The scholarship will support Roby’s participation in an intensive, immersive eight-week summer program in Mandarin at Tamkang University in New Taipei City, Taiwan, where participants complete the equivalent of one year of language study. During the program, he will live with a host family, meet regularly with a language exchange partner on campus, and immerse himself in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the local community. Following the program, he hopes to continue his studies at National Taiwan University’s International Chinese Language Learning Program for the academic year and the following summer term. He has also considered the possibility of living in Taiwan long-term by pursuing a master’s degree in Political Science at National Taiwan University and seeking employment in a Chinese-speaking environment.

I am deeply grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to further develop my Chinese language skills. Wherever I ultimately go, I am confident that the language training I have received at ����vlog, along with the experiences provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship and National Taiwan University, will prepare me to use Chinese effectively in my career and continue developing my skills to their fullest potential.
—Jacob Roby

His achievement highlights the strength of ����vlog’s language programs in fostering student success and advancing global understanding and engagement. This milestone marks the second time a Chinese minor at Montclair has been awarded the Critical Language Scholarship. To learn more about the scholarship, visit

Why did you choose ����vlog?

I chose ����vlog because the program in Political Science is very complete and has all the courses I have ever wanted to take. The location also played a key role when deciding whether to apply or not, being just 12 miles away from the city is quite helpful when applying for internships there. Lastly, the campus is beautiful!

How did you choose your major? What do you love most about it?

I have always been attracted to social work and helping people, and I think majoring in Political Science is a great way to do it. Also, since it is such a broad field, you can make a change for instance by concentrating on public administration and making domestic policies, or through international relations when working for an international organization. And I think that is what I love most about it! How interdisciplinary it is and how one can work in different areas.

What activities are you involved in outside of class that are related to your program of study?

With my program of study, I have had many great experiences. For instance, last year I had the opportunity to be an intern with the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations. I also had the chance to present one of my academic essays at the Northeastern Political Association Conference in Boston. In addition, I have also done great things with my Italian minor. I am the program assistant at the Coccia Institute for the Italian American Experience on Campus. I started as an intern, and I have been working with them for the last year. It has been a great experience getting to know more about this culture that is so important in Montclair.

What has been your favorite course within your major and why? 

I think all of my classes have been unique and have left me with so much to reflect on. However, if I were to choose just one class I would have to say Government and Politics of Latin America. As a Latina, it was nice to learn more about our political, social, and economic history, but I also loved how interested my American peers were in learning more about this region.

What faculty member has made the most impact on you so far and why? 

I have to say the Political Science department is full of excellent professors, all of which have left a mark on me. However, I would say Dr. Alfredo Toro Carnevali has had the biggest impact on me. I really admire his experience in the international relations field, and everything he has done at Montclair creating the Global Security and Diplomacy Minor. Thanks to him, we have had great learning experiences with the Pollack Speaker Series, and personally, I had an internship with the United Nations last year through the minor.

What are your goals after graduation? How do you plan to use your degree?

After graduating my goal is to get a job with an international organization. I have always wanted to work with the United Nations, most specifically with UNICEF as I want to advocate my career for child protection and fight for their rights. Overall, I would like to use my degree to work toward minorities’ rights and inclusion all around the world.

Patel has been a part of the WMSC team since her freshman year when she joined as a newscaster. In her interview to join the Student Management Team in Dec 2016, she told then station manager, Juan Contla, and General Manager, Anabella Poland, that she wanted to apply for “his job”. While it was a bold move, Patel worked towards that goal and has led the station since last May 2019. (Read more from the School of Communication and Media)

As a political science major, Patel says that learning about the institutions and ideas that shape our political system and serve our country has helped her lead the station. In addition to learning to lead a team of nearly 20 student managers and over 60 DJs, Patel also has to keep the needs of the audience in mind in all decisions. With news being a crucial department at WMSC, Patel says it’s important to understand what is happening, how it affects our community and how to best present it to the audience.

Patel is breaking the misconception that you must study journalism or broadcasting in order to be successful in the industry. She has hosted her own show and currently co-hosts a news show via Zoom since instruction moved online in March. Patel’s coursework, skills and experience in broadcasting have helped her land several internships. She is currently interning in the booking department at MSNBC Live and Weekends with Alex Witts and has previously interned with CBS This Morning. Following graduation this semester, Patel hopes to begin her career in a news media network.

Congratulations Hiral!

Patrick Murray, the founding director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, will join Political Science and Law Professor Brigid Callahan Harrison in conversation about his career as a pollster, challenges in conducting accurate polls, and polling in the 2016 and 202 presidential elections.

This event is co-sponsored by the Department of Political Science and Law, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Center for Student Involvement at ����vlog, and InsiderNJ.

The event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Panel on the Law Admissions Process: 1-2p.m.
Law Fair: 2-4 p.m.
����vlog Student Center Ballrooms A, B and C

Free and open to the public with no pre-registration.

PARTIAL LIST OF SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING:
Albany | Fordham | Cardozo | American | Villanova | Suffolk | Rutgers | Seton Hall| Temple | Hofstra | Boston U. |U. of Maryland | New York Law |U. of San Francisco| Northeastern | Pace | Notre Dame | St. John’s | U. of Massachusetts| Touro | Case Western Reserve | CUNY Law | Brooklyn | District of Columbia | Roger Williams| William & Mary | SUNY at Buffalo | Vermont | Chapman | Penn State | George Mason | Quinnipiac | Western New England | Golden Gate | Widener | Syracuse | New England Law | St. Thomas U. (FL)

For information call 973-655-4238 or email drakei@montclair.edu