{"id":1418,"date":"2025-11-03T11:15:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T16:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/?p=1418"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:50:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T18:50:26","slug":"graduate-student-spotlight-dina-marie-leotsakas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/2025\/11\/03\/graduate-student-spotlight-dina-marie-leotsakas\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduate Student Spotlight: Dina Marie Leotsakas"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Graduate Student Spotlight<\/p>\n

Meet Dina Marie Leotsakas<\/span><\/h2>\n

MBA graduate, AEL President, and nonprofit co-founder.<\/p>\n

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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\u2019s just the beginning. She\u2019s also leading the charge as President of Montclair\u2019s Alpha Epsilon Lambda<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

1. Talk to me about your graduate program(s). What inspired you to pursue them?<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019m set to finish the final course for my Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics in April 2026.<\/p>\n

Following graduation, I was truly honored to be elected President of Alpha Epsilon Lambda\u2019s Alpha Kappa Chapter here at Montclair. It\u2019s been such a privilege to stay connected and involved in the university community beyond being a graduate student and lifetime member of AEL.<\/p>\n

2. What drew you to Montclair for your graduate studies?<\/h3>\n

糖心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.<\/p>\n

\n \"Dina
Dina celebrates her induction into Alpha Epsilon Lambda, Montclair’s graduate honor society.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. What has been the most rewarding part of your graduate school experience so far?<\/h3>\n

The most rewarding part of my graduate experience has been the relationships I\u2019ve built \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

The professors I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

4. What does a typical day in your life look like \u2014 or what\u2019s something people might be surprised to learn about you outside of school?<\/h3>\n

Outside of academics, I\u2019m honored to serve as AEL President, which allows me to continue giving back to the Montclair graduate community.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m also the co-founder of a nonprofit animal welfare organization called A Great Set of Paws<\/em>, 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\u2019re now planning our second event \u2014 a fundraiser, adoption day, and vendor fair \u2014 at the grand opening of Paw Couture Pet Grooming and Bakery in Totowa on November 2, 2025.<\/p>\n

\n \"Dina's
Dina is an animal lover at heart and the proud parent of two cats, Oreo and Sox.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Do you have a fun fact, hobby, or interest you\u2019d like to share?<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m an avid kayaker, and during my MBA program, I founded an affiliate website called KayakRackShack.com<\/a>, which provides trusted product reviews and transport solutions for fellow kayakers. My slogan is \u201cMade for Kayakers, by a Fellow Kayaker.\u201d<\/p>\n

I also enjoy building websites and helping businesses grow their online presence \u2014 I recently began creating an official business website for Paw Couture Pet Grooming and Bakery, as their second location will be opening this November.<\/p>\n

Outside of my professional interests, I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n

6. What does being a member \u2014 and now president \u2014 of AEL mean to you?<\/h3>\n

Being inducted into AEL was an incredible honor, but being elected President has been even more meaningful. It represents academic excellence, leadership, and service \u2014 values that align with everything I strive for.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m passionate about expanding AEL\u2019s 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\u2019m especially excited for our upcoming Induction Ceremony this November, where we\u2019ll celebrate new members who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement.<\/p>\n

7. What motivated you to take on a leadership role within AEL?<\/h3>\n

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\u2019s visibility on campus, support member engagement, and contribute to the broader graduate community at Montclair. I\u2019m motivated by the opportunity to continue AEL\u2019s legacy of recognizing and empowering graduate excellence.<\/p>\n

\n \"Dina
For Dina, being supported by her family and friends at her AEL Induction was one of the most meaningful moments of her graduate experience.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. How do you hope to make an impact through your work with AEL this year?<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

9. How do you balance your coursework, leadership responsibilities, and personal life?<\/h3>\n

For me, it all comes down to time management, passion, and purpose. I give 100% to every commitment I take on, whether it\u2019s coursework, leadership responsibilities, or personal life. There are definitely busy moments, but when you love what you do, it doesn\u2019t feel like work \u2014 it feels like growth. Everything I\u2019m involved in represents a part of who I am and what I value, and that keeps me motivated and fulfilled.<\/p>\n

\n \"Dina
Dina still finds time in her schedule to celebrate milestones in her personal life, including her 30th birthday.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10. What advice would you give to other graduate students looking to get more involved on campus?<\/h3>\n

Take advantage of the opportunities Montclair offers \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

11. What are your goals after graduation?<\/h3>\n

My immediate goal is to complete my final course for the Graduate Business Analytics Certificate by April 2026. I\u2019m also looking forward to celebrating our AEL Induction Ceremony in November and continuing to grow A Great Set of Paws<\/em> through our next major event. Beyond that, I\u2019m excited to embrace new experiences and opportunities \u2014 both professionally and personally. I feel so grateful for how far I\u2019ve come, and I can\u2019t wait to see what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n

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Dina will officially walk at 糖心vlog\u2019s January 2026 commencement ceremony. It marks not just the completion of her studies, but the continuation of a story defined by conviction and perseverance.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

\n Nominate a grad for a future spotlight<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow us for more student spotlights<\/a>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":463,"featured_media":1431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-graduate-school-news","category-graduate-student-spotlights"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/463"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1418"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1444,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1418\/revisions\/1444"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}