Montclair History Professor and ‘Good Morning America’ Producer Honored with Trailblazer Awards

Professor Leslie Wilson and alumnus Tommy Foster recognized at the 2026 Male Enrollment and Graduation Alliance (MEGA) Symposium, recognizing a career spent helping students understand not only history but their own power to shape it.

Café 1908 bartender Tom Ormond joins President Koppell in the kitchen to prepare his wife’s famous egg drop wonton soup, while sharing the story of making a major career change later in life.

HR Updates

Performance Management Key Dates and Reminders

2026 PARs Due for CWA Employee

The 2026 Initial PAR Agreement was due on January 31, 2026.

All Supervisors of Civil Service staff have received a task in their Workday inbox to complete. If you have not done so, please log into Workday to submit the task as soon as possible.

This year, we are providing all Civil Service employees with a self-guided, employee-facing version of the Performance Assessment Review training.

• Access the Self guided employee training

AFT Evaluations for Next Multi-Year Contracts
Employees currently serving in a Multi-Year contract expiring June 30, 2027 received a task in their Workday inbox on Monday, March 2 to complete their self evaluation.

Self evaluations must be submitted in Workday no later than Monday, March 23.

For the full AFT Staff Evaluation schedule with key due dates, please refer to the AFT Professional Staff- Evaluation and Reappointment webpage.

Questions? HR is Your Partner in What’s Next!

If you have questions regarding the 2026 Performance Assessment Review or have not received your Initial Agreement, please email performance@montclair.edu. A ServiceNow ticket will be created on your behalf.

The SECURE 2.0 Act
Effective January 1, 2026, the SECURE 2.0 Act introduces a mandatory Roth treatment for age-based catch-up contributions for certain high-income participants in the New Jersey Employees Deferred Compensation Plan (NJSEDCP).

This requirement applies to employees who:

• 50 years of age or older
• Had FICA wages of $150,000 or more in 2025, and
• Contribute more than the standard annual IRS limit in 2026

If you meet the above criteria then any contributions you make above the standard limit must be made as Roth (after-tax) contributions.

Talent Acquisition Team Office Hours

The Talent Acquisition team is launching monthly Office Hours to partner with the campus community through strategic recruiting and search process needs.
Whether you have questions about search processes, candidate engagement, best practices, or need guidance navigating Workday Recruiting, the sessions are designed to provide real-time support. Feel free to stop by to ask questions or troubleshoot recruiting-related challenges.

Upcoming Schedule:

Location: Cole Hall, Conference Room 147
Time: 1-3 p.m.

• Wednesday, April 8
• Wednesday, May 13
• Wednesday, June 10

Updates

Faculty and Staff Commencement Registration

����vlog is excited to hold Spring 2026 Commencement exercises on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Prudential Center in Newark. Advanced registration is REQUIRED for all faculty and staff attending Commencement. There are two registration forms depending if you are a staff member working the event or a faculty or staff member participating in the academic processional. Registration will close on Monday, March 30, 2026. Due to event coordination needs, faculty and staff MUST register by this deadline. Late registrations will not be accepted. Visit the faculty and staff Commencement webpage for more information or email officeofspecialevents@montclair.edu.

Introducing the Center for Teaching and Academic Innovation (CTAI)

The Center for Teaching and Academic Innovation (CTAI) serves as ����vlog’s hub for teaching excellence, instructional design, and educational innovation. In partnership with faculty and campus collaborators, CTAI supports the design of engaging and inclusive learning environments through faculty development, instructional design, and thoughtful integration of educational technologies. Through this work, CTAI helps advance a university-wide culture of teaching and learning and contributes to student engagement, belonging, and academic success that define Montclair’s mission as a public-serving institution. Learn more about our resources, programs and services on the Center for Teaching and Academic Innovation webpage.

Call for Participation: Family Weekend 2026

Family Weekend is returning for its second year Thursday, April 23 – Sunday, April 26 and we invite you to be part of this exciting campus-wide experience that welcomes families to connect, explore and celebrate Montclair. Looking to get involved?

Interested in volunteering or need support planning your involvement? Contact Kelsey Nyman at nymank@montclair.edu or x3288.

Reminders

Apply for a Plot in the Campus Community Garden

The Montclair Campus Community Garden, located on the side of the Student Center, will be opening for its 9th growing season! The garden will provide space and tools to support 40 garden plots on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the high quantity of applications, raised beds will be split into plot sizes per applicant(s). All interested gardeners of any skill-level are invited to . All students, staff and faculty are welcome to join us for the season! Questions about the garden season or growing on campus may be addressed to the Community Garden Manager, Brittney Portes, portesb@montclair.edu or the Office of Sustainability, sustainability@montclair.edu. Applications will close Wednesday, March 25.

In The News

• Gabriel Rubin (Justice Studies) is quoted in this NorthJersey.com article about why Gen Z is consuming less alcohol than previous generations.
• In this about how the state is reclaiming its legacy as a hub for film and television production, the University’s film program is specifically mentioned as being a pipeline for industry talent.
• Luis Portes (Economics) is quoted in this article about industries in the state that are facing layoffs.
• Jaime Grinberg (Educational Foundations) appeared on to comment on and analyze the recent terrorist attack on Temple Israel, the synagogue and school in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Kudos

• To Antonio Talamo (Center for Student Involvement) who was awarded the from the Association of College Unions (ACUI).
• To David Trubatch (School of Computing) who provided expert testimony to the NJ Senate Higher Education Committee on March 16 about the use of generative AI in universities.
• To Paul McGroarty (University Communications and Marketing), who co-presented at two sessions at showcasing cross-divisional collaborations with Hannah Lindeblad Student Communications) and Bobby Serani (Discovery Program).
• To Cristina Guarneri (Writing Studies), who to help students and professors navigate the use of AI in the classroom: Writing Reimagined: Mastering AI in College Writing (for students) and From Draft to Digital: Using AI in College Writing for Professors: An Instructor’s Manual and Exercises for Writing Reimagined.
• To María José García Vizcaíno (Spanish and Latino Studies), who was invited by Miquel Barceló to lead tactile explorations of his ceramics at the “” exhibition on display in the Museo de Almería in Spain.
• To Teresa Fiore (World Languages and Cultures), who was interviewed on Radio In 102 about the ArcGIS project on the iconic site of Scala dei Turchi in Sicily.

Social Media Post of Note

Warm weather WHERE ARE YOU AT? ️ #springbreak

Photo of the Week

Blast from the past: The television control room in the Dumont Television Center in 2002. – University Photographer: Mike Peters

Quick Links

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.

How Montclair’s 4+1 Program Turned a Childhood Science Project Into Marine Biology Research

The combined BS/MS in Marine Biology and Coastal Sciences helped Kelly Witters turn a third-grade horseshoe crab project into hands-on research for coastal conservation.

Introducing Stalls for Safety: A New Campus Initiative to Support Survivors

Stalls for Safety raises awareness about human trafficking and provides discreet, accessible information and resources to individuals who may be experiencing exploitation or who knows someone who is.

Congratulations to the Bears, who defeated Paul Quinn College 72–64 to secure the program’s first national title!

Join President Koppell for the Season 5 premiere as Sudha Wadhwani of Counseling and Psychological Services shares her grandmother’s beloved Aloo Gobi recipe and the family story behind it.

