This Is What Graduating Looks Like: Samantha Eloy’s Joy-Filled Moment Captures the Spirit of Commencement
Upon earning her Master of Public Health degree, Samantha Eloy experienced a defining moment of pure joy – captured in one unforgettable image
Posted in: College for Community Health, Graduate School, Graduate Spotlights, Homepage News, University
As confetti rained down at the end of Montclair State University’s Spring Commencement 2025, Samantha Eloy tilted her head back, her smile radiant. In a packed arena filled with cheering families and proud graduates, she says it felt like everything else disappeared.
“I couldn’t hear or see anything,” Eloy says. “I had no clue the photo was being taken. All I could feel – see, sense – was joy.”
Eloy earned her Master of Public Health degree and works as an Assistant Community Director at the Village Apartments. Her celebration on the Prudential Center floor marked more than just the end of a degree – it was the fulfillment of years of dedication, resilience and faith.
“In that moment, all of the hard work, prayers, trials and obstacles that I had overcome were brought to remembrance. This is a celebration of the journey ahead and the many more milestones I will accomplish.”
From Graduation to Global Impact
While pursuing her MPH, Eloy interned at Be Well Women’s Health, an OBGYN practice in Northfield, New Jersey, where she connected her coursework to clinical practice.
“In my time there, I worked on cultural competency, addressing health disparities, and ensuring quality patient care,” she says.
Eloy isn’t done yet. She plans to continue her education and attend medical school – driven by a lifelong passion for health care and a desire to give back.
“I spent much of my childhood in Haiti, and over the years I’ve witnessed the challenges many face due to a lack of medical resources,” she says. “A long-term goal is to open a clinic in Haiti and provide care to those who otherwise might go without.”
As she looks ahead, Eloy says she’s more confident than ever in her calling.
“I’ve grown to see the light that shines within me, and I can’t wait to let that light shine out into the world – a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.”
This story is part of a series celebrating Montclair State University’s Spring Commencement 2025 graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning and contribute to the common good.
Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?
- Prospective Students: Learn more about Montclair admissions, our Graduate School, and the College for Community Health.
- Journalists: Contact our Media Relations team to request assets or schedule an interview with a member of the Class of 2025.