New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of her leadership and service, underscoring Montclair’s mission to serve the public and expand access to education and opportunity.

“At this moment, with your degree, you’re more powerful than ever. You will chart the path forward,” Governor Sherrill told graduates, saying she has “so much faith” in their ability to lead.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill delivers her first commencement address since taking office after receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from ĚÇĐÄvlog.

The Class of 2026, she said, is “more empathetic, more thoughtful, more tested than any generation since at least the greatest generation – and possibly ever,” citing the ways students have navigated a global pandemic, social media‑driven division and emerging AI.

During the two ceremonies, students from 37 states and 12 countries earned doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees across Montclair’s 300‑plus academic programs. They are committed to building a brighter future through work in social action, public health, business, public service, education, research, the arts, science and the humanities.

On May 11, the University celebrated students from the College of the Arts, College of Communication and Media, College for Community Health and Feliciano School of Business.

On May 12, Montclair recognized graduates of , the College for Education and Engaged Learning, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Science and Mathematics and the School of Nursing.

University President Jonathan Koppell challenged graduates to consider “what’s going to sustain you” as they leave campus. “What’s going to motivate you? How will you get through it when the unexpected confronts you?” he asked, saying that at a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, they must play a key role in defining what the country will be.

Student Government Association President Leila Jones echoed that challenge, reminding classmates they are more than any single moment.

“Somewhere along the way, I didn’t become fearless. I just stopped letting fear decide for me,” Jones said. “We are not defined by one moment or one version of ourselves. We’re shaped by the experiences that push us to grow.” Her message set the tone for the many stories of resilience, opportunity and impact that define the Class of 2026.

Arianna Amina Joseph, who earned a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, delivers a soulful rendition of the national anthem as her performance is broadcast on Prudential Center’s video board.

Turning challenges into purpose

Many graduates were first in their families to earn college degrees. Across programs, they balanced family, work and study – including single parents, adult learners and military-affiliated students – while serving communities close to home and around the world.

“Like me, many of you arrived here carrying the dreams of your families and communities,” said Senior Class Speaker Ethan Garcia, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts and Technology from Bloomfield College of ĚÇĐÄvlog.

“Be proud of this accomplishment and remember: you belong in every room you walk into. Your voice and your story matter.”

Among the graduate spotlights are members of the Class of 2026 whose journeys reflect resilience, purpose and a commitment to serving others:

• A first-generation scientist heading to medical school, turning grief into a commitment to healing.
• A student exploring politics, policy and religion who gained hands-on experience in United Nations climate advocacy.
• A graduate from abroad who persevered through political unrest to earn his master’s degree and continue his work in education.
• A Cali Pathways Project graduate who pivoted from music to business and now hopes to create spaces where artists can perform and connect.

A ĚÇĐÄvlog graduate stands in the glass atrium of Prudential Center during the 2026 Spring Commencement exercises.

Joy, pride and a shared mission

ĚÇĐÄvlog President Jonathan Koppell takes a selfie with the Class of 2026 to close out the 2026 Spring Commencement ceremony at Prudential Center.

Koppell told graduates they would carry fresh ideas, talent and optimism into a world that urgently needs their leadership at what he called an inflection point for the country. He asked them to consider “what values will you choose to help you navigate the days ahead?” He reminded them that “the only insurmountable obstacle to change is the unsubstantiated belief that change is not possible.”

During the ceremony on May 11, Graduate School speaker Jason Edward Cameron, a 46-year-old who earned his Master of Fine Arts in Dance, offered fellow graduates a message that looked beyond the ceremony:

“This diploma is not an ending. It’s a beginning,” he said. “So, choose boldly. Choose work that matters. Choose growth over comfort. Choose to begin again when necessary.”

ĚÇĐÄvlog graduate students celebrate as they sit together on the arena floor during the 2026 Spring Commencement exercises.

Photos by University Photographers Mike Peters and John J. LaRosa

Celebrate with us

• Watch the replays on YouTube:
  • Monday, May 11: |
  • Tuesday, May 12: |
• Explore more graduate stories at Montclair’s graduate spotlights to see how the Class of 2026 is already making a difference in New Jersey and around the world.

Kananelo Mokati, a Fulbright Scholar from Lesotho, will return home to work on maternal health policy after overcoming a critical funding challenge with the help of the Department of Public Health.