HR Updates

Performance Management Key Dates and Reminders

2026 PARs Due for CWA Employee

The 2026 Initial PAR Agreement was due on January 31, 2026.

All Supervisors of Civil Service staff have received a task in their Workday inbox to complete. If you have not done so, please log into Workday to submit the task as soon as possible.

This year, we are providing all Civil Service employees with a self-guided, employee-facing version of the Performance Assessment Review training.

• Access the Self guided employee training

AFT Evaluations for Next Multi-Year Contracts
Employees currently serving in a Multi-Year contract expiring June 30, 2027 received a task in their Workday inbox on Monday, March 2 to complete their self evaluation.

Self evaluations must be submitted in Workday no later than Monday, March 23.

For the full AFT Staff Evaluation schedule with key due dates, please refer to the AFT Professional Staff- Evaluation and Reappointment webpage.

Questions? HR is Your Partner in What’s Next!

If you have questions regarding the 2026 Performance Assessment Review or have not received your Initial Agreement, please email performance@montclair.edu. A ServiceNow ticket will be created on your behalf.

The SECURE 2.0 Act
Effective January 1, 2026, the SECURE 2.0 Act introduces a mandatory Roth treatment for age-based catch-up contributions for certain high-income participants in the New Jersey Employees Deferred Compensation Plan (NJSEDCP).

This requirement applies to employees who:

• 50 years of age or older
• Had FICA wages of $150,000 or more in 2025, and
• Contribute more than the standard annual IRS limit in 2026

If you meet the above criteria then any contributions you make above the standard limit must be made as Roth (after-tax) contributions.

Updates

Faculty and Staff Commencement Registration

����vlog is excited to hold Spring 2026 Commencement exercises on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Prudential Center in Newark. Advanced registration is REQUIRED for all faculty and staff attending Commencement. There are two registration forms depending if you are a staff member working the event or a faculty or staff member participating in the academic processional. Registration will close on Monday, March 30, 2026. Due to event coordination needs, faculty and staff MUST register by this deadline. Late registrations will not be accepted. Visit the faculty and staff Commencement webpage for more information or email officeofspecialevents@montclair.edu.

Apply for a Plot in the Campus Community Garden

The Montclair Campus Community Garden, located on the side of the Student Center, will be opening for its 9th growing season!

The garden will provide space and tools to support 40 garden plots on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the high quantity of applications, raised beds will be split into plot sizes per applicant(s). All interested gardeners of any skill-level are invited to . All students, staff and faculty are welcome to join us for the season! Questions about the garden season or growing on campus may be addressed to the Community Garden Manager, Brittney Portes, portesb@montclair.edu or the Office of Sustainability, sustainability@montclair.edu.

External Email Tagging is Now Active
Starting on March 16th, external emails will show [EXTERNAL] in the subject line.
This simple reminder helps you spot suspicious messages and reduce phishing or fraud risk. Note: Emails from external addresses may be legitimate. This reminder is designed to alert you to pause and check before clicking links, opening attachments or responding to unexpected requests for information. Quick Tip: If you receive a suspicious email, hit the Phish Alert Button to report. For more information, check out the Phish Files.

Reminders

Montclair’s Middle States Self-Study: A Campuswide Reflection on Mission, Growth, and Resilience

The University’s self-study report has been completed and formally submitted to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The self-study has provided an invaluable opportunity to take stock of Montclair’s significant growth, examine how the institution continues to deliver on its mission and identify the ways we are strengthening institutional resilience for the future. The self-study report is available for the community to view online.

Donate to Create Recharge and Restore Kits for Students

The Red Hawk Pantry, CART Performance Operations and CAPS are partnering to distribute Recharge & Restore Kits to students at the end of the semester. These kits are designed to encourage students and support their wellbeing during this stressful time. Kits can include a mix of salty and sweet snacks, study supplies, stress relievers and/or self care items as well as personal notes to boost morale.

You can support this initiative by donating supplies for the kits from the .

Monetary donations can be made online via the . Select “Red Hawk Pantry Care Kits” (see image below) to donate to this project. The cost of 1 kit is about $15.50. Our goal is to give out 150 boxes this first semester.

In The News

• President Jonathan Koppell was named to ROI-NJ’s .
• Amanda Baden (Counseling) is cited in this about navigating divorce.
• Arnaud Kurze (Justice Studies) co-authored a piece for about how social media can draw attention to atrocities and is a key factor in reducing risk of recurrence.
• Dan Geltrude (Adjunct, Accounting and Finance) appeared on to weigh in on the economy as it relates to the conflict in Iran.
• Bond Benton (Strategic Communication) and Daniela Peterka-Benton (Justice Studies, Global Center on Human Trafficking) are quoted in this about the politicization of human trafficking.
• Keith Strudler (College of Communication and Media) is quoted in this article about the city’s plans to open New Media High School, which will be geared toward film and TV careers and digital creator roles.

Kudos

• To Teresa Fiore (World Languages and Cultures), who coordinated four projects as part of the prestigious national initiative Agrigento Italy’s Capital of Culture 2025.
• To Christopher Parker (Theatre and Dance), who received an honorable mention in the 2026 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards for his poem “Lake Echoes, After the Storm.” The recognition highlights his ongoing contributions to contemporary poetry and the New Jersey literary community.

Social Media Post of Note

Ready to chef it up at the Teaching Kitchen located at Freeman Dining Hall‍ What are you cooking?

Photo of the Week

Editing in progress. – University Photographer: John LaRosa

Quick Links

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.

From Study Hall to Dining Hall: One Graduate’s Journey to a Career in Food and Nutrition

Alumna Sheridan Van Biert’s full-circle homecoming has taken her from Nutrition and Food Science studies at Montclair to a registered dietitian nourishing her alma mater’s community

Montclair’s men’s basketball team will be in action today in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Tournament at the Panzer Athletic Center. Tickets to Montclair’s game against Maine-Farmington, which begins at 5:15 p.m., will be sold at the door beginning one hour before tip-off.

HR Updates

Performance Management Key Dates and Reminder: AFT Professional Staff

2026 PARs Launched for CWA Employees

The 2026 Performance Assessment Review (PAR) is now live in Workday. Your Supervisor has received a task in their Workday inbox to complete the initial agreement. The initial agreement is due on January 31, 2026.

This year, we are providing all Civil Service employees with a self-guided employee-facing version of the Performance Assessment Review training.

• Access the Self guided employee training

If you have questions regarding the 2026 Performance Assessment Review or have not received your Initial Agreement, please email performance@montclair.edu. A ServiceNow ticket will be created on your behalf.

2025 W-2 Form Available in Workday

Employees have access to print and download their 2025 W-2 form in .

How to Access Your W-2 Form

• From your Workday home page, please select the Pay Icon from your Apps list
• Then select My Tax Documents
• Once in My Tax Documents scroll down and you’ll see a table with available tax year W-2 documents that you can view/print

Paper W-2 Forms

In accordance with IRS Guidelines, employees who elected to receive a paper copy will have had their W-2 mailed out by Friday, January 30. Please note that if your W-2 is two pages, you will receive two envelopes in the mail.

If you have questions, contact Human Resources at askhr@montclair.edu or at x7700, option 1.

