Afriyie-Addo’s walk across the stage at 2026 Commencement next week makes him the first graduate of the Cali Pathways project, which launched in 2021 and helps talented young musicians access the guidance, training and resources they need to pursue music in college and beyond.

��“I really appreciate the Pathways program because I wouldn’t be in college without that entry into Montclair,” he says.

He studied music for two years before switching his major to business and sees parallels between the two.����

“There are similarities between music and business, particularly in terms of community, leadership and freedom,” he says. “The best music comes from people sharing a common emotion and playing the music together – and the best businesses come from people sharing a common goal together.”

A late start and a sharp shift

Afriyie-Addo’s path to the stage was anything but traditional. While many musicians begin their training in early childhood, Afriyie-Addo didn’t discover his passion for music until his junior year of high school during the COVID-19 pandemic. While doing some spring cleaning, his mother pulled a keyboard from the closet and Afriyie-Addo decided to teach himself to play by ear.

To support his newfound passion and talent, his mother found him a piano teacher. Afriyie-Addo recalls hearing a fellow student play what he mistakenly thought was an original piece but turned out to be one of Beethoven’s piano sonatas in E flat major.

“I was astonished. It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever heard,” he says. That’s the moment he was hooked on classical piano and decided, “wow, I want to sound like that.” He practiced at every opportunity.

Inspired by his choir and piano teachers and bolstered by a scholarship, he began a rapid ascent into the world of performance and composition.

During his time at the Cali School, he also discovered and fell in love with jazz and studied under Adjunct Instructor David DeMotta, who describes Afriyie-Addo as “an inspired student who consistently pushed himself to master the art of improvisation.”

“It was wonderful to watch him develop from his first introduction to jazz piano into a self-motivated and serious student of the art form,” DeMotta says. “Isaac has the type of deeply curious and professionalized approach to learning and achievement that will allow him to find continued success within and beyond jazz piano.”

The composition of commerce

Even after switching majors, Afriyie-Addo stayed involved with the Cali School. His leadership skills were put to the test when he took charge of organizing – and performing in, of course – the Hues Concert at the Cali School’s Leshowitz Recital Hall earlier this year. Even when faced with a snowstorm delay, Afriyie-Addo utilized his networking and marketing acumen to ensure the event was a success, showcasing the business skills he honed in the classroom.

He also wrote original compositions for dancers and others. That’s when he fell in love with and pivoted to jazz. “Jazz is a lot like composition in real time, you’re composing in the moment, and that felt thrilling.” The bigger pivot, however, came when he switched his focus to business partly because he had an interest and could see the commonalities in both, as well as “the influence of my family wanting the best for me financially,” he says.��

The Hues Concert experience fueled an interest in event coordinating; he hopes to continue to fuse his business and music acumen. “I want to create a venue or business that allows artists to be able to perform and put themselves out there,” he says.

A future in fusion

While school kept him busy, he also found time for other interests, volunteering at a hospital and shadowing an executive at a retail store to learn data analytics.

Wherever Afriyie-Addo ends up when he enters the professional world, he knows music will remain a lifelong passion.

“I can’t see myself without it. I’m someone who has a lot of interests, and I can balance doing multiple things at once. Whether it’s performing, creating or building spaces that allow other people to connect, that’s something that really is something that I strive for. One of the best ways to bring people together and comfort others is through the universal language of music.”

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.

Over four months, Hernandez lived and learned at sea, meeting with local leaders through a United Nations‑connected dialogue program – an experience she says changed how she sees both the world and her own future.

�ѴDzԳٳ���������’s study abroad and international programs, including Semester at Sea, help students like Pamela gain global experience and bring those insights back to campus.

First Time Seeing the Ocean – and Living on It

Hernandez remembers her first sight of the ship – and of the ocean itself – when she boarded in IJmuiden, the Netherlands.

“I’d never been on a ship, and it was so huge,” she said. “I just stared at it for a good minute thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to be living here for the next four months.’”

On board, she took classes at sea, then stepped into cities and communities around the world, connecting what she learned in class to the people and places she was visiting.

Four Months, 13+ Scholarship Applications – and a Life‑Changing Email

The Semester at Sea voyage comes with a substantial price tag, covering tuition, housing and travel while the ship serves as a floating campus. To make it possible, Hernandez spent about four months applying for more than 13 scholarships, ultimately winning the highly competitive $25,000, which supports students engaged with Chinese language and Chinese studies, as well as U.S.–China relations.

Her application told the story of a first‑generation Mexican American student whose first language was Spanish, who struggled with English as a child, and later added Korean and Mandarin at Montclair – tying her multilingual journey to a commitment to cross‑cultural understanding and global storytelling as a double major in Film & Television and Business Administration, with a minor in Asian Languages.

She learned she had won the scholarship while at work as an intern in Broadcast and Media Operations on campus. “That was the best news of my life.”

With the award secured, everything accelerated. “I only had two months to prepare for the voyage, and you don’t know how to prepare because of how extensive it is,” she says.

UN Dialogue Training: Practicing Difficult Conversations on Human Rights and Education

On top of classes, Hernandez was selected for a United Nations‑connected dialogue program that ran alongside the voyage, part of Semester at Sea’s efforts to build global conversation skills.

