Since its inception, the Green Teams program has served as a . Community partners host teams of undergraduate students, who conduct sustainability research, collect and analyze environmental and economic data, and make recommendations to help shift corporate and organizational culture toward sustainability.To date, 420 students from across the country have completed over 350 real-world projects supporting 53 local communities, nonprofits, and both national and global companies in advancing their sustainability goals.

A Focus on Supporting Overburdened Communities and Organizations

One of the core objectives of the grant is to provide Green Team interns to New Jersey municipalities and nonprofit organizations that lack the resources to fund their own sustainability projects. These projects focus on promoting and achieving environmental justice. Funding will cover intern stipends, travel expenses for site visits and field trips, and advanced training by expert personnel. Outcomes from the community work the Green Teams have completed so far have informed and empowered communities to address flooding, food security, waste and other environmental issues.

Expanding Technology and Training

The grant will also support advanced technology and expertise to support the growing complexity of the sustainability projects, including empowering students with Geographic Information System (GIS), drone (UAV) and virtual reality (VR/XR) technologies.

Additionally, the program will expand the training of interns in professional communications and survey methods and will help strengthen partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and community colleges.

“As the Green Teams program marks its 10th anniversary, we’re excited to support the next phase of its growth. This partnership with ����vlog strengthens our shared commitment to sustainability, while ensuring the benefits help reach New Jersey’s most underserved communities,” said Calvin Ledford Jr., President of the and Director of Corporate Social Responsibility. “The Green Teams program exemplifies the kind of innovative, hands-on experience that prepares students to tackle today’s most pressing environmental challenges. It’s a win-win, providing students with invaluable real-world experience while addressing critical needs across the state.”

A Decade of Impact and Continued Growth

In celebrating a decade of its work, the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies will highlight alumni achievements, progress based on past projects and host celebratory and informative events.

Interviews with alumni and partner organizations will showcase how the Green Teams have influenced not only environmental sustainability efforts but also the personal and professional growth of the interns involved.

“We are excited to build on the decade of impact we have had supporting communities and educating students through our partnership with the PSEG Foundation,” said Amy Tuininga, Director of the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies.

About the Green Teams Program

The Green Teams internship program assembles diverse teams of undergraduate students from a variety of academic majors, introducing them to subject-matter experts, professors and leaders addressing the world’s most difficult challenges. Teams work in partnership with hosting organizations over a period of 10 weeks to develop solutions that advance the organizations’ sustainability.

The teams have collaborated on a range of critical issues including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing food insecurity, mitigating flood risks and assessing the environmental risk from artificial turf.

The program is supported by private philanthropic and federal sources, including the PSEG Foundation, Constellation, the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture and NASA.

Learn more about the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies and the PSEG ISS Green Teams Program.

The �����Ի��� for the Summer 2025 Green Teams are now open.

Attendees enjoyed a day on the course that included a BBQ lunch and dinner reception, along with enticing auction items, raffles and prizes. Silent auction items included rounds of golf at Upper Montclair Country Club, Essex Fells Country Club, Essex County Country Club, tickets to a New Jersey Devils game, a family day at American Dream, and more.

“It’s terrific that our alumni and friends rallied their support to benefit Montclair student athletes and sports-related initiatives,” says Rita Walters, vice president for Development and Alumni Engagement.

Proceeds from the 2024 outing will continue to support the University’s athletes by providing updates to the Panzer Fitness Center and enriching the student-run and produced

“We appreciate the great support that we receive from our alumni, friends and campus partners to enhance the student-athlete experience at Montclair,” says Rob Chesney, director of Intercollegiate Athletics.

During the dinner portion, three student athletes thanked guests for their support and shared the difference it makes for Montclair students.

“Montclair has led me to unbelievable opportunities,” said senior Grant Holbrook, part of the men’s basketball team who is majoring in Business Administration. “To me, being a student athlete means being dedicated to bettering yourself on and off the court while excelling in the classroom and in the community.”