Kananelo Mokati: A Global Mission for Maternal Health

For Mokati, the journey to a Master of Public Health was fueled by a calling that transcends borders. A Fulbright Scholar and trained midwife, she traveled from her home country of Lesotho in South Africa to ĚÇĐÄvlog to bridge the gap between clinical practice and systemic health policy.

Choosing Montclair was a strategic decision for Mokati, who sought the professional energy of the New York metropolitan area without the overwhelming “noise” of the city. At Montclair, she found her home in the Health Systems Administration and Policy concentration, where she could focus on the structural barriers facing health-care delivery.

However, her journey faced a critical challenge in 2025 when federal funding for her Fulbright program was unexpectedly eliminated. “At that point, it felt like all the hard work I had put in over the past year was about to go down the drain. It wasn’t a lack of support, but a moment where answers simply weren’t available,” Mokati recalls.

With help from her advisor, Professor Amanda Birnbaum, and Public Health Department Chair Lisa Lieberman, Mokati secured a summer internship with the School of Nursing which provided the vital bridge funding needed to keep her on track.

The internship gave her the opportunity to perform grant application work, do a poster presentation and coauthor a research manuscript on “county-level variations in risk-adjusted rates of preterm birth among young mothers in the United States,” the latter of which was accepted for publication in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing.

“What began as one of the most challenging moments of my journey ultimately opened the door to some of the most meaningful opportunities I’ve had,” Mokati says.

Mokati’s passion for public health is rooted in her experience as a midwife – a career that began in her home country but quickly became her life’s work. She’d earned a BS in general nursing and midwifery, a requirement as part of the nursing curriculum, from the National University of Lesotho.
After receiving her MPH, she plans to return to Lesotho before heading back to the U.S. to obtain a doctorate on maternal health policy, “particularly on how health systems can better support women and improve maternal health outcomes.”

Abbigale Damiano, a first-generation graduate, provided life-saving support volunteering for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and will work at a substance use treatment center and join Montclair as an adjunct psychology professor.

Abbigale Damiano: A Local Anchor for Mental Health and Recovery

While Mokati focuses on global systems, Damiano has dedicated her graduate studies to the immediate needs of her local community. Graduating with a Master of Arts in Counseling, with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, she has spent her time at Montclair diving into the front lines of the mental health crisis.

As a first-generation graduate, Damiano’s academic journey is a testament to perseverance. She graduated with a BA in Psychology in 2023 and immediately pursued her master’s program, during which she completed a rigorous clinical internship at a nonprofit substance use treatment center, providing support for individuals navigating recovery and co-occurring mental health challenges. She also worked as a teacher’s assistant for Associate Professor Ofelia Rodriguez for three years.

Her commitment to service extends beyond her formal requirements. Damiano also serves as a volunteer for the 988’s Crisis Text Line, providing real-time, life-saving support to individuals in moments of acute distress. For her, Montclair was the place where her innate desire to help was transformed into professional expertise.

“ĚÇĐÄvlog has been more than just a school for me,” Damiano reflects. “It is where I found my purpose, built my leadership skills, and discovered my passion for counseling, student support and community care.”

After graduation, the end of a seven-year student journey, Damiano has a job awaiting her at the crisis facility. She will also join Montclair as an adjunct psychology professor in the fall.

Had she not reached out to professors and department heads during her time at Montclair, she says, “I feel like I wouldn’t be as prepared now graduating or even being able to be an adjunct professor – at the age of 25.”

Reach out to the professors and to your department, they will help you and they will lead you to success.” – Abbigale Damiano

Fulfilling the Mission

Both Mokati and Damiano represent the core values of Montclair’s commitment to community service. Whether advocating for policy changes to protect mothers globally or providing a lifeline to those in crisis locally, these two graduates prove that a Montclair degree is a catalyst for meaningful change.

As they transition from students to alumni, their stories serve as an inspiration to the next generation of students.

Damiano says that as a first-generation college student she had to ask lots of questions in order not to be lost. She advises all students, including commuters like her, to spend time on campus and reach out to faculty. “They’re so many different opportunities on campus that I’m sure people aren’t even aware of,” she says. “Every professor has a different career and different connections, so you don’t know where you’ll end up if you keep up with what they’re offering you.”

