{"id":227813,"date":"2026-05-04T09:37:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T13:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=227813"},"modified":"2026-05-04T09:37:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T13:37:23","slug":"finding-her-voice-at-montclair-speaking-up-on-climate-at-the-united-nations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2026\/05\/04\/finding-her-voice-at-montclair-speaking-up-on-climate-at-the-united-nations\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Her Voice at Montclair, Speaking Up on Climate at the United Nations"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Ana Barahona began her journey at Montclair State University, she didn\u2019t imagine it would lead all the way to the United Nations. But at a campus just a train ride from New York City \u2013 and with the freedom to explore the overlap between politics, policy and ethics \u2013 she found access to the big\u2011picture climate debates she cared about.<\/span><\/p>\n

When she steps across the graduation stage, she\u2019ll earn a degree in Political Science<\/a> with minors in Economics<\/a>, Pre-Law Studies<\/a> and Religious Studies<\/a>, all completed in four years. \u201cI\u2019m just curious about everything,\u201d she says. \u201cI never wanted to limit myself. You need to do the things that make you afraid, because familiarity is not gonna take you anywhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From Montclair classroom to UN climate summit<\/strong><\/h2>\n

UN and research opportunities began with one class and one professor who saw her potential. Religion Professor Julia Berger linked Barahona to the UN offices of the Baha\u2019i International Community (BIC), a nongovernmental organization Berger herself once served.<\/span><\/p>\n

In her internship in fall 2025, Barahona supported policy research on climate and sustainability and helped inform discussions at COP 30, the global climate conference in Bel\u00e9m, Brazil. The work was \u201ca life-changing experience that I would have never gotten if I hadn\u2019t had made that critical connection at Montclair,\u201d she says. \u201cIt opened my eyes to how global policy decisions actually happen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Twice a week, she left campus before sunrise to make it possible. \u201cI had to wake up at 5 in the morning so I could catch my train,\u201d she says. Once she arrived at her New York City office, she researched connections between big\u2011picture climate science and questions of ethics, faith and political will \u2013 and how they can bring people together.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ana Barahona and Religion Professor Julia Berger review a lesson plan for a lecture on Islam. Reflecting on their collaboration, Berger says, \u201cThe best part for me was learning from Ana. Her curiosity, diligence and caring spirit helped me see religious studies through her eyes and re\u2011examine my curriculum and pedagogy.\u201d (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Connecting UN experience to Project AROS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Back on campus, Barahona continued to explore climate and justice through Montclair\u2019s Project AROS Lab<\/a>, investigating youth activism, memory politics and performative justice. The project looks at youth\u2011led movements like the Sunrise Movement and Fridays for Future, asking \u201chow are they using digital tools to expand their message?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her academic path has evolved just as organically. \u201cI had no plans to get three minors,\u201d she says. Coursework led her to Religious Studies; family nudged her toward Law; and a frank conversation about the job market pushed her toward Business and Economics.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a huge intersectionality, especially with what you see in the news right now, between economics and politics, and that\u2019s when I knew, this is exactly what I want to do,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Building community on campus<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When Barahona arrived at Montclair, she didn\u2019t yet realize how following a friend would change her life. Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and raised in Highland Park, New Jersey, she wasn\u2019t sure of her next steps. \u201cAt the time, I was going through such a hard period that I didn\u2019t even know if college was possible for me,\u201d she recalls. \u201cMy best friend convinced me to apply and that honestly changed everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Becoming a resident assistant<\/a> in Dinallo Heights gave her a home base and helped cover her housing as she sought out campus resources to stay on track. Most importantly, she learned to ask for help when she needed it. Her mother\u2019s advice anchored that mindset: \u201cYou need to run towards the things that embarrass you. You need to do the things that make you afraid, because familiarity is not going to take you anywhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ana
Political Science major Ana Barahona, whose climate research informed discussions at a United Nations summit, will pursue an MBA after graduation. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What comes next<\/strong><\/h2>\n

After graduation, Barahona will head to Rowan University as a graduate assistant in Residence Life while pursuing her MBA. \u201cThis is going to sound ambitious, but I do see myself going to law school and then getting a PhD sometime down the road. I love research, so I would love to continue to do that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her professors say they can already see that future taking shape. \u201cI think that very often we assume we know what the students need to know, but might be less attentive to their worlds, their concerns and questions arising from their cultural and generational contexts,\u201d Berger says. \u201cAna bridged that gap; she brought the lessons to life and helped students to see the significance and implications of the material. And she also has a gift for finding engaging social media content to get across complex points.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Barahona is realistic about what lies ahead. \u201cThere are always barriers. But you can never let a barrier, whether it\u2019s financial, family situations, or whatever the case is, stop you. If you know this is what you want and you know this is the path you\u2019re going, you will remove any barrier possible.\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