Training prior to the trip prepared students to facilitate dialogue on issues such as human rights, food security and education. Once the ship reached each port, the cohort met with local leaders.

In India, discussions around women’s education felt especially personal, and Hernandez noticed how often her opinions as a young woman were brushed aside, reinforcing her desire to advocate for girls’ access to schooling.

Turning 12 Ports into a Global Classroom Through Study Abroad

On her itinerary, Hernandez studied abroad in Amsterdam, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Cambodia and Thailand. In port, students explored cities and communities, sometimes on their own and sometimes through “in‑port” class days, where professors designed activities that connected course content to local realities.

Those experiences helped Hernandez see how issues like education, gender equity and media representation look different around the world – and how they intersect.

Living in the Moment – and Bringing Stories Back to Montclair

Hernandez is still processing the impact of the voyage.

“One of the biggest takeaways was to just live in the moment because I am such a perfectionist, and when I travel – especially when it comes to safety – I want to know where I’m going, who I’m going with, where I’m staying,” she says.

With no internet during long stretches at sea and last‑minute itinerary changes – like diverting from France to Portugal due to protests – she had to loosen her grip and trust the journey.

“As a first-generation student, I can’t really have control over my entire life,” Hernandez said. “I just have to take risks and be spontaneous at what I’m doing. And so that really helps set my mindset to what I want to do.”

On track to graduate in 2027, Hernandez says the experience clarified her purpose as an aspiring filmmaker.

“I want to continue pursuing my career in film and telling stories about people from all over the world because I realized there are a lot of stereotypes I didn’t even know existed,” she says. “Traveling abroad, I learned so much about people in their communities and cultures that I want to help share those stories and bring awareness.”

Study Abroad: Take Your Education Global

Hernandez’s voyage is one example of how Montclair students turn the world into their classroom. Through International Academic Initiatives, Montclair offers:

• More than in over 50 countries
• , plus semester‑ and year‑long options across disciplines
• Access to to help students fund international experiences

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey? Accepted students: Make it official by submitting your new student deposit.

Olga Mikutina carves deep edges into the ice at the ����vlog Ice Arena, building the speed and rotation that turns heads. Austria’s Olympic figure skater is a Business Administration major at Montclair, working shifts at the campus IT Service Desk, and as she balanced classes with training, she closed out the year by winning her fifth national title at the Austrian Championships, setting up a run to the European Championships and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

“A lot of people were surprised when I decided to leave Austria and study outside the country, but it was my dream to go to the U.S., to be in a new environment close to New York and to meet new people,” she says.

Originally from Ukraine, Olga moved to Austria at age 12 to train with a renowned coach, later gaining Austrian citizenship and an invitation from the national federation to represent the country in international competition.

By the time she applied to Montclair, Olga, 22, had already competed at the Beijing Olympics and was debating whether to keep skating competitively while pursuing a degree. “I was still skating, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue doing it full time,” she says. �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s on-campus ice rink and access to elite coaches helped tip the balance.

“I found an amazing coaching team here (at both Montclair and the Ice House in Hackensack, where many Olympians train). They saw potential in me and believed I could achieve much more. They gave me the belief that I should keep going.”

A typical Monday begins with a walk across campus to University Hall, where Olga works at �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s IT Service Desk to help cover her full tuition. The job is a necessity: she and her family are funding her American education themselves.

Answering IT phone support calls, Olga helps students, faculty and staff with tech issues at �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s IT Service Desk.

On the Ice: Training for Milan 2026

Olga spends about 15 hours a week training on the ice, usually in two one-hour sessions. She qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics at last season’s World Figure Skating Championships and has had a packed competition schedule, including the Austrian national, where she defended her title in December, and the upcoming European championships.

“Each training session is very focused and straight to the point,” she says. “My first practice, I work on my short program routine, second practice on my long program routine.”��

She sometimes skates the full programs; other days she and her coaches break them into shorter sections, repeating difficult jumps or footwork several times with and without music to build stamina and precision.��

For the spring semester, she plans to take a mix of online and in-person courses to better align her class schedule with the Olympic figure skating events. She’ll watch the opening ceremonies from Montclair, where she’ll remain preparing and taking classes, before arriving in Milan a few days before her own competition begins.

Olga’s vision board: “Every time when I look at this picture, I start feeling excitement and joy. The medals are my goal. It requires a lot of work, and every day when I wake up, I know that my work will pay off. I feel grateful for my health and for all the support around me.”

Warm-up to skating: exercise for abs. “To be honest, I didn’t watch figure skating when I was little. I always told my mom, ‘I am the best.’ I don’t compare myself to others, but right now my mindset has changed and I’m seeing a lot of great athletes who inspire me and are role models for me.”

As an elite athlete, Olga does have a dressing room, but prefers to lace up in the hallway. “It’s more fun to be surrounded by people and it’s also warmer,” she says. At the Montclair rink, she shares the ice with members of the Israeli national team and other elite skaters representing countries such as Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

Olga and her boyfriend, ice dancer Misha Nosovitskiy, who also grew up in Ukraine. “When I was moving here, I wasn’t expecting to meet my first love,” she says.

