, founded in 1908, led all schools with 152 degrees — 100 at the bachelor’s level and 52 at the��. Dean Kimberly Hollister oversaw the��Feliciano School of Business��as it held the top position.

Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck followed with 130 degrees, 114 of those at the master’s level. Ramapo College of New Jersey awarded 107 degrees across its Anisfield School of Business. Rowan University, under Dean Matthew Sarkees at the William G. Rohrer College of Business, awarded 104 degrees — all at the bachelor’s level.

The College of New Jersey awarded 90 accounting degrees. Rider University, which welcomed President John Loyack in July 2025, awarded 88. William Paterson University awarded 64 degrees, all at the bachelor’s level.

New Jersey City University awarded 50 degrees. Founded in 1927, the school is working toward a merger with Kean University, with completion targeted for July 1, 2026.

A highlight of the Summit was the keynote address by New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who outlined a forward-looking vision for New Jersey’s economic growth, workforce development, and innovation ecosystem. Her remarks emphasized the importance of strong partnerships between government, industry, and higher education to ensure the state remains competitive and inclusive.

A centerpiece of the Summit was the President’s Panel, which convened university leaders from across the state for a timely discussion on the future of higher education and its role in driving economic vitality. Dr. Jonathan Koppell, President of ����vlog, contributed to the conversation by underscoring Montclair’s leadership in access, social mobility, and return on investment. He emphasized that higher education must not only respond to workforce needs, but anticipate them—ensuring that students graduate with both the knowledge and real-world experience required to succeed in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Representing Montclair at the Business Summit were Feliciano School of Business Dean Kimberly Hollister (also a member of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors), Senior Associate Dean Ron Strauss, Director of the Felciano Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Dr. Valeria Aloe, Associate Director of Career Services Jhordanne Anderson and Director of Development Sujatha Vempaty.��

The participation in this forum underscores the Feliciano School of Business’s commitment to ensuring that its students are not only prepared for the future of work—but positioned to help define it.�� By joining leaders from across New Jersey at this convening, the School continues to strengthen its role as a key partner in the state’s economic ecosystem—advancing opportunities for collaboration, expanding experiential learning pathways, and deepening connections between students and industry.

Montclair’s online Master’s in Educational Leadership improved to No. 5 (tie), up nine spots from No. 14 in the 2025 rankings.

For the first time, Montclair also earned a ranking in the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs category at No. 56 (tie), reflecting the University’s growing portfolio of online undergraduate degree completion options which now includes��Business Administration,��Economics,��Family Science and Human Development,��Liberal Studies,��Nursing RN to BSN�����Ի���Psychology.

Montclair’s online graduate business offerings were also recognized, with the University’s Best Online Master’s in Business Programs (non-MBA) ranked No. 53 (tie) nationally, an eight-spot increase from No. 61 in 2025. The ranking highlights the strength of Montclair’s online Master of Science programs in��Business Analytics,��Digital Marketing Analytics, and��Human Resource Analytics.

Additional 2026 ranked programs include:

• ���������Online MBA��Programs: No. 107 (tie)
• ���������Online Master’s in Nursing��Programs: No. 62 (tie)

“����vlog makes everything around learning as simple as possible, from applying, to navigating coursework, to getting student support when questions come up,” says Marc Austin, vice provost and managing director, Montclair Unbound. “These U.S. News rankings reflect the work behind the scenes to deliver a high-quality online experience that’s engaging, well-supported and designed for student success. Students should be able to focus on the hard work of study; we streamline the rest.”

U.S. News & World Report program rankings are based on scores from five categories – student engagement, services and technologies, student excellence, faculty credentials and training, and opinions of academic experts across 1,800 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

The partnership between the Feliciano School of Business and the Hyatt Regency Morristown provides Feliciano School of Business students a unique opportunity to get deep industry insights from front-line executives. “You can’t learn this dynamic business from a textbook,” says Lin. “Students see how situations unfold and the importance of knowing how to react and solve problems creatively.”

Lin’s students split their time between classroom lectures, executive presentations and time spent shadowing hotel management. Unlike a more traditional internship at a hotel, where a student may work in a single department under the supervision of a manager, Lin’s course enables students to explore all aspects of hotel operations and have an open dialogue with executives as they ask questions and exchange ideas.��

“Our students have the luxury of working with the executives and directors, who act as mentors and have just-in-time information as it is emerging in the industry,” Lin says. Each semester, students work in teams or individually to present a potential investment or strategy for the property, identifying costs, designing building plans and calculating return on investment.��

The partnership has also helped open doors for students, several of whom started their careers at the hotel and moved up the career ladder within the company. Hyatt has also benefited with many students coming to work at the hotel or other Hyatt hotels before, during and after they take the class.

In New Delhi, Montclair formalized a partnership with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), a national network representing more than 1,100 Indian institutions. Under the agreement, Montclair will serve as the lead partner for higher education collaboration between AIU member universities and institutions across New Jersey.

The partnership will focus on academic and cultural exchanges, collaborative research in sustainability and technology, and future opportunities for joint degree programs and innovation-focused initiatives.

“����vlog is a public-serving institution, driven by our motivation to broaden access to an excellent education and solve pressing issues. That mission extends beyond borders,” said President Koppell. “We are excited to build relationships with AIU and across its many esteemed member institutions, so that we might together serve India and her millions of motivated students.”

