Graduate Student Spotlights – The Graduate School

Graduate Student Spotlight: Dina Marie Leotsakas

speara — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:15:02 +0000

Graduate Student Spotlight

Meet Dina Marie Leotsakas

MBA graduate, AEL President, and nonprofit co-founder.

When it comes to perseverance, few embody it quite like Dina Marie Leotsakas. As a proud Montclair alumna, Dina has earned her MBA with dual concentrations in Digital Marketing and Business Analytics, completed a Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing, and is now finishing her final course for the Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics. But that’s just the beginning. She’s also leading the charge as President of Montclair’s Alpha Epsilon Lambda chapter, and is co-founder of the nonprofit animal welfare organization A Great Set of Paws. Despite the obstacles along the way, including serious health challenges, Dina refused to let anything stop her.

1. Talk to me about your graduate program(s). What inspired you to pursue them?

It has always been a personal goal of mine to pursue and achieve my MBA. I never imagined I would be completing a double concentration, and it still feels surreal to have earned my MBA with concentrations in Digital Marketing and Business Analytics.

I initially planned to begin my MBA right after my undergraduate studies, but before starting the program in 2018, I became very ill and faced serious health challenges. After my last open-heart surgery, I felt ready to take the next step and began my MBA journey during my recovery. Two and a half years later, I proudly completed my MBA, along with the Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing, and I’m set to finish the final course for my Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics in April 2026.

Following graduation, I was truly honored to be elected President of Alpha Epsilon Lambda’s Alpha Kappa Chapter here at Montclair. It’s been such a privilege to stay connected and involved in the university community beyond being a graduate student and lifetime member of AEL.

2. What drew you to Montclair for your graduate studies?

��vlog has always felt like home to me. I completed my undergraduate degree here, and the faculty, community, and overall environment have had such a positive impact on my academic and personal growth. When it came time to pursue my MBA, there was no question that I wanted to continue at the university that has given me so much support and opportunity.

Dina celebrates her induction into Alpha Epsilon Lambda, Montclair’s graduate honor society.

3. What has been the most rewarding part of your graduate school experience so far?

The most rewarding part of my graduate experience has been the relationships I’ve built — the friendships, the sense of community, and the support among peers. The MBA program is fast-paced and challenging, especially in the online format, but the collaboration, knowledge sharing, and hands-on learning have made it incredibly fulfilling.

The professors I’ve met and who have instructed my courses throughout the MBA program have also truly elevated my graduate experience. Their mentorship, encouragement, and expertise have made a lasting impact, and I still stay in touch and exchange messages with some of them on a weekly basis.

4. What does a typical day in your life look like — or what’s something people might be surprised to learn about you outside of school?

Outside of academics, I’m honored to serve as AEL President, which allows me to continue giving back to the Montclair graduate community.

I’m also the co-founder of a nonprofit animal welfare organization called A Great Set of Paws, which my best friend and I started during my MBA program. We hosted our first large-scale fundraiser and vendor event in June 2024, partnering with the Animal Cancer Foundation, and later collaborated with Stop & Shop in Wayne, NJ. All proceeds from reusable bag purchases in July 2024 were donated to help animals in need. We’re now planning our second event — a fundraiser, adoption day, and vendor fair — at the grand opening of Paw Couture Pet Grooming and Bakery in Totowa on November 2, 2025.

Dina is an animal lover at heart and the proud parent of two cats, Oreo and Sox.

5. Do you have a fun fact, hobby, or interest you’d like to share?

I’m an avid kayaker, and during my MBA program, I founded an affiliate website called , which provides trusted product reviews and transport solutions for fellow kayakers. My slogan is “Made for Kayakers, by a Fellow Kayaker.”

I also enjoy building websites and helping businesses grow their online presence — I recently began creating an official business website for Paw Couture Pet Grooming and Bakery, as their second location will be opening this November.

Outside of my professional interests, I’m very active in my community. I volunteer and help run events for the Garfield Fire Department, where my partner, Andre, serves as a volunteer firefighter, and I also coach cheerleading at Garfield High School. Working with the students and watching them grow in confidence and teamwork has been such a rewarding experience.