“If you are looking for a school that will challenge you, open doors for you and support you – not just to do well academically but to be set up for success after graduation – ĚÇĐÄvlog is the place for you,” says Mokati.

“As someone who moved thousands of miles with nothing but hope and a desire to better myself, I found more than an education here, I found a community that showed up for me when I needed it most. I built meaningful professional networks, and I am leaving as a better version of myself.”

This story is part of a series celebrating ĚÇĐÄvlog’s graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.

“It all blacked out. All I heard was glass shattering and people screaming,” she recalls. “My mom gathered us in one room as far from glass as possible because we thought we were getting bombed.”

While Atieh  and her family survived the 3.3 magnitude seismic event, the blast was the “last straw” for a family living through a growing economic crisis and escalating threats of violence. For Atieh, the journey from that blast in Beirut to the Commencement stage at ĚÇĐÄvlog is a tale of profound resilience and a search for a “home” that feels safe.

The persistence to finish

The transition to the United States wasn’t immediate or easy. Even after her family received immigration approval – thanks to a process started by her grandfather, a U.S. citizen since 2004 – Atieh struggled with the move. In what she calls “denial” about what was happening in her home country, she insisted on returning to Lebanon to live with her grandmother so she could complete her first degree in sports science. “I was very persistent. I really wanted to finish what I started there.”

While her family watched her first graduation from New Jersey via a YouTube stream, Atieh was already looking toward the next chapter. She moved to the U.S. permanently just one day after her ceremony in July, carrying with her a desire to help others but unsure of how to navigate the American educational system.

“Coming to the USA and choosing Montclair as my school was just life changing. I’m happy to be here. Sometimes, I can’t believe it’s real.” ~ Tia Atieh ’26

A sign in University Hall

Atieh describes her early days at Montclair as navigating a “maze.” She was overwhelmed and hesitant to have her international credits evaluated, fearing her past hard work wouldn’t translate. She found the Physical Education curriculum to be quite different from her studies. However, a chance encounter in University Hall changed everything.

While waiting to speak with an advisor, she noticed the nameplate for the assistant dean for Student Success at the College for Community Health (CCHL): Hanan Atiyat. Seeing a variation of her own surname on the door felt like a cosmic green light. “I was like, ‘Okay, it’s meant for us to be here,’” Atieh says.

After some discussion, Atiyat learned that Atieh had loved tutoring children with learning disabilities in Lebanon.

Atiyat suggested Atieh review the Family Science and Human Development major. It proved to be the perfect bridge between her previous background and her goals. “This is all I ever wanted,” she recalls thinking. She also discovered social work and felt “this is where I’m supposed to be.”

Atiyat assured Atieh that she and other colleagues would help her reach the finish line as quickly as possible. She completed it in three semesters.

“Once Tia found a home in Family Science and Human Development, she transformed disruption into renewed purpose,” Atiyat says. “Tia is a true inspiration. I have no doubt she will continue to make a meaningful impact as both a Montclair alumna and a compassionate global citizen.”

Helping the “Future Change Agents”

Atieh’s passion earned her a spot as an inaugural CCHL Ambassador, where she shares her experience with prospective students. Her work didn’t go unnoticed; she was recently named one of the University’s Outstanding Student Employee award winners, selected from over 100 nominees across the campus.

As part of her role, she gives tours of CCHL and speaks highly about her major: “I always tell prospective students, ‘Imagine how welcoming, empathetic and understanding they’re going to be when they’re talking to you, a future change agent.”

A new horizon

Today, Atieh finds peace in the nature of New Jersey – running trails, kayaking and fishing. She recently completed her first half-marathon, a physical manifestation of her endurance.

As she prepares to enter Montclair’s Master of Social Work program this fall, Atieh is no longer in denial. She is a survivor who has found her voice, nature and immense gratitude.

“I never imagined getting out of those dark places in my head and overcoming all of this,” she says. “I feel more grateful. I’m building a better life for my family and my future family and I’m going to try to help my family back home as much as I can.”

On Monday, Atieh’s family won’t have to watch her graduate on a screen as she receives her BA in Family Science and Human Development. They will be in the stands, cheering for the eldest daughter who crossed an ocean – and survived a blast – to find her way home.

This story is part of a series celebrating ĚÇĐÄvlog’s graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.