Senior Matthew Pontari, who is studying business management and is a member of the baseball team, shared: “My coaches have always been – and will always be – there for me … That is what makes Montclair such a special place. All of us are here to get a great education and win championships, but it’s what takes place day-in and day-out that leads to all of the success.”

“As a first-generation student in a single parent household, I hadn’t imagined I could reach these heights in my college career,” said senior Tiffany Sosa, a Sports Communication major and member of the women’s basketball team, in sharing how her Montclair experience has helped her grow.

In his remarks, Montclair President Jonathan Koppell thanked attendees for their partnership in creating opportunities for Montclair students, pointing out the importance of students gaining professional hands-on experiences that prepare them for their careers.

Committee and Sponsor Support

“The outing’s success was made possible by each of our sponsors, the hard work of my fellow Red Hawk Open committee members and all the golfers who participated,” says Anthony Carlino ’77, who serves on the Red Hawk Open committee as well as vice chair of the ����vlog Foundation.

• Red Hawk Open Committee:
  Anthony Carlino ’77
  Christopher Fitzpatrick ’04
  Daniel Grant ‘05
  Rob Lieberman
  Brian Mieth
  Judi Schumacher Tilton
  Greg Shanaphy ’91
  David Wertheim ’79
• Outing Sponsors:
  Academy Orthopaedics
  Goldman Sachs
• Dinner Reception Sponsor:
  Scarinci Hollenbeck
• Halfway House Sponsor:
  Terminal Construction Corporation
• Lunch Sponsors:
  Inserra Supermarkets
  Onpoint Powerwashing & Painting
  Schumacher Chevrolet
• Cart Sponsors:
  Automated Logic
  Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
  Murgado Automotive Group
  PSEG
  Taylor Law Group, LLC
• Putting Green Sponsor:
  Power Consulting
• Driving Range Sponsors:
  Genova Burns
  Overlook Corporate Center
  Resnick Law Firm LLC
  SERVPRO of Clifton
  Universal Electric Motor Service
  Withum
• Longest Drive Sponsors:
  LEAP Hockey
  Nick and Jill ‘00 Iannitelli
• Hole Sponsors:
  American Wear Uniforms
  Michele ’80 and Keith ’79 Ansbacher
  Buchanan
  Cantone Press
  Carpenter Contractor Trust
  Chocolate Fantasia
  Chris Fitzpatrick Speaks
  Cougar Aquatic Team
  Darling Boutique
  Drew & Rogers
  Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
  ENV
  ESSEE Floor Covering
  Field Turf
  Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Medical Center
  Icon International Inc.
  JRM Construction Management
  Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages
  Local Union 253
  Kevin Neary ’86
  PKF O’Connor Davies
  Take Me to the Water Swim School

For more photos, please view the album.

For more information about how you can , please contact Kara Baldwin Brennan ’92, director of Annual Giving, at 973-655-7492 or brennanka@montclair.edu.

Welcoming guests, Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement Rita Walters shared, “This evening is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the important role philanthropy plays in the growth of ����vlog and in improving the lives of our students and the world around us.”

“It is important for us to come together as a community of donors and celebrate the power of philanthropy,” she added.

Among the invited guests were members of the President’s Club, which is the University’s leadership annual giving society; the Carpe Diem Society, those who have committed legacy gifts; and members of the 1908 Loyalty Society, donors who give consecutively, some of whom have been donating to Montclair every year for more than 30 years. Bloomfield College of ����vlog donors attended as well.

In his remarks, Montclair President Jonathan Koppell shared updates on the University’s progress, partnerships and purpose. “We believe students from all backgrounds are deserving of a high quality, affordable education…which Montclair delivers,” said Koppell. “We come together tonight to thank you for your generous support of our mission. We can’t achieve our important work without you.”

President Koppell urged the audience to join in opposing proposed funding cuts that will negatively impact Bloomfield College of ����vlog and ����vlog students by visiting . The platform provides customizable email language to send to state legislators to show support for equitable higher education funding in New Jersey.

