Jacob was born and raised by her Indian Malayali parents in New Mexico, where many assumed she was Native American, as one didn’t find many Indian Americans in New Mexico. She graduated with a BA from Oberlin College in 1996 and earned her MFA from The New School (NSSR) where she is currently a visiting professor at the MFA Creative Writing Program. Not to mention, she is also a founding faculty member of the MFA Creative Writing Program at Randolph College in Virginia.

On February 10th, faculty and students from the English Department as well as several alumni were lucky enough to get the opportunity to listen to Jacob read from her upcoming novel, We Killed Anji Alexander. In the chapter Mira shared, the main character, Anji, has to decide whether to hide behind the white-passing identity that she has created or perform in her Indian heritage because of the way diversity is currently fetishized. The reading was followed up with a Q&A.

Prior to the reading, a small group of students got the opportunity to meet with Jacob. In that period, she had the opportunity to connect with Montclair undergrads while covering topics such as passing and identity as well as the identity crisis faced in this novel. Most of the students who attended had read Mira’s Good Talk and enjoyed the opportunity to meet with the author.

When asked about her writing process during the Q &A, she discussed the concept of letting the characters come to you and tell you who they are. She described the feeling of a character standing over her shoulder telling her what to say and the way she viewed the writing process as a topographic map. Of the diverse projects she’s taken on, she said, “I think of it as divided into quadrants. I have just conquered this quadrant with this project. But what’s in the quadrant that’s diagonal? What’s over there? What’s the little glimmer that I see over there? That honestly just felt like oxygen. This one’s just really fun to write. It’s not about me. It’s not about my husband. It’s not about my boss. But it also feels like bloodletting. And it feels really exciting to be able to give that direction to do that.”

One attendee of the reading was Professor and Chair of the English Department, Dr.Jeremy Lopez, who wrote that “Mira Jacob’s reading – an event made possible by the generosity of a Montclair State Department of English alumna donor – was a true delight and, with an attendance of nearly 50 students, faculty, university administrators, and members of the public, the Department’s most successful event of the year. Students really took advantage of the opportunity to speak with Mira in this informal setting, and got a vivid sense of the nature of [the] writerly process and of how a contemporary novelist sees the relation between her work and the world. Montclair State’s proximity to New York means that we have potential access to a wide variety of working literary artists (earlier this year we hosted writer and musician Howard Fishman), and I think that having authors like Mira come speak to students creates a strong sense of community; it reminds us of how full of vitality and passion are the acts of reading and writing–the twin pillars of the study of literature. We very much hope that Mira’s talk is only the first in an ongoing series of distinguished-author visits and we are, once again, so grateful to the alumna donor for making it possible.”

The English Department also wants to thank the CHSS Administrative Team, especially Justine Soto-Rodriguez, for helping to set up the event and make it a success.

Written by by Bella Dicristina, English major

During his time at Montclair, Leon reported on the college sports teams, serving two years as sports editor for The Montclarion and eventually worked as the sports editor for La Campana, the yearbook.

Leon J. Zimmerman with his yearbook opened to his yearbook portrait.

Upon graduation, he continued his quest for journalism by attending graduate school, majoring in Journalism at Penn State University. Having no undergraduate journalism coursework, he was accepted as a “special student” with the requirement of completing 18 credits of undergraduate journalism courses before full acceptance.

After completing a semester of journalism classes, he searched for a role in sports journalism. While he did not get a job as a sports writer, he accepted a position as a regional news reporter for the newspaper known as The Bergen Record, getting his foot in the door. For more than a decade of writing, he moved on to roles covering the county courthouse, the state house bureau in Trenton, and becoming politics editor. Covering politics and government, Leon covered the 1967 USA-Soviet Union Summit Conference in Glassboro State College, the New Hampshire primary and the Republican National Presidential Convention in Miami in 1968, as well as Presidents, Senators, Members of Congress and New Jersey state legislators.

But this leads to the most important question. Did Leon ever fall into his original passion of sports journalism? You now have the chance to find out! Leon visited Montclair, nearly 70 years after graduation, on February 12, 2026 and donated a copy of his book which can be found in Sprague Library for your reading pleasure.

In September 2024, English professor invited Zimmerman back to campus to share his experiences as an English major and how the major shaped his future. During his most recent visit to campus in February, Zimmerman also gave a copy of Bylines to Story Lines to Professor Gonzalez, who was surprised to find that Leon also included a note about the September 2024 visit in his collection.

His book can also be ! You can read the synopsis here:

“This is a memoir that tells the stories behind the stories that the author wrote during his career as a newspaper reporter and columnist, and later as a public relations consultant and lobbyist. It covers the eventful years of the Sixties and beyond in New Jersey and national politics and includes a surprising cast of the famous and forgotten. Replete with newspaper clippings and photographs, this book offers the reader an interesting glance at moments in history and an impressive career. Organized in easy to digest chunks, Bylines is an easy and pleasant read, as told by an award-winning writer.”