6. What does being a member — and now president — of AEL mean to you?

Being inducted into AEL was an incredible honor, but being elected President has been even more meaningful. It represents academic excellence, leadership, and service — values that align with everything I strive for.

I’m passionate about expanding AEL’s presence by building its social media visibility, making events more inclusive and accessible to all graduate students, and encouraging members to stay engaged and involved beyond induction. I’m especially excited for our upcoming Induction Ceremony this November, where we’ll celebrate new members who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement.

7. What motivated you to take on a leadership role within AEL?

I wanted to give back to a community that has been such a meaningful part of my graduate experience. Serving as President allows me to help elevate AEL’s visibility on campus, support member engagement, and contribute to the broader graduate community at Montclair. I’m motivated by the opportunity to continue AEL’s legacy of recognizing and empowering graduate excellence.

For Dina, being supported by her family and friends at her AEL Induction was one of the most meaningful moments of her graduate experience.

8. How do you hope to make an impact through your work with AEL this year?

My goal is to grow awareness of AEL among graduate students who embody academic excellence and leadership potential, and to make involvement more accessible through initiatives like enhanced social media outreach and virtual guest speaker events. I also hope to implement an AEL Member Spotlight to showcase our outstanding members and create lasting opportunities for engagement beyond their time in the program.

9. How do you balance your coursework, leadership responsibilities, and personal life?

For me, it all comes down to time management, passion, and purpose. I give 100% to every commitment I take on, whether it’s coursework, leadership responsibilities, or personal life. There are definitely busy moments, but when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work — it feels like growth. Everything I’m involved in represents a part of who I am and what I value, and that keeps me motivated and fulfilled.

Dina still finds time in her schedule to celebrate milestones in her personal life, including her 30th birthday.

10. What advice would you give to other graduate students looking to get more involved on campus?

Take advantage of the opportunities Montclair offers — there are so many ways to connect, collaborate, and make an impact. Whether through honor societies, student organizations, or leadership roles, getting involved allows you to build relationships, strengthen your professional network, and make your graduate experience even more meaningful.

11. What are your goals after graduation?

My immediate goal is to complete my final course for the Graduate Business Analytics Certificate by April 2026. I’m also looking forward to celebrating our AEL Induction Ceremony in November and continuing to grow A Great Set of Paws through our next major event. Beyond that, I’m excited to embrace new experiences and opportunities — both professionally and personally. I feel so grateful for how far I’ve come, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Dina will officially walk at ��vlog’s January 2026 commencement ceremony. It marks not just the completion of her studies, but the continuation of a story defined by conviction and perseverance.

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Graduate Alumni Spotlight: Amanda Moctezuma Barbosa, MS

speara — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:00:05 +0000

Graduate Alumni Spotlight

Meet Amanda Moctezuma Barbosa, MS

From Montclair to the global stage: Cybersecurity alumna and emerging researcher.

When Amanda Moctezuma Barbosa began her journey at ��vlog as a Computer Science undergraduate, she never imagined it would lead her all the way to an international stage in Paris. Today, just a few years later, Amanda is not only an alumna and staff member in Montclair’s Graduate Admissions Office — she’s also an emerging researcher whose work will soon be shared with experts from around the world.

Amanda shares how she secured a graduate assistantship to cover the cost of her tuition.

Building Her Future at Montclair

Amanda’s achievement is the latest milestone in a journey defined by curiosity, perseverance, and growth — all rooted here at Montclair. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, she continued on to pursue a Master of Science in Cybersecurity, diving deeper into the world of digital defense and threat intelligence.

While completing her degree, Amanda worked as a Graduate Assistant at The Graduate School, supporting doctoral candidates through research, writing, and milestone submissions. She also served as a Graduate Services Representative, helping prospective students navigate the admissions process with care and precision.

Today, Amanda is part of the Montclair team full-time as a Graduate Enrollment Generalist, managing application data integrity, improving backend systems, and guiding students through their academic journeys. Her deep understanding of the graduate student experience — first as a student herself, then as a GA, and now as a professional — gives her a unique perspective on how to support others on their path to success.

Amanda speaks on a graduate student panel at new student orientation.