Students share gratitude

Alumnus Greg Collins, chair of the ����vlog Foundation, expressed his appreciation to donors and introduced the student segment of the program, which included remarks from three student speakers. “Your generous support across all areas of the University has directly helped our students,” he shared. “From providing support for scholarships, internships, research opportunities, campus programs and more, you are making a difference.”

“I am so grateful that I can attend an institution this precious with this much financial support,” said Ethan Garcia, a junior at Bloomfield College of ����vlog who is double majoring in Creative Arts and Technology and Business Administration and serves in multiple campus leadership positions.

“I thank you all as donors for your continuous support of Bloomfield and Montclair and for believing in our school’s mission to serve students like me,” said Garcia. “I would not be where I am today without your help.”

Julie Baker, a sophomore Exercise Science major with a concentration in Pre-Professional Studies, shared her gratitude for the opportunity to get so much from her Montclair experience, including being a member of the Montclair women’s soccer team and the Montclairs honors program, a Presidential Scholarship recipient, earning dean’s list each semester and serving as as ambassador for The Hidden Opponent, a club for athlete’s mental health.

“As donors, you make it possible for students to succeed at Montclair,” said Baker. “After completing my Bachelor in Science, I hope to continue my education in nursing… I am confident in my abilities that Montclair has taught me and will continue to teach me.”

“Receiving scholarships during my time at Montclair took a weight off my shoulders and allowed me to live on campus,” shared Aracelly Cabrejo, a senior who majored in Accounting and will be attending graduate school in the fall.

“Being able to live on campus opened other opportunities for me to learn and grow as a leader. I wouldn’t have been able to experience this without scholarship support, so I thank you as generous donors for making opportunities like this possible and enhancing so many students’ lives,” said Cabrejo.

Showcasing the University’s arts excellence, Department of Theatre and Dance students performed selections from the production of Sophisticated Ladies. Amidst an array of food stations and the serenade of live music by the student jazz trio, guests mingled and interacted with fellow donors and students.

“Montclair delivers transformational opportunities to students from all backgrounds, and we are grateful for our community of donors for sharing their time, resources and energy to help make this University everything it can be,” says Walters.

Story by Development Communications Director Laura Iandiorio. Photos by John J. LaRosa for ����vlog.

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Her generosity was celebrated in a dedication of the Waichungo Family Courtyard in University Hall on April 26, recognizing Wamwari’s commitment to creating opportunities for the University, the College of Education and Human Services, and the next generation of food science leaders.

“It’s a great honor to have your name and story permanently be part of the University and to serve as a shining light, illuminating a path that countless others will follow,” said University President Jonathan Koppell at the dedication ceremony.

“I cannot express how meaningful it is to have this courtyard named after my family,” shared Wamwari. “For my parents, the late Charity and Asaph, education was both the cornerstone – and the catalyst – of their incredible lives.”

The serendipitous start for Wamwari’s road to Montclair began when her father, who was studying at Harvard while his daughters finished high school in Kenya, learned of Montclair from a classmate who was the son of then President David W.D. Dickson. Her sister, June, is also a Montclair graduate.

That led to Wamwari’s first trip to the United States for freshman orientation at Montclair. Then, it was a long line in a hot gym during registration that changed the trajectory of her education and set her on her path. “I stepped away for a minute, to speak to a gentleman sitting at a table with no line. It happened to be Dr. John Specchio from the Nutrition and Food Studies department. We talked about my interest in food and my love of cooking. By the time we finished, I was sold and decided to change my major from Mathematics to Home Economics with a concentration in Food and Nutrition.”

“If it weren’t for that conversation, I would have gone in an entirely different direction,” says Wamwari, who went on to earn a master’s and doctorate in Food Science at the University of Missouri-Columbia. “He showed me the path to the incredible career I have today. His advice was priceless.”

Wamwari currently serves as the vice president of Global Safety Assessment and Regulatory Affairs at SC Johnson, where she leads a team of more than 140 regulatory compliance, registration, and safety experts in more than 110 countries. Prior to joining SC Johnson, Wamwari spent more than 20 years with The Coca-Cola Company, culminating as vice president of Global Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, and worked at Campbell Soup Company and ConAgra Foods early in her career.