Updates

Faculty and Staff Commencement Registration

����vlog is excited to hold Spring 2026 Commencement exercises on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Prudential Center in Newark. Advanced registration is REQUIRED for all faculty and staff attending Commencement. There are two registration forms depending if you are a staff member working the event or a faculty or staff member participating in the academic processional. Registration will close on Monday, March 30, 2026. Due to event coordination needs, faculty and staff MUST register by this deadline. Late registrations will not be accepted. Visit the faculty and staff Commencement webpage for more information or email officeofspecialevents@montclair.edu.

Montclair’s Middle States Self-Study: A Campuswide Reflection on Mission, Growth, and Resilience

The University’s self-study report has been completed and formally submitted to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The self-study has provided an invaluable opportunity to take stock of Montclair’s significant growth, examine how the institution continues to deliver on its mission and identify the ways we are strengthening institutional resilience for the future. The self-study report is available for the community to view online.

World’s Fair Day 2026 Planning

Interested in helping plan ? Attend a planning meeting! World’s Fair Day will be held on April 23, 2026. Contact Casey Coleman for more information. Planning meeting schedule as follows at 10 a.m. on Zoom

• Friday, March 13
• Friday, April 10

External Email Tagging is Now Active

Starting on March 16th, external emails will show [EXTERNAL] in the subject line.
This simple reminder helps you spot suspicious messages and reduce phishing or fraud risk. Note: Emails from external addresses may be legitimate. This reminder is designed to alert you to pause and check before clicking links, opening attachments or responding to unexpected requests for information. Quick Tip: If you receive a suspicious email, hit the Phish Alert Button to report. For more information, check out the Phish Files.

Reminders

“Know Before You Go” won’t run on Monday, March 9, 2026

Our weekly events digest, “Know Before You Go”, won’t run on Monday, March 9 due to Spring Break. For next week’s events, please refer to last week’s March 2 issue in your inbox.

Donate to Create Recharge and Restore Kits for Students

The Red Hawk Pantry, CART Performance Operations and CAPS are partnering to distribute Recharge & Restore Kits to students at the end of the semester. These kits are designed to encourage students and support their wellbeing during this stressful time. Kits can include a mix of salty and sweet snacks, study supplies, stress relievers and/or self care items as well as personal notes to boost morale.

You can support this initiative by donating supplies for the kits from the .

Monetary donations can be made online via the . Select “Red Hawk Pantry Care Kits” (see image below) to donate to this project. The cost of 1 kit is about $15.50. Our goal is to give out 150 boxes this first semester.

In The News

• Dean Theodorea Berry (Bloomfield College of ����vlog) gave an exclusive interview to about empowering learners through curriculum.
• Pevitr Bansal (Psychology) is quoted in this article about signs of psychopathy in young people.
• Fanny Lauby (Political Science and Law) co-authored an op-ed on academic freedom for . The piece encourages the French government to adopt stricter protections for scholars in the context of a worldwide increase in threats to academic freedom.

Kudos

• To Pascale LaFountain (College of Humanities and Social Sciences), who has been awarded a Goethe-Institut scholarship to attend a summer 2027 professional development seminar in Germany through the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
• To Laura Montanari (John J. Cali School of Music), who will serve on the Oral History Association Education Committee through 2028. This group promotes the use of oral history in the classroom at all levels of instruction and ensures that the OHA addresses teachers’ needs. Dr. Montanari received the OHA 2025 Mason Multimedia Award for the dissertation titled, “Songwriting Oral History Interviews: Archival Songs As Critical-Creative Pedagogy in Dialogue With Women of the Italian Resistance.”
• To Veronica Betts, Courtney Reinisch and Brenda Marshall (Nursing) on the publication of their article “Building Mental Readiness: A pilot study Evaluating the Effects of stress first aid Training on Prelicensure Nursing Students.”

Social Media Post of Note

When the study rooms are always taken

Photo of the Week

A winter stroll through campus. – University Photographer: Mike Peters

Quick Links

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.

Composting Comes to Freeman Dining Hall

Beginning February 2026, the University began composting kitchen scraps from Freeman Dining Hall through a cross-campus partnership that supports the Facilities Sustainability Plan’s landfill-diversion goals.

The Future Student Affairs Professionals aims to educate, mentor and engage with undergraduate students who have the potential to pursue a future career in Student Affairs. Through an application process, 20 juniors and seniors will be selected to learn more about the field of Student Affairs. Participants will have the opportunity to shadow different departments, attend conferences, join committees and meet and build relationships with current professionals in different functional areas of Student Affairs.

HR Updates

Performance Management Key Dates and Reminder: AFT Professional Staff

2026 PARs Launched for CWA Employees

The 2026 Performance Assessment Review (PAR) is now live in Workday. Your Supervisor has received a task in their Workday inbox to complete the initial agreement. The initial agreement is due on January 31, 2026.

This year, we are providing all Civil Service employees with a self-guided employee-facing version of the Performance Assessment Review training.

• Access the Self guided employee training

If you have questions regarding the 2026 Performance Assessment Review or have not received your Initial Agreement, please email performance@montclair.edu. A ServiceNow ticket will be created on your behalf.

2025 W-2 Form Available in Workday

Employees have access to print and download their 2025 W-2 form in .

How to Access Your W-2 Form

• From your Workday home page, please select the Pay Icon from your Apps list
• Then select My Tax Documents
• Once in My Tax Documents scroll down and you’ll see a table with available tax year W-2 documents that you can view/print

Paper W-2 Forms

In accordance with IRS Guidelines, employees who elected to receive a paper copy will have had their W-2 mailed out by Friday, January 30. Please note that if your W-2 is two pages, you will receive two envelopes in the mail.

If you have questions, contact Human Resources at askhr@montclair.edu or at x7700, option 1.

Updates

Faculty and Staff Commencement Registration

����vlog is excited to hold Spring 2026 Commencement exercises on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Prudential Center in Newark. Advanced registration is REQUIRED for all faculty and staff attending Commencement. There are two registration forms depending if you are a staff member working the event or a faculty or staff member participating in the academic processional. Registration will close on Monday, March 30, 2026. Due to event coordination needs, faculty and staff MUST register by this deadline. Late registrations will not be accepted. Visit the faculty and staff Commencement webpage for more information or email officeofspecialevents@montclair.edu.

Montclair’s Middle States Self-Study: A Campuswide Reflection on Mission, Growth, and Resilience

The University’s self-study report has been completed and formally submitted to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The self-study has provided an invaluable opportunity to take stock of Montclair’s significant growth, examine how the institution continues to deliver on its mission and identify the ways we are strengthening institutional resilience for the future. The self-study report is available for the community to view online.

World’s Fair Day 2026 Planning

Interested in helping plan ? Attend a planning meeting! World’s Fair Day will be held on April 23, 2026. Contact Casey Coleman for more information. Planning meeting schedule as follows at 10 a.m. on Zoom

• Friday, March 13
• Friday, April 10

Reminders

Career Development Program

The Career Development Program (CDP) provides professional development support for employees represented by the AFT (membership not required), including librarians, tenure-track and teaching faculty and professional staff. The program is designed to help participants build new skills or areas of expertise through meetings, workshops, symposia, short courses and training programs. Applicants must submit a written proposal along with a detailed budget breakdown and are encouraged to submit one cohesive proposal centered on a common theme. Application due Monday, March 2, by 4:30 p.m.

