{"id":225288,"date":"2024-12-19T15:22:25","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T20:22:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=225288"},"modified":"2024-12-20T13:13:13","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T18:13:13","slug":"montclair-state-university-opens-doors-for-high-school-students-to-earn-college-credits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2024\/12\/19\/montclair-state-university-opens-doors-for-high-school-students-to-earn-college-credits\/","title":{"rendered":"Montclair State University Opens Doors for High School Students to Earn College Credits"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On Saturdays, high school students from Paterson and Passaic trade sleeping in for classes at Montclair State University, where they earn college credits in Writing and Interpersonal Communication \u2013 opening doors to futures they once thought were out of reach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2023\/02\/02\/university-announces-1-million-grant-to-develop-paterson-one-square-mile-initiative\/\">funding from Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation<\/a> and Paterson Public Schools, these students \u2013 many from underrepresented and low-income families \u2013 are gaining the tools to aspire to and prepare for higher education. The new <strong>One Square Mile<\/strong> <strong>Early College Program<\/strong> is just one of many signs of progress in Paterson made possible by Dodge Foundation funding and the collaborative efforts of the University and community leaders through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/one-square-mile\/\">\u201cOne Square Mile\u201d<\/a> initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At Eastside High School, Dodge Foundation and Paterson Public Schools funding supports a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/one-square-mile\/paterson-programs\/\">full-service community school<\/a> that provides English classes for adults and creative arts programs for teens. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/magazine\/winter-2024\/patersons-promise\/\">Other nonprofit organizations focused on addressing homelessness, substance use, food insecurity and youth expression through the arts have also benefited<\/a>. This collective effort represents a shared vision to revitalize a concentrated area of the city through community-driven solutions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This fall, the One Square Mile Early College Program introduced selected Paterson and Passaic juniors and seniors to the college experience. The program reflects Montclair\u2019s mission to open doors for students in underserved communities by creating clear pathways to higher education.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Program Highlights:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>3-7 transferable college credits<\/strong> in English and\/or Interpersonal Communication<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Tutoring and mentoring support<\/strong> to guide students toward success<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Exposure to campus resources<\/strong> normally offered to full-time students<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bryan Murdock, associate vice president for Community Partnerships, shared, \u201cThe &#8216;One Square Mile&#8217; initiative fosters transformation from within, healing communities while creating spaces of authentic belonging. This program focuses on student success by addressing critical needs such as affordable housing, education and enrichment opportunities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_225285\" class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/12\/EarlyCollegeCelebration-1.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/12\/EarlyCollegeCelebration-1.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Early College students, families, and staff celebrating the end of the fall semester at Montclair State University. Top left: Early College scholar Blanca Gonzalez presents her work at the podium. Top right: A student celebrates with their family and receives a certificate. Bottom left: Early College scholar Juan Arredondo poses with Program Coordinator Albert Antomattei. Bottom right: Tutors Katherine Santiago Villegas, Dani Mazariegos, and Maria Elena Gonzalez smile together.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Students, families and Early College staff come together to celebrate the end of the fall semester. Clockwise from top left: Early College scholar Blanca Gonzalez presents her work; a scholar celebrates with his family; Early College tutors and mentors Katherine Santiago Villegas, Dani Mazariegos and Maria Elena Gonzalez; and Early College scholar Juan Arredondo with Program Coordinator Albert Antomattei. (Photos by One Square Mile Early College Program)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Celebrating Success\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To culminate their first college semester, about 80 family members, friends, mentors, tutors and professors gathered on December 14 to honor the students, who over the\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">fall semester completed Writing 105 and\/or Interpersonal Communication, honing critical academic and communication skills.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dr. Melissa Baralt<\/strong> \u201901, \u201903 MS, a Montclair alumna and biology professor, shared her inspiring journey as a first-generation Latina in STEM and encouraged students to embrace higher education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Albert P. Antomattei<\/strong> \u201924 MBA, program associate for the One Square Mile Early College Program, urged students to keep pushing forward:\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThis celebration is just one step on your journey. We\u2019re here to help you get there. \u2018There\u2019 is wherever you aspire to go in life.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Blanca Gonzalez<\/strong>, an Early College student and junior at Paterson STEAM High School, reflected on how the program shaped her experience:\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cEarning college credits while still in high school was incredible. I learned time management, discipline and effective communication while gaining confidence for my future.