Cameron has danced around the world, but never in a venue as large as Prudential Center in Newark, where 4,251 students will receive their diplomas over two ceremonies.

“I’m not going to be able to have a dress rehearsal, so I’m trying to put myself in a place of calm,” Cameron says.

For him, though, this moment is as much about what comes next as what happens on stage. Drawing on those years as a performer, his MFA work at Montclair has focused on how that experience can translate into teaching – using everyday gestures to make dance more accessible and to expand what “counts” as dance.

Expanding what counts as dance

Much of his graduate research has explored everyday actions as choreographic material, starting with familiar movement and building layered performance out of it.Ěý

“I’ve spent much of my life hearing people say they can’t dance, that they have two left feet, or that dance is only for the trained,” he says. “As an artist, I’ve become increasingly committed to challenging those beliefs and to expanding how dance is understood, created and experienced.”

His culminating project, Again, But Different, built an entire performance from familiar movement. Dance Professor Elizabeth McPherson, MFA Dance coordinator, says Cameron “approached every single assignment with insight and depth of thinking, often bringing in personal examples from his own teaching practice.” His thesis, she notes, used everyday gestures – often in humorous ways – “to show just how meaningful they can be when structured for performance.”

From stage to classroom

For Cameron, turning ordinary actions into choreography is another way to invite people in, and Montclair’s low‑residency MFA in Dance gave him the structure to pursue that work. The two‑year program features asynchronous online study and summers spent inside the Montclair dance studios.Ěý

“We were sweating and moving and doing all the creative practices that we could physically,” mixed with academics in dance technology and media, anatomy and movement analysis.

Montclair also let him step into the role he’d been working toward by giving him classroom experience teaching Dance Appreciation to undergraduates.Ěý

I’m in such a happy place now. I’ve found that, at an older age, I can still be on stage, but that’s not my main focus. My main focus is to be an educator, to enjoy the benefits of being a dance professor.”

From Nutcracker kid to Commencement speaker

The roots of that commitment go back to his childhood in Lynn, Massachusetts. His parents, Paul and Claire Brewer, got him into lessons after he began dancing around the house, mimicking The Nutcracker’s Rat King. “My parents worked hard and made sacrifices so I could have opportunities to dance. My dad even sanded the studio floors at my dance school and took on extra work to help make my training possible,” he says.

“When I say I’d missed my moment, I tried one year of college at SUNY Purchase’s Conservatory of Dance right out of high school,” Cameron says. “Fourteen thousand dollars for out‑of‑state tuition was just too much for my family. I also wasn’t very focused. I just wanted to dance professionally.”

At 20, he left for Florida to take a job at Busch Gardens in Tampa. “I ended up staying with that company for almost 12 years, working on cruise ships, dancing around the world, and being a production corporate dancer,” he says.

From performer to pedagogue

After moving back to Boston, teaching was always in the back of his mind, but he refused to do it halfway. “I knew that when I was going to teach, I wanted to do it correctly, and I knew I needed an education to do that,” he says. “That’s not hyperbole.”

That chance came when his husband, Kell Cameron, a business school professor, got a job at the University of South Florida and Jason enrolled at Hillsborough College, a nearby community college, giving him affordable access to general education classes and dance coursework.Ěý

“Once I got this academic bug, I couldn’t stop,” he says. He transferred to the University of Tampa on scholarship, drawn to its focus on pedagogy. From there, his sights turned north.

“Montclair was what I’d had my mind set on for quite a while,” he says. “Their reputation in our little dance world is phenomenal.”

When he thinks about how far he’s come, his mind goes back to those early living‑room Nutcracker performances before he ever set foot in a studio. From there to world dance tours and now earning a Master of Fine Arts to become a teacher, Cameron says, “Dance is just a part of my being.”

“I’m just not kicking my face and doing triple pirouettes and all that kind of jazz much on stage anymore.”

This story is part of a series celebrating ĚÇĐÄvlog’s graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.

Born in Yangon, Myanmar, Zan grew up speaking Burmese and learned English at a local monastic school, becoming proficient enough that he later became a volunteer English teacher at the school. He also worked in translation at a local broadcasting company translating English movies for Burmese viewers.

Then in 2008, in the wake of the catastrophic Cyclone Nargis that devastated Myanmar and the subsequent influx of foreign aid and involvement, new opportunities in the civil society sector opened up and he joined an NGO that worked in education.

