• The Best of Both Worlds: 精品成人福利在线 University鈥檚 252-acre campus sits in New Jersey鈥檚 top college town (WorldAtlas, 2025) and is just 12 miles from New York City via easy train or bus routes.
• Vibrant Local Scene: Downtown Montclair Township provides world-class dining, iconic live music venues, cozy coffee shops, independent bookstores and rich cultural events.
• Something for Every Budget: Explore budget-friendly and free nearby attractions, from breathtaking urban waterfalls to panoramic skyline views.

What to do around the Montclair campus

If you鈥檙e visiting 精品成人福利在线 University, there鈥檚 still plenty to see once you’re done with the campus tour. You could hop over to NYC, of course, or explore the dynamic area of Montclair Township, incorporated in 1868 and recognized as one of New Jersey’s most desirable places to live. Here are 10 great local spots for dining, shopping, sightseeing and more.

1. (鈥淭he Wellmont鈥�)

Montclair students chat outside the Wellmont Theater, a music and comedy venue. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

A 105-year old former vaudeville venue, now a premier theater for live-music and comedy shows hosting major and indie artists. For more live music:

• Just Jakes听鈥� a favorite student hangout for live music, outdoor dining, and a dog- and family-friendly vibe
• Meat Locker听鈥� an institution and go-to spot for an edgier, underground live music experience.

2.

A popular hangout among locals, Tierney鈥檚 is legendary for food, live music and game-watching. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

Established in 1934, this legendary family-owned spot is famous for big burgers, weekend live music and TV/film fame.

3.

The Montclair Art Museum is located just three miles from campus. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

Located just three miles from campus, MAM is one of this country鈥檚 first art museums and features 14,000 works of art, student admission discounts and creative workshops. Similar spots:

• Montclair Film 鈥� Hosts the famous, annual, celeb-studded Montclair Film Festival and operates three independent theaters screening films year-round. Montclair Film also delivers film study classes, improv, sketch-comedy writing and other workshops.
• The Newark Museum of Art 鈥� Just 12 miles away, New Jersey鈥檚 largest museum holds 300,000+ works and a natural history collection. It also hosts the historic Newark Black Film Festival, the longest-running Black film festival in the country, and the four-day Newark Arts Festival.

4.

Montclair theater students bring The Quilt Keepers, to the Vanguard Theater. (Photo by Julie Lemberger for 精品成人福利在线 University)

An inclusive local theater featuring stage productions, including the Montclair Theater Festival, community partnerships and classes (with strong ties to Montclair faculty and alumni).

5.

Montclair students enjoy a coffee and chat at Paper Plane Coffee. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

Rated one of the best coffee shops in the state, is an ideal outdoor or indoor spot to study, write that paper for class and fuel up. Bonus for classic eats:

• Montclair Diner听鈥� An all-day breakfast spot serving traditional and Southern eats.
• Nicolo’s Italian Bakery & Deli | Montclair NJ 鈥� Generous Italian sandwiches and baked goods.
• Applegate Farms听鈥� Operating since 1848, this historic dairy farm is a must-visit for ice cream lovers.

Bonus spots for more special occasions (maybe celebrating the start of your journey at 精品成人福利在线 University?):

• Faubourg听鈥� Modern French dining featuring a stunning greenhouse and main dining room, great for special occasions.
• Cuban Pete鈥檚听鈥� A loud, vibrant, party-style atmosphere with authentic flavor. It’s also BYOB, common for many restaurants in town and around North Jersey.

6.

A shopper peruses the huge selection at Watchung Booksellers. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

Named Publishers Weekly Bookstore of the Year, offering author events, book clubs and a podcast featuring writers and readers. (Tip for prospective students: The bookstore offers a college essay-writing workshop in the summer.) Also worth checking out is Montclair Book Center, a massive independent bookstore where you can get lost exploring thousands of new, used and rare titles.

7.

The decorative entrance to White Rabbit Black Heart hints to the treasures inside. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

A whimsical gift shop packed with unique items for loved ones back home (or maybe something for your future dorm room). This is just one option in Montclair’s vibrant retail scene. Other spots to check out:

• Academy St. Thrift听鈥� Owned by a former professor, it sells clothing, jewelry, accessories and even books.
• 2nd STREET Montclair 鈥� Part of the Japanese-owned chain, it’s probably the largest local thrift and is chock-full of American and Japanese design brands of clothes, shoes and accessories
• Willowbrook Mall听鈥� Located nearby in Wayne, featuring over 170 popular retail stores.