Olga’s Olympic programs show different sides of her skating. “I have two programs: one is to ‘Nothing Else Matters’ by Metallica – it’s a rock style, I love it,” she said. “The other one is very instrumental,” set to Asaf Avidan’s “One Day / Reckoning Song.”

When war broke out in Ukraine, Olga’s birthplace of Kharkiv was among the sites of some of the heaviest fighting. She has said that when she steps onto the ice, she can imagine herself in another world, away from worries about the war. Even today, when she skates, she focuses on difficult jumps, choreography and how her body moves, trying to shut out everything else – schoolwork, news and personal worries – and concentrate only on the work in front of her.

“At the Olympics, I will try to surprise the judges with my charisma. I want the judges to fall in love with my energy and to feel the power of me skating,” she says.

A jump entrance into spin.

Her name engraved on the blade.

Staying Connected to Home and Coaches

After practice, Olga steps outside the arena to call her mother, Victoria, in Austria and say good night before the time difference makes it too late. She is grateful to her mother, who moved with her to Austria so she could train. “She left her own life in Ukraine and was brave enough to take this step.”

Twice a week, Olga heads to the campus track where she sets up her phone for a Zoom session with her main coach Elena Romanova in Austria, who sends training plans, reviews video and works with her live on jumps and technique. She also trains in the U.S. with coaches Roman Serov and Anna Zadorozhniuk at the Ice House in Hackensack.

On the track, she practices her jumps off the ice, working on height and rotation while her coach watches on video and corrects mistakes. She often draws curious looks and comments – “How can you turn so fast?” – from students passing by.

Finding Her Place on Campus

“It was my dream to come study and train in the United States. Was it everything I thought the experience would be? Well, the expectations were different. But the reality has over-met the expectations,” she says. “I’ve met a lot of great people, made friends. I wasn’t expecting to have such great conditions for sports and coaching, and that everyone would be supporting me, helping me on my way.”

Taking a Business Strategy class, Olga says, “I also wasn’t expecting the studying process to be so fun and interesting. I thought it would be much harder, to be honest. But I like the way professors are teaching us here.”

Olga and her friend Milena Ladeishchikova, an international student from Russia studying Accounting at Montclair, connected as freshmen. “We had a lot of the same issues or same things we were going through,” Olga says. “We could compare the American style of life with a European one. We could discuss the food, the university itself, the people here.”

Olga and Milena meet for dinner at the Freeman Dining Hall, where they value the healthy food options.

The day isn’t over yet. Olga heads to a study session for a project in her Entrepreneurial Mindset class, where the group rehearses a presentation on their business idea.

“For this project we put in a lot of work. We created a website, a prototype, slides,” she says of the “Joy Journal” concept her group developed to support students’ mental health.

Finally, back in her Blanton Hall dorm room, Olga unwinds with her roommate since sophomore year, Madison Rowley. “She’s funny, friendly, very kind. She also skates. It was a big surprise when we came together. We were put together randomly by Res Life, and I can remember before I moved in, she texted me asking if I’m a figure skater, if I’m an Olympian. She came last year to the World Championships in Boston to support me.”

On track to graduate in December 2026, Olga is focused for now on the Olympics and then on internships with companies looking for Business Administration majors. She is concentrating in International Business and speaks four languages – Russian, Ukrainian, English and German – and hopes to use that international background in whatever comes after Milan 2026.

As told to Marilyn Joyce Lehren, University Communications and Marketing

Photography by University Photographer Mike Peters

Through this photo essay, part of an ongoing series, we highlight how Montclair students, faculty and staff embody the University’s mission in the classroom, on campus and beyond – empowering a diverse community by providing broad access to rigorous learning, advancing research and creativity, and forming partnerships for the common good.��

for a complete look at Olga’s day as an elite athlete, student and friend.

Ready to start your Montclair journey?

Accepted Students: Secure your spot and register to attend Accepted Student Day.

Prospective Students: Visit and .

Journalists: Contact �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s Media Relations for photographs or to schedule an interview.

����vlog MBA students Katarina Rodriguez and Nova Pierre Louis believe that meaningful change doesn’t happen all at once. It starts with a single idea, a single story – a single domino.

That’s why they’re bringing to life on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Montclair Mezzanine, an event space on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair.��

“It’s about the small things that lead to something bigger,” says Rodriguez. “Everything that happens in our lives, good or bad, can come from a small action.”

The TEDx Montclair event will bring together thought leaders, creatives and changemakers to explore how small actions can spark powerful, lasting change – in individuals, families and entire communities.

A Domino Starts It All

Rodriguez and Pierre Louis are applying what they’ve learned at �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s Feliciano School of Business to elevate the voices and ideas. Their vision for The Domino Effect is grounded in lived experience and a shared commitment to making opportunity more accessible.

Both Rodriguez and Pierre Louis earned their bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration from Montclair in 2024 and are on track to complete their accelerated MBAs in August. They also balance full-time roles: Rodriguez serves as an assistant for Faculty-Led International Programs in Study Abroad and, starting in July, Pierre Louis will join Feliciano Global as a programs associate.

