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When Ethan Garcia enrolled at , he didn’t just want a degree – he wanted the full, immersive college experience. He went all in.

So what began as a pandemic-era virtual acceptance quickly transformed into a master class on campus involvement. The turning point came when he deposited and was offered a rare first-year student worker position in .

“This is where my story really took off and became a life-changing journey,” says Garcia.

By diving headfirst into campus life, Garcia managed to create a rewarding, dual-campus adventure for himself. He double majored in at Bloomfield and Business Administration at Montclair’s.

“I had the best of both worlds because I had my small campus family at Bloomfield, where everybody knows me and I know everybody,” he says, “and at the same time, I could go to Montclair and meet new people.”

It was hard for fellow Bloomfield students not to know Garcia. Over his five-year academic career, he became a ubiquitous presence across campus. He served as a storyteller, student ambassador, resident assistant, lead studio assistant, president of the Student Government Association and president of the Greek Council – all while maintaining his academic studies and admissions job, a position he held for five years ending this summer. He also cheered on his campus community as Bloomfield’s mascot, Deacon the Bear.

His many efforts earned Garcia the college’s Portrait of Excellence recognition, and he became the first Bloomfield College student to speak at Commencement following the 2023 merger with ��Ʒ���˸������� University.

Bloomfield Dean Theodorea Regina Berry, who featured Garcia on her first “Living & Learning” podcast, which he produced at the campus studio, says she was not surprised that Garcia was selected to represent Bloomfield at the 2026 Spring Commencement.

“He truly embodies the balance, dedication and leadership we hope to cultivate in all our graduates,” she says.

Why He Chose Bloomfield

Garcia attended a virtual college fair during the COVID-19 pandemic and liked the admission staff’s “vibe,” he says.

“I was looking for a near-home experience that was affordable and had a sense of community,” he adds. He found all of that and more at Bloomfield. The once shy Garcia saw possibilities and decided to step out of his comfort zone. “It was a great experience from the very jump. They gave me opportunities to grow.”

He also credits faculty and staff for supporting him and seeing leadership potential in him, even when he didn’t see it for himself. He’s glad he took them up on those challenges and opportunities. “I’ve surpassed expectations I had for myself and surprised myself over the years.”

Looking Toward the Future

This fall, Garcia heads to William Paterson University to pursue an MBA, having already secured a graduate assistantship and a resident directorship to cover his tuition. As he prepares for a career as an audio engineer, he will continue working part time as an assistant sound technician with a local DJ company – viewing his next chapter as a continuation of his undergraduate education and momentum.

“I could say that I’m leaving Bloomfield going in the right direction,” says Garcia. “I’m going to be working, and I can still use my degree in music technology to continue doing what I like to do on the side as a hobby.”

A Campus Leader and Storyteller

Garcia’s journey, which started in the Game Design program before he changed majors, was defined by rapid growth. He credits faculty mentorship, particularly from Professor Frank Rivera, with shaping his artistic and professional path. While he prefers to work behind the scenes in music, he also mastered an album as part of his capstone project, successfully compiling and releasing his own EP “Lo Que No Digo,” (What I Don’t Say), which is currently available across major streaming platforms.

Describing it as a “Latino frat boy album” that features a mix of reggaeton, cumbia, hip hop, RB and combines his many musical skills in piano, as well as jazz, concert and marching band, Garcia says, “I don’t intend to be an artist and for the album to blow up but I figured, why not? I learned how to put music out there into the world while in school here, so I might as well do it.”

Gratitude at Graduation

Garcia is grateful for those who believed in him and “saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself.” He’s also thankful for the sacrifices made by his family, which have made his academic achievements possible. As he told his fellow graduates at Commencement: “Like me, many of you arrived here carrying the dreams of your families and communities. Many of us come from communities where this path was not always clear or easy. But today, we make history in our families. Be proud of this accomplishment and remember, you belong in every room you walk into. Your voice and your story matter.”

Garcia represents a “standout example of positive student outcomes,” says Dean Berry, adding, “Ethan found that balance between academic excellence and meaningful engagement, and that is a core part of his success story.”