A first-generation college student from Barnegat, Holler graduates from Montclair with a degree in Political Science and a minor in English. Throughout her four years, she balanced the demands of academics with a rigorous schedule as a student-athlete, competing on both the university Dance Team and while also participating in community-focused work and preparing for her future in law.

“My favorite part of being at ����vlog, aside from the connections I made and what I learned, was being on the Track and Field team,” Holler says. “I learned to manage being a student-athlete during stressful times while also creating amazing friendships and bonds.”

Excelling in Competition and in the Classroom

Athletics became one of the defining parts of Holler’s college experience. During her freshman and sophomore years, she competed on the Dance Team, helping the team earn both state and national titles, while also competing in track and field.

Although she had participated in track for more than a decade, Holler challenged herself to try a new event during her junior year: the heptathlon, one of the sport’s most demanding multi-event competitions. In her first season competing, she earned All-Conference honors, placed third in the conference championship, recorded the second-highest score in school history and qualified for regional competition.

This past indoor season, Holler continued to make her mark, ranking among the top performers in program history in both the 60-meter hurdles and pentathlon.

Holler says one of her proudest accomplishments has been recognizing her own growth throughout college and learning to appreciate the work she has put into her goals.

“It’s so easy to criticize yourself and demand more,” she says. “But if you gave it everything you had, then whatever result you get is a success.”

Finding Purpose Through Political Science

Holler chose Political Science because of her long-term goal of attending law school. Pairing the major with a minor in English allowed her to strengthen both her understanding of political systems and her writing skills.

A particularly meaningful experience came in Advanced Public Policy Analysis with Fanny Lauby, where students worked on developing policy solutions for real-world issues affecting communities in New Jersey.

“We experienced for ourselves what policymakers actually do,” Holler says. “This was meaningful to me because it exposed me to a possible career path early on.”

She also credits faculty mentors including , , and with helping shape her academic journey through their mentorship, enthusiasm and support.

“One thing I learned from my time in CHSS and at Montclair State that will stick with me is that I have so many people in my corner supporting me,” she says.

Learning Through Service

Outside of athletics and academics, Holler also dedicated time to tutoring fifth-grade students through the Ignite teaching fellowship program. Four mornings a week before class, she worked with students on math lessons and helped build their confidence in the classroom.

“That was an amazing experience,” she says. “I loved being able to help the kids I worked with.”

The experience taught her adaptability, communication and time management, skills she says will continue to benefit her long after graduation.

Looking Ahead

This summer, Holler plans to take the LSAT and begin applying to law schools as she prepares for the next chapter of her academic and professional journey.

Looking back, she says college taught her that success is not about perfection, but about persistence, growth and continuing forward even through challenges.

Quoting Vincent van Gogh, Holler reflects on a lesson she will carry with her beyond graduation: “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

For Holler, those small things — practices, assignments, friendships, setbacks and accomplishments — ultimately came together to shape a college experience defined by determination and growth.

The article examines why modern geopolitical conflict repeatedly produces global energy and economic crises, even when military objectives are achieved. Drawing on recent tensions surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, the piece argues that oil dependence itself has become a structural security vulnerability. It explores the relationship between war, energy infrastructure, supply chains, global markets, and political instability, while also considering how renewable energy and electrification may reduce future exposure to oil shocks.

When she steps across the graduation stage, she’ll earn a degree in Political Science with minors in Economics, Pre-Law Studies and Religious Studies, all completed in four years. “I’m just curious about everything,” she says. “I never wanted to limit myself. You need to do the things that make you afraid, because familiarity is not gonna take you anywhere.”

From Montclair classroom to UN climate summit

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’i International Community (BIC), a nongovernmental organization Berger herself once served.

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 Belém, Brazil. The work was “a life-changing experience that I would have never gotten if I hadn’t had made that critical connection at Montclair,” she says. “It opened my eyes to how global policy decisions actually happen.”

Twice a week, she left campus before sunrise to make it possible. “I had to wake up at 5 in the morning so I could catch my train,” she says. Once she arrived at her New York City office, she researched connections between big‑picture climate science and questions of ethics, faith and political will – and how they can bring people together.

Connecting UN experience to Project AROS

Back on campus, Barahona continued to explore climate and justice through Montclair’s Project AROS Lab, investigating youth activism, memory politics and performative justice. The project looks at youth‑led movements like the Sunrise Movement and Fridays for Future, asking “how are they using digital tools to expand their message?”

Her academic path has evolved just as organically. “I had no plans to get three minors,” 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.

“There’s a huge intersectionality, especially with what you see in the news right now, between economics and politics, and that’s when I knew, this is exactly what I want to do,” she says.

Building community on campus

When Barahona arrived at Montclair, she didn’t yet realize how following a friend would change her life. Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and raised in Highland Park, New Jersey, she wasn’t sure of her next steps. “At the time, I was going through such a hard period that I didn’t even know if college was possible for me,” she recalls. “My best friend convinced me to apply and that honestly changed everything.”

Becoming a resident assistant 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’s advice anchored that mindset: “You 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.”

What comes next

After graduation, Barahona will head to Rowan University as a graduate assistant in Residence Life while pursuing her MBA. “This 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.”

Her professors say they can already see that future taking shape. “I 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,” Berger says. “Ana 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.”

Barahona is realistic about what lies ahead. “There are always barriers. But you can never let a barrier, whether it’s 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’re going, you will remove any barrier possible.”

This story is part of a series celebrating ����vlog’s graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.

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