Read the original news item on the Sprague Library’s news feed. 

VOCES, created by Latinos of Montclair, is a Latino thought leaders series dedicated to creating an open space to uplift the voices and perspectives of Latino/e authors, artists, elected officials, community advocates, business leaders, and culture makers. Each gathering is designed to create space to reflect on Latinidad at this moment – its complexities, its beauty, and its future.

The event will take place at ÌÇĐÄvlog’s Conference Center and is expected to draw an audience from across New Jersey of community members, students, and literature enthusiasts.

DĂ­az, best known for his celebrated works The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and Drown, has long been recognized for his groundbreaking exploration of identity, diaspora, and belonging. His writing, deeply rooted in the Dominican American experience, has reshaped contemporary literature and inspired a generation of readers and writers to examine the intersections of culture, history, and imagination. In recent years, DĂ­az has extended his voice beyond fiction, contributing powerful op-eds that confront the realities facing American Latinos amid an increasingly polarized political climate.

At this special VOCES event, Díaz will discuss “the intersections of culture, history, and imagination in the context of the current political climate,” engaging in a candid fireside conversation followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.

. ÌÇĐÄvlog students, faculty and staff can attend for free, but must reserve a ticket and show their University ID at the door. Books will be available for purchase on-site.

¶ÙČčłÙ±đ:ÌęThursday, December 4
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: University Hall Conference Center

About the VOCES Latino Thought Leaders Series

The VOCES Series, created by Latinos of Montclair, is dedicated to uplifting the voices and perspectives of Latine authors, artists, elected officials, community advocates, business leaders, and culture makers. Each gathering creates an open space to reflect on Latinidad at this moment – its complexities, its beauty, and its future. Through intimate fireside conversations, VOCES celebrates literature, identity, community building, and the power of storytelling to inspire social and cultural transformation.

About Latinos of Montclair

Latinos of Montclair is a New Jersey–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering community, celebrating culture, and amplifying the diverse voices of the Latino community through arts, education, and civic engagement. The organization produces signature cultural programs such as the Latino Heritage Celebration, Día de los Muertos Festival, and the VOCES Thought Leaders Series.

Dr. Matthew edited and . In addition to editing both novels, Matthew wrote introductions, short essays discussing themes related to each novel, and annotated “for further exploration” bibliographies. She also selected illustrations.

Friday, September 19, 11-12:15 p.m.
Panel: Autotheory and Memoir

Department Scholarships and Awards

The Frank G. and Nicole McGuire Scholarship: James Diamond

The Bessie Saslaw Solomon Memorial Scholarship: Victony Garcia

The Shari Kandell Scholarship: Jordan Newbury

The W. Leonard Newman Award: Julia Abata

The Bernard Fleischmann Memorial Award: Faith Monesteri

The Elizabeth Dean Eler Memorial Award: Miranda Kawiecki

The English Department Teacher Education Award: Menen Gowdie

The Anthony Lovasco Shakespeare Award: Jenny Both

The Murray Prosky Prize in Irish Literature: Cailin Carragher

The Janet Holt scholarship: Miranda Kawiecki

The Vivien L. Kwiatek Scholarship: Jacob Kaczorowski, Andres Lopez, Annette Torres Moya, Ptissem Assou, Natalie Mignanelli, Samantha Granados, Debbie Martinez

Graduate Scholarships and Awards

The Mary Bondon Graduate Scholarship: Faith Monesteri

The Lawrence H. Conrad Memorial Scholarship: Briana Tolbert-Fitzgerald

Creative Writing Awards

Johnny Muller Memorial Scholarship in Fiction

• First place: Kate McKeever – “Wax Fruit”
• Second Place: Kaitlyn McCarthy – “Palm to Palm”

Tom Benediktsson Award for Poetry

• Winner: Josephine Estes – “Eponym Driving,” “Laps,” and “Diary,”
• Runner-up: Sophie LeManquais – “Predispositional,” “Road Thoughts,” and “What I Have Now”

English Department Award for Flash Fiction

• Winner: Abigail Makovoz – “Grisha’s Dream”
• Runner-up: Katelyn McKeever – “BlackDog, Running”

Minnie Max Award for Creative Nonfiction

• Winner: Oluwaferanmi Fadayomi – “Call Me by My Name”
• Runner-up: Josephine Estes – “In a Field”

View past winners here

]]> /english/2025/04/25/announcing-the-2025-english-department-scholarship-and-award-recipients/feed/ 0 /english/wp-content/uploads/sites/98/2020/09/041420_2312_Campus-Spring.jpg.4.1x.generic-300x169.jpg /english/2025/03/19/jenny-mundell-11-ma-thinks-english-majors-will-save-the-world-and-so-can-you/ /english/2025/03/19/jenny-mundell-11-ma-thinks-english-majors-will-save-the-world-and-so-can-you/#respond Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:00:27 +0000 /english/?p=209569 There are two threads that weave together the many experiences of Bloomfield Township’s first female mayor, Jenny Mundell ’11 MA: community and storytelling.

As a high school student, she wrote for a local newspaper in Sewickley, PA. There, she wrote features on zoning meetings and other local government meetings. “I knew the importance of being involved and paying attention to what happens locally,” she says. After high school, she received her bachelor’s in English language and literature from Pennsylvania State University, and eventually moved to New Jersey.

After moving to New Jersey, Mundell became the associate director of University and Community Relations at ÌÇĐÄvlog. Taking advantage of the tuition benefit offered to employees, she worked full-time while earning her master’s in English. Her thesis, Burning Down the House: Reclaiming Homeplace in Gloria Naylor’s Linden Hills and Mama Day, examined the influence of geographic places and power structures on the development of individuals and communities.

Her education at Montclair gave her the abilities to become a critical thinker and thoughtful communicator. “Humans understand the world in narratives,” she explains. “So that has helped me along the way, to be able to synthesize what I hear from other people and then turn that back to them to find solutions.”

She used these skills to build a career in relationship building. After working in higher education, Mundell transitioned to the healthcare industry. Mundell advanced at RWJBarnabas Health and is now vice president of development for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

While growing a career as a development professional, Mundell held community leadership roles in Bloomfield Township. In 2017, she was appointed to the Township Council. The mayor at the time asked her if she would consider running to be the 1st Ward councilwoman. “I gave it some thought, talked to my husband, and it felt like a good thing to do,” she recollects. “My predecessor at the time stepped down from his seat early, so I was appointed to fill his vacancy.”

When the former mayor decided to run for State Assembly, he asked Mundell if she would consider running for the post. “We had made all this progress together,” she says. “And I know for him, it was really important to leave it in good hands
somebody that would keep that momentum moving. And so he asked me to consider running [for mayor]. And again, I went back to my husband,” she says with a chuckle. “We had the conversation, talked about what that would mean for us and decided that, yes, it was something that I was interested in, because I think I was the best choice to continue to move things forward.”

Mundell won the election this past November, but doesn’t see her gender as the main story. “I’m not here because I’m a woman, but that I am a woman could inspire someone else to try something that they didn’t feel like they fit in the space for,” she says. In her short time as mayor, she recruited more than 70 dedicated volunteers to serve on committees in town and created new committees to increase community involvement, demolished the town’s old DPW building (a 20-year eyesore), facilitated repairs to the roof of the adult library, creatively financed the renovations to the township’s much beloved children’s library without the township taking on new debt and launched senior programming for retired community members.

When contemplating how her time as an English graduate student at Montclair has prepared her for roles in development and as mayor, she emphasizes the transferable skills learned. “Education prepares you for anything,” she reflects. “English majors will save the world – our minds are open to different things.”

For current students, Mundell advises to explore and seize opportunities for growth. “Take advantage of all of it. You’ll never have another time in your life where you will explore and learn things at the pace you want,” she urges. Her career trajectory evolved because of her willingness to try new things. “Take every opportunity that presents itself,” she says. “I worked at Montclair and had the opportunity to further my education, so I took that. I was approached for the town council, I said yes. I was approached to run for mayor, I said yes.”

Since graduating, Mundell has stayed connected to Montclair as a guest speaker, neighbor and recently, as a member of the President’s Advisory Board for the Bloomfield College integration. She enjoys speaking to students about how an education from Montclair prepares a student for anything. “I have a graduate degree in English, but I don’t teach, I work in health care. You can study literature, you can study liberal arts, and you could become a mayor.”

She encourages students of any background or major to think about careers in public service and get involved in their local communities. Mundell suggests reaching out to local elected officials to build relationships and attending town meetings and events. By being present, students can get inspired to see how they might contribute, and how they can create their own story.

“I’ve always believed that you have the power to make change where you live.”

Paloma’s story is one of resilience, growth, and passion for her field. From navigating academic challenges to speaking at commencement, her journey is an inspiring testament to determination and the transformative power of education.

Paloma chose to major in English driven by her lifelong love of literature. “It’s an art form, and the expression of art is what makes us human. ” She reflects that literature is “a universal way to connect with those before and after us and I think it is such a privilege and I am grateful that I get to study it.”

A turning point in her university experience came during an English Initiatives meeting in October 2023. Having met some of her best friends and closest mentors through the department initiatives, Paloma marks her involvement as a clear pivot point. “I felt like my life at Montclair changed direction for the better.”

Among her proudest accomplishments is her role as the 2025 commencement speaker—a full-circle moment in her academic career. Having started at Montclair on academic probation, the transformation is hard to put into words. For Paloma, it’s proof that you can rise after a fall. “It is one of the most impactful and proud moments of my time at Montclair State,” she says.

Paloma attributes much of her success to the invaluable guidance of key faculty members who profoundly impacted her academic journey and personal growth.

• , associate professor and advisor for the English Club, supported Paloma throughout her time at Montclair State. She credits him with being a hands-on mentor who guided her in co-founding the English Club and provided numerous opportunities for growth. For Paloma, Dr. Gonzalez stood out as a role model in academia and a constant source of support.
• was instrumental in helping Paloma rebuild her confidence after academic probation. He encouraged her to apply for English awards and his classes left a lasting impact on her academic perspective. Paloma shares, “Dr. Miller taught me what it meant to be a reader and a scholar, and I view the world differently after his classes.”
• provided Paloma with a transformative and full-circle experience. During her freshman year, Paloma struggled in one of Dr. Nicosia’s classes, an experience that stayed with her for years. In her final semester, Paloma enrolled in a master class with Dr. Nicosia, where she was given the opportunity to research for Dr. Nicosia on an upcoming project and receive guidance for post-undergraduate programs and master’s options.

Paloma Lupino (center) celebrates with Professors Jeffrey Gonzalez and Laura Nicosia before the Commencement Ceremony.

These professors not only imparted academic knowledge but also provided the mentorship and encouragement that Paloma says were crucial to her personal and academic growth. “I absolutely would not be the student I am today without the support and guidance of professors like these,” she reflects, adding that she is deeply grateful for their impact on her Montclair journey.

During her time at Montclair, Paloma also served as the president of the English Club, creating a space for students to engage with literature beyond the classroom. She balanced the academic and fun sides of English as a co-host of , the university’s first student-run podcast. Through this project, Paloma and fellow students explored topics ranging from Beowulf to book-to-movie adaptations, offering lively discussions that appealed to both casual readers and literature enthusiasts. Additionally, Paloma brought her energy and creativity to , a student-produced talk show streaming on Hawk+. These experiences helped her foster community within the English department and hone her skills in collaboration, leadership, and communication.

Paloma Lupino recorded episodes of the Playne English podcast in the WMSC Studios.

To current and future English students, Paloma offers words of encouragement: “Getting a degree is difficult, and most of us don’t finish the degree on a straight path. Life throws you curve balls and obstacles that we need to juggle on top of being students. Embrace the journey, trust in yourself, and don’t forget to celebrate your progress.”

Looking ahead, Paloma hopes to continue her education through graduate and doctoral studies, with aspirations to work in academia. “Montclair really showed me that you can come back from anything if you work hard enough, and believe that you can. Some of the best and most life-changing opportunities are out there
 all you need to do is go out and find them.”

Congratulations to Paloma Lupino and the Class of 2025!

Halliwell began working in the pharmaceutical industry as a summer job and found herself enjoying the work. Her writing and communication skills made her stand out, and at the end of the summer she was offered a position at the company. She accepted and turned that position into a 35-year career.

In her discussion, Halliwell emphasized the importance of her English degree, both in her own career and in the future careers of Montclair students. “As English majors we should be self-confident in the skills we’ve developed as a result of our major studies,” she said. “As an MSU graduate with a degree in English, you have a level of expertise that other job candidates don’t when it comes to writing, speaking, and critical thinking.”

These qualities were among those Halliwell mentioned she looks for in prospective employees. When discussing the hiring process with students, she was honest about what makes an applicant stand out, saying “If [a candidate] is confident in themselves, that goes a long way
Don’t doubt yourself.” Halliwell also emphasized the importance of active listening and critical thinking, along with other soft skills like teamwork.

Halliwell also noted the important skill of networking. She encouraged students to work on their personal “elevator pitch,” and demonstrated how to give one through a mock conversation with Professor Jeffrey Gonzalez.

In her presentation, Halliwell encouraged a conversational atmosphere with students, asking for their thoughts and encouraging questions. Students asked questions on how to join the workforce and how to pivot careers, which Halliwell answered with engaging clarity. She urged students to take “calculated risks,” pointing to her own career as an example of a calculated risk that really paid off.

Regarding the daunting process of entering the workforce after college, Halliwell emphasized the importance of standing out. “Hiring managers and recruiters can receive a couple hundred resumes in response to a job posting,” she admitted.

Most importantly, Halliwell focused on affirming students. She encouraged attendees to learn outside of the classroom and to stand up for themselves. She also laid out the importance of having an end goal, saying “You can do whatever you want to, but you need a vision.”

Thanks to Mary, one of the English Department’s truly outstanding alumni, for coming and sharing her wisdom with our students.

Written by Faith Monesteri