{"id":226140,"date":"2025-05-06T10:48:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T14:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=226140"},"modified":"2025-05-07T10:18:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T14:18:56","slug":"montclair-state-university-graduate-angela-castro-champions-community-service-advocacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2025\/05\/06\/montclair-state-university-graduate-angela-castro-champions-community-service-advocacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Montclair State University Graduate Angela Castro Champions Community Service, Advocacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

This story is part of a series celebrating Montclair State University\u2019s Spring Commencement 2025<\/a> graduates \u2013 students who embody the University\u2019s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Angela Castro, a graduating senior majoring in Child Advocacy and Policy<\/a> with a minor in Social Work<\/a>, is guided by one principle: pay it forward<\/em>. Raised in Paterson, New Jersey, she has spent her college years giving back to the very community that once lifted her up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her favorite place to serve is Oasis<\/a>, a nonprofit that provided her with after-school care and summer programs as a child. Today, she\u2019s on the other side \u2013 mentoring children, serving meals and organizing donations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels natural to go back, to give back to the place that gave me so much,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Real-World Advocacy Experience<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In fall 2024, Castro interned with the New Destiny Family Success Center<\/a> in Paterson, where she worked in a public school setting to support children and families. Her responsibilities included helping with applications, facilitating ESL courses and nutrition workshops, distributing clothing and hygiene supplies, and running after-school programs for first and second graders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis internship gave me insight on what it truly means to be an advocate for children and their families, ensuring they\u2019re getting the help they need to thrive,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

She also lent her time to St. Peter\u2019s Haven in Clifton<\/a>, helping sort and distribute food to families in need, and participated in service activities<\/a> through Montclair\u2019s Latin American Student Organization and the Omega Phi Chi Multicultural Sorority.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>It\u2019s rewarding to know that a small thing you do can change someone\u2019s day \u2013 or even transform who they are,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

At Montclair, her leadership in various campus activities as a commuter student<\/a> inspired a new dream \u2013 a career in higher education.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngela exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader. From her advocacy for commuter students to her volunteer work supporting the homeless and promoting multiculturalism, she has consistently shown a deep commitment to public service,\u201d says Antonio Talamo, assistant director of the Student Center and Commuter Life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngela uses every opportunity to uplift others, create inclusive spaces, and make a meaningful impact both on campus and in the community,\u201d he adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI love helping people become more engaged, find their purpose, and seeing that light bulb go off in their heads,\u201d Castro says. This summer, she\u2019ll begin a master\u2019s in Higher Education at Rowan University.<\/span><\/p>\n

Graduation and Gratitude<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Angela
Angela Castro is turning compassion into a career. After years of giving back to the community that raised her, she\u2019s heading to grad school to support the next generation of students. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When she walks across the Commencement stage, she\u2019ll wear a message on her graduation cap in Spanish: \u201cCada sacrificio tiene su recompensa\u201d<\/em> \u2013 every sacrifice has its reward.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a reminder that everything I\u2019ve sacrificed and dedicated time, energy and effort to is for a greater purpose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The University will celebrate its graduates at Commencement exercises<\/a> on Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Story by Marilyn Joyce Lehren<\/a>, University Communications and Marketing<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?<\/strong><\/h2>\n