8.

Visitors are dwarfed along a walkway at the Paterson Great Falls. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

Breathtaking, free-to-visit urban waterfalls in the heart of Paterson perfect for a quick head-clearing nature break. Learn about Alexander Hamilton鈥檚 connection to the falls while you鈥檙e there.

9.

The lovely Wisteria Courtyard at Van Vleck House & Gardens. (Courtesy Elyse Fernandez)

A quiet, 12-acre country estate built in 1868 and a 鈥渂eautiful oasis in the heart of Montclair.鈥� Free and open 365 days a year for peaceful walks, outdoor classes and concerts.

10.

The Eagle Rock Reservation provides spectacular panoramic views of New York City. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

A 400-acre park featuring iconic panoramic views of the NYC skyline, summer music concerts and great outdoor activities. Eagle Rock is part of Essex County Parks, also home to the nearby Turtle Back Zoo and McLoone鈥檚 Boathouse, where can you dine and rent pedal boats.

Take the next step and schedule your visit to Montclair.

College is a new adventure for both students and their families, particularly first-generation students such as Allison Chacon-Perez. When she first enrolled as an Anthropology major at 精品成人福利在线 University four years ago, she brought her mom with her to orientation. While she had her mother鈥檚 full support, she found there was a communication gap: Her mother, an immigrant from El Salvador who speaks mostly Spanish, understood about a quarter to half of the information presented on that day, Chacon says.

鈥淗igher education terms aren’t as accessible or easily translated into Spanish,鈥� she says. Even when translated, they may not have the proper context and parents have varied levels of educational experiences.

Today, in her role as Graduate Coordinator for Family Orientation Programs in the Office of Student Belonging, Chacon-Perez gets to help other families fully experience orientation in Spanish with Orientaci贸n Familiar.

Clarifying the Transition: Orientaci贸n Familiar

Designed for students and families whose primary language is Spanish, Orientaci贸n Familiar is an optional, on-campus summer program. Scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the program focuses on helping Spanish-speaking families gain a clear, contextualized understanding of the college transition process.

鈥淚t鈥檚 about demystifying the college experience but also welcoming Spanish-speaking parents to Montclair,鈥� says Katia Paz Goldfarb, Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives and International Programs, who will be the keynote speaker during Orientaci贸n Familiar. 鈥淚t is important for them to understand that in this university you have people who speak your language. So, if you鈥檙e looking for information or resources, you will get a person who is bilingual.鈥�

Chacon-Perez, who graduated with a BA in Anthropology in January 2026 and is now a graduate student in Sustainability Science, says this is the second year for the Office of Student Belonging to host this event. This year, however, there are two firsts:

• A student-only track focused on belonging, community and safety. Students will have facilitated discussions about beginning their college journey 鈥� from expectations to excitement and everything in between, she says.
• Higher-level Spanish trained 鈥渟ocial interpreters鈥� will help parents with context to 鈥渆nsure that they’re getting the accessibility and the resources so that they can fully understand the context of what a university is,鈥� Chacon-Perez says, adding that while some parents may have been exposed to colleges in their native countries, they may be different than a state institution in the U.S.

Above all, Orientaci贸n Familiar is about making all family members feel welcome, included and supported and providing students with an immediate sense of belonging.

Key details of the program include:

• Inclusive Communication听鈥� Information is available in Spanish for parents, while bilingual resources in both English and Spanish are provided for students who may not read or speak Spanish fluently.
• Interactive Offerings听鈥� Key sessions cover essential information and resources. Students participate in separate breakout sessions focused on peer connection, community building, and practical advice for navigating their first year at Montclair.
• Campus Integration听鈥� The day concludes with a family mixer and optional rotating sessions, including Campus Tours.

Paz Goldfarb, whose office hosts the Hispanic Student College Institute, another summer program now in its 10th听year, says research shows that Hispanic children of all ages often translate, in some cases sensitive information, for parents and that they should be relieved of that burden.

