{"id":227342,"date":"2026-01-09T16:15:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T21:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=227342"},"modified":"2026-01-22T19:15:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T00:15:10","slug":"from-emt-to-army-national-guard-first-gen-montclair-graduate-to-speak-at-winter-commencement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2026\/01\/09\/from-emt-to-army-national-guard-first-gen-montclair-graduate-to-speak-at-winter-commencement\/","title":{"rendered":"From EMT to Army National Guard: First-Gen Montclair Graduate to Speak at Winter Commencement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brianna Correa embodies the meaning of service. A first-generation college student from Paterson, New Jersey, she completed her bachelor\u2019s degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work in just 2.5 years while working as an EMT and serving in the Army National Guard. Her commitment to helping others and building a life of purpose has led her to the Winter Commencement<\/a> podium, where she\u2019ll address her classmates on Jan. 13, 2026, as the undergraduate speaker<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am a go-getter. I like to do as many things as possible. If I’m not busy, I feel like something’s wrong,\u201d says Correa, who thrived by taking flexible online courses<\/a> designed for students balancing work, service and study.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her story mirrors Montclair State University\u2019s mission as a public, Hispanic-Serving Institution<\/a>: meeting students where they are, supporting military-connected learners and helping first-generation graduates transform their communities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Balancing my coursework while working as an EMT, as well as serving this country as a soldier in the New Jersey Army National Guard, taught me that strength doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes it looks like showing up tired. Sometimes it looks like choosing not to quit. And sometimes, it looks like believing in yourself long before you see the results.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That quiet strength has defined Correa\u2019s life, beginning in high school when she enrolled in the medical arts program at Passaic County Technical Institute, trained as an EMT and simultaneously earned her EMS (emergency medical services) license.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rooted in Paterson, Driven to Serve<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cBeing an EMT was never part of my original plan, but I don’t think half of my life was,\u201d says Correa, who credits her family and their Puerto Rican culture for supporting her as she embraced different opportunities. \u201cMy family is small, but we’re huge when it comes to love and affection and caring.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her next step came unexpectedly \u2013 shipping out on her 18th birthday with the Army National Guard in July 2022. \u201cAt the time of my enlistment, I did not know my purpose. I didn’t know why I wanted to join. Obviously they had good benefits that stood out to me, meaning they would pay for college. I decided to use that as my starter.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Correa graduated from National Guard training as a signal support system specialist, working with communications and radios. The experience was transforming. \u201cServing my country has shown me so many new opportunities. It’s given me more insight on where I want to go in life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Finding Montclair \u2013 and a Calling to Serve<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Using her National Guard education benefits, Correa enrolled at Montclair, where she discovered a supportive network for military-connected students in the Veteran and Military Resource Office<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

She was working as a full-time EMT and fulfilling National Guard duties as a recruiter, working shifts from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. \u201cThere was no way I could sit in a class. I was lucky that all of my classes I needed at certain points were online. I ended up doing fall, spring, summer, winter, and I maxed out on all my credits and finished super fast.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have the discipline that it takes to be able to take so many online classes without forgetting one or falling behind,\u201d she says. \u201cWhether it came from my parents or whether it came from the military, I was on top of my stuff.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Studying Psychology<\/a>, she added the Social Work minor<\/a> after meeting a counselor who helps veterans struggling with PTSD or substance abuse. She realized that social work was a path that could connect \u201cmy civilian world with my military world\u201d and lead to a meaningful career after college.<\/span><\/p>\n

That includes a new job as a registered behavioral technician, working with children with autism, striving for a promotion in the Army National Guard by taking the Basic Leader Course and applying to graduate school at Montclair for Counseling<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflecting on how far she\u2019s come, Correa says, \u201cThere are times I get emotional. I’ve completed so much at the age of 21. I cannot believe I’m only 21. I have such a great support system that I feel anything I put my mind to, I can accomplish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ready to start your Montclair journey?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Accepted Students:<\/strong> Secure your spot<\/a> and register to attend Accepted Student Day<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Prospective Students:<\/strong> Visit<\/a> and apply<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Journalists:<\/strong> Contact Montclair\u2019s Media Relations<\/a> for photographs or to schedule an interview.<\/p>\n