As the event approaches, TEDx Montclair speakers gather for a group photo during a rehearsal break. Back row, from left: Jade Walters, Chris W. Fitzpatrick, Gary J. Nix, Paige Swanstein. Front row, from left: Kathleen Culver, Nick Fuentes-Zuluaga and Anjali Badrinath. Not pictured: D’vorah Graeser. (Photo courtesy of Nev Trinajstic, Nev Photography)

Final Touches

Rooted in the belief that social mobility is a shared responsibility, TEDx Montclair invites audiences to consider new perspectives on progress – and who has the power to shape it, Rodriguez and Pierre Louis say. The event will feature that challenge the status quo and encourage action.

Two of the featured speakers have strong Montclair ties:

• ’04 will explore mentorship as a catalyst for transformation
• ’24 PhD will speak about empathy as a tool for collective change

The conference is volunteer-driven, with Montclair students leading efforts in merchandise, media, design and logistics.

“Planning TEDx is like running a business,” says Pierre Louis. “I’m using both what I’ve learned in class and what I’ve done in previous jobs.”

While TEDx Montclair is independently organized under license from TED, the values woven into it reflect ����vlog’s mission to broaden access and opportunity. “Although this is non-affiliated to the University itself, we cannot discredit the fact that this ideology of social mobility is something Montclair emphasizes,” says Rodriguez.

“In many ways, the University influenced us as people,” she adds. “It’s shed light on what this word – social mobility – really means. And it doesn’t always look a certain way.”

Attend TEDx Montclair

• Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 6 p.m.
• Montclair Mezzanine, 486 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
• Limited tickets and information available at

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

• Prospective Students: It’s not too late to apply! ����vlog is and deposits for fall 2025.
• Looking Ahead? The application for fall 2026 opens August 1. Plan your visit and in applying to become a Red Hawk!
• Interested in Business? Learn more about the Feliciano School of Business and our MBA options.

“I don’t like to leave things unfinished,” says Ralph Castellano, a retired firefighter who just completed a journey nearly five decades in the making – earning his degree in Business Administration from ����vlog.

Castellano has worn many hats: mason, firefighter, small business owner, husband, father – and now, proud college graduate. He began taking night classes at Montclair in January 1975 while working full time in construction.

“I was accepted part time and went at night for about six years,” he recalls. “Then I got on the fire department and said, ‘I’ll finish this some other time.’ And I did – 50 years later.”

Though he initially pursued a degree in accounting, Castellano wasn’t sure how he’d adapt to corporate life. “I was never one for sitting,” he laughs. But following advice from his father – a mason and deputy fire chief – he took the firefighter exam. “The benefits were good. It was a solid job. I took the test, and I’m glad I did – I stayed 40 years.”

A Life of Service

His roots in the Belleville Fire Department run deep, even helping as a mason to build parts of the station with his father before officially joining. Over the years, Castellano became a fire prevention specialist, giving safety talks in schools and community centers, and collaborating with The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.

In 2012, Castellano received the prestigious Valor Award, which honors first responders who go above and beyond in life-threatening situations. While en route to a fire inspection, he responded to a call about an apartment complex fire in Belleville. Without protective gear, he rushed into the smoke-filled building, knocking on doors and helping residents escape – including an older woman overcome by heat and smoke.

“It was the right place at the right time,” he says humbly. “I believe any firefighter would’ve done the same.”

While he considered retiring after 30 years, life had other plans. “Today is actually a sad day,” he shared during his spotlight interview. “It’s been 15 years since my first wife, Marianne, passed away from ovarian cancer.” Together, they raised two children, Kimberly and Christopher. Castellano extended his career after her passing, finally retiring in 2020.

Retirement brought time for reflection – and renewal. He remarried. His wife, Joan, a certified Laughter Yoga teacher and adjunct professor, along with his sister Marion Bergenfeld, encouraged him to finish what he started.

Many of his original courses – including one in key punch computing – no longer exist, but Castellano learned he was fewer than 30 credits away from earning his degree. Over the past four years, he took one class per semester.

“Here I am,” he says, smiling. “It’s been great – the professors, the students. Coming in as an older student, I wasn’t sure how I’d be accepted. I studied every night to keep up with the kids. But I loved it. It kept my mind sharp.”��

He’s not done learning. Castellano, 68, is now enrolled in a hybrid MBA program at New Jersey City University and is planning a safari next year in South Africa.��

He remains active in the community through his local Knights of Columbus chapter and continues working part time at the firehouse.

His advice to other older adults thinking about returning to school? “Do it. It’s absolutely worth it. You’re never too old.”

The University will celebrate its graduates at Commencement exercises on Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Story by Marilyn Joyce Lehren, University Communications and Marketing

Ready to Start Your Montclair Life?

• Prospective Students or Parents: Learn more about Montclair admissions and the Feliciano School of Business.
• Journalists: Contact our Media Relations team to request assets or schedule an interview with a member of the Class of 2025.