Donate to Create Recharge and Restore Kits for Students

The Red Hawk Pantry, CART Performance Operations and CAPS are partnering to distribute Recharge & Restore Kits to students at the end of the semester. These kits are designed to encourage students and support their wellbeing during this stressful time. Kits can include a mix of salty and sweet snacks, study supplies, stress relievers and/or self care items as well as personal notes to boost morale.

You can support this initiative by donating supplies for the kits from the .

Monetary donations can be made online via the . Select “Red Hawk Pantry Care Kits” (see image below) to donate to this project. The cost of 1 kit is about $15.50. Our goal is to give out 150 boxes this first semester.

In The News

• Joel Penney (Communication and Media) is quoted in this report of an analysis that found rapper Nicki Minaj’s social media posts supporting conservative causes were amplified by an army of bots and coordinated activity.
• Lisa Hazard and Kirsten Monsen (Biology) are featured in this article about ranavirus outbreaks in New Jersey and how rising temperatures could exacerbate the problem.
• Dan Geltrude (Adjunct, Accounting and Finance) appeared on a segment to discuss tariffs and other news topics related to the economy.

Kudos

• To Hanan Atiyat (College for Community Health), Amanda Carcione (College of the Arts) and Celest Van Nice (College of Science and Mathematics) for presenting at the 2026 Region 1 and 2 NACADA Conference in Providence, Rhode Island. Their session highlighted the power of collaborative leadership and the strength it brings to student success work.
• To Mike Peters (University Communications and Marketing) on his upcoming photography exhibition, . 20% of print sales will be donated to the Red Hawk Pantry for students experiencing food insecurity.

Social Media Post of Note

Winter wonderland in #RedHawkCountry

Photo of the Week

When winter hits hard, facilities clears the way! A big thank you to our Facilities team for their hard work during the 2026 blizzard. They play a vital role in keeping our campus running smoothly day in and day out. – University Photographer: Mike Peters

Quick Links

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.

Turning a Passion for Service Into a Career in Policy and Child Advocacy

Internships, research and campus leadership at Montclair are helping Jose Carlos Aguilar launch a career in government and child protection reform.

The Future Student Affairs Professionals aims to educate, mentor and engage with undergraduate students who have the potential to pursue a future career in Student Affairs. Through an application process, 20 juniors and seniors will be selected to learn more about the field of Student Affairs. Participants will have the opportunity to shadow different departments, attend conferences, join committees and meet and build relationships with current professionals in different functional areas of Student Affairs.

HR Updates

Performance Management Key Dates and Reminder: AFT Professional Staff

2026 PARs Launched for CWA Employees

The 2026 Performance Assessment Review (PAR) is now live in Workday. Your Supervisor has received a task in their Workday inbox to complete the initial agreement. The initial agreement is due on January 31, 2026.

This year, we are providing all Civil Service employees with a self-guided employee-facing version of the Performance Assessment Review training.

• Access the Self guided employee training

If you have questions regarding the 2026 Performance Assessment Review or have not received your Initial Agreement, please email performance@montclair.edu. A ServiceNow ticket will be created on your behalf.

AFT Earning Holiday Time Reminder

AFT Professional Staff Employees and Librarians may earn AFT Holiday Time to cover Thanksgiving and Winter Closings by working on Presidents Day within the same calendar year to accrue compensatory time at the rate of 1.25 days.

• If you took Presidents Day off, do not take any action in Workday (as you will not earn “AFT Holiday Worked” time for the holiday closures).
• If you worked Presidents Day, enter 8.75 hours under “AFT Holiday Accrued.”

For further assistance, please contact Workday Support at 973-655-7700 or by email at askhr@montclair.edu.

2025 W-2 Form Available in Workday

Effective Friday, January 23, employees have access to print and download their 2025 W-2 form in .

How to Access Your W-2 Form

• From your Workday home page, please select the Pay Icon from your Apps list
• Then select My Tax Documents
• Once in My Tax Documents scroll down and you’ll see a table with available tax year W-2 documents that you can view/print

Paper W-2 Forms

In accordance with IRS Guidelines, employees who elected to receive a paper copy will have had their W-2 mailed out by Friday, January 30. Please note that if your W-2 is two pages, you will receive two envelopes in the mail.

If you have questions, contact Human Resources at askhr@montclair.edu or at x7700, option 1.

Updates

Faculty and Staff Commencement Registration

����vlog is excited to hold Spring 2026 Commencement exercises on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Prudential Center in Newark. Advanced registration is REQUIRED for all faculty and staff attending Commencement. There are two registration forms depending if you are a staff member working the event or a faculty or staff member participating in the academic processional. Registration will close on Monday, March 30, 2026. Due to event coordination needs, faculty and staff MUST register by this deadline. Late registrations will not be accepted. Visit the faculty and staff Commencement webpage for more information or email officeofspecialevents@montclair.edu.

Montclair’s Middle States Self-Study: A Campuswide Reflection on Mission, Growth, and Resilience

The University’s self-study report has been completed and formally submitted to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The self-study has provided an invaluable opportunity to take stock of Montclair’s significant growth, examine how the institution continues to deliver on its mission and identify the ways we are strengthening institutional resilience for the future. The self-study report is available for the community to view online.

World’s Fair Day 2026 Planning

Interested in helping plan ? Attend a planning meeting! World’s Fair Day will be held on April 23, 2026. Contact Casey Coleman for more information. Planning meeting schedule as follows at 10 a.m. on Zoom

• Friday, March 13
• Friday, April 10

Donate to Create Recharge and Restore Kits for Students

The Red Hawk Pantry, CART Performance Operations and CAPS are partnering to distribute Recharge & Restore Kits to students at the end of the semester. These kits are designed to encourage students and support their wellbeing during this stressful time. Kits can include a mix of salty and sweet snacks, study supplies, stress relievers and/or self care items as well as personal notes to boost morale.

You can support this initiative by donating supplies for the kits from the .

Monetary donations can be made online via the . Select “Red Hawk Pantry Care Kits” (see image below) to donate to this project. The cost of 1 kit is about $15.50. Our goal is to give out 150 boxes this first semester.

Reminders

Career Development Program

The Career Development Program (CDP) provides professional development support for employees represented by the AFT (membership not required), including librarians, tenure-track and teaching faculty and professional staff. The program is designed to help participants build new skills or areas of expertise through meetings, workshops, symposia, short courses and training programs. Applicants must submit a written proposal along with a detailed budget breakdown and are encouraged to submit one cohesive proposal centered on a common theme. Application due Monday, March 2, by 4:30 p.m.

Digital Printing and Photocopying Services Now a “Punch Out” Catalog

The University has rolled out a faster, easier way for departments to create brochures, event programs, posters, flyers and newsletters that look professional and comply with the University’s brand standard using customizable online templates. One Source Solutions will print the materials and deliver them to campus. Access this service by means of a “punch out” requisition in Workday. View the One Source Solutions Job Aid for detailed instructions. Printed materials that are not available in this system can be requested using UCM’s .

Workday Strategic Sourcing

Procurement Services is pleased to announce that Workday Strategic Sourcing (WSS) is now live. WSS is a procurement contract management system that establishes a standardized electronic intake process for various requests. It provides transparent workflows, visibility into the status of procurements and contracts and a centralized repository of procurement-related contract documents with role-based permissions for all new contracts, making management easier. More information, including procurement training, is available.