“I worked in education support for local marginalized communities and I joined another NGO working at the Thailand-Myanmar border helping refugee schools build their curriculum and train their teachers,” Zan, 37, says.

A decade of working in translation, interpretation and teacher training made him realize that he was not only interested in languages, but he had a passion for helping other people learn.

Finding the right academic fit at Montclair

Looking to further his own education, Zan applied for and received a Lincoln Scholarship to study in the U.S. “Much like the Fulbright, this program offers a premier track for Myanmar scholars to pursue international education in the United States,” he explains. Out of three possible college options, he chose to come to Montclair to study Applied Linguistics.

“I found that what Montclair provided was an exact academic fit with my interests,” he says. “I thought the subjects and electives provided here were directly addressing what I wanted to do with my academic path ahead.”

He found the coursework challenging but also stimulating and developed a particular interest in corpus linguistics.

According to Zan, “Corpus linguistics is studying language as it is used in the wild. It’s looking at language at a whole new level of magnitude. People would look at language but only at a specific section of that language, but corpus linguistics brings in the entirety of the whole language.”

Persevering through uncertainty

Although he excelled in his classes, Zan’s academic path through graduate school was anything but straightforward.

“At several points in the past two years, the progressing violence following the military coup back home, the largest earthquake in my country’s history, and the ripple effects of an eventful administration change in the U.S. have had profound effects on my friends and communities,” he says. “It was somehow uneasy to be all safe and comfortable here while my folks struggled there.”

In addition to the emotional weight of watching his communities and loved ones endure hardship from afar, funding for Zan’s scholarship was cut in his second semester, leaving him uncertain if he could remain at Montclair for the second year of the program.

That uncertainty could have ended his journey – but it didn’t.

With the support of the University, particularly the Office of Global Engagement and faculty and staff of the Linguistics program – especially Graduate Program Coordinator Professor Larissa Goulart – Zan was able to continue in the program with a Graduate Assistantship, which helped cover his tuition and fees. He expressed his immense appreciation for all the work done and arrangements made on his behalf so that he could complete his degree.

“I must have been such an unusual case, giving both staff and faculty a considerable administrative challenge,” Zan says. “And for that exact reason, me completing the degree and graduating is an embodiment of the University’s commitment to higher education – for all of its students.”

Through the assistantship, Zan has been working as a research assistant in the Linguistics department’s . In addition to excelling in research and teaching, he conducted an original, empirical study on Myanmar’s high school English textbooks, focusing on their vocabulary and phraseological coverage and strength.

Looking ahead

Zan has applied to work at an organization in New York that helps refugee populations get settled, and beyond that, he plans to pursue a PhD in Applied Linguistics with a focus on corpus linguistics.

All the while, he is still engaging with his organizations in Myanmar and providing online trainings and classes for underserved community schools there. His long-term goal remains clear: to elevate the quality of language education in Myanmar, especially in the communities that need it most.

But for now, he is looking forward to Commencement and celebrating his achievements with fellow Red Hawks.

This story is part of a series celebrating ĚÇĐÄvlog’s graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.

Ready to start your Montclair journey?

Prospective students: Learn more about Montclair’s Linguistics program or apply to Montclair.

Journalists: Contact Montclair’s Media Relations team for assets or to schedule an interview.

Crawford’s path to earning a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, with a concentration in Humanities and a minor in Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations, while working full time and caring for her family has been long and challenging but ultimately, worth it.

The Bayonne, New Jersey, native says, “The most rewarding and meaningful part of reaching Commencement has been the feeling of finally standing in a moment I once wasn’t sure I would get to.”

A nontraditional path back to the classroom

At just 17 years old, Crawford stepped into independence without a safety net, forced to rely on work simply to survive. “I started college right out of high school, but after my first year I had to step away because I simply couldn’t afford to continue,” she recalls. “At that point, I shifted my focus to working full time and figuring out how to support myself.”

She supported herself working in a variety of jobs, including a long period in the automotive industry working in sales, finance and customer service, and in her current full-time job: property management.

Despite having to work to pay the bills, Crawford, 36, never lost her drive and determination to reach her lifelong goal of becoming a lawyer. Knowing she needed a degree to reach that goal, she found her way back to school though a community college and in 2013, earned an associate degree.