From Red Hawk Roots to the Global Stage

Amanda’s paper, “Defenses in Cybersecurity Through Threat Intelligence Approaches,” has been accepted at the 12th International Symposium on Networks, Computers and Communications (ISNCC’25). Hosted at ESIEE Paris – University Gustave Eiffel and sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the IEEE Communications Society, the conference brings together leading voices on cybersecurity, computing technologies, and the future of the internet.

Her research will be published in the conference proceedings and submitted to the IEEE Xplore Digital Library, placing her work among some of the most respected publications in the field.

Amanda poses with her team at Homecoming 2025.

Taking Montclair Global

Amanda’s upcoming presentation in Paris is not only a personal achievement — it’s also a proud moment for the Montclair community. Her work explores how organizations can integrate cyber threat intelligence into the post-incident response process, strengthening defenses and improving resilience against increasingly complex cyberattacks.

It’s research with real-world implications, and Amanda is eager to share it with an international audience of researchers, engineers, and students. Her story is a powerful reminder that graduate education is more than just coursework — it’s a launchpad.

“I didn’t even expect to make it this far. I never thought I’d actually get selected. At first, it was just a submission for fun — a ‘you never know’ kind of thing. Then I got the email saying ‘congratulations,’ and I was like, guess I’m going to Paris now! Honestly, I didn’t even want to go at first because it felt scary to travel alone, but my family is coming with me, so it doesn’t seem as scary anymore.”

— Amanda Moctezuma Barbosa

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Graduate Student Spotlight: Tahina Gonzalez

speara — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 13:00:42 +0000

Graduate Student Spotlight

Meet Tahina Gonzalez

First-gen trailblazer, MSW candidate, and graduate assistant.

If there’s one thing you should know about Tahina Gonzalez, it’s that she never sits still for long. A proud first-generation student from Paterson and now a Master of Social Work candidate at ��vlog, Tahina thrives on connection, community, and creating spaces where others feel supported — values that have shaped every step of her journey.

Tahina celebrates earning her bachelor’s degree as a first-generation college graduate.

From Involvement to Impact

Tahina’s Montclair story began as an undergraduate in Justice Studies with a minor in Psychology. She made the most of her time here; interning at Deirdre’s House Child Advocacy Center in Morristown, NJ, serving as a tour guide and orientation leader, finding community through Sigma Sigma Sigma National Sorority and connecting with her culture through clubs like the Latin American Student Organization (LASO). All this while commuting from Paterson – a testament to her drive and time management.

Tahina leads a campus tour for prospective undergraduate students.

Now, as a graduate student, Tahina is building on that foundation with a focus on school social work. She’s completing her practicum at iLearn Schools, where she supports students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being through check-ins, interventions, and connecting families with resources. And on campus, she’s a Graduate Assistant for First-Generation Initiatives in the Office of Student Belonging, mentoring fellow first-gen students and helping them get involved and thrive. This fall, her team hosted the First-Gen Block Party, a huge success that brought students together to celebrate identity, community, and pride.

Tahina and colleagues celebrate first-gen pride and community at the annual Block Party.

Giving Back While Moving Forward

As the oldest sibling and self-described “mom” of her friend group, Tahina is the go-to confidant, therapist, and cheerleader for those around her. That same instinct shows up in her professional life too—whether she’s guiding first-gen students toward success or working one-on-one with young people in schools, she leads with empathy and purpose.

Tahina is looking forward to building new connections this semester.

What excites her most about graduate school so far is the chance to form deeper connections, especially with faculty. “The smaller cohort size makes it easier to build real relationships,” she shared. “Several of my professors have taken time to get to know us personally and mentor us, which makes a huge difference.”

It’s no surprise that Tahina’s generosity of spirit extends beyond campus, too. Her little sister is now planning to follow in her footsteps and attend college, proof that Tahina’s path is inspiring others in her own family and community.

Tahina is lovingly referred to as the “mom” of her friend group.

Tahina was one of the winners of our Graduate Assistant Orientation survey this fall, earning $100 in Red Hawk Dollars for sharing her feedback. Your voice matters too—watch for more surveys throughout the year and you could be next on our winners list!

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