In The News

• Jim Chern (Council for Faith and Spirituality) is quoted in this article about Gen Zers attending church.
• Business Administration major Olga Mikutina, recently profiled for our Montclair Life series, competed this week as a figure skater in the Winter Olympics currently taking place in Milan. published a profile on Olga, and a campus watch party during her competition was covered by and .
• Stephanie Silvera (Public Health) is quoted in this article about vaccination rates dropping for children in the state and whether herd immunity could be at risk.
• An written by the acting and deputy commissioners for Disability and Aging Services in New Jersey cited research by Bond Benton (Strategic Communication) and Daniela Peterka-Benton (Justice Studies) on the resurgence of the use of the “r” word.
• Joe Amditis (Center for Cooperative Media) is featured in this story about Reroute NJ, a new rider-created web tool he developed to give train commuters a way to determine the best routes into New York City as workers finish construction on the final phase of the Portal Bridge this month.

Kudos

• To Daniel Jean (EOF and Academic Success), who served as a moderator for the panel, “Vision Forward: Empowering Men to Design Their Future Selves” at the LearningMan 2026 Symposium held at Arizona State University.
• To Alyssa Fanning (Art and Design), who was awarded the in painting from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
• To Joe Bavazzano (ADP Center for Learning Technologies), who was elected to a three-year term on the Advisory Board of the , one of the state’s largest education technology non-profit providers.
• To Roxanna Ast (Social Work and Child Advocacy), who assisted the New Jersey Office of Food Security Advocate develop its that is intended to guide coordinated, cross-sector action to advance food security and sustainability in NJ.
• To Maughn Gregory (Educational Foundations), who received a grant from the Berry Fund for Public Philosophy administered by the American Philosophical Association. The funds will help prepare junior scholars of philosophy and education to write reviews of children’s books that “go philosophical” on themes of democratic civics and political resistance and resilience as part of the IAPC’s ‘Thinking in Stories’ project used by teachers, librarians, and parents.

Social Media Post of Note

From #RedHawkCountry Milan, @olgamikutina is ready to take the ice representing Austria in Women’s Figure Skating at the 2026 @nbcolympics.

Photo of the Week

Olympic Games Watch Party for our very own Olga Mikutina! – University Photographer: Mike Peters

Quick Links

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.

Montclair’s Middle States Self-Study: A Campuswide Reflection on Mission, Growth, and Resilience

The University’s self-study report has been completed and formally submitted to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The self-study has provided an invaluable opportunity to take stock of Montclair’s significant growth, examine how the institution continues to deliver on its mission and identify the ways we are strengthening institutional resilience for the future.

How the University’s Transfer Support Helped One Student Find Her Place and Her Purpose

Abigail Rodriguez’s journey from community college to Montclair inspired her passion for advancing educational policy.

HR Updates

Performance Management Key Dates and Reminder: AFT Professional Staff

2026 PARs Launched for CWA Employees

The 2026 Performance Assessment Review (PAR) is now live in Workday. Your Supervisor has received a task in their Workday inbox to complete the initial agreement. The initial agreement is due on January 31, 2026.

This year, we are providing all Civil Service employees with a self-guided employee-facing version of the Performance Assessment Review training.

• Access the Self guided employee training

If you have questions regarding the 2026 Performance Assessment Review or have not received your Initial Agreement, please email performance@montclair.edu. A ServiceNow ticket will be created on your behalf.

2025 W-2 Form Available in Workday

Effective Friday, January 23, employees have access to print and download their 2025 W-2 form in .

How to Access Your W-2 Form

• From your Workday home page, please select the Pay Icon from your Apps list
• Then select My Tax Documents
• Once in My Tax Documents scroll down and you’ll see a table with available tax year W-2 documents that you can view/print

Paper W-2 Forms

In accordance with IRS Guidelines, employees who elected to receive a paper copy will have had their W-2 mailed out by Friday, January 30. Please note that if your W-2 is two pages, you will receive two envelopes in the mail.

If you have questions, contact Human Resources at askhr@montclair.edu or at x7700, option 1.

Updates

Faculty and Staff Commencement Registration

����vlog is excited to hold Spring 2026 Commencement exercises on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Prudential Center in Newark. Advanced registration is REQUIRED for all faculty and staff attending Commencement. There are two registration forms depending if you are a staff member working the event or a faculty or staff member participating in the academic processional. Registration will close on Monday, March 30, 2026. Due to event coordination needs, faculty and staff MUST register by this deadline. Late registrations will not be accepted. Visit the faculty and staff Commencement webpage for more information or email officeofspecialevents@montclair.edu.

World’s Fair Day 2026 Planning

Interested in helping plan ? Attend a planning meeting! World’s Fair Day will be held on April 23, 2026. Contact Casey Coleman for more information. Planning meeting schedule as follows at 10 a.m. on Zoom

• Friday, February 13
• Friday, March 13
• Friday, April 10

Help Donate to Create Recharge and Restore Kits for Students

The Red Hawk Pantry, CART Performance Operations and CAPS are partnering to distribute Recharge & Restore Kits to students at the end of the semester. These kits are designed to encourage students and support their wellbeing during this stressful time. Kits can include a mix of salty and sweet snacks, study supplies, stress relievers and/or self care items as well as personal notes to boost morale.

You can support this initiative by donating supplies for the kits from the .

Monetary donations can be made online via the . Select “Red Hawk Pantry Care Kits” (see image below) to donate to this project. The cost of 1 kit is about $15.50. Our goal is to give out 150 boxes this first semester.

Reminders

Career Development Program

The Career Development Program (CDP) provides professional development support for employees represented by the AFT (membership not required), including librarians, tenure-track and teaching faculty and professional staff. The program is designed to help participants build new skills or areas of expertise through meetings, workshops, symposia, short courses and training programs. Applicants must submit a written proposal along with a detailed budget breakdown and are encouraged to submit one cohesive proposal centered on a common theme. Application due Monday, March 2, by 4:30 p.m.

Workday Strategic Sourcing

Procurement Services is pleased to announce that Workday Strategic Sourcing (WSS) is now live. WSS is a procurement contract management system that establishes a standardized electronic intake process for various requests. It provides transparent workflows, visibility into the status of procurements and contracts and a centralized repository of procurement-related contract documents with role-based permissions for all new contracts, making management easier. More information, including procurement training, is available.

Digital Printing and Photocopying Services Now a “Punch Out” Catalog

The University has rolled out a faster, easier way for departments to create brochures, event programs, posters, flyers and newsletters that look professional and comply with the University’s brand standard using customizable online templates. One Source Solutions will print the materials and deliver them to campus. Access this service by means of a “punch out” requisition in Workday. View the One Source Solutions Job Aid for detailed instructions. Printed materials that are not available in this system can be requested using UCM’s .

In The News

• Business Administration major Olga Mikutina, who was recently profiled for our Montclair Life series, is headed to Milan to skate in the Winter Olympics. NBC New York’s Bruce Beck paid a visit to campus ahead of the Games.
• Arnaud Kurze (Justice Studies) participated in an interview with about how hashtag campaigns can function as early warning signals and accountability tools in atrocity prevention.
• Dierdre Paul (Teaching and Learning) contributed an opinion piece to about New Jersey’s cursive writing requirement in schools.

