The scholarship will support Roby’s participation in an intensive, immersive eight-week summer program in Mandarin at Tamkang University in New Taipei City, Taiwan, where participants complete the equivalent of one year of language study. During the program, he will live with a host family, meet regularly with a language exchange partner on campus, and immerse himself in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the local community. Following the program, he hopes to continue his studies at National Taiwan University’s International Chinese Language Learning Program for the academic year and the following summer term. He has also considered the possibility of living in Taiwan long-term by pursuing a master’s degree in Political Science at National Taiwan University and seeking employment in a Chinese-speaking environment.

I am deeply grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to further develop my Chinese language skills. Wherever I ultimately go, I am confident that the language training I have received at ����vlog, along with the experiences provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship and National Taiwan University, will prepare me to use Chinese effectively in my career and continue developing my skills to their fullest potential.
—Jacob Roby

His achievement highlights the strength of ����vlog’s language programs in fostering student success and advancing global understanding and engagement. This milestone marks the second time a Chinese minor at Montclair has been awarded the Critical Language Scholarship. To learn more about the scholarship, visit

Samson traces his interest in political science and law back to experiences outside the classroom. Working for years at a veterinary clinic, he saw advocacy in action that he learned from his father Dr. Keith Samson: “protecting those who can’t speak for themselves.” That principle stayed with him. Later, while traveling across the country as a flatbed truck driver, he gained firsthand exposure to how regional culture and identity shape political attitudes. Seeing those differences up close sparked a desire to better understand the systems that influence people’s lives.

At Montclair, Samson found that understanding through coursework that challenged him intellectually and personally. One class that stood out was CMST 101: Fundamentals of Speech, which unexpectedly became one of the most transformative experiences of his college career.

“Standing up and speaking in front of others is not easy,” he says, but the course helped him organize his thoughts, communicate clearly, and build confidence. More importantly, it helped him find his own voice, a skill he knows will be essential in law school and beyond.

Faculty mentorship also played a key role in shaping Samson’s growth. In POLS 335: Theories of Political Economy, Professor Begoña Gerling Sarabia pushed him to think more deeply and critically about complex ideas. In JURI 210: Law, Professor Ian Drake’s passion for teaching and openness to questions further solidified Samson’s interest in pursuing a legal career. “His course further confirmed that I’m moving in the right direction,” Samson reflects.

Beyond the classroom, Samson balanced a full course load with full-time work as an office manager and veterinary technician, an experience he credits with strengthening his leadership, time management, and communication skills. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA while working full time stands as one of his proudest accomplishments.

For Samson, success carries a deeply personal meaning. After losing his mother in his twenties, he stepped away from school to grieve and heal. Returning to complete his degree required resilience and faith. “Finishing my degree became more than checking off requirements,” he says. “It became a way of proving to myself that even after life breaks you open, you can still rise.”

As he looks ahead to law school, Samson says his time in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences has taught him that “education is a tool for service.” He leaves Montclair with confidence, curiosity, and a commitment to advocacy—and with gratitude for the people and family who supported him along the way, especially Lili, Frankie, Belle and his employer Dr. Brenda King. “You are never as alone as you think you are,” he says. “There are people at ����vlog who genuinely want to see you succeed.”

At NJ Admissions Law Day, you can speak with law school admission representatives from NJ, NY, and across the U.S. about what their programs have to offer and how you can prepare for success in the admission process.

1 – 2 p.m.: Law School Admissions Panel Discussion

For this session, you will hear from law school admissions officers about what they look for when reviewing applications and how candidates can best represent themselves.

2 – 4 p.m.: The Law School Admissions Fair

This is your chance to meet face-to- face with law school admission professionals from NJ, NY, PA, MA and many more law schools across the U.S. and explore the variety of experiences currently offered to J.D. candidates (from accelerated to online and part-time programs).

• Be prepared to share information about you, your interests, and goals!
• Dress to impress! Business attire recommended.
• If you are unable to register, please email prelaw@montclair.edu.

Questions? Email Chrysten Colacicco, Pre-Law Program Coordinator at MSU, at prelaw@montclair.edu

Leila Simeon, a Political Science major, completed her Spring internship in Governor Phil Murphy’s Office of Legislative Affairs. After learning about the position in a class taught by Dr. Brigid Harrison, Simeon was eager to expand her understanding of state politics and explore the professional paths that the experience might open up.

Her responsibilities included taking notes at Senate and Assembly hearings and creating timelines on bills as they arrived onto the Governor’s desk. Drawing on her academic knowledge of political institutions, Simeon noted, “The state house was the best way to relate those teachings to my surroundings as well as understand the importance of the work of state senators, assembly persons, etc.”

During her internship, Simeon completed a policy capstone presentation focused on identifying issues in communities and proposing legislative solutions. Simeon chose to explore the topic of grade inflation in K-12 education.

