{"id":218629,"date":"2022-07-19T15:17:08","date_gmt":"2022-07-19T19:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=218629"},"modified":"2022-07-21T08:05:08","modified_gmt":"2022-07-21T12:05:08","slug":"prepping-for-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/07\/19\/prepping-for-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Prepping for Success"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eva Cordero first visited and fell in love with Montclair State University when she was a tween. She was on campus for a pool party at the Student Recreation Center and remembers thinking that college was \u201ccool.\u201d She visited campus again, this time for a performance at the Alexander Kasser Theater, with her seventh-grade choir group. It was then she decided Montclair was the place for her.<\/p>\n

In mid-July, the 16-year-old Wood-Ridge High School rising senior was back at the University for the Hispanic Student College Institute<\/a> (HSCI), a three-day immersive program for high school rising juniors and seniors of Hispanic\/Latinx descent designed to help them navigate the college admissions process and set them up for academic success. Cordero, who learned about the Institute after visiting the University\u2019s website, was one of 79 students. Despite her love of Montclair and attending the University\u2019s Open House with her parents, at first she was uneasy about being away from the comfort and familiarity of home for the first time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a little nervous. I didn\u2019t know if I would like it. Was I going to make friends?\u201d she says. \u201cI gave it a chance. Now, I wish it were longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Two
Students compare notes during the HSCI college fair, where they learned about Montclair\u2019s majors and degree programs. Every summer HSCI welcomes Latinx students and helps them navigate routes to college.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now in its sixth year, HSCI provides students with a preview of the college experience, while helping them learn about everything from financial aid and the college essay and application process to learning about majors and internship opportunities. They also get to network with academic and professional mentors. HSCI, which is free to students, is supported by State Farm Insurance.<\/p>\n

\"Group
Montclair Trustee Mary Comito of State Farm Insurance (in red) and University President Jonathan Koppell visit with students during the HSCI networking event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Throughout the program, students also work closely with peer mentors, mostly Montclair students who emphasize the ongoing support that helped them achieve their personal, educational and professional goals. Montclair has ranked among the Top 100 Colleges for Hispanics for the past 19 years by Hispanic Outlook on Education<\/em> magazine.<\/p>\n

Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives and International Programs Katia Paz Goldfarb says HSCI uses access and equity as a guiding framework.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe provide access to information, human and financial resources, and mentors because we know what is crucial for a successful college application process and a smooth transition from high school to college,\u201d she says. \u201cAdditionally, this program intentionally serves our future Hispanic students and reflects the work Montclair State University is doing as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and the commitment of our institution to serve our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Katia
Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives and International Programs Katia Paz Goldfarb welcomes students to the HSCI networking event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not only did Cordero make new friends, she says she found the sessions chock full of information. She plans to major in Family Science and Human Development and minor in Business to reach her goal of becoming a social worker and school guidance counselor for children with special needs.<\/p>\n

She says the Business minor will come in handy because ultimately, she wants to open her own day care center for special needs children. \u201cI want people to work for me,\u201d she says. \u201cI am trying to think ahead and set myself up for success. I want to do it for me and to make my parents proud because without them I would not be where I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"two
Two students listen attentively to advice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The importance of family, culture and giving back to one\u2019s community were common themes among this summer\u2019s HSCI participants.<\/p>\n

Shantal Proano, a Montclair peer mentor and senior Medical Humanities<\/a> major, grew emotional when she shared with HSCI participants that when she\u2019s feeling burned out, \u201cI think about my [immigrant] parents and their struggle because they didn\u2019t come here for nothing.\u201d Her comment drew applause from HSCI participants, many of whom relate and will be first-generation college students.<\/p>\n

Keynote speaker Gian Paul Gonzalez \u201907, shared some thoughts about his father, a Cuban immigrant, with the students, noting: \u201cMy dad is about greatness. He worked two jobs, came home and never complained.\u201d<\/p>\n

The motivational speaker and founder of Hope + Future Youth Center in West New York, New Jersey, urged students to be \u201cAll In\u201d when it comes to being of service to others rather than chasing fame or fortune. \u201cFame is what you do for yourself but greatness is what you do for others,\u201d said Gonzalez, who gave up a career in the NBA to become a ninth-grade world history teacher in Union City. \u201cFame is about self-preservation; how good can you look. Greatness is about self-sacrifice; how good can you make someone else look?\u201d<\/p>\n