Transitioning to college is a learning experience for parents and students and Orientaci贸n Familiar helps relieve the translation burden from students during orientation.

鈥淎t Montclair, we speak directly to the parents, and we do it in a language that they’re comfortable with. For students, they can go through the orientation process in English or Spanish.鈥�

From Orientation to Retention: The Power of Belonging

While orientation is the critical first step, 精品成人福利在线 University recognizes that long-term student success, engagement and retention depend on sustained, holistic support. This is where the Office of Student Belonging (OSB), whose mission is for 鈥渁ll students to feel valued and empowered to succeed鈥� plays a vital role.

By building meaningful partnerships across campus, OSB ensures that the transition process extends far beyond a single day:

• First-Generation Initiatives听鈥� Recognizing that first-generation students have unique needs, OSB鈥檚 First-Generation Initiatives provides ongoing academic support, financial literacy workshops, and mentorship programs designed to cultivate a highly supportive environment for both the students and their families. Students and parents are provided with a 鈥淔irst-Gen Survival Guide,鈥� available in both and .
• Active Family Engagement听鈥� Families are encouraged to join the Red Hawk Family Portal. This dedicated platform serves as a primary bridge to keep parents engaged, informed and connected to campus life throughout their student鈥檚 academic journey.
• Cohort-Based Programming 鈥� OSB coordinates targeted, identity-affirming spaces and cohort-based programs for transfer, international, military-affiliated and first-generation students. These experiences are designed to combat the isolation that can sometimes lead to student dropouts and positively impact retention rates.

By removing language barriers and treating the family unit as a critical partner in a student鈥檚 educational journey, OSB, through programs such as Orientaci贸n Familiar, ensures that every student not only registers for classes but feels empowered to persist all the way through to graduation and beyond.

鈥淔amilies support their students by making sure their students are okay as they’re going to college and that way they can succeed,鈥� says Chacon-Perez. 鈥淏ecause they have that support and understanding, then the students themselves will want to succeed. It鈥檚 a family affair. It takes a village 鈥� or university 鈥� to make sure students reach their potential.鈥�

Discover your potential at Montclair by applying, requesting information or depositing today.

听

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 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚.

“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 鈥� 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鈥檚 mascot, Deacon the Bear.

His many efforts earned Garcia the college鈥檚 Portrait of Excellence recognition, and he became the first Bloomfield College student to speak at Commencement following the 2023 merger with 精品成人福利在线 University.

Bloomfield Dean Theodorea Regina Berry, who featured Garcia on her first 鈥淟iving & Learning鈥� 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.

鈥淗e truly embodies the balance, dedication and leadership we hope to cultivate in all our graduates,鈥� she says.

Why He Chose Bloomfield

Garcia attended a virtual college fair during the COVID-19 pandemic and liked the admission staff鈥檚 鈥渧ibe,鈥� he says.

鈥淚 was looking for a near-home experience that was affordable and had a sense of community,鈥� 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. 鈥淚t was a great experience from the very jump. They gave me opportunities to grow.鈥�

He also credits faculty and staff for supporting him and seeing leadership potential in him, even when he didn鈥檛 see it for himself. He鈥檚 glad he took them up on those challenges and opportunities. 鈥淚鈥檝e surpassed expectations I had for myself and surprised myself over the years.鈥�

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 鈥� viewing his next chapter as a continuation of his undergraduate education and momentum.

“I could say that I鈥檓 leaving Bloomfield going in the right direction,” says Garcia. “I鈥檓 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鈥檚 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 鈥淟o Que No Digo,鈥� (What I Don鈥檛 Say), which is currently available across major streaming platforms.

Describing it as a 鈥淟atino frat boy album鈥� 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, 鈥淚 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.鈥�

Gratitude at Graduation

Garcia is grateful for those who believed in him and 鈥渟aw something in me that I didn鈥檛 see in myself.鈥� He鈥檚 also thankful for the sacrifices made by his family, which have made his academic achievements possible. As he told his fellow graduates at Commencement: 鈥淟ike 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.鈥�

Garcia represents a 鈥渟tandout example of positive student outcomes,鈥� says Dean Berry, adding, 鈥淓than found that balance between academic excellence and meaningful engagement, and that is a core part of his success story.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 their roadmap to graduation,鈥� says Zac Gamache, a counselor on the transfer team, noting that students rely on tools like this to understand which courses will transfer and how close they are to completing their degree.