Highlights from the 2025 Best Online Programs Rankings:

• �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program is ranked No. 14 in the nation and No. 1 in New Jersey. The education programs survey also ranked certain specialty areas, including Educational Administration and Supervision, in which the University also ranked at No. 13.
• �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s ranked at No. 100 in the nation. The , Master of Science in Digital Marketing Analytics and Master of Science in Human Resources Analytics programs ranked at No. 61 in the nation, up 10 spots from 2024.
• The University’s Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Applied Information Technology (Professional Science Master’s) is ranked No. 50.
• The University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, launched in 2018, had another substantial increase, improving nearly 20 spots to No. 58 and ranked No. 2 in New Jersey.

U.S. News & World Report program rankings are based on scores from five categories – student engagement, services and technologies, student excellence, faculty credentials and training, and opinions of academic experts.

“We recognize that no two pathways to a degree are alike, and our educational options reflect that reality,” says Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales. “These latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report are demonstrative of our efforts to be leaders in offering curricula that best serves the 21st-century student. We are honored to be ranked among some of the best online degree programs in the country.”

Montclair’s Online Program Offerings

Montclair also offers several other online graduate degree and certificate options designed to equip working professionals with career-enhancing skills, including:

• A Master of Arts in Child Advocacy and Policy
• A low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Dance
• A Master of Arts in Social Research and Data Analysis
• A Master of Arts in Mathematics Education
• A Master of Science in Accounting
• A Master of Social Work
• Graduate certificate and certification programs in advocacy, business, education and technology for those who want to build out or update skills to enhance their careers.

For more information on all of ����vlog’s online graduate programs, visit montclair.edu/online. Learn more about �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s rankings by visiting .

New online degree programs at Montclair:

• Online Bachelor’s in Psychology, a fully asynchronous program which allows graduates to find success in a wide variety of career paths including roles in social services, marketing research, counseling, mental health, education, business, finance, human resources and more.
• Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration, a highly ranked and AACSB-accredited program with concentrations in Marketing, Management, and Finance. The program’s innovative courses help students master the business theories and best practices that promote continuous advancement in the fast-paced workforce of the future.
• Online Master’s in Accounting, designed for career changers looking to enter the accounting field or those interested in preparing to sit for the New Jersey CPA examination. This AACSB-accredited program allows highly qualified graduates to go on to work in corporations, nonprofit institutions and in the public sector.
• Online Master of Social Work (MSW), which prepares graduates to provide social work practice and advocacy services to help individuals, families, groups, and communities. The Children, Youth and Families concentration is uniquely focused on supporting children and families within diverse groups and populations.

The university offers more than 30 online degree and certificate programs in a wide range of in-demand fields, including:

• Educational Leadership
• Applied Information Technology
• Nursing
• Social Research

Students in these online programs receive comprehensive support, with access to advising and career resources, all while enjoying the flexibility to earn their degrees while balancing work and other responsibilities outside of the classroom.

“At Montclair, we believe in breaking down barriers to success for our students,” says Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales. “Offering these new bachelor’s and master’s programs in flexible learning modalities allows us to set up our graduates for careers in many in-demand fields.”

For more information about �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s online degree programs, visit: montclair.edu/online/online-degree-programs.

Being a quintuplet is exceptionally rare. Rarer still is all five attending the same college and graduating on the same day. But that’s what the Povolo quintuplets – Victoria, Ludovico, Ashley, Michael and Marcus – have accomplished at ����vlog. On Monday, May 13, they will make history at the University’s Commencement when they walk across the platform to receive their degrees one after the other.

The milestone at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, is believed to be the first time quints have simultaneously graduated from a New Jersey higher ed institution, with the Povolos joining just a handful of other multiple siblings in the nation who celebrated their “quintessential” college experience by graduating from the same college in the same academic year.

From Montclair, the Povolos will earn degrees in five different majors:

• Victoria Povolo, Biochemistry; minor Italian
• Ludovico Povolo, Political Science, minor Pre-Law, Business
• Ashley Povolo, English, Teacher Education Program, certification in P-12
• Michael Povolo, Nutrition and Food Science, concentration Dietetics
• Marcus Povolo, Business Administration, concentration International Business

“Montclair helped us be together, but also helped us to become our own people, with our own majors, our own interests, our own friend groups,” Victoria says. “We customized our own paths, but we got to the finish line together.”

The siblings credit their parents, Paolo Povolo, a building engineer for Cushman & Wakefield, and Silvia Povolo, assistant housekeeping supervisor for the University, for encouraging them to follow their dreams and instilling both a strong work ethic and the importance of education.

“The support that they have for us, obviously, there’s a reason why we made it this far,” Victoria says. “Our parents always encourage us to do our best, and the best doesn’t look the same for everyone, which I think is also something we learned growing up and explains why we’re all doing different things.”

Marcus Povolo has landed a job with the financial giant JPMorgan Chase & Co. He’s the only sibling to live on campus, a move he made so that he could easily access the campus train station to commute to Jersey City for work and have a quiet place to study. To stay on track to graduate in four years, he took courses during the summer and winter breaks, asynchronous classes and expedited classes.

“This definitely wasn’t easy, managing full-time school and work,” Marcus says. “There were times where I figured doing one would be a lot easier. I just had to push myself through.”