Kudos

• To Stacy Gitlin (College of Communication and Media) and seven Montclair State students and alumni who are working behind the scenes at NBC Sports Studios in Stamford, Connecticut, helping bring the to audiences nationwide. Gitlin, a feature producer on the USA overnight broadcast, is working her fourth Olympic Games and helped connect several recent graduates to production assistant roles across NBC’s Olympic coverage.
• To Christopher Parker (Classics and General Humanities), who received the in the Literature in the non-fiction category.
• To Catherine Baird (University Libraries) on being elected as Interim Head for Reference and Research Services.
• To Carlos Flores (Center for Student Success and Educator Excellence), who joined Mayor James Solomon’s , serving on the Education & Youth Committee, to connect policy expertise directly to the voices and priorities of Jersey City residents.
• To Marilyn Davis (Network for Educational Renewal) who is the 2025-2026 National Co-Chair of the Association for Teacher Education (ATE), Educational Leadership SIG and 2026-2027 National Chair of the ATE Educational Leadership SIG. ATE represents teacher educators in colleges, universities, school districts, and state education agencies in 41 regional and state affiliated units and U.S. Territories.

Social Media Post of Note

Back-to-Back Regular Season Champions

Photo of the Week

Strategy in real time. – University Photographer: John LaRosa

Quick Links

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.

From the Creative Industry to a New Chapter at Montclair

After a decade in photography and fashion, Sociology major Horatio Wauchope is channeling his artistic background into a more focused second act, powered by financial support and Uber shifts between classes.

HR Updates

Performance Management Key Dates and Reminder: AFT Professional Staff

2026 PARs Launched for CWA Employees

The 2026 Initial PAR agreement was due on January 31, 2026.

All Supervisors of Civil Service staff have received a task in their Workday inbox to complete. If you have not done so, please log into Workday to submit the task as soon as possible.

This year, we are providing all Civil Service employees with a self-guided employee-facing version of the Performance Assessment Review training.

• Access the Self guided employee training

If you have questions regarding the 2026 Performance Assessment Review or have not received your Initial Agreement, please email performance@montclair.edu. A ServiceNow ticket will be created on your behalf.

2025 W-2 Form Available in Workday

Effective Friday, January 23, employees have access to print and download their 2025 W-2 form in .

• How to Access Your W-2 Form
  • From your Workday home page, please select the Pay Icon from your Apps list
  • Then select My Tax Documents
  • Once in My Tax Documents scroll down and you’ll see a table with available tax year W-2 documents that you can view/print
• Paper W-2 Forms
  • In accordance with IRS Guidelines, employees who elected to receive a paper copy will have had their W-2 mailed out by Friday, January 30. Please note that if your W-2 is two pages, you will receive two envelopes in the mail.

If you have questions, contact Human Resources at askhr@montclair.edu or at x7700, option 1.

Updates

Workday Strategic Sourcing

Procurement Services is pleased to announce that Workday Strategic Sourcing (WSS) went live effective Thursday, January 29. WSS is a procurement contract management system that establishes a standardized electronic intake process for various requests. It provides transparent workflows, visibility into the status of procurements and contracts and a centralized repository of procurement-related contract documents, with role-based permissions for all new contracts, making management easier. More information, including procurement training, is available.

Reminders

Digital Printing and Photocopying Services Now a “Punch Out” Catalog

The University has rolled out a faster, easier way for departments to create brochures, event programs, posters, flyers and newsletters that look professional and comply with the University’s brand standard using customizable online templates. One Source Solutions will print the materials and deliver them to campus. Access this service by means of a “punch out” requisition in Workday. View the One Source Solutions Job Aid for detailed instructions. Printed materials that are not available in this system can be requested using UCM’s .

Montclair.edu Digital Transformation Office Hours

to request updates to your program pages, ask questions about governance and responsibilities and preview both the upcoming Montclair.edu homepage and the draft of the Inside Montclair sitemap.

In The News

• James Woodard (History) contributed to an article for about military dictatorships in South America.
• Joel Penney (Communication and Media) is quoted in this about director Brett Ratner’s return to Hollywood with the “Melania” documentary.
• Sunhyung Lee (Economics) was interviewed by , a South Korean international broadcaster, about how Trump’s tariff threats are impacting South Korea’s semiconductor industry.
• Francesca Laguardia (Justice Studies) is quoted in this about how the Department of Justice has changed how it uses the terrorism statute under the Trump Administration.

Kudos

• To Peter Koeniges (Kinesiology), who was recognized by and for delivering life-saving measures to revive an unresponsive high school basketball player.
• To Rhena Jasey-Goodman (Center for Student Success and Educator Excellence), who served on a panel discussion about the .
• To Wendy Castillo (Educational Foundations), who was awarded the for her co-authored book, “How to QuantCrit: Applying critical race theory to quantitative data in education.”
• To University Facilities, Office of Sustainability and Dining Services, which were featured by for expanding the Fill it Forward initiative into a campus-wide movement that encourages reuse, reduces single-use waste and makes sustainability part of daily life at Montclair.

Social Media Post of Note

It’s giving… aesthetic Now this is a room we could make a lot of memories in! #RedHawkHome

Photo of the Week

Making connections across campus — even on chilly days. – University Photographer: John LaRosa

Quick Links

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.

2026 College Rankings: U.S. News & World Report Ranks University Among Best Online Programs

Educational Leadership rises to No. 5 in the nation, Montclair also earns first-ever Best Online Bachelor’s ranking.

An Exhibition Celebrating Notable Montclair Alumni Artists and Their Creative Impact

University Galleries Presents “Carpe Diem: Select Alumni in the Visual Arts” – a cross-generational exhibition on view February 3 – May 3, 2026.

Alum Reaches New Heights in Sports Broadcasting

Jonathan Edmond ’22 marked a major career milestone with his first NBA broadcast, showcasing how experiential learning at Montclair can lead to big-league opportunities.

HR Updates

Performance Management Key Dates and Reminder: AFT Professional Staff

2026 PARs Launched for CWA Employees

The 2026 Performance Assessment Review (PAR) is now live in Workday. Your Supervisor has received a task in their Workday inbox to complete the initial agreement. The initial agreement is due on January 31, 2026.

This year, we are providing all Civil Service employees with a self-guided employee-facing version of the Performance Assessment Review training.

• Access the Self guided employee training

Your Partner in What’s Next

• For questions regarding 2025-2026 Performance Evaluations, please email performance@montclair.edu. A ServiceNow ticket will be created on your behalf and routed to the Learning and Talent Development team.
• To review AFT Professional Staff contracts, please visit the Collectively Negotiated Agreements webpage.
• View the full for a printable version of additional key dates and actions per contract type.

Review and Update Your Beneficiary Designations

As we begin a new year, this is a great opportunity to review and confirm that your selections are accurate and up to date

• To identify who your current beneficiary is, you may submit a written request to the State requesting a copy of your beneficiary disclosure. Requests should be sent to:
  • New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits
    Defined Benefit & Defined Contribution Bureau
    P.O. Box 295
    Trenton, NJ 08625-0295
• To update or change your beneficiary, complete the and return it to:
  • New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits
    Defined Benefit & Defined Contribution Bureau
    P.O. Box 295
    Trenton, NJ 08625-0295
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) members who wish to verify, update, or change their beneficiary information must use the online Designation of Beneficiary Application available through the .

The University does not maintain beneficiary designation information for employees. The State of New Jersey is the official record keeper. Contact the New Jersey Division of Pension and Benefits (NJDPB) at 609-292-7524 with any questions.