For many transfer students, uncertainty about how credits will be accepted can be a key barrier. Questions about which courses will count 鈥� and how long it will take to complete a degree 鈥� often complicate the decision to transfer. 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 new tool is designed to reduce that stress early in the process.

For John Bautista, that uncertainty was part of the process when he transferred from Bergen Community College to Montclair.

鈥淎s a transfer student, I was very hesitant to leave Bergen Community College after just one year, but I knew Montclair would offer new opportunities, experiences and connections that could help me grow. Looking back, making that leap was absolutely worth it,鈥� says Bautista, now a rising senior and Advertising major.

How the Transfer Credit Equivalent Database Works

The Transfer Credit Equivalent Database gives prospective transfer students an early look at how classes from colleges across the country could count toward a Montclair degree.

鈥淚t’s a great tool for them to use,鈥� says Associate Registrar Julianne Vitale. While it isn鈥檛 an official evaluation, because departments are always updating courses and requirements, 鈥渋t will give students a really good idea about what they could expect with how their courses will transfer in.鈥�

The database enables students to look up coursework from other institutions and preview how those classes may translate into Montclair equivalents. While an official evaluation is completed after admission, the tool provides an early estimate so students can:

• See which courses are likely to transfer
• Plan remaining coursework at their current college
• Make more informed decisions about when and where to apply

The launch is part of 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 broader effort to streamline the transfer experience and expand access for students who began their education elsewhere. Students who have attempted 16 or more credits at a regionally accredited college or university after high school are considered transfer applicants, and Montclair has developed a range of options to support them.听

These include transfer pathways into 精品成人福利在线 University, with more than 300 majors, minors, and programs across the arts, business, education, science, and more; , which offers smaller classes and programs such as Nursing (pre-licensure) and Game Design; and for students with 45 or more credits, accredited online degree programs in areas like Business Administration, Economics, Family Science and Human Development, Liberal Studies, Psychology, and RN to BSN.

In addition to 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 internal resources, students have access to statewide tools designed to simplify the transfer process.

NJTransfer vs. 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 database

New Jersey students can use , the statewide planning tool for community college transfers. 鈥淲ith NJ Transfer, that’s specifically for New Jersey community colleges and transferring them to the New Jersey four鈥憏ear institutions,鈥� Vitale explains.

惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 Transfer Credit Equivalent Database complements NJTransfer by giving students from New Jersey and beyond a Montclair鈥憇pecific view of how their courses may transfer, no matter what type of college they are planning to transfer from.

Behind the scenes, the database draws on catalogs and course descriptions from colleges across the country. Using that information, Montclair works with academic departments to determine what each course should equate to at Montclair.

Currently, nearly 18,000 equivalents are listed from schools in and out-of-state. Vitale and her colleagues review courses on an ongoing basis, sending new classes to departments for review and adding updated equivalencies as they come back, so the database continues to grow.

Vitale has worked with transfer students at Montclair for more than a decade and has long wanted a better way to evaluate courses and share that information earlier in the process. Partnering with a national transfer鈥慹valuation platform, her team has spent the past several years loading course information, working with departments to set equivalencies, and testing workflows before opening the database to students.

Transfer student John Bautista, a rising senior and Advertising major, says making the leap from community college to Montclair 鈥渨as absolutely worth it.鈥� (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

Finding reassurance in the transfer process

When Bautista started exploring his options, he combined online tools with one鈥憃n鈥憃ne guidance.

鈥淲hen I was considering transferring, I used NJ Transfer to get a better understanding of how my credits would transfer to Montclair. I also spoke with advisors and transfer counselors who helped answer questions and walk me through the process. While I was fairly confident that my credits would transfer, there was still some uncertainty, which I think is normal for most transfer students,鈥� he says.

鈥淭he moment I felt reassured was when I saw that my credits transferred smoothly and that I was still on track toward graduation. That was when I knew I wasn’t losing any progress and that transferring was the right decision for me.鈥�

Throughout the process, Bautista says the advisors and staff he spoke with were the biggest help. 鈥淗aving people who were willing to answer questions and guide me through each step made everything feel much less stressful.鈥�

Advice for future transfer students

Looking back on his experience, Bautista encourages other students not to let fear of change hold them back.

