From Classroom to Career: High Schoolers Get a Taste of the Future at Montclair
See how high schoolers are exploring college life and future careers through Montclair鈥檚 immersive summer programs
Posted in: Homepage News, University
From sketching runway looks to producing their own sports segments, 365 high school students from across the nation spent a week at 精品成人福利在线 University exploring their passions and kickstarting their futures.
Through the university’s Pre-College Summer Programs, the teens got a taste of college life 鈥 staying in dorms, making new friends and taking courses taught by experienced university faculty.
Here’s how it went:
Fashion Design
From early 2000s emo grunge and dark academia to flowy coquette dresses, students in the Fashion Design program brought their unique styles to life 鈥 sketching, sewing and even taking a field trip to NYC’s Garment District to source materials at the iconic Mood Fabrics.
- The program was led by Sherita Cuffee, a fashion designer and CEO of womenswear brand Viscera NY, who has created looks for celebrities like Nia Long and Serena Williams.
- “I love our professors. They鈥檙e awesome,鈥 says Lily, a high school senior. 鈥淭he opportunity to be able to design real outfits and get feedback and inspiration from actual designers is really important to me 鈥 especially if I want to go into fashion design as a career.”
- Students learned the full apparel design process 鈥 from sketching and mood boards to selecting fabrics and constructing their final garments.
- 鈥淭he most impactful part of this program is seeing students go from sketch to finished garment in such a short amount of time,鈥 says Jose Ortiz 鈥22, a Montclair alum who returned to teach in the Fashion Design Pre-College Program. 鈥淭heir passion really shows. They鈥檙e fully immersed, and you can see their unique points of view shine through in every design.鈥
EcoMind Explorers: Conservation Psychology
What does psychology have to do with protecting the planet? In the EcoMind Explorers program, students didn’t just learn about the environment 鈥 they studied how people think, feel and behave toward nature.
- 鈥淚t鈥檚 about understanding the human side of conservation,鈥 says Dr. Nicole Conklin, who leads the EcoMind Explorers program. 鈥淪tudents are learning how to apply psychological theories to environmental issues, whether they鈥檙e observing zoo visitors, building awareness campaigns, or exploring how messaging impacts behavior.鈥
- 鈥淲e鈥檝e been talking about environmental justice, plastic pollution, and other major issues in today鈥檚 world,鈥 says Scott, a rising senior. 鈥淢y favorite part was learning how certain communities are targeted by big companies 鈥 especially with air pollution 鈥 and how hard it can be for them to fight back. That really stuck with me.鈥
- At the Bergen County Zoo, students didn鈥檛 study the animals 鈥 they observed the visitors. Armed with clipboards, they tracked how people reacted to different exhibits, barriers, and signs.
- 鈥淚 noticed kids are more likely to try to reach out at exhibits with glass, even if they physically can鈥檛,鈥 says Amber, 17. 鈥淏ut with fences, even when they could reach in, they stayed back. It鈥檚 interesting how the barrier changes how safe they feel even when the actual access is the same.鈥
Pre-Medical Professions
What’s it really like to work in medicine? In the Pre-Medical Professions program, students got hands-on experience in everything from emergency care to medical ethics 鈥 practicing real clinical skills and learning what it takes to save a life.
- Students learned how to perform CPR with proper form 鈥 from assessing the scene and checking for breathing, to administering chest compressions and using an AED.
- During STOP THE BLEED training, students practiced how to control heavy bleeding 鈥 including packing wounds, applying tourniquets, and caring for impaled injuries.
- Throughout the week, students explored different medical specialties, learned legal protections for bystanders, and discovered the importance of staying calm and taking action in an emergency.
- 鈥淭hey鈥檝e worked with 3D Anatomage tables, conducted lab experiments, earned CPR certification, and met with professionals across the medical field鈥 says Dr. Robert Meredith, professor of biology and instructor for the Pre-Medical Professions program. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just one moment that鈥檚 impactful 鈥 it鈥檚 the entire experience that helps them decide if this path is right for them.鈥
Explore 19 Areas of Study
From Nutrition听迟辞 Animation & VFX, Montclair’s Pre-College Summer Programs offer high school students a chance to explore one of 19 different majors through hands-on, immersive experiences.
Areas of study include:
- Acting
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Criminal Justice & Law
- Teaching
- Film & Television Production
- And more.
Why Spend Your Summer At Montclair?
At 精品成人福利在线 University, high school students don鈥檛 just imagine college life 鈥 they live it.聽
Through our one-week residential Pre-College Summer Programs, students stay in dorms, explore campus, and take hands-on courses led by university faculty.
Whether they鈥檙e learning to negotiate like a diplomat, trade stocks like Warren Buffett, or create and measure social media content 鈥 each student gets the chance to dive deep into a subject they love.

That immersive approach is exactly what makes Montclair鈥檚 Pre-College Summer Programs so impactful.
鈥淭he 2025 Pre-College Summer Programs are a testament to our commitment to cultivating future leaders, thinkers, and innovators,鈥 says Dominique Houze, Senior Director for Strategy and Program Development.
鈥淭hese programs are more than just a summer experience 鈥 they serve as a launchpad for academic and personal growth, shaping aspirations, building confidence, and laying a strong foundation for future success in college and beyond.鈥
From field trips and creative projects to collaborative research and real-world skills, the Pre-College Summer Programs give teens a powerful taste of what college 鈥 and their futures 鈥 can be.
Want Your Teen To Experience It For Themselves?
Explore 精品成人福利在线 University’s Pre-College Summer Programs and learn how they can explore their passions, build new skills, and join a campus community that champions curiosity, creativity and bold new ideas.