Victoria plans to take a year off to work and save money for medical school to study forensic medicine. She’s held several undergraduate research positions in , opportunities she shared in the Amazon-series The College Tour. She’s currently researching personality disorders and interning in a morgue.

Michael Povolo, a student athlete, will continue at Montclair next fall to complete a 4+1 program, meaning after five years he will have earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nutrition. He’s a defensive midfielder on the Red Hawks lacrosse team, interns at an assisted living community, and coaches youth lacrosse.

Ludovico Povolo, a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, is known by his college friends and at the restaurant where he works by his nickname, Vico. Before college he went by his middle name, Masha. His academic interests have also seen changes. While he once saw himself headed to a career in law, a professor pointed out that with his gregarious nature he might want to consider business. He found it a better fit with his evolving interests. He’ll shortly begin work as a sales and marketing representative for Techtronic Industries in northern New Jersey.

Ashley Povolo, a future teacher, is completing her clinical experience as a high school advanced placement English teacher. She works as a University Fellow and studied abroad in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, which she says took her outside the comfort zone of being part of a big family as she navigated the experience on her own. Ashley wrote a poem about how their birth order (Victoria, the oldest, Vico, Ashley, Michael and Marcus, the youngest by minutes) has shaped their lives.

“They’re my best friends,” Ashley says. “We’ve grown up together and literally know everything about each other. So it did hit me the other day that graduation is the last big thing that I’m going to experience with them at the same time.”

The siblings frequently meet on campus for coffee and meals, and share rides to and from school. “I do need that closeness and seeing them all the time and being around them all the time,” Victoria says. “It completes what I need, and the others for sure think the same. We always regroup, no matter how far we’ve been, no matter where we’ve gone, we always come back and regroup.”

The Povolo quintuplets captured the public’s attention when they were born on the Fourth of July, 2002, and dubbed by a local newspaper “Five Little Firecrackers” on their first birthday.

As they’ve grown, the siblings, now 21, say they’ve enjoyed the curiosity that comes with the rarity of being a quint.

“Personally, I love the attention,” says Vico. “I love talking about it. It’s unique and refreshing.”

College graduation promises to put them in the spotlight again. The University, which will hold two Commencements for students based on their college or school, has made accommodations so the Povolos can receive their diplomas together at the morning ceremony on May 13.

“We’ll need a tissue box for my mom,” Michael says. “She’s definitely going to cry.”

Graduation for five, let alone college for five wasn’t a given for the Povolo quintuplets. “I remember our senior year [at Passaic Valley High School],” says Michael. “We were sitting down and asking, ‘What are we going to do for school?’ We talked about community college, jobs and training programs. Each of us wanted very different things in terms of majors. But the one thing we shared was applying to Montclair.”

The University was close enough to their home in Totowa, New Jersey, that the money they saved by commuting might just make college accessible. All five were accepted and Victoria reached out to the University’s financial aid office to ask about scholarships or loans they might qualify for.

“I was very aware of the financial situation of my family,” Victoria says. “If it had been too much, I would have bowed out and just not gone to college because I didn’t want to put that on my parents, and I didn’t want to put that on myself financially.”

But, as Victoria would learn, each of the Povolos qualified for Presidential Scholarships for high-achieving students, and also qualified for need-based grants and small merit scholarships that in total amounted to a tuition-free four years for the family.

At a meeting with high school guidance counselors in February 2020 – supposedly to “explore ways to pay for college” – with a giant replica check made payable for five higher educations.

Just the week prior, their parents had looked into refinancing their home. “And then Montclair pulls up and gives us a great deal,” Michael recalls. Times five, the scholarships and financial assistance made what seemed impossible, possible.

“It’s so big we can’t even put words to it,” says their mother, Silvia Povolo, recalling that moment and what it has since meant to the family. “I always sit down with them and say, ‘You had four years of college that came to your table and you had the chance to take it with no cost. Whatever you learned in these four years, it’s a blessing… it’s a key to open a golden door.’”

A few weeks before graduation, they were still deciding how to celebrate but leaning toward a backyard party.

“It’s a gigantic moment for them and for us,” says their father, Paolo. “So basically, we’ve been saying, ‘when one door closes another one opens.’ In the sense that college is coming to an end, we have to think of the future, we have to think of what’s next … and that is in the making.”

Story by Staff Writer Marilyn Joyce Lehren. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters.

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Red Hawk football captain Nicholas Burgess, aka “Agent 0” because of his uniform number, and offensive lineman Cameron Siebert, #64, will receive Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Management and Accounting, respectively. They’ll both return to campus this summer to work on their MBAs.

Managing his business

With Burgess’ selection as New Jersey Athletic Conference [NJAC]’s 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, All-Region, All-District and All-Conference one might think that football is his Plan A. It’s definitely his Plan B.

Plan A has always been getting an MBA and working in finance. “I love football, but I never had a dream of playing pro football,” he says. Still, Burgess plans to participate in next year’s NJAC pro-scout day and “if that opportunity shows up, I’ll commit to it. If not, I’m OK with my football career.”

It’s not surprising given that Burgess was named NJAC’s Academic Athlete of the Year.