鈥淔or students who are unsure about transferring, I would tell them not to let being comfortable stop them from exploring new opportunities. Leaving Bergen after just one year was a difficult decision because I had built friendships and found my routine there,鈥� he says.

鈥淥ne thing I wish I had known earlier is how straightforward the process would be. I spent more time worrying about credits and timelines than I probably needed to. Whenever I felt unsure about something, reaching out and asking questions always helped me move forward.鈥�

Transfer resources and next steps

See how 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 transfer support helped one student succeed: How 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 Transfer Support Helped One Student Find Her Place and Her Purpose.

Prospective transfer students: For a full list of GPA and application requirements, visit our Transfer Students Guide.

Through 2+2 partnerships with community colleges, students complete an associate degree and then transfer to Montclair with junior standing and all general education requirements fulfilled. Benefits include coordinated advising with both institutions to finish the AA or AS in two years, and the ability to move directly into upper鈥憀evel courses.听

Events and guidance for transfer students

include virtual webinars for students and families that focus on:

• Steps to take after being accepted
• Understanding financial aid
• Navigating academics and campus life

is also available with admissions counselors.

The SCHOLAR Certificate 鈥� which stands for Stewardship, Community History and Opportunities for Leadership and Academic Readiness 鈥� is a 10-11 credit certificate program that gives students structured, hands-on experience aimed at building professional skills and strengthening local partnerships. It is now required for all incoming Bloomfield College students, with transfer students able to opt in.

By asking students to do rigorous, research鈥慴ased work about communities they know best, the certificate is designed to build academic confidence and stronger writing and critical thinking skills from the very first semester. This foundation enables them to complete community鈥慹ngaged projects embedded in SCHOLAR鈥慸esignated courses throughout the curriculum.

The initiative reflects Bloomfield鈥檚 mission as a Predominantly Black and Hispanic鈥慡erving Institution, helping students connect their coursework with the histories, identities, neighborhoods and organizations that shape their lives.

What 鈥楥ommunity Co鈥慏esign鈥� Means

At the heart of the certificate is 鈥渃ommunity co-design,鈥� the concept faculty developed to guide SCHOLAR courses, says Nora McCook, Cyrus H. Holley Professor in Applied Ethics and Associate Professor of Writing. McCook, whose background is in critical literacy studies and community engagement, sees it as a way to make learning deeply personal and genuinely collaborative.

鈥淚f students care about what they鈥檙e doing, if they recognize that this is about them, but also about them giving back, it really is powerful to set that tone, right at the beginning of a college career,鈥� McCook says.

The certificate builds on three core elements:听

1. Reflection and self-awareness
2. Reciprocity and exchange
3. Culture and history

The first two come from long-established community engagement traditions. The third 鈥� culture and history 鈥� is the distinctive piece Bloomfield adds in terms of community engagement, scholarship and practice.

The first course to carry the SCHOLAR designation was Writing 105, Bloomfield鈥檚 first-year writing course, which McCook and First-Year Writing Director Freddie Harris piloted last summer. They shifted the curriculum so that students completed a multi-part autoethnographic project centered on a community they belong to.

Odyeli Ramos Tobar drew on her love of pupusas to explore the connections between culture, cuisine and community.

Odyeli鈥檚 Story: Culture, Cuisine and Community

Odyeli Ramos Tobar was part of the first group of students to undertake the project. A first-generation college student from West Orange, New Jersey, she chose Bloomfield for its Nursing program and small size, and found her first writing assignment unexpectedly meaningful.

Odyeli chose the Hispanic community she grew up in, but decided to focus even more specifically on pupusas, the traditional Salvadoran dish that connects her to her home and its indigenous history. She researched how pupusas are made, where the best ones are found, and the centuries-old traditions and rituals around them.

鈥淚 was really excited about my research because I grew up with pupusas,鈥� she says of her childhood in El Salvador. 鈥淚t was a tradition for me to buy it every weekend.鈥�

For her, that made the writing feel different from a typical assignment. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not doing it because someone told you to, it鈥檚 because it comes from you.鈥� That sense of ownership, her professors note, is exactly what helps students push their writing, research and analysis to a higher level.