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Summer Bridge Career Exploration Workshop\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During the summer, a one-week non-credit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/school-of-communication-and-media\/2024\/07\/16\/area-high-school-students-participate-in-montclairs-2024-summer-bridge-career-exploration-program\/\">residential program allowed students to explore career paths<\/a> through hands-on workshops and field trips:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Field Trips:<\/strong> Students visited a Broadway performance of <em>Hamilton<\/em>, CNBC Studios and the Charles J. Muth Museum at Hinchliffe Stadium. At the museum, they studied the stadium\u2019s history as a Negro League baseball venue during segregation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Workshops:<\/strong> Participants explored television production, radio and podcasting, photography, social media and sports reporting. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Christine Lemesianou, associate dean in the College of the Arts, highlighted the program\u2019s broader impact: <\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cCompleting the program is about more than earning credits \u2013 it\u2019s about building the mindset and habits for lifelong success and learning.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Additional Ways High School Students Can Earn College Credits at Montclair<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_225286\" class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/12\/RedHawkRising2024080824_09603_CEEL-Red-Hawks-Rising.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/12\/RedHawkRising2024080824_09603_CEEL-Red-Hawks-Rising.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Group portrait of students from the Red Hawk Rising program posing on a staircase at Montclair State University. The students are dressed in a mix of formal and casual attire, smiling as they stand in rows on the staircase.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Future teachers and rising high school seniors from Newark, New Jersey, celebrate completing a six-week summer academy, where they earned college credits through the Red Hawks Rising Teacher Academy. (Photo by Mike Peters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/early-college-program\/students\/\"><strong>Early College Scholars Program\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">High school students can take Montclair courses online or on campus, earning transferable college credits while completing their high school studies.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/early-college-program\/how-to-apply\/\">Applications are open<\/a> for spring and summer 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Students can enroll in two courses per term (fall, spring, summer).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dedicated academic success coaches provide support throughout the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/early-college-program\/dual-enrollment-programs-for-high-school-students\/\"><strong>Dual Enrollment Programs for High School Students\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In partnership with 11 New Jersey high schools, students fulfill high school and college requirements at reduced tuition rates.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Credits are transferable to most institutions in New Jersey and beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/programs-and-opportunities\/made\/\"><strong>Montclair Academic Dual Enrollment (MADE) Program\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Montclair High School students gain hands-on STEM experience by taking courses in natural sciences, computer science, theater, music and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Students can take two courses each semester, earning over 12 credits that count toward both high school and college transcripts.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/center-of-pedagogy\/red-hawks-rising-dual-enrollment-program\/\"><strong>Red Hawks Rising Teacher Academy\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This nationally recognized partnership with Newark Public Schools, the American Federation of Teachers and Montclair\u2019s College for Education and Engaged Learning allows East Side and University High School students to:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Take college-level courses at no cost<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Earn up to 30 credits over five semesters<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Explore teaching as a career with a clear pathway to a Montclair degree<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Learn about all of Montclair\u2019s opportunities for high school students, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/pre-college\/programs\/\">Pre-College Summer<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/hispanic-initiatives\/hispanic-student-college-institute-hsci\/\">Hispanic Student College Institute<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/admissions\/junior-admission\/\">Early Bird Junior Admission Program<\/a> at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/high-school\/\">montclair.edu\/high-school<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Are You A\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Prospective Student or Parent?<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/admissions\/visit-us\/#in-person\">Plan your visit<\/a>\u00a0and take your first step in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/admissions\/\">applying to become a Red Hawk!<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Journalist?<\/strong>\u00a0Contact our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/contact-media-relations\/\">Media Relations<\/a>\u00a0team for assets or to schedule an interview.<\/p>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/\/ Output tags as a list for Google Analytics custom dimension\nwindow.MSU_TagList = [];\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From the One Square Mile Early College Program to dual enrollment and STEM initiatives, Montclair is creating pathways for high school students to get a head start on higher education<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":434,"featured_media":225287,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[122,123,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-225288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-admissions","category-homepage-news","category-university"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/434"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=225288"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225288\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":225306,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225288\/revisions\/225306"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/225287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=225288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=225288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=225288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}