Updates

Duo Security Update

Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is making a security update on Monday, February 2. To avoid login issues, make sure your Duo Mobile app is up to date.

Open the Duo Mobile app, tap the menu (☰), and check the version at the bottom. If it’s below 4.85, update the app from the or .

Read the latest Phish Files article for more information and instructions.

Reminders

Digital Printing and Photocopying Services Now a “Punch Out” Catalog

The University has rolled out a faster, easier way for departments to create brochures, event programs, posters, flyers and newsletters that look professional and comply with the University’s brand standard using customizable online templates. One Source Solutions will print the materials and deliver them to campus. Access this service by means of a “punch out” requisition in Workday. View the One Source Solutions Job Aid for detailed instructions. Printed materials that are not available in this system can be requested using UCM’s .

Montclair.edu Digital Transformation Office Hours

to request updates to your program pages, ask questions about governance and responsibilities and preview both the upcoming Montclair.edu homepage and the draft of the Inside Montclair sitemap.

In The News

• Business Administration student and Olympic figure skater Olga Mikutina, who was recently profiled for our Montclair Life series, was featured in a (corrected link) ahead of the Winter Games, which begin next month in Milan.
• Keith Strudler (School of Communication and Media) was featured on , discussing how the changing media landscape impacts the next generation.
• Dan Geltrude (Adjunct, Accounting and Finance) appeared on to discuss various news topics related to the economy.
• Bond Benton (Strategic Communication) and Daniela Peterka-Benton (Justice Studies) are quoted in about the resurgence of the “R-word” on social media and across the political right.
• Jaime Grinberg (Educational Foundations) was interviewed for a segment on international network about the plan for Gaza reconstruction and a peace initiative presented by the Trump administration at Davos to the Board of Peace.

Kudos

• To Club Advisor Cristina Latino (Humanities and Social Sciences) and the Amici Club, for being selected as the recipient of the highly competitive for the third consecutive year. This grant allows for Italian-American student organizations to curate educational programs, of which the Amici Club has previously organized a guided walking tour of the Italian American Museum/Little Italy in NYC.
• To Catherine Baird (University Libraries), for being awarded the New Jersey Academic Librarians , which will be presented at the 2026 New Jersey Library Association + New Jersey Association of School Librarians joint annual conference in February 2026.
• To Arnaud Kurze (Justice Studies), who was on his recently published research article on “Comparative Insights on Social Media as an Atrocity Prevention Tool: Policy Implications.”
• To Maughn Gregory (Educational Foundations), whose co-authored article “,” was selected to be featured in the special 75th anniversary issue of the journal Educational Theory, dedicated to considering the present and future roles of philosophers and theorists of education amid political, social and technological change.
• To Melinda Knight (English), whose essay “William Gardner Smith’s The Stone Face: A Novel Buried in Obscurity for Too Long” was just published in the collection “” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2025).
• To Prudence Jones (Classics and General Humanities), who was elected to serve on the for 2026–2027.
• To the Office for Faculty Excellence for being recognized as a winner of the Delphi Award for its work supporting adjunct faculty in their onboarding, professional development, inclusion and sense of belonging.

Social Media Post of Note

highly recommend your volume on

Photo of the Week

Sometimes the snow calls…and you must answer. – University Photographer: Mike Peters

Quick Links

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.

University Earns Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

The designation awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching honors the collaboration and partnership between schools and the larger communities they serve.

Students Answer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Powerful Call to Service Across New Jersey

More than 300 student leaders honor Dr. King’s legacy through hands-on volunteering — building leadership skills, strengthening communities and living Montclair’s mission of civic engagement year-round.

Montclair Offers Food-Insecure Students Support and Resources through Red Hawk Pantry

The University is responding to students facing food insecurity with expanded pantry services, fresh food access and student-centered offerings.

HR Updates

Performance Management Key Dates and Reminder: AFT Professional Staff

2026 PARs Launched for CWA Employees

The 2026 Performance Assessment Review (PAR) is now live in Workday. Your Supervisor has received a task in their Workday inbox to complete the initial agreement. The initial agreement is due on January 31, 2026.

This year, we are providing all Civil Service employees with a self-guided employee-facing version of the Performance Assessment Review training.

• Access the Self guided employee training

Your Partner in What’s Next

• For questions regarding 2025-2026 Performance Evaluations, please email performance@montclair.edu. A ServiceNow ticket will be created on your behalf and routed to the Learning and Talent Development team.
• To review AFT Professional Staff contracts, please visit the Collectively Negotiated Agreements webpage.
• View the full for a printable version of additional key dates and actions per contract type.

Review and Update Your Beneficiary Designations

As we begin a new year, this is a great opportunity to review and confirm that your selections are accurate and up to date

• To identify who your current beneficiary is, you may submit a written request to the State requesting a copy of your beneficiary disclosure. Requests should be sent to:
  • New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits
    Defined Benefit & Defined Contribution Bureau
    P.O. Box 295
    Trenton, NJ 08625-0295
• To update or change your beneficiary, complete the and return it to:
  • New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits
    Defined Benefit & Defined Contribution Bureau
    P.O. Box 295
    Trenton, NJ 08625-0295
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) members who wish to verify, update, or change their beneficiary information must use the online Designation of Beneficiary Application available through the .

The University does not maintain beneficiary designation information for employees. The State of New Jersey is the official record keeper. Contact the New Jersey Division of Pension and Benefits (NJDPB) at 609-292-7524 with any questions.

Updates

Duo Security Update

Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is making a security update on Monday, February 2. To avoid login issues, make sure your Duo Mobile app is up to date.

Open the Duo Mobile app, tap the menu (☰), and check the version at the bottom. If it’s below 4.85, update the app from the or .

Read the latest Phish Files article for more information and instructions.

Request Pebbles for your Events

at your event or program! Team Pebbles schedules one week out from each event request. If you need confirmation prior to a week before your event, email pebbles@montclair.edu and we will try to accommodate the request sooner. The above form is for Pebbles only. If you wish to have Rocky or Roxy at your event, please fill out the .

Reminders

Presidential Excellence Awards – 2026 Nominations Are Now Open

The Presidential Excellence Awards honor individuals and teams who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to Montclair’s mission, excellence in their work and service to our community. These awards are intended to highlight achievements from all members of our Red Hawk community, including faculty and staff, full-time and part-time, long standing and newly arrived. Together, we will continue our mission to make Montclair an inclusive and accessible University that creates transformative educational opportunities for students across the globe. Nominations close Thursday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m.

Digital Printing and Photocopying Services Now a “Punch Out” Catalog

The University has rolled out a faster, easier way for departments to create brochures, event programs, posters, flyers and newsletters that look professional and comply with the University’s brand standard using customizable online templates. One Source Solutions will print the materials and deliver them to campus. Access this service by means of a “punch out” requisition in Workday. View the One Source Solutions Job Aid for detailed instructions. Printed materials that are not available in this system can be requested using UCM’s .

Montclair.edu Digital Transformation Office Hours

to request updates to your program pages, ask questions about governance and responsibilities and preview both the upcoming Montclair.edu homepage and the draft of the Inside Montclair sitemap.

Your University Brand Guide

Review University branding guidelines and resources to help present a clear, consistent image for Montclair.