Reflecting her deep belief in the power of education, she established the Wamwari Waichungo Food Science Scholarship at Montclair in 2015 and committed additional endowment support for scholarships and student initiatives to support students in the Nutrition and Food Science program. Wamwari serves on the College of Education and Human Services Advisory Board and has been part of the President’s Club since 2015. She was honored as a distinguished alumna of the College and addressed the undergraduates during Convocation ceremonies in 2021.

Wamwari makes it a priority to serve as a catalyst for the next generation of STEM leaders, particularly young women and young professionals of color, including supporting scholarships at Alliance Girls High School in Kenya, the first high school for African girls, which her mother attended as a young girl. She also supports the June and Wamwari Waichungo scholarship at the high school she and her sister attended, Kenya High School. At the University of Missouri-Columbia, Wamwari is a Distinguished Fellow of the Monticello Society, serves on the advisory board of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and established the W. Waichungo Study Abroad Scholarship endowment that enables international learning opportunities for Food Science students.

“Wamwari’s story underscores the whole point of this University,” says Koppell. “It shows what a university can do in terms of developing human potential … and why it’s important for ����vlog to thrive, because if we don’t develop that potential, we are wasting that potential.”

Acknowledging Wamwari’s influence on students, College of Education and Human Services Acting Dean Katrina Bulkley shared how Wamwari’s belief in students has helped students believe in themselves.

“Thank you for being a wonderful role model … you have devoted your career to science, to nutrition, to helping young people, and to helping the world,” said Bulkley. “We are excited for students to come into this courtyard and to read about your family and to be inspired by you.”

Food Science major Amy Sheridan ’22, who will be graduating with her master’s in Food Science in May, is among the fortunate students who have benefitted from Wamwari’s mentorship and support.

“Dr. Waichungo and I have followed similar educational paths, and maybe that is why I feel a very deep connection to her,” Sheridan shared. “I am grateful to have received the Wamwari Waichungo Food Science scholarship, which helped financially, but also was incredibly inspiring since it was made possible by Dr. Waichungo, and I respect and admire all she has achieved and her desire to make a difference in the world.”

Paying it Forward

Wamwari’s visit to campus was filled with meaningful interactions with students, including a talk titled “Getting the most out of YOU!” with College of Education and Human Services students. Focused on smart, achievable life lessons for student success, the event attracted more than 100 students.

She also was the keynote speaker at the College’s awards and scholarship ceremony, sharing insight on how to embrace the educational journey for students to be successful and reinforcing the importance of giving back time, talent and philanthropic support once they graduate. After her address, Wamwari had the opportunity to present awards to this year’s Waichungo Scholars, and then she herself was surprised with a Donor Recognition Award for her philanthropic efforts in supporting student success.

“Wamwari exemplifies ����vlog, in what she accomplished as a student, in what she’s accomplished professionally, and in what she’s doing as an alumna … showing what it means to be part of a community and the ways in which she can take her success and pay it forward to subsequent generations,” Koppell said in is remarks at the courtyard dedication.

Wamwari left those gathered in the courtyard with these thoughts: “I hope that current and future generations of students – as they walk through or sit in this courtyard – finding their way from one class to another – will discover resilience and create their own paths and embrace new opportunities with every step.”

Story by Director of Development Communications Laura Iandiorio. Photos by John J. LaRosa.

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“Working on the Red Hawk Student Managed Investment Fund is a hands-on, real-world experience,” says Ashton Corley, who will complete her MBA in December 2021. “The program gave me the opportunity to do the work, and through that I developed confidence in my abilities. As a result, I’m considering a double MBA in Business Analytics and Finance – and perhaps even a PhD.”

Students manage a live institutional portfolio to experience what it takes to work in investment management.

“We run this portfolio as part of the broader University endowment,” says Feliciano School of Business Finance Professor Michael G. Radin, who helped design and now leads the program.

“The Fund has a multi-asset mandate where students invest within and across broad asset classes such as global equities, equity sectors, fixed income and alternative assets,” Radin explains. “Students learn about various types of alternative strategies in the classroom and then research which funds they believe will be additive for inclusion in the Red Hawk portfolio. These are the same types of investment decisions made by large, sophisticated university endowments and pension funds.”

“Our school’s mission is to prepare students to thrive in a world of constant change. Our Student Managed Investment Fund program is a perfect vehicle for teaching discipline and responsiveness in the very real and dynamic context of the financial marketplace,” says Kimberly Hollister, dean of the Feliciano School of Business.

James W. Merli ’83, a member of the ����vlog Foundation Board as well as the Feliciano School of Business Advisory Board, has been instrumental in steering the Fund and its reality-based model. “I wanted Montclair students to have a broader investing experience,” he says. “Real pension fund and endowment investing would never be restricted to analyzing just one type of asset.”

Merli, who retired as global head of Debt Syndicate and head of Global Finance Americas for Nomura Securities, is also an executive-in-residence and adjunct professor of the Feliciano School of Business. Merli engages members of the School’s Advisory Board to mentor students and act as a professional sounding board for students giving presentations at semester’s end. Donations to support the Fund add to the investment and have a direct impact in launching students on their investment journey and building their career know-how.

“Students come out of this program ready to compete against graduates of elite business schools,” adds Radin. “Their knowledge of investment analysis comes across in interviews. One of our graduates was hired by a very prestigious private equity firm and another landed a role at Goldman Sachs.”

Andres Villanueva ’19, a real estate and infrastructure private equity associate at CIM Group in Los Angeles, is among the Red Hawk Fund participants who are enjoying early success in their careers. “Being a part of this program was a very rewarding experience,” Villanueva says. “In my opinion, the Red Hawk Fund was the closest thing to a real-world experience a finance student could achieve at Montclair State. It created a solid base for understanding institutional investing and portfolio management and helped me develop an understanding of how institutional investors allocate their capital.”

Kishan Rana ’21, a portfolio monitoring and valuation analyst for the growth equity firm TCV, points out that the program also helps students develop their communication, presentation and overall business skills. “The collaborative work, the due diligence and the professional proposal are the quintessence of invaluable technical and soft skills and will help me tremendously as I begin my career,” he says.

The Red Hawk Fund is distinctive in its emphasis on continuity. “Our students engage in investment research throughout the semester and then make recommendations based on their work to an oversight board composed of experts in the finance arena, much like they do in other, similar programs,” Merli says. “However, at other institutions, the class re-starts its investment fund from a zero balance at the beginning of the term. At Montclair, each new cohort inherits the fund from the previous one, so that students can experience fund growth over time.”

“By setting the program up this way, students who have completed it stay engaged, they stay in touch,” Merli continues. “In fact, several former students dialed in to the spring 2021 presentation, just to see how the Fund was doing. After its sixth semester, the Fund is valued at just over $325,000. There is an enormous sense of pride and personal accomplishment among the program’s current, and former, participants.”

Engagement in the program with alumni and friends results in high returns in more than just the investment portfolio. As graduates find professional success, they are paving a path for each other into the competitive world of finance. “There is an ongoing relationship-building aspect that is benefitting our students in a very real, very lucrative way,” Radin points out.

Kevin Sherman ’19, who is now a structured finance analyst at Crédit Agricole CIB, credits the Fund with helping secure his first career position at MidRail LLC, a middle-market private equity firm. “The Red Hawk Fund served as a quasi-internship for me, opening doors to various roles on Wall Street,” he says.

The Red Hawk Student Managed Investment Fund program is a source of pride all around. “This course provides students with an outstanding opportunity to top off their finance education with a unique investment management experience that accelerates their preparedness for the real world of finance,” says Ronald J. Strauss, senior associate dean at the Feliciano School of Business. “Our entire faculty takes great pride in the success of the Red Hawk Fund course and is grateful to the University Foundation and donors who have made this program possible.”

Read more at the Psychology Department website

Read More in the Spring/Summer 2020 Magazine