“Even after that, my education didn’t follow a straight path,” she says. “I would take classes when I could, but most of the time I had to prioritize work and survival. There were long stretches where school had to wait because life didn’t leave much room for anything else.”

And for Crawford, “life” is pretty full. In addition to her full-time work and studies, she is a wife and mother of a 3-year-old son, a part-time bartender and actively involved in the local community through her hometown’s Elks Lodge, currently serving as the Esteemed Loyal Knight and co-chairing the drug awareness and peer leadership committees.

Turning commitment into action

Then last summer, after years of her education taking a back seat to her work and responsibilities, “Something shifted for me,” Crawford says. “I made the decision that I was going to finish my bachelor’s no matter what it took.”

She learned of Montclair‘s BA in Liberal Studies program and met with Academic Advisor Alicia Tucker to discuss her options.

“I had my initial meeting with Alicia and I told her that I was trying to do this quick. I wanted to do this in one year – two semesters,” Crawford recalls. “She was like, ‘This is going to be rough, but you know what, we’re going to get it done.’”

Learning from Tucker about , which allows students to earn credits by taking examinations instead of classes, Crawford took three CLEP exams to earn the credits. Tucker also helped build Crawford’s schedule – 18 credits one semester and 19 credits the following semester – a full course load.

“I’m very grateful to have met Alicia because she was really the final piece of the puzzle for me,” Crawford says, “because before I chose to go to Montclair, I was already enrolled at another college.”

The fact that the BA in Liberal Studies is a fully online program was also a big selling point for Crawford. “It worked out so well for me because I’m so busy – I’m working full time, I work part time, I’m a mom, I volunteer,” she says. “I just have so much going on, but it fit my schedule perfectly – so I’m very lucky for that.”

Tucker understands this. “As an academic advisor, I see how essential flexibility is for nontraditional students balancing work, family and life,” Tucker says. “The BA in Liberal Studies allows them to continue their education without putting everything else on hold.”

The power of a support system

In spite of the workload during her year at Montclair, Crawford made the dean’s list and was inducted into two honor societies: for transfer students and for first-generation college graduates.

She credits much of her success to the support system around her. In addition to advising and academic support from the University, Crawford’s family and friends were a constant source of support.

“My husband stood beside me through long days and even longer nights, always encouraging me and reminding me why I started,” Crawford says, “and my best friends showed up in the ways that mattered most and made sure I never lost sight of myself along the way.”

Her greatest motivation, she says, has been her son. “I want him to grow up knowing that nothing is impossible, that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Becoming his mom didn’t take me away from my dreams, it pushed me to chase them even harder.”

Next stop: law school

After graduation, Crawford isn’t planning to slow down. While continuing to build her career in property management and remaining committed to her role at home, she plans to take the LSAT this summer and apply to law school this fall for a fall 2027 start.

Thinking back over the past year, Crawford believes her journey reflects resilience, determination and the reality of pursuing an education while also building a life and supporting a family.

“I hope it can also show others that success doesn’t always follow a traditional timeline,” she says, “but consistency and hard work still lead to meaningful outcomes.”

This story is part of a series celebrating ĚÇĐÄvlog’s graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.

Ready to start your Montclair journey?

Prospective students: Learn more about Montclair’s BA in Liberal Studies program or apply to Montclair.

Journalists: Contact Montclair’s Media Relations team for assets or to schedule an interview.

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.Ěý 

“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.Ěý

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 ĚÇĐÄvlog’s graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.

Jones will address her classmates at two ceremonies, Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12, at Prudential Center in Newark, drawing on an unconventional path to the podium that she now sees as her greatest strength.

“You’re not defined by previous versions of yourself, mistakes you’ve made or your major,” she says. “You can evolve so much by putting yourself in unfamiliar and different spaces.”

Leading together

Jones’ impact is deeply connected to the work of the Student Government Association’s executive team. Together, they oversaw the SGA scholarship fund, awarding scholarships totaling $31,500 this spring semester alone, including new funding for students completing unpaid internships.Ěý

They also partnered with the Red Hawk Pantry to address food insecurity through food drives, meal vouchers and awareness campaigns. The team also helped cultivate future leaders by moderating a Student Leadership Conference for incoming high school students.

Jones will graduate with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Economics and continue at Montclair through the University’s 4+1 program to earn a master’s degree in Cybersecurity, with long‑term plans to pursue a career in patent law.

