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University News

Category: Alumni

Melvin Rodriguez, wearing a white lab coat with a Montclair State University patch and blue gloves, sits at a fluorescent microscope in a dim lab. He looks intently through the eyepiece while holding a petri dish glowing bright green under the microscope lens, surrounded by scientific equipment and incubators in the background.

A Promise to His Grandmother Will Carry Him to a Career in Medicine

For Molecular Biology major Melvin Rodriguez, studying melanoma in zebrafish is more than academic – it’s a promise kept and a path toward healing

Ana Barahona

Finding Her Voice at Montclair, Speaking Up on Climate at the United Nations

Political Science major Ana Barahona turned faculty mentorship, research and early‑morning commutes into a UN climate role and a future in law and leadership

Leilani Ford, in a butterfly costume, flies above fellow cast members onstage.

Montclair Musical Theatre Students Make Debut at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Theater programs at Montclair State University offer students stage opportunities from community theater performances to the bright lights of New York City

Casey Coleman walks along a campus pathway, holding a travel coffee mug, with long rows of empty folding tables on one side.

The Brains Behind World’s Fair Day at Montclair State University

Associate Director of Campus Activities Casey Coleman is helping to bring more than 250 events to life at Montclair in honor of the U.S. Semiquincentennial, including a trifecta of celebrations to end the spring semester

Trailblazer Award honorees Tommy Foster and Professor Leslie Wilson stand with Montclair leaders during the MEGA Symposium, talking in front of a Montclair State University backdrop.

Montclair History Professor and ‘Good Morning America’ Producer Honored with Trailblazer Awards

Montclair State University’s Leslie Wilson and alumnus Tommy Foster recognized at the statewide Male Enrollment and Graduation Alliance Symposium

Sheridan Wheeler takes the temperature of salad bar tomatoes.

From Study Hall to Dining Hall: One Graduate’s Journey to a Career in Food and Nutrition

Meet Sheridan Van Biert, whose full-circle homecoming took her from Nutrition and Food Science studies at Montclair State University to a registered dietitian nourishing her alma mater’s community

Nancy Bergman Pantirer’s Metaphorically, 2024, a mixed media collage and acrylic on canvas.

An Exhibition Celebrating Notable Montclair Alumni Artists and Their Creative Impact

Montclair State University Galleries Presents “Carpe Diem: Select Alumni in the Visual Arts” – a cross-generational exhibition on view February 3 – May 3, 2026

Finding Her Confidence: How One Shy Bloomfield Graduate Grew Into a Mentor For Others

Nicole Yator arrived at Bloomfield unsure of herself — but through mentorship, community, and involvement, she grew into a confident leader dedicated to uplifting others.

Cookie Howard sits at a table in a hallway in Susan A. Cole Hall.

The Single Mom of Mr. Cory’s Cookies Fame Overcomes Adversity and Rises to the Graduation Stage

Defying many odds, Cookie Howard conquers it all – and leaves a legacy of advocacy for adult learners and a tribe of supporters at Montclair State University

She Almost Joined the Navy. Then She Built a Life of Leadership and Service at Bloomfield College

Lisha Brito didn’t plan on going to college – but what she found on Bloomfield’s campus helped her grow into a confident, purpose-driven leader with big dreams for the future.

Allison Abrom stands in a food hall at Montclair.

From Grit to Graduation: One Student’s Self-Funded Journey at Montclair State University

Working her way through college – without loans or aid – this Winter Commencement 2026 graduate exemplifies fortitude, drive and Montclair pride

Montclair and Bloomfield mascots pose for a photo with a Homecoming attendee

Relive Homecoming 2025 at Montclair State University

Check out photos from Montclair’s signature fall event