{"id":222780,"date":"2023-12-19T16:20:18","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T21:20:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=222780"},"modified":"2024-01-03T18:00:43","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T23:00:43","slug":"2023-year-in-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2023\/12\/19\/2023-year-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Year in Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2023, Montclair State University continued to extend its impact well beyond campus, collaborating with neighboring communities and colleges on a wide range of issues that included expanding access and opportunity in higher education, improving health outcomes and addressing the state\u2019s teacher shortage. On campus, Montclair students are out-performing their anticipated graduation rate<\/a> at one of the highest clips in the nation. We welcomed our largest incoming class, as well as students to our newly united Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, and an adorable mini labradoodle named Pebbles, who warmed hearts as the University’s official pupscot. Here are some of the highlights from this past year. (Check out this Instagram reel<\/a> for more.)<\/p>\n

Collaborating with a City on the Rise<\/h2>\n
\"Men
President Jonathan Koppell speaking with members of the New York Yankees while touring the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium during Hinchliffe Hope Week in July.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a partnership with Paterson, the University is working toward a shared vision with community advocates and city leaders to revitalize a concentrated area of the city. The announcement came last February with a $1 million grant for a collective impact initiative called \u201cOne Square Mile,\u201d<\/a>\u00a0 a collaboration meant to advance racial justice and equity and foster student achievement in New Jersey\u2019s third-largest city. Montclair is collaborating with the community on scores of projects, including as the educational partner on the soon-to-open Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium,<\/a> which will focus on Hinchliffe\u2019s lore and the history of the Negro Leagues and serve as a community hub.<\/p>\n

\"A
Working in Paterson, Professor Jason Williams meets with Brenda \u201cBre\u201d Azanedo of Black Lives Matter Paterson\u2019s Harm Reduction Center, which supports residents battling substance abuse. In just one of many collaborations, the University\u2019s Social Work and Justice Studies programs provide harm reduction awareness, education and training to those addressing the epidemic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New Higher Education Partnerships<\/h2>\n
\"A
An opening day selfie to welcome Bloomfield College of Montclair State University: The college mascots and their leaders, Chancellor Marcheta P. Evans and President Jonathan Koppell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After state reviews and legislation, Bloomfield College officially became part of Montclair State <\/a>University<\/a>. The merger, completed in July, was a savior for Bloomfield, the only four-year institution in New Jersey designated as a Predominantly Black Institution, a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Minority Serving Institution, but which faced closing due to financial challenges. As a result, Bloomfield\u2019s important mission will continue, with students benefiting from Montclair\u2019s lower tuition and fees and the support of the state\u2019s second largest public research university.<\/p>\n

Montclair is also partnering with community colleges to break down barriers that prevent students from completing a four-year degree. The latest academic agreement was signed in October with Bergen Community College <\/a>to allow students with associate degrees to seamlessly transfer into various Montclair bachelor\u2019s degree programs.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Montclair and New Jersey Institute of Technology are teaming up to share the costs of renovating Yogi Berra Stadium<\/a>. In this unique partnership, the baseball teams from both schools will call the field home.<\/p>\n

Expanding Mental Health Services<\/h2>\n
\"A
Mini horses helped students relieve stress during finals last spring.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A culture of wellness and belonging is being built into day-to-day campus life, with Montclair embracing a variety of approaches: everything from group therapy, peer counseling and telehealth, to arts and crafts, mediation events and petting furry animals to help students de-stress, efforts highlighted in 2023 by a New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education grant for $850,000 to help expand mental health resources<\/a> for students.<\/p>\n

New Avenues for Teaching, Learning and Success<\/h2>\n
\"A
Montclair partners aspiring teachers with local high school students and young adults in the University\u2019s Increasing Access to College project, a transition program to introduce students with intellectual disabilities to the college experience.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New this fall, two new colleges were created out of the College of Education and Human Services: the College for Education and Engaged Learning<\/a> to examine what learning looks like in the 21st century and the College for Community Health<\/a> to address the urgent challenge posed by health inequity in New Jersey and beyond. A new School of Computing<\/a> launching within the College of Science and Mathematics speaks to one of the most in-demand occupational areas in the coming years.<\/p>\n

In a novel pathway, in November, Montclair also launched the state\u2019s first Teacher Certification Apprenticeship Program<\/a> to address the teacher shortage by creating an earn-while-you-learn pathway for current paraprofessionals to become classroom leaders. A grant from the Lacey Family Inclusive Education Fund formed a partnership to create a new certificate program in General Education Studies<\/a> to provide students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to earn credits.<\/p>\n

Inspiring Art Partnerships<\/h2>\n
\"Students
Montclair theater students perform a scene from Richard III during a “takeover” of classes by The Royal Shakespeare Company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The curtain rose on a new Royal Shakespeare Company Residency<\/a>, with the College of the Arts hosting the world-renown British theater company for master classes on performing Shakespeare. Also, the Cali Immersive Residency program continues bringing in world-class musicians to work with students and this month featured world-renowned Cuban jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer Arturo Sandoval<\/a>. And with a partnership with NBCUniversal\u2019s NBCU Academy<\/a>, nearly two dozen students received scholarships to work alongside NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC and Telemundo professionals.<\/p>\n

\"Arturo
Trumpet master Arturo Sandoval plays with the University Wind Symphony at Alexander Kasser Theater as part of the Cali Immersive Residency Program.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Making a Difference in the World<\/h2>\n
\"Students
Montclair students work at a Habitat for Humanity site in Paterson as part of the University’s numerous Day of Service projects.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Montclair\u2019s faculty and students collaborated on social justice<\/a>, health equity<\/a>, human trafficking<\/a> and sustainability<\/a> leadership to improve New Jersey communities. Our reputation as a university with a public purpose<\/a> was reflected in new initiatives, including the nation\u2019s first program designed to certify students and professionals in the practices and principles of harm reduction strategies <\/a>to fight the substance use crisis.<\/p>\n

