{"id":218759,"date":"2022-08-09T15:47:07","date_gmt":"2022-08-09T19:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=218759"},"modified":"2022-08-10T08:11:25","modified_gmt":"2022-08-10T12:11:25","slug":"sights-set-on-montclair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/08\/09\/sights-set-on-montclair\/","title":{"rendered":"Sights Set on Montclair"},"content":{"rendered":"

The subject on the student\u2019s agenda is \u201cAdvocating for Yourself\u201d and Jane Sanchez Swain is quizzing high school students about what happens once they enroll in college. Swain, assistant director for Degree Completion Programs at Montclair University College, pushes them when they respond that they are more independent.<\/p>\n

Someone responds that they become adults. That\u2019s the response Swain was seeking. \u201cLegally, you become an adult,\u201d she says. \u201cSo, in high school, because you’re a minor, your parents have to be involved in stuff related to you as a student, your record, all that… In college, the moment you become an adult, there is something called FERPA [Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act]. We can’t disclose information to your parents because you’re an adult.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swain is speaking to a group of 34 students on campus in late July for the Pre-College Access Institute<\/a> (PCAI) sponsored by Walmart. Now in its second year, the program provides potential Montclair students from underserved and underrepresented communities with the opportunity to learn about applying and transitioning to college. It also helps prepare them for academic success.<\/p>\n

One of several summer programs offered by Montclair State to ease the way to college, PCAI is modeled after the six-year-old Hispanic Student College Institute (HSCI) and allows students to live on campus for three days and two nights. PCAI participants cover lots of ground, including sessions on financial aid literacy and college essay writing. They also receive mentoring from Montclair students, many of whom are also previous participants in HSCI or PCAI, and later will get to network with University faculty and staff. But before then, however, peer mentors, including Macarena Duque, a Psychology<\/a> major, and Shantal Proano, a senior Medical Humanities<\/a> major, walk them through the paces of how to network properly, which covers everything from introductions to shaking hands and attire.<\/p>\n

\"large
High school juniors and seniors participated in the Pre-College Access Institute, one of Montclair\u2019s summer programs that help prepare students from underserved communities for college success.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The adulthood conversation is the perfect segue into discussing the importance of self-advocacy, on which Swain also quizzes PCAI participants. \u201cCollege is the place when you really assert your independence,\u201d she says. \u201cOur goal for you is \u2013 and your goal for yourself should be \u2013 success and independence.\u201d<\/p>\n

She walks them through a series of exercises. Working in small groups, the students are presented with different scenarios and must practice advocating for themselves using a five-step strategy Swain has reviewed with them. She also notes some of the benefits of self-advocacy, which include strengthened communications skills, confidence building and learning to be a better listener, all of which will serve them in their academic and professional careers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is power in believing in yourself and there is power in speaking up for yourself,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"Jane
Assistant Director for Degree Completion Programs Jane Sanchez Swain, right, talks with a student during a networking event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Swain also talks to them about the importance of asking for help if facing mental health issues. \u201cWhen you\u2019re sick, you go to the doctor. When you don’t feel well mentally, it’s kind of the same,\u201d Swain says. \u201cMental health is a part of your overall health. Some people may say, \u2018Therapy doesn’t work for me.\u2019 Okay, well, how else are you coping? As long as you’re finding a way to cope with how you feel, it’s a good thing. Whatever you feel you need to be well, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Swain reminds them that they are never alone and to take advantage of University resources and practice self-advocacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may not always get what you want but it\u2019s always worth a shot,\u201d she says. \u201cYou win or you learn something because you never lose when you bet on yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Samantha,
Samantha, Jaylen and Daniel participated in this summer\u2019s Pre-College Access Institute at Montclair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Among the students betting on their academic futures is Daniel, a Jersey City rising senior. Daniel, who is interested in studying finance and considering Montclair, participated in the HSCI in mid-July. He admits that his parents influenced his decision to attend both HSCI and PCAI but that he\u2019s glad he did. \u201cI honestly like the college life experience, dorming, having a roommate,\u201d he says, adding that he picked up more information about financial aid during the PCAI experience. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting. It\u2019s good to know more about essay prompts, financial aid. It prepares you well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jaylen heard about HSCI on the news but couldn\u2019t attend so decided to participate in PCAI. The rising senior from Jersey City says he found the motivational speakers and financial aid presentations especially helpful. \u201cI like the connections they made with the audience. They kept the audience entertained and kept me engaged,\u201d says Jaylen, who is interested in studying business and possibly real estate. He says Montclair is one of his top five schools. \u201cI just want to come here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samantha has participated in PCAI twice, last year and last month. \u201cIt\u2019s fun, that\u2019s why I came back,\u201d she says, adding \u201cEven though you\u2019ve done it before, it feels new because there’s new people, you’re in a new kind of environment now, you have new mentors and new speakers.\u201d <\/p>\n

The Hillside rising senior, who wants to study exercise science, says she found the FAFSA information presented by Nicole DeZerga, a counselor in the Financial Aid Office, particularly helpful. She also enjoyed presentations by sorority and fraternity members, something new to the students this year.<\/p>\n

The three students agreed that seeing diversity among current Montclair students was also important to them when weighing college choices. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn’t say, \u2018Oh, I don’t feel like I belong here,\u2019 but subconsciously you have that reminder that there\u2019s \u2018nobody here I can relate to\u2019\u201d says Samantha. \u201cSo, when you’re surrounded by people that are like you and unlike you, there’s a balance that makes you comfortable. You know you\u2019re not the only one that’s out of the box.\u201d<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/h2>\n
\"Tim
Director of International Academic Initiatives Tim White visits with students during a networking event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Richard
Student Government Association President Richard Steiner-Otoo addresses PCAI participants.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"group
PCAI participants network with Montclair faculty and staff during their three days on campus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Katia
Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives and International Programs Katia Paz Goldfarb, whose office organizes the Pre-College Access Institute, speaks to students during a networking event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Madeleine
Madeleine Morrow with the Department of Management in the Feliciano School of Business talks with a student during a PCAI college fair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Professor
Jonas Zhang, professor of marketing in the Feliciano School of Business, visits with students during a PCAI networking event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Olga\"\/
PCAI participant Olga networks during a PCAI event held on campus in late July.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"group
PCAI students tour the Montclair campus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Story by Staff Writer Sylvia A. Martinez<\/a>. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters<\/a> and Shantal Proano. <\/p>\n

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