Jones will share the Commencement stage with her fellow executive board members:

• Carmela Beitler, a Psychology major with a Social Work minor, helped shape SGA’s scholarship review process and says her leadership experience taught her “how to be a resource for students, when to guide them and how to recognize what they’re capable of.” After graduation, Beitler plans to pursue her Master of Social Work at Rutgers University and one day specialize in school social work.
• Danny Gonzalez, a Theatre Studies major, co‑led initiatives like Know Your Rights, an immigration‑resource information board. Gonzalez will earn his degree in August and will continue at Montclair as part of the 4+1 program, which allows students to earn both a BA and an MA in just five years.
• Edlyn Eugene, a Business Administration major concentrating in Marketing, led SGA’s outreach and social media strategy – boosting student engagement and election turnout and helping plan Senior Sendoff and other senior‑week events.

As Jones reflects on remarks she’ll give at Commencement, she keeps returning to the guidance that helped her grow into her role.

Grace through all seasons

Jones credits her mentor, Dean of Students Margaree Coleman-Carter, with grounding her throughout her journey. “I knew I wanted to do more, but I didn’t have that representation growing up and didn’t feel like I had the space to speak,” Jones says.

“Dean Carter told me, ‘Have grace through all seasons in your life,’” she adds. “That stayed with me – knowing it’s going to be OK, even when it doesn’t feel like it.”

Outside of SGA, Jones taught yoga at the Student Recreation Center. “Even though Computer Science might not correlate with being in student government, those core values – discipline and structure – shaped me as a leader,” she explains. “Teaching yoga taught me how to slow down, be soft and think through every decision that I make.”

“Now I feel confident stepping into rooms and finding my voice.”

This story is part of a series celebrating ĚÇĐÄvlog’s graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.

Roby did just that. A graduating senior with a double major in Political Science and Policy Studies and a double minor in Chinese and Global Security and Diplomacy, he is also a winner of the U.S. Department of State’s highly competitive Critical Language Scholarship for intensive Mandarin study.

Policy fellowships and research

As an honors student in the Martinson Honors EDGE Program, Political Science and Law Professor Tony Spanakos showed him that politics could mean “taking your ideas, translating them into public policy, and making a positive impact on the world.” That insight led Roby to seek out real‑world policy experience early in his college career, building a record of hands‑on public‑service work.

“Jacob has a very good ability to link what interests him to seeking information and opportunities to listening to other people and then moving ahead with his research or professional activities,” Spanakos says. “He is humble, hard-working and interested in hearing multiple perspectives.”

Roby dove into opportunities that brought his interests to life:

• Alexander Hamilton Institute, Washington, D.C. – A program that took him to the nation’s capital to study U.S. history and meet policymakers, which “opened me to public service as a vocation.”
• National security research in D.C. – Work with a think tank on Taiwan and Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturing, giving him a window into the intersection of technology, security and foreign policy.
• USDA Student Fellow – A role in New Jersey that connected his policy training to real‑world issues affecting communities closer to home.

Roby also joined Project AROS, a Montclair‑exclusive research lab that paired him with the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. There, he researched how U.S.–China competition is shaping global efforts to address climate change in the Indo‑Pacific region – a new angle on issues he was already exploring through his national security work in D.C.

Learning alongside students from all walks of life

Roby’s idea of Montclair as an “American dream school” comes as much from who he studied with as from what he studied. He recalled an early macroeconomics course filled with nontraditional students: veterans of the Marine Corps, a taxi driver, a construction worker and a classmate who worked overnight shifts at a FedEx facility before coming straight to class.

“That is what I mean about the American Dream – this University accepts students from all walks of life and gives them a chance to better their lives through higher education,” he says.

Taking Montclair global

After Commencement, Roby will take that story abroad with support from his Critical Language Scholarship, studying Mandarin Chinese at Tamkang University in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The intensive, immersive eight‑week summer program is equivalent to one year of university‑level language study and includes living with a host family, meeting regularly with a language exchange partner on campus and immersing himself in the local community.

Looking ahead, Roby hopes to continue his studies at National Taiwan University’s International Chinese Language Program for the following academic year and summer term. He is also considering staying in Taiwan long‑term by pursuing a master’s degree in Political Science at National Taiwan University and building a career in a Chinese‑speaking environment.