In Mumbai, Montclair signed a second MOU with the K.J. Somaiya College of Nursing, building on an existing relationship between the two institutions that included MBA students from both institutions meeting to work on real-world consultancy projects. The new collaboration will address the growing demand for trained healthcare professionals in both India and New Jersey, expanding educational and workforce development opportunities in nursing and healthcare.

The University’s participation in the India mission, facilitated by Choose New Jersey, underscores its role as an innovation leader within New Jersey’s higher education ecosystem and emphasizes its broader mission to be a public-serving institution with global reach, driving academic excellence and social impact.

A reciprocal visit from Indian university leaders to New Jersey is planned for 2026, during which further collaboration opportunities will be explored. Both MOUs will remain in effect for three years, with the potential for renewal.

Under the guidance of Professor Josh Lupinek from the Department of Hospitality, Sports, Events, and Tourism, Feliciano students played a central role in ensuring smooth operations for thousands of guests. Their responsibilities included greeting attendees, managing ticketing and check-in, and collaborating with clients and corporate event planners to deliver world-class hospitality experiences.

“This event was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before,” said MBA student Carly Coleman. “By working at the event, I gained valuable connections and knowledge that I can use in my career.” The Ryder Cup not only offered them a front-row seat to one of sports’ most iconic competitions—it also provided invaluable, career-building skills in customer service, event execution, and teamwork. Through opportunities like this, Feliciano Schbool of Business continues to empower students with real-world experiences that prepare them to lead in their careers.

When the building was unveiled, it represented more than just a new addition to campus—it symbolized Montclair State’s commitment to preparing the next generation of business leaders. Featuring modern classrooms, technology-enhanced learning spaces, and areas for collaboration, the building quickly became the heart of business education at the University.

Over the past decade, the Feliciano School of Business building has hosted countless lectures, conferences, and networking events, bringing together students, faculty, alumni, and business leaders. It has welcomed thousands of students who have gone on to launch successful careers, served as the venue for major lectures and panel discussions, and fostered community engagement through partnerships with businesses and organizations across the region.

Dean Kimberly Hollister reflected on the anniversary, saying, “this building has been more than a home for our programs—it has been a catalyst for innovation and a place where students, faculty, and industry leaders come together to shape the future of business. As we celebrate 10 years, we are proud of all we have accomplished and excited for the opportunities ahead.”

The anniversary is not just a moment to look back at the building’s history but also to look ahead with pride and optimism. The Feliciano School of Business building continues to be a place where ideas are exchanged, leaders are developed, and the future of business is shaped.

ROI-NJ selects outstanding individuals for this honor based on their significant contributions to education and their communities. These leaders drive innovation, strengthen academic programs, and support student success, all while helping shape New Jersey’s economic future. Their impact extends beyond the classroom—fostering partnerships, advancing research, and developing talent to benefit local businesses and industries. By nurturing the next generation of leaders and professionals, they reinforce the state’s economic foundation.

ROI-NJ is a leading media company focused on informing and connecting New Jersey’s business community. It delivers real-time news and insights that offer a true “Return On Information,” while fostering dynamic engagement among the state’s top influencers.

The Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship, presented by Certiport, a Pearson VUE Business, and sponsored by Microsoft, is a prestigious competition that evaluates students’ expertise in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.��

Ashley showcased exceptional performance in data analysis, spreadsheet management, and problem-solving, vital skills in today’s data-driven workforce. Her accomplishment in the Spring Qualifier reflects her dedication, technical proficiency, and commitment to mastering valuable industry-standard software.

����vlog has launched four new fully online degree and certificate programs for students seeking a bachelor’s or master’s education. These flexible, online offerings, which will welcome students beginning fall 2025, allow students to complete coursework around their busy schedules while engaging with faculty and classmates.

New online degree programs at Montclair:

• Online Master’s in Strategic Communication and Media, a fully asynchronous program with the exception of an optional hybrid Industry Bootcamp that will prepare students for the communication and media jobs of the digital age by developing skills in areas including social media strategy, data analytics, content creation, audience analysis and crisis communication.
• Online Bachelor’s in Family Science and Human Development, a nationally-recognized Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) program where students will gain an interdisciplinary understanding of the various factors that impact individuals, families and communities and be prepared for high-demand jobs in human services, mental health, non-profit organizations, community advocacy, and research.
• Online Bachelor’s in Economics, a program through the AACSB-accredited Feliciano School of Business that will prepare students to succeed in today’s global marketplace by building expertise that offers a natural path into business, finance, law, research or policy-making.
• Online Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management, the only program of its kind in New Jersey, will offer a comprehensive curriculum that incorporates cutting-edge supply chain strategies and sustainable practices to prepare students for high-demand jobs including Supply Chain Analyst, Logistics Manager, Demand Planner, and Operations Manager.

The university offers more than��30 online degree and certificate programs��in a wide range of in-demand fields, including:

• Accounting
• Child Advocacy and Policy
• Educational Leadership
• Applied Information Technology
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Social Research and Data Analysis
• Social Work

Students in these online programs receive comprehensive support, with access to advising and career resources, all while enjoying the flexibility to earn their degrees while balancing work and other responsibilities outside of the classroom.

Are you a…

Prospective Student?��Learn more about our online program offerings��or take the first step in��applying to become a Red Hawk.

Journalist?��Contact the Media Relations team��for assets or to schedule an interview.