Goldfarb says: \u201cThe family component is extremely important. Many of our participants are going to be the first in their families to go to college. Families also need access to information and resources so they can best support their children.\u201d She notes that peer mentors will continue supporting families and participants through the year.<\/p>\n

Building community with people who understand your experience also is important. Stephanie De Dios, a peer mentor, told students that seeing Hispanics among Montclair\u2019s students, staff and faculty weighed into her decision on where to enroll. \u201cFor those who don\u2019t know, Montclair is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and seeing other Hispanics on campus is something I looked for and was a deciding factor for me in attending MSU,\u201d she told the students. \u201cI like the diversity. It feels welcoming, and you feel less out of place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"student
A student listens to speakers during HSCI\u2019s networking event, one of many opportunities held over the three-day program.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This year, HSCI had one international student. Moira Mejia, a 16-year-old from the Dominican Republic, is in New Jersey visiting a friend of her mother\u2019s. Mejia learned about the program from her mother\u2019s friend, whose daughters attended HSCI. She decided to attend after reading up on it. Mejia, who is interested in studying acting or fashion, says she doesn\u2019t know if she will come to college in the U.S. but would consider Montclair.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I’ve heard, it’s really good here, and they help you a lot, which is good,\u201d she says, adding, \u201cIt\u2019s great. I love it. I never thought I would be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabriel Galloza, 16, a rising junior from Morristown High School, attended not just for himself but for students in his Immigrant Resource Group. Galloza, who was born in the United States to immigrant parents, likes to assist immigrant students and English Language Learners navigate student life. More than half of his high school\u2019s student population is minority, mostly Hispanic, and about 20% are ELL students.<\/p>\n

\"Gabriel
Peer mentor Arianna Robaina (center) smiles alongside Gabriel Galloza of Morristown High School and Moira Mejia of Colegio Padre Fortin in Santiago, Dominican Republic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Galloza hopes to pursue his dream of going to Harvard, which he visited this summer, he wanted to learn all he could at HSCI. \u201cMy main goal is to learn specifically what the college process looks like for undocumented students in New Jersey to give them hope,\u201d he says. \u201cSo many of these students have told me they want to be a doctor or they want to study astronomy, they want to study business, study so many things but they have no idea how they’re going to get it done. So that’s what I want to get from this program.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Marco
Marco Cordova, Director of Summer Programs for the Office for Hispanic Initiatives, interacts with HSCI students who, over the course of three days, explore a path to college.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Programs such as HSCI, Pre-College Access Institute<\/a> and the Summer Bridge Program<\/a> are important in helping underserved student populations achieve college success.<\/p>\n

Cordero is already sold. \u201cI\u2019m so set on coming here. In my head, I\u2019m already committed,\u201d she says, adding that she applied for and was accepted to the University\u2019s Early Bird Junior Admit Program<\/a>. \u201cI have a spot but I still need to reapply in September. I\u2019m really excited about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/h2>\n
\"large
HSCI students enjoy a moment with Rocky.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"students
Peer mentors respond to students\u2019 questions about attending Montclair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"group
Students were led by peer mentors, Montclair students who could share their college experience with them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Two
Representatives from the College of Education and Human Services answer students\u2019 questions during the HSCI college fair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"two
Serena Smith, Health Careers recruiter and administrative assistant, interacts with students during HSCI\u2019s college fair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"two
HSCI students make their way to the Feliciano School of Business during one of three days of learning all about college life.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"students
A\u00a0representative from the College of Science and Mathematics visits with students.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"student
State Farm Agent Hugo Gonzalez talks with HSCI students during a networking event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"students
Associate Vice President for Development Lisa Hoyt captivates a group of HSCI students.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Katia
Katia Paz Goldfarb poses with Educational Opportunity Fund Assistant Director Carmen Reyes Cuevas, peer mentors and leaders of the Latin American Student Organization.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Printed
The sign says it all.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Story by Staff Writer Sylvia A. Martinez<\/a>. Photos by Mike Peters<\/a> and Sweet Dreams Studios<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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