This story is part of a series celebrating ĚÇĐÄvlog’s graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.

A dozen years later, that promise is coming true. A first-generation student from Camden, New Jersey, Rodriguez is graduating in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and minors in Chemistry and Classics from ĚÇĐÄvlog, and will attend medical school.

That promise has shaped his time at Montclair, especially his work in the lab with zebrafish to better understand cancer. Rodriguez dove into research focused on melanoma and fertility, presented his work at conferences and mentored fellow pre-med students – all while balancing rigorous science courses with Honors and Classics seminars.

With his mentor Melissa Spigelman ’23, ’25 MS, Rodriguez discusses how clytia jellyfish polyps will be used in the next stage of their research in Professor Carlos Molina’s lab. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

Discovering research with zebrafish

At Montclair, Rodriguez joined research already underway in Biology Professor Carlos Molina’s lab using zebrafish to “apply what we see in the fish to then help humans.”

Explaining the zebrafish research in a way his grandmother would have understood, Rodriguez says, “The genes of the zebrafish are kind of like a light switch; you can turn them on and off.” He and his labmates turn off a tumor-suppressor gene so the fish are more likely to develop tumors and increase their chances of getting melanoma in their skin pigment cells. By watching how a single protein changes under those conditions, they can learn lessons that may apply to people, since humans and zebrafish share similar genetics and the same ICER protein with similar effects.

Rodriguez engaged deeply in that research and in sharing the work, including poster presentations at Montclair, Rutgers University and in Dallas, Texas, as part of the American Heart Association Hispanic-Serving Institution scholar program, where he collaborated on research with scholars across the United States and Puerto Rico. He earned recognition as a (LSAMP) Scholar, a CSAM Summer Research Scholar and a participant in the six-week t (PULSE) program.

“I love being rigorously challenged. I’ve always been very heavy on my work ethic, and there’s just no other curriculum like medicine that is so rigorous, so intense. I feel I would be doing a disservice to myself by not pursuing something that I know I could definitely handle and take on,” he says. “I believe everyone has a God-given vocation, this inexplicable desire to pursue certain professions, and for me that’s medicine.”

Support, mentoring and EOF

Navigating college as a first-generation student came with challenges. He credits the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program, the Pre-Medical Program, mentors and close friends with providing the support, leadership development and MCAT preparation that helped him succeed and feel a strong sense of belonging at ĚÇĐÄvlog.

“Melvin came to college with a clear goal and determination to make it happen,” says Melissa Pecora, his EOF counselor and academic advisor. “Through hard work and focus, he followed through on that mission and turned his goals and dreams into reality.”

Rodriguez is paying it forward as a pre-med mentor. “I help incoming freshmen and transfer students adjust to college life, suggesting what classes to take, what extracurriculars to pursue – and helping to keep them motivated on the pathway towards medicine because it is a really difficult and daunting journey.”

Even with a course load packed with lab work and research, Rodriguez says his Honors and Classics courses give him balance – helping him stay focused on the intense science in front of him. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

A well-rounded education

Rodriguez, a student in the Martinson Edge Honors Program, says his own path has been academically well-rounded. “Science is definitely heavy. If I had pure science every semester, I’d probably want to pull my hair out cause that’s a lot of knowledge, a lot of information, a lot of studying.

“That’s why I like having the Classics minor on the side as well as being in the Honors Program. The Honors Program helped create a further divide, because I’ve taken interesting courses – like a class about cookbooks, a class about animal minds – which makes each semester feel different and have some type of outlet to go to apart from the sciences. Being able to balance my curriculum and to feel very grounded in my education has proven successful and very instrumental in my ability to succeed.”

Looking ahead to oncology

Looking ahead, he knows where he hopes his path leads. He’ll be attending Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden to pursue medicine.

“I definitely want to pursue oncology. Recently, I’ve been debating whether I want to pursue radiation oncology or medical oncology, which would allow me to do chemotherapy and things of that nature. I guess that’s something I will discover in medical school. I also want to have an open mind because I know a lot of people say that you enter med school to become one profession and then might switch to another.

“I understand medicine is multifaceted in both its disciplines as well as the patients that you face. It’s always good to keep an open mind – you never know what you might encounter.”

This story is part of a series celebrating ĚÇĐÄvlog’s graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.