Growing a SCHOLAR Campus

For faculty, the pilot confirmed they had tapped into something powerful. McCook believes that in an era of AI, it matters that students see the work as both personal and communal, because that investment helps them do more authentic, deeper academic work.

As the model developed, Bloomfield鈥檚 leadership saw that it expressed something essential about the college. Today, Writing 105 serves as the first required SCHOLAR course for incoming students, and Bloomfield is expanding SCHOLAR electives so students can complete the certificate on top of their degree.

Faculty across disciplines have stepped forward to adapt courses. Planned SCHOLAR courses include Introduction to Informatics, a section of Intro to Game Design, a Theater in Practice course that recently culminated in a public monologue performance on the steps of Talbott Hall, Becoming a Changemaker 鈥� Intro to Social Innovation, Advocacy in Action, and special topics courses in Writing and Africana Studies. A community garden course with Newark-based nonprofit STEAM Urban is also continuing as a SCHOLAR course.

In Nursing, Foundations of Nursing and Community Nursing will both be SCHOLAR courses, giving transfer students to that program a path to complete the certificate with just one additional class.听

鈥淐ommunity-building is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, but it鈥檚 also about heart, ethics and practical skills students can carry into their careers,鈥� McCook says.

Ready to Start Your College Journey?

Since Bloomfield College officially became Bloomfield College of 精品成人福利在线 University, students have gained expanded academic options, more student life activities and access to 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 resources while still keeping their home base on a smaller campus.

Learn more about听

鈥淲e have a robust offering compared to most of our competitors, and we offer lots of different times, days and modalities,鈥� says Summer, Winter and Early College Programs Director Kirsten Tripodi.

There鈥檚 Still Time to Register

You decide how much of your summer you want to spend studying. These Summer Sessions are still available but don鈥檛 delay as the classes start soon:

• June 15 – July 14 (4-week session)
• 听July 1 – August 19 (7-week session)
• 听July 20 – August 4 (4-week session)

Whether you want to brush up on or, as our course catalog shows, we have you covered.

If you鈥檙e not sure what to take, Tripodi advises: 鈥淐heck with your advisor to make sure it’s the right class to take.鈥� She also suggests that students check with Red Hawk Central to see if financial aid is available.

5 Strategic Benefits for Currently Enrolled Students

If you need more good reasons to take a Summer Sessions course, here are five:

1. Core Courses听鈥� Check that prerequisite off your list so you can take that class you鈥檙e excited about next semester.
2. 听Boost Your Resume听鈥� Expanding your skills in a particular area or learning new ones can help with your career goals.
3. Learn a New Language听鈥� Speaking more than one language is always a plus, especially if you want to travel or work in other countries.
4. More Attention听鈥� Smaller class sizes during summer means you can get more individualized attention and get to better know your classmates and professors.
5. Love of Learning 鈥� If you consider yourself a lifelong learner, there鈥檚 no time like the present to learn something new.

Ready to plan your summer?

Log into and register today.

Still have questions about Summer Sessions?听We鈥檙e here to help. Reach out to summer@montclair.edu.

In her new position, she will play a pivotal role in aligning the University鈥檚 enrollment goals with its mission to advance access, academic excellence and public impact. She will also lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, data-informed strategic enrollment plan that
aligns with institutional goals and academic priorities while establishing short-and-long-term enrollment objectives across 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 13 colleges and schools and all academic levels.

鈥淲e are excited to welcome Dr. Roman to 精品成人福利在线 University,鈥� says Interim Provost Fatma Mili. 鈥淗er commitment to broadening opportunities for students to pursue higher education makes her someone who embodies the institution鈥檚 mission. We look forward to welcoming someone with her passion for student success to our community.鈥�

Roman has led innovative, data-informed enrollment strategies focused on expanding access and opportunities for students at institutions including Rutgers University-Camden, the University of Cincinnati and most recently the University of Delaware. She has implemented systems across admissions, one stop, and financial aid, contributing to the shift to automated and streamlined processes and making the admissions experience smoother for students.

Her work has taken her all over the world to work with government officials to reimagine educational systems, including working with local governments on enrollment strategy through a USAID grant in Paraguay and Puerto Rico.