But first, he’ll take care of business. “I’ve always wanted to get an MBA, regardless of the timeline,” Burgess says. “For me to be able to do it while doing my undergrad degree, and then be able to finish it within a year is everything you could ask for. The program is everything and more.”

Burgess credits academic advisors with making sure that students “are on top of our stuff. We’re learning more about the professional world and general business, and then you’re able to see how your undergrad experience applies to your graduate school experience.”

But those who know Burgess credit his accomplishments on his hard work and determination.

“Everything he does, he does it 100%, whether it’s football, his internship or his classes,” says Head Football Coach Mike Palazzo. “He cares. There’s nobody on this team or who knows Nick who can say he doesn’t care about, not only his success, but the team’s success.”��

Management Instructional Specialist Lisa Brooks Greaux has taught Burgess in four business classes the past two years and gives him high praise. “Nicholas sits in the front row, dead center, and he’s always paying attention, always taking notes, always asking questions, but the interesting thing about him, probably because he’s also captain of the football team, is that he engages the rest of the class,” she says. “So, he actually raises the bar for the rest of the class, by his participation and by his presence.��

Because of his success juggling academics, football and an internship at the financial firm Morgan Stanley, Burgess was featured in an award-winning, eight-minute YouTube video titled about the star student’s athleticism, passion and legacy. In it, his parents Silas and Nickia Burgess say he’s worked hard and been successful as both a student and an athlete.

In the video, football teammate Mason Murdock shares that he admires Burgess’ time management skills. “I don’t know how he does it, working 30 hours a week, taking 18 credits and being a captain on the football team,” he says, “and he still finds time for extracurriculars. It’s insane.”

Burgess acknowledges that “it’s not an easy balance,” but says he learned time management from his parents and at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, an all-boys Catholic school, before moving to Hackensack, New Jersey.

“I’m always searching for more things to accomplish,” Burgess says. “My biggest thing with that is just being intentional. Everything I do has to allow for my goals.”

Burgess is looking forward to marking his graduation with his extended family but he’s especially looking forward to the celebration that accompanies Commencement. His 2020 graduation from Cardinal Hayes was held on YouTube. “They gave students their flowers but we didn’t get to experience it together,” he says. “I’m looking forward to just the atmosphere and just being a part of a graduation finally, after a long four years … being joyful and experiencing all of that with my family.”

Scoring a first-generation degree

Siebert also had a COVID-19 ceremony for his high school graduation and is looking forward to Commencement. His parents, grandparents and aunts will be on hand to celebrate that he’s the first in his family to earn a college degree.

Although Siebert was undecided on a major when he entered Montclair, he chose the 4+1 MBA program. “The opportunity came that I could do that and also play that fifth year of football, so it just made sense,” says Siebert, who also worked part time managing a recreational basketball team in Pequannock Township, New Jersey.

After acquiring his MBA, Siebert says, “I want to go into business to do project management or sports management.”

Associate Business Management Professor Te Wu had Seibert in his Project Management class. “Cameron performed very well, earning 950 points [out of 1,000 points for the class]. This is a solid A. A strong student, he regularly participated in class and asked ‘smart’ questions. For his research paper, he wrote an insightful report about the SoFi Stadium and its construction. It was a pleasure having Cameron in my class.”

Both Siebert and Burgess are committed leaders, albeit with different styles. They always show up, despite their busy schedules. “Cam is a quiet leader on the team. He doesn’t have to say much but he leads by example. He hasn’t missed a practice or workout session in four years, and he does the extra things that show he’s extremely dedicated to the team,” Palazzo says. “He’s an impressive student because, much like Nick, he’s able to be a 4+1 student and you wouldn’t even know he has a heavy workload. He is very good at managing his time.”

Palazzo is always happy to see his players graduate. Noting that Montclair is “not a football factory, churning out pro players,” the coach says he has one goal: “To get these guys to graduate and get a degree and get a job.”

Meanwhile, he’ll gladly welcome back both players for a fifth year of football. “Both Nick and Cam are leaders of the program,” Palazzo says. “They are great role models for the rest of our team and future Red Hawks.”

Story by Staff Writer Sylvia A. Martinez.

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Some popular programs, such as Film and Television Production and Summertime in the Big Apple: Exciting Excursions in New York City, are returning while new programs have been added. “This year, so far, Film and Television Production is still very popular but the most popular appears to be the new Pre-Medical Professionals program,” says Dominique Houze, senior director for Strategy and Program Development.

“I’m excited for this program because some students at that age should still be exploring, and they don’t have to know exactly what they are completely interested in yet,” Houze says. “We’re giving them a taste of living life as a college student for one week. You’re on the campus, you’re going to class, you’re meeting new people, you’re eating in the dining halls, you’re utilizing our campus resources. Our ultimate goal is to get students to really fall in love with ����vlog early on; we have a beautiful campus, and we have amazing facilities.”

While the classes are meant to be fun and don’t have the pressure of grades and credits, they are also educational, Houze says. “They might not be receiving tests and final grades that go on to their transcript but they are learning, and it is taken seriously. It’s not just a fun time, it’s also academics and a good example of what Montclair is as an undergraduate student.”