Students from universities across the U.S. gathered in Montclair for the NextGen Summit<\/a> and National Bonner Summer Leadership Institute<\/a> to inspire tomorrow\u2019s public service leaders. Montclair received a national designation, joining the First Scholars Network<\/a>, for its commitment to ensuring first-generation college student success. In encouraging future college graduates<\/a>, the University is enabling Newark high school students to earn college credits in academic and service programs created in response to the pandemic.<\/p>\n

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Motivational speaker Mike Pence inspires Newark high school students during an end-of-semester celebration last January.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Forward-Thinking Research<\/h2>\n
\"A
During the summer months, the University\u2019s labs provided research opportunities for undergraduates <\/a>in everything from studying the climate crisis to keeping swimmers safe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Assistant Physics Professor Kent Leunge earned a CAREER Grant<\/a> from the National Science Foundation to advance nuclear physics. Senior chemistry major Marisa Messina became the first student in Montclair\u2019s history to be named a Goldwater Scholar<\/a>. Her research focuses on an enzyme that could one day be used to target breast cancer treatments.<\/p>\n

Findings from a Montclair-led research team \u2013 Led by Assistant Earth and Environmental Studies Professor Ying Cui and visiting PhD student Yuyang Wu \u2013 show the origin of history\u2019s largest mass extinction<\/a>. Earth and Environmental Studies Professor Pankaj Lal is exploring the socioeconomic implications of offshore wind developmen<\/a>t in the Garden State.<\/p>\n

\"Three
As a Liberty Science Center guest astronomer, Physics Professor Marc Favata, right, led an audience on a listening tour of the cosmos during a Space Talk, \u201cCosmic Clues from Gravitational Waves<\/a>,\u201d Favata explained how he and other scientists \u201clisten\u201d to the ripples of gravity to learn to observe the mysteries of space and time and about colliding black holes and neutron stars.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other Bright Moments<\/h2>\n
\"Five
Montclair professors, from left, Chris Freid, Chris Matthews, Jon Caspi, Glen Fittin and Julian Brash at the Red Hawk Diner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Montclair professors, students and alumni have found success both on and off campus. We\u2019ve highlighted just a few here. Several professors not only excel in their academic fields, but in the music scene<\/a> as well. While successfully navigating a Computational Linguistics master\u2019s degree, Raz Besaleli made news in the rapidly changing artificial intelligence<\/a> landscape. Alumnus Tog Samphel landed a deal on ABC\u2019s Shark Tank<\/a> <\/em>for his kitchen gadget, Anytongs. And, 14 School of Communication and Media students were recognized by the College Television Awards, which emulate the Emmy\u00ae Award<\/a>s, for their production of the New Orleans | Raging Storms<\/em> program. And the University\u2019s radio station WMSC-FM is a finalist for a record 16 national Intercollegiate Broadcasting System awards<\/a>, including best station in the nation.<\/p>\n

More Milestones and Memories<\/h2>\n
\"A
The University renamed Science Hall to honor former President Irvin D. Reid,<\/a> who three decades ago was the driving force behind Montclair achieving university status.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
Among our 2023 graduates, Desmond Durham <\/a>\u00a0earned his degree while working three jobs \u2013 high school teacher, youth basketball coordinator and GED instructor \u2013 and raising his 9-year-old son on his own. Durham\u2019s graduation story gained national attention, including an appearance on Good Morning America\u2019<\/em>s digital platform and on the daytime talk show Sherri<\/em>, above, where he appeared with his son, Desmond Jr., for a conversation with the comedian Sherri Shepherd.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Two
Junior forward Amer Lukovic was named the 2023 NCAA Division III National Player of the Year <\/a>by the United Soccer Coaches organization to cap a winning season for Montclair men\u2019s soccer. The team was ranked No. 5 in Division III and played in the NCAA Men\u2019s Soccer Tournament\u00a0 \u201cSweet 16.\u201d The Red Hawks finished their season with a 19-2-2 record and undefeated in a perfect 9-0-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Montclair women\u2019s soccer team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament, the Red Hawks\u2019 ninth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, but their run ended after the first round.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
In the fall, Montclair welcomed its largest incoming class<\/a>, total enrollment, and returning student population in its history.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Students
New pre-college summer enrichment <\/a>programs allow high school students to explore careers, passions and interests in New York City and on campus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Two
Women Entrepreneurship Week<\/a>, which began at Montclair State University and grew into a global event, celebrated its 10th anniversary. The Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation hosts the dynamic entrepreneurial experts, recognizing and celebrating female founders.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"An
As part of Hispanic Heritage Month<\/a> the campus community took to the Amphitheater and celebrated with a night of music, movies and magical fun with Disney Pixar\u2019s Coco<\/em> in concert live to film.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Students
Montclair contracted with Gourmet Dining, LLC, to provide food service for\u00a0 the University,<\/a> bringing in both local and national favorites, including the first Starbucks on campus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
New BFFs: College mascots, Montclair\u2019s Rocky the Red Hawk and Bloomfield\u2019s Deacon the Bear, take Pebbles, the \u2018pupscot\u2019<\/a> on a walk across campus.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Compiled by Staff Writer Marilyn Joyce Lehren<\/a>. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters<\/a> and John J. LaRosa<\/strong>.<\/p>\n