Interning at the State House also enhanced her networking skills. Simeon learned the value of researching the background and work of colleagues and collaborators. “I believe that having a basic understanding of the people you are interacting with will ultimately help you establish a connection and network.”

Being a Legislative Intern helped Simeon refine her professional interests and develop a personal stake in her work. “Being able to witness the impact of my work brings me much more gratification than I originally anticipated.” Simeon plans to apply the lessons she’s learned while continuing to find her niche in the field.

Written by Vivvy Gundani

Samantha Segura, a major at Montclair, is interning this summer for the Attorney General’s Office in the Consumer Affairs Division. Segura has been assigned to the Drug Affordability Unit where she’s conducted extensive research on fair prescription drug prices as well as issues related to ensuring affordable healthcare.

With her interest in working for the government and the possibility of attending law school in the future, this internship has allowed Segura to spend time around lawyers who work for the unit as well as fellow interns, many of which are in their first year in law school. It also provides an opportunity to experience a government office environment and make connections for the future.

Despite working full time in addition to interning 20 hours a week, Segura has been able to accomplish several projects and conduct extensive research involving collecting data on different circumstances and environments in the state of New Jersey.

With the long-term goal of helping people in mind, Segura’s work has been able to help people obtain affordable prescription drugs and research how the healthcare system in New Jersey can improve in a way that supports citizens of all backgrounds. Segura continues to work hard and serve the community as best they can.

Written by Vivvy Gundani

“When I made the decision to retire, getting a degree became my new focus,” he says. Originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, Eric settled in West Orange with his wife and two daughters. Choosing Montclair State was both practical and intentional: “I ended up choosing Montclair State because of its proximity, the strong reviews I read, and the Veterans resources, which played a large role in my decision.”

Eric credits much of his smooth transition to campus life to the Veterans and Military Resource Office. “I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Jonathan Gubitosi and Leslie Crowley,” he says. “They made my transition from curmudgeonly old sailor to student seamless and helped me along in so many ways.”

Eric majored in , a field that aligns with his lifelong interest in politics and his ongoing commitment to public service. “I’m interested in local politics and veterans issues. Political Science was the major that interested me most — and I want to continue to serve the community after graduation.”

His academic career has been marked by excellence: he made the Dean’s List every semester and contributed to campus life as part of the Peer Mentor Collective. Among his courses, International Relations stood out as especially meaningful. “It was my first class at Montclair and made me realize how interested I was in the theory behind political actions.”

A highlight of Eric’s academic experience was participating in Campaign Politics (), a course offered during election years that provides students with real-world experience working on political campaigns. As part of the course, Eric interned with Representative Josh Gottheimer’s (D- NJ) congressional campaign, where he conducted voter outreach and assisted the field director at campaign events. The hands-on experience gave him an up-close view of electoral strategy and grassroots organizing, complementing his classroom studies in political theory and public policy.

He also credits as a major influence. “She was instrumental in helping me realize that I had more to say — she encouraged me to use my voice.”

One of the biggest lessons he’s taking with him? “Seeing my professors engaging with real-world politics helped me understand that education and public service are linked. That’s something I’ll carry forward.”

Eric’s next step is a Master of Public Administration at Rutgers-Newark. His long-term goal is to continue making an impact, particularly in veterans policy and community-based leadership.

When asked to define success, Eric reflects on the journey: “Success for me is realizing that I love learning and that I’ve found what I want to do. It’s knowing I can help others by doing what I love.”

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

Prospective Students and Parents: Learn more about Montclair admissions, Political Science and Law and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Written by Meaghan Morin, Director of Communications, CHSS

Maya came to Montclair with close ties to family — both biological and cultural. Originally from Macedonia, she followed in her brother’s footsteps, arriving at Montclair with a deep appreciation for global issues and a growing curiosity about law, society, and governance.

Maya is now completing her Master’s in Law and Governance after participating in the university’s combined . She earned her bachelor’s in Jurisprudence, Law, and Society last year, with minors in Russian and Sociology. “Coming from another country and being deeply tied to my culture, yet having lived in the U.S. for years, my field of study helped me become increasingly interested in international affairs and merging my interests,” Maya shares.

Throughout her five years at Montclair, she’s taken on academic challenges, worked on meaningful research, and mentored others—all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and graduating debt-free, thanks to prestigious scholarships and her position as a graduate assistant.

Her academic journey has been filled with formative experiences. Presenting her research on fast fashion’s exploitation of children at the Student Research Symposium was a highlight. So was the graduate seminar where she studied post-war development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, aligning international legal frameworks with global sustainability goals. “The concepts I’ve learned in law, sociology, and political science all interconnected in ways that made my studies feel incredibly relevant,” she explains.

Maya credits faculty like ProfessorJack Baldwin LeClair, who guided her through four courses and challenged her to think more critically. “He may seem like one of the tougher professors, but he always recognized when students put in the effort,” she says.

Outside the classroom, Maya thrived as a graduate assistant in the Political Science department, helping mentor undergraduates navigating complex case law. One student she tutored returned months later to share how Maya’s guidance helped her succeed. “It made me realize that I can support others the same way faculty and mentors supported me,” Maya says.

But her time at Montclair was not without difficulty. She experienced the loss of two grandparents during the pandemic and struggled with doubts about her own abilities. “I learned that I need to give myself more credit,” she says. “Rather than downplaying my achievements, I’ve learned to appreciate the effort it took to get here.”

Now, Maya plans to spend time with family in Macedonia before pursuing full-time work in law, international affairs, or public service. She’s open to where her path takes her, but one thing is certain: she’ll be walking it with confidence.

“Success is when I’m contributing meaningfully—to society and to myself,” she says. “If I can live a life where I’m satisfied in both my career and my relationships, that’s what matters.”

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

Prospective Students and Parents: Learn more about Montclair admissions, our combined BA/MA in Jurisprudence, Law & Governance and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Tuesday, March 18, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Presentation Hall, School of Communication and Media

Featured Panelists

• Reggie Bledsoe (he/him), BA Political Science and Law
• Mael Finck (he/him), BA ’17, MA ’20, French Studies
• Damien Alan Lopez (he/they), BS ’20 Nutrition and Food Sciences
• Mark Paretti (he/him), MA ’17 Law and Governance

Moderated by (they/them/she/her), Assistant Professor, Political Science and Law

In memory of Ashton Clatterbuck, 2001-2024

This event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.

Mia Fayez has secured an internship in the Borough of Prospect Park at Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah’s administrative headquarters. A Political Science major, Fayez specifically enjoys focusing her studies around the history and geopolitical climate of the Middle East and Africa.

Fayez initially worked as a volunteer for Mayor Khairullah and his staff and then shifted to the Volunteer Coordinator for his congressional campaign.

“Mayor Khairullah is a figure I have long admired for his political contributions as a Muslim and Arab American politician,” Fayez says. “As an Arab American, I feel compelled to support upcoming leaders in advancing the interests and objectives of our community.”

Mia Fayez Interviewing Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah

Fayez’s post-graduation plans include humanitarian work and legal education. She finds that working with Mayor Khairullah specifically has been incredibly instrumental in preparing her for these ambitions as the Mayor has been “directly involved in numerous international humanitarian initiatives and can offer valuable guidance and counsel.”

“He leads a highly diverse and efficient team…The Mayor commands great respect in the Arab community and is known for challenging stereotypes and overcoming obstacles as a local leader. For me, it was an opportunity to align myself with someone of great esteem and to be part of his steadfast staff,” Fayez declares.

On the benefits of working with the Mayor, Fayez is grateful that she is being exposed to the “political arena” by engaging with legal professionals, political administrators, and public servants. Furthermore, she is developing crucial skills to a political and legal career by working beyond the “traditional classroom learning or more renowned internships.”

“My responsibilities include supporting the Borough Administrator…I engage in policy research, political writing, coordination of community events, maintenance of filing systems, and proficient communication with dignitaries, colleagues, and residents.”

Most of all, Fayez has proven herself to the Mayor’s office with her extensive work and experience. She is proud to be “fully integrated into the team and entrusted with significant responsibilities.”

Read more student intern experiences!

Written by Sarah Ramirez

Barry Mahmoud, a and double major, has been interning at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Newark. As an investigative intern, Mahmoud assists investigators in obtaining and analyzing client materials such as medical records, financial reports, and more. Mahmoud is working toward law school and taking this opportunity to “gain some experience in the field of public interest law.”

Mahmoud originally began working in the Newark office in November of 2023 for an assignment that required him to observe a court session and then took the initiative in asking for a possible internship.

“After the eventful day, I was eager to return and spend more time, so I followed up in the spring about an internship opportunity, and here I am,” he says.

Mahmoud is appreciative to do “extremely meaningful” work: “As public defenders, the office handles cases for those who are unable to obtain their own representation in court. Many of the clients are people who come from historically disenfranchised and marginalized communities, thus providing them an opportunity to not only have a lawyer, but some of the best in their respective fields.”

Furthermore, Mahmoud values the exposure to the judicial system as he approaches law school: “This is the type of experience that I could never obtain in a classroom setting. Being able to witness firsthand the way that the federal judicial system functions and the many intricacies of it has been eye-opening, to say the least. Working with and speaking with the attorneys, as well as the clients, provides me with meaningful insight.”

Read more student intern experiences!

Written by Sarah Ramirez