an adjunct professor of business communications at Montclair State University and is a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a martial art she has been studying for more than nine years.