“I am incredibly honored to join Montclair at such an exciting moment in the university’s trajectory,鈥� says Roman. 鈥淢ontclair’s commitment to access and student success feels personal and aligns with who I am at my core. I am excited to help shape the future of the University and create opportunities for New Jersey residents and beyond.”

Roman holds a PhD in Public Affairs-Community Development and a master鈥檚 degree in Community Development from Rutgers University-Camden, and an MBA in Management from SUNY-Oswego.

鈥淭he most rewarding part of working for NJHAP is the knowledge that I am making a true difference in the lives of the patients we work with,鈥� says first-year audiology doctoral student Julianna Mijal.

Second-year audiology student Emma Simas agrees: 鈥淵ou feel nearly as much joy as they do when it鈥檚 their turn to get hearing aids. I am always incredibly grateful when they give us a call or send an email or letter and tell us all the new things they are hearing and experiencing with their new hearing aids.鈥�

As students in the only Doctor of Audiology program in the state, Mijal and Simas are responsible for refurbishing donated hearing aids and working with a network of audiologists across the state to distribute them to people with hearing difficulty who may not receive hearing healthcare services otherwise. With oversight from Audiology Clinical Preceptor Elena Kagan-Weitz, they oversee the New Jersey Hearing Aid Project (NJHAP), which is housed in 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 Communication Sciences and Disorders program. The project is a partnership with the state鈥檚 .

鈥淲orking with NJHAP has been an excellent lesson in humility and humanity,鈥� says Mijal. 鈥淐onnecting with patients human-to-human and understanding the multifaceted lives that they lead outside of our clinic is key in making them feel seen and heard, which leads to the best care outcomes.鈥�

鈥淭he hearing aid project is way bigger than us. I’m so incredibly proud to be part of this project, this community and so intertwined in audiology and hearing aid fitting and selection.”听 听 听 听~ Emma Simas

Kagan-Weitz, who serves as principal investigator and director of the NJHAP, says that in addition to providing people in need with hearing care, it provides audiology students an opportunity to learn new skills. 鈥淎ll of our students have worked directly with NJHAP patients in providing them with audiological care, which incorporates our program鈥檚 exceptional education with community outreach for underserved populations.鈥�

The mission: hearing health as social justice

The Audiology program is part of 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 College for Community Health, which operates on the principle that “health is a cornerstone of social justice.” For many low-income seniors and individuals with hearing disabilities, the high cost of hearing aids 鈥� which can run as high as $7,000 and are not covered by Medicare 鈥� can impede them from navigating life.

Elizabeth Hill, director of the, a part of New Jersey鈥檚 Department of Human Services says hearing aids are often 鈥渢he third most expensive purchase a person might make, after a house and a car.鈥� In addition, she adds that 鈥渙ne of the biggest barriers that individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing face is access to hearing health care… our mandate is to eliminate barriers to participate in society where people live and work and interact.鈥�

Hill says that the partnership with Montclair is essential for the program’s success: 鈥淲e are one of the most comprehensive hearing aid programs in the country. We are very grateful for the partnership.鈥�

How the partnership works: a cycle of giving

精品成人福利在线 University serves as the operational hub for the NJHAP, which started in 2013, and operates as a student-led 鈥渉earing aid bank鈥� that provides hearing devices to recipients. It works because of:

• Donations: The program relies on public donations of used hearing aids to maintain its inventory. Donors are encouraged to mail their devices to New Jersey Hearing Aid Project, 精品成人福利在线 University, 1515 Broad Street, Bldg. B, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.
• Refurbishment: Under Kagan-Weitz鈥檚 supervision, Montclair students work in a state-of-the-art lab to refurbish these devices. If devices cannot be refurbished at the University they are sent to outside hearing aid laboratories.
• Distribution: In collaboration with participating audiology clinics and a Montclair mobile audiologist serving 14 counties, the hearing aids are custom-fitted and provided free of charge to eligible NJ residents aged 65+ or those on Social Security Disability Income who have hearing loss.

A learning opportunity for current, prospective students

For audiology students, the NJHAP offers experience that blends professional training with community impact. Second-year audiology student Emma Simas says Montclair has helped almost 100 people get hearing aids and other assistive listening devices in the past year, and there is currently a six-month wait list.

Career Readiness: Students gain hands-on experience. Kagan-Weitz says the audiology doctoral students work together to manage the daily operations of the NJHAP. Selected for their qualifications, she says, the students are 鈥減rofessional, consistently kind and highly collaborative, with a genuine willingness to support others.鈥�

Simas adds: 鈥淭he Hearing Aid Project has kept me hands-on since Day One. I鈥檝e had early exposure to all the hearing aid brands, manufacturers and history of the technology and how far it鈥檚 come.鈥�

Lessons in Client Care: Audiology students provide client care in real time. Simas says she鈥檚 learned to manage the expectations of patients and work to establish realistic goals and meet families where they are in the process. 鈥淢any of the individuals who participate in NJHAP are faced with a myriad of barriers, many of which involve social stigmas and systems that work against them,鈥� adds Mijal.

Real-World Impact: Montclair students see the direct result of their work as these devices are distributed to those in need. Simas says: 鈥淵ou talk to some of these patients or their families and you build connections with them. This year, the New Jersey Speech-Language and Hearing Association helped us fundraise for hearing aid supplies and made decorative bags for our patients so that we can dispense with their hearing aids with cleaning cloths, hearing aid brushes, battery cases and other tools to keep their hearing aids in the best shape. Being part of these two communities and seeing the combined impact is so heartwarming.鈥�

Are you ready to make an impact?

Apply to the only Doctor of Audiology program in New Jersey and turn newfound clinical excellence into community action.

鈥淚t all blacked out. All I heard was glass shattering and people screaming,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淢y mom gathered us in one room as far from glass as possible because we thought we were getting bombed.鈥�

While Atieh听 and her family survived the 3.3 magnitude seismic event, the blast was the 鈥渓ast straw鈥� for a family living through a growing economic crisis and escalating threats of violence. For Atieh, the journey from that blast in Beirut to the Commencement stage at 精品成人福利在线 University is a tale of profound resilience and a search for a 鈥渉ome鈥� that feels safe.

The persistence to finish

The transition to the United States wasn’t immediate or easy. Even after her family received immigration approval 鈥� thanks to a process started by her grandfather, a U.S. citizen since 2004 鈥� Atieh struggled with the move. In what she calls 鈥渄enial鈥� about what was happening in her home country, she insisted on returning to Lebanon to live with her grandmother so she could complete her first degree in sports science. 鈥淚 was very persistent. I really wanted to finish what I started there.鈥�

While her family watched her first graduation听from New Jersey via a YouTube stream, Atieh was already looking toward the next chapter. She moved to the U.S. permanently just one day after her ceremony in July, carrying with her a desire to help others but unsure of how to navigate the American educational system.

鈥淐oming to the USA and choosing Montclair as my school was just life changing. I’m happy to be here. Sometimes, I can’t believe it’s real.鈥� ~ Tia Atieh ’26

A sign in University Hall

Atieh describes her early days at Montclair as navigating a 鈥渕aze.鈥� She was overwhelmed and hesitant to have her international credits evaluated, fearing her past hard work wouldn’t translate. She found the Physical Education curriculum to be quite different from her studies. However, a chance encounter in University Hall changed everything.

While waiting to speak with an advisor, she noticed the nameplate for the assistant dean for Student Success at the College for Community Health (CCHL): Hanan Atiyat. Seeing a variation of her own surname on the door felt like a cosmic green light. 鈥淚 was like, 鈥極kay, it鈥檚 meant for us to be here,鈥欌�� Atieh says.

After some discussion, Atiyat learned that Atieh had loved tutoring children with learning disabilities in Lebanon.

Atiyat suggested Atieh review the Family Science and Human Development major. It proved to be the perfect bridge between her previous background and her goals. 鈥淭his is all I ever wanted,鈥� she recalls thinking. She also discovered social work and felt 鈥渢his is where I’m supposed to be.鈥�

Atiyat assured Atieh that she and other colleagues would help her reach the finish line as quickly as possible. She completed it in three semesters.

鈥淥nce Tia found a home in Family Science and Human Development, she transformed disruption into renewed purpose,鈥� Atiyat says. 鈥淭ia is a true inspiration. I have