An estimated 250 students are expected to participate in this summer’s programs, which are open to rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders. (To apply, visit the Pre-College Summer Program page.)

For faculty, Houze says the summer programs are a chance to get creative. “With the pre-college population, there’s a bigger opportunity to be innovative and take a little bit of what you currently do, mix in new strategies that you want to explore, new research that you found and create something unique for the pre-college population.”

Professor Lauren Carr is excited to teach the new Animation and VFX session this summer. She remembers fondly her own participation in a summer program, so when Keith Strudler, director of the School of Communication and Media, approached her about offering the class, she was all in.

“I did this actually when I was in high school; it’s something I’ll never forget. It was really fun. I met a lot of other kids, and I got to get the best feel for college, and I also learned about college while I was there. I learned things that I wouldn’t have found out until I got to college, so it was definitely beneficial,” Carr says.

Students in this program can look forward to everything from figure drawing to 3D sculpting and will visit Nickelodeon and other animation studios. “The classes are fun,” she says. “They’re not going to be intense and stressful. It’s kind of a laid back and collaborative atmosphere, so it should be nice.”

Justice Studies Associate Professor Daniela Peterka-Benton, who is co-leading Law and Order: Understanding America’s Criminal Justice System, with Professor Gabriel Rubin, says she thinks summer programs expand students’ vision of the future. “It’s a great opportunity. It’s hard sometimes for [high schoolers] to see what the world has to offer. So, any opportunity to try out certain areas and see if this is actually something that really interests them, I think is great. I’m really, really happy Montclair is offering all these programs now.”

Also new this summer are two programs taking place in July:

• The Montclair Broadway Institute, where talented Montclair students will be immersed in all things Broadway for three days, July 22-24.
• The Study Abroad in Sicily, Italy program, open to high school students 16 or older. Led by History Professor Dawn Marie Hayes, who runs a similar program for college students, the 10-day excursion offers students an opportunity to earn three history credits. The program runs July 19-30.

The Pre-College 2024 Summer Programs include:

Animation and VFX – Students will delve into the fundamentals of animation and visual effects, work in the University’s state-of-the-art computer labs, where they will be introduced to 3D modeling, 3D Animation and other animation tools. The program also includes a day trip to New York City for an exclusive tour of cutting-edge visual effects studios.

Business Entrepreneurship and Innovation – This program is for students who are business-minded or dream of being their own boss as entrepreneurs. They will explore tech and business trends, take a field trip to Wall Street and to meet with business leaders.

Computer Science – Students will experience the work of a threat intelligence analyst through a fun, gamified, hands-on approach to learning about cybersecurity and gain practical knowledge about becoming a Security Operations Center Analyst, a Threat Hunter, an Incident Responder and a Cyber Intelligence Analyst.

Law and Order: Understanding America’s Criminal Justice System – Students will explore the many professions and aspects of law and order and take a field trip to a courtroom. From learning how the criminal mind works to role playing as a lawyer or judge, they will expand their knowledge about policing, crime scene analysis and community justice.

Film and Television Production – Students will produce, direct and edit a project. In addition to working with actors, they’ll learn about lighting, working on a film set and visit a film or television studio, where they will meet with working professionals and learn more about careers in the film and television industry.

Model United Nations – Students will play United Nations diplomats, while learning to draft resolutions, deliver statements and negotiate. Led by Professor Alfredo Toro Carnevali, a former UN Ambassador, the students will put to use a variety of foreign policy tools and visit the UN in New York.

Pre-medical Professions – Aspiring medical professionals will learn about anatomy and many areas of the medical profession, putting their newly gained knowledge to the test in a tournament. They will also receive training in CPR, the use of defibrillators and how to stop bleeding and will interact with medical professionals.

Social Media Success: Influencing, Marketing and Creative Strategy – Students will be immersed in the world of social media, working with influencers and brands, and ultimately create a social media campaign. A field trip to a New York City communications agency is planned.

Sports Communication – Budding sports journalists and commentators will get hands-on experience by producing content using the University’s state-of-the-art digital studios and equipment. Students will hone their sports writing skills across multimedia formats and take a field trip to a sporting event in the New York City area.

Summertime in the Big Apple: Exciting Excursions in New York City – Students will travel to Manhattan daily to learn about the city’s history, architecture, culture and ethnic cuisine. They will also attend Hamilton on Broadway and produce photo essays of their experiences.

The Craft of Acting – Aspiring actors will learn to listen and react moment to moment to a dramatic text, train for voice work and ultimately discover their natural voice and physical expression. A field trip to see Harry Potter, with Montclair alum Kira Jordan, BFA Acting ’xx, on Broadway show is also on tap.

Wall Street and the Investment Experience – Students interested in finance will explore it all with a walking tour of Wall Street and the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City. Program Director Christopher Russomanno says “there’s a lot of�� misinformation” about Wall Street, so this program will help demystify it. Students will learn some financial math, how the industry works and even examine how Wall Street is portrayed in movies.

For more information and to apply for summer 2024, visit the Pre-College Summer Program page.

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Story by Staff Writer Sylvia A. Martinez. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters.