{"id":226847,"date":"2025-10-22T08:00:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T12:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=226847"},"modified":"2025-11-10T14:21:57","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T19:21:57","slug":"montclair-life-driving-the-university-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2025\/10\/22\/montclair-life-driving-the-university-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"Montclair Life: Driving the University Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

Through this photo essay \u2013 part of an ongoing series<\/a> \u2013 we highlight how Montclair students, faculty and staff embody the University’s mission <\/a><\/em><\/span>in the classroom, on campus and beyond \u2013 empowering a diverse community by providing broad access to rigorous learning, advancing research and creativity, and forming partnerships for the common good.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Photography by Mike Peters<\/span><\/p>\n

After an hour-long commute from her ranch in Princeton, New Jersey \u2013 where she lives with her husband and a flock of chickens \u2013 Monica Smith arrives at Montclair State University ready to start the day. As the head of a <\/span>41-person<\/strong> team<\/strong>,\u00a0she leads an operation that keeps Montclair\u2019s shuttles running nearly nonstop, from early morning until late at night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Together, Montclair\u2019s 17-vehicle fleet<\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u2013<\/span> 11 small buses, 6 large buses and one ADA van <\/a><\/span>\u2013<\/span> travels nearly <\/span>1,000 miles a day<\/strong>, moving an average of <\/span>1,500 passengers<\/strong> on a typical weekday and as many as <\/span>2,500 during large-scale events<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Director of Transportation, Smith is at the center of it all. From planning and adjusting routes to conducting safety checks and managing a dynamic team of 41, Smith works \u201cto keep the University\u2019s heart and soul <\/span>\u2013<\/span> the students, faculty and staff <\/span>\u2013<\/span> moving forward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Morning Commute<\/h3>\n
After her own hour-long commute to Montclair, Smith helps move thousands of people across campus each day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Morning Rounds<\/h3>\n
Hopping behind the wheel of a Jeep, Smith begins her morning rounds, inspecting each shuttle stop across Montclair’s transportation system. As she drives along the route, she checks that each shuttle stop is clean and free of damage and graffiti \u2013 an essential part of keeping a <\/span>187,700-mile-a-year operation running smoothly.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Meetings, Meetings, Meetings<\/h3>\n
Next, Smith heads to her first meeting of the day, a biweekly check in with University Facilities and Residence Life. She comes prepared with her essentials: sneakers (this job keeps her constantly on her feet), coffee (a necessity), and her ever-present computer bag.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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During the meeting, Smith and Thea Dyer, Associate Director of Housing Operations for Residence Life, talk through shuttle routes<\/a> and daily challenges \u2013 with Pebbles, the University\u2019s \u201cpupscot,\u201d keeping a close eye on things.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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As the meeting continues, Smith discusses ongoing improvements to the Bloomfield shuttle route<\/a> with colleagues, including Shawn Connolly, left, Vice President of University Facilities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Keeping the Fleet Running<\/h3>\n

At the Facilities maintenance shop, Smith talks with a mechanic about shuttle repairs and routine maintenance \u2013 ensuring every vehicle in the 17-vehicle fleet is safe and road-ready for the thousands of daily riders who depend on them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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At Shuttle Dispatch, Smith checks in with a student member of the front-line staff, Dorcas Muthoni Mwaura, to review schedules and troubleshoot service questions. Dispatch serves as the communication hub for Montclair\u2019s transportation network \u2013 supporting day-to-day operations and the University\u2019s on-demand Persons with Disabilities (PWD) service<\/a>, which ensures equitable access for riders who rely on shuttles for mobility and independence.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Planning for The Big Catch<\/h3>\n
Smith\u2019s job goes far beyond keeping the shuttles running. She also plans logistics for large campus events \u2013 like Yogi Berra’s Big Catch<\/a><\/em><\/span>, Montclair\u2019s Guinness World Record-setting attempt for the largest game of catch. With aerial maps spread out before her, she finalizes driver positions and route timing for game day, preparing to move more than <\/span>2,500 people<\/strong> across campus in a single afternoon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Before field testing begins for <\/span>Yogi Berra\u2019s Big Catch<\/span><\/em>, Smith huddles with drivers Yvonne Bell and Moises Caro, and Assistant Supervisor II Frank Rivers to finalize logistics.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Wearing her yellow safety vest, Smith joins Shuttle Driver Yvonne Bell for an on-site dry run of the <\/span>Yogi Berra\u2019s Big Catch<\/span><\/em> transportation plan. Every route is tested and fine-tuned to ensure a seamless experience on event day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Long Days, Late Nights<\/h3>\n
The workday may end for some, but not for Smith \u2013 or for the shuttles. While the evening crew keeps routes running late into the night, she\u2019s still answering emails, balancing budgets and managing vendor contracts. With her team of 30 drivers, 4 mechanics, 2 supervisors and several student staff, she keeps a complex operation moving like clockwork \u2013 the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Montclair in motion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Finding Balance<\/h3>\n

After a long day surrounded by metal, oil, steel and asphalt, Smith looks forward to returning home to her one-acre organic garden and orchard in Princeton. There, she and her husband care for their poultry and practice renewable, sustainable methods \u2013 solar power, water reclamation, composting \u2013 the perfect antidote to the fast-paced rhythm of campus life.<\/span><\/p>\n

View more photos<\/a> of Smith’s day as Director of Transportation.<\/p>\n

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?<\/h3>\n

Prospective Student? <\/strong>Plan your visit<\/a> and take your first step<\/a> in applying to become a Red Hawk!<\/p>\n

Job Seeker?<\/strong> Explore job opportunities<\/a> at Montclair State University.<\/p>\n