In The News

• Christopher Donoghue (Sociology) was quoted in the New York Times speaking about bullying in the workplace.
• Ethan Hein (Adjunct Faculty, Cali School of Music) wrote this MusicRadar article about The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir.
• Business Administration student and Olympic figure skater Olga Mikutina, who was recently profiled for our Montclair Life series, was featured in a ahead of the Winter Games, which begin next month in Milan.

Kudos

• To Jill Wodnick (Maternal Policy and Early Relational Health), who was awarded the . A certified Lamaze childbirth educator, longtime doula and nationally recognized maternal health advocate, Jill focuses on Medicaid benefit design for doula care, strengthening the midwifery model of care and expanding access to birth centers.
• To the College of Communication and Media, which is proud to announce the latest appointments and academic updates including the appointment of 12 faculty, the promotions of three professional staff and the establishment of four academic departments.
• To Robert Donnelly (College of Communication and Media), who released a new book “”
• To Brian Krist (History), who was quoted in and on charter school issues in New York.
• To Pablo P.L. Tinio (Educational Foundations), who was invited to give a lecture at University of Cambridge. In the lecture “Art as Conversation: The Psychology of the Art Experience”, Dr. Tinio presented his latest research on the ability of art to promote profound, complex, and personally meaningful aesthetic experiences.
• To Drew Wallace (University Libraries) and Catherine Baird (University Libraries) who had an article published in the peer-reviewed journal EBLIP (Evidence Based Library and Information Practice) in December 2025. This was a special issue that featured peer-reviewed publications based on research presented at the Empirical Studies in Libraries Summit in March 2025.

Social Media Post of Note

snowfall #montclairviews

Photo of the Week

Cold campus, warm skies. – University Photographer: John LaRosa

Quick Links

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.

Montclair Honors Graduates at 2026 Winter Commencement

This year’s ceremony celebrated diversity, resilience and education’s power to change lives.

From EMT to Army National Guard: One First-Gen Montclair Graduate’s Path to Winter Commencement

Psychology major Brianna Correa balanced full-time online study, frontline emergency medical work and National Guard service using military education benefits to earn her degree.

Single Mom of Mr. Cory’s Cookies Fame Overcomes Adversity and Rises to the Graduation Stage

Learn how Cookie Howard overcame challenges to build a lasting legacy of advocacy for adult learners and a network of supporters at the University.

She Almost Joined the Navy. Instead, She Built a Life of Leadership and Service at Bloomfield College

Lisha Brito didn’t plan on going to college – but what she found on Bloomfield’s campus helped her grow into a confident, purpose-driven leader with big dreams for the future.

HR Updates

Performance Management Key Dates and Reminder: AFT Professional Staff

2026 PARs Launched for CWA Employees

The 2026 Performance Assessment Review (PAR) is now live in Workday. Your Supervisor has received a task in their Workday inbox to complete the initial agreement. The initial agreement is due on January 31, 2026.

This year, we are providing all Civil Service employees with a self-guided employee-facing version of the Performance Assessment Review training.

• Access the Self guided employee training

Your Partner in What’s Next

• For questions regarding 2025-2026 Performance Evaluations, please email performance@montclair.edu. A ServiceNow ticket will be created on your behalf and routed to the Learning and Talent Development team.
• To review AFT Professional Staff contracts, please visit the Collectively Negotiated Agreements webpage.
• View the full for a printable version of additional key dates and actions per contract type.

Review and Update Your Beneficiary Designations

As we begin a new year, this is a great opportunity to review and confirm that your selections are accurate and up to date. To identify who your current beneficiary is, you may submit a written request to the State requesting a copy of your beneficiary disclosure.

• Requests should be sent to:
  • New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits
    Defined Benefit & Defined Contribution Bureau
    P.O. Box 295
    Trenton, NJ 08625-0295
• To update or change your beneficiary, complete the and return it to:
  • New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits
    Defined Benefit & Defined Contribution Bureau
    P.O. Box 295
    Trenton, NJ 08625-0295
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) members who wish to verify, update, or change their beneficiary information must use the online Designation of Beneficiary Application available through the .

The University does not maintain beneficiary designation information for employees. The State of New Jersey is the official record keeper. Contact the New Jersey Division of Pension and Benefits (NJDPB) at 609-292-7524 with any questions.

Updates

Duo Security Update

Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is making a security update on Monday, February 2. To avoid login issues, make sure your Duo Mobile app is up to date.

Open the Duo Mobile app, tap the menu (☰), and check the version at the bottom. If it’s below 4.85, update the app from the or .

Read the latest Phish Files article for more information and instructions.

Request Pebbles for your Events

at your event or program! Team Pebbles schedules one week out from each event request. If you need confirmation prior to a week before your event, email pebbles@montclair.edu and we will try to accommodate the request sooner. The above form is for Pebbles only. If you wish to have Rocky or Roxy at your event, please fill out the .

Reminders

Presidential Excellence Awards – 2026 Nominations Are Now Open

The Presidential Excellence Awards honor individuals and teams who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to Montclair’s mission, excellence in their work and service to our community. These awards are intended to highlight achievements from all members of our Red Hawk community, including faculty and staff, full-time and part-time, long standing and newly arrived. Together, we will continue our mission to make Montclair an inclusive and accessible University that creates transformative educational opportunities for students across the globe. Nominations close Thursday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m.

Montclair.edu Digital Transformation Office Hours

to request updates to your program pages, ask questions about governance and responsibilities and preview both the upcoming Montclair.edu homepage and the draft of the Inside Montclair sitemap.

Your University Brand Guide

Review University branding guidelines and resources to help present a clear, consistent image for Montclair.

In The News

• published a photo gallery of Montclair’s Winter Commencement ceremony.
• Stephanie Silvera (Public Health) is quoted in this article about whether it is too late to get a flu shot.
• praised the University Singers’ performance of Handel’s “Messiah” with the New Jersey Symphony on Dec. 21, stating that “the Montclair State choir delivered a bright, precise interpretation of the work. Much of their success is due to their chorus master, Heather J. Buchanan.”

Kudos

• The Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium made for Best New Museum.
• To Lauren Carr (College of Communication and Media), for her work mapping course equivalencies as part of a new articulation agreement with Essex Community College, .
• To Catherine Baird (University Libraries) and Alicia Remolde (Center for Writing Excellence) whose project, The Graduate Student Journal Article Writing Group, has been selected as the runner-up for the 2026 Outreach in Academic Libraries Award, sponsored by the New Jersey Academic Librarians (NJAL) Marketing & Outreach (M&O) Committee. Introduced for the first time this year, this award honors exceptional achievement in outreach, promotion, and advocacy by New Jersey academic librarians or library teams.
• To Christine Lemesianou (College of the Arts), Ashante Connor (Office of Inclusive Excellence), Nicole DeCapua (Academic Affairs), Scott Kight (College of Science and Mathematics) and Julie Mazur (Academic Affairs) who presented at the Middle States Regional Conference. Their presentation explored how student success can serve as a stabilizing foundation for accreditation and institutional planning amid demographic, technological, workforce, financial and regulatory change.
• To Bridget Jivanelli (University Libraries), whose co-authored article “Necrotizing and Nonnecrotizing Granulomatous Reactions in Patients With Cancer Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Systematic Literature Review” was published in the The Journal of Rheumatology.

Social Media Post of Note

A moment you’ll never forget. Officially a college graduate! #MontclairGrad

Photo of the Week

Supporting each other every step of the way at Winter Commencement 2026. – University Photographer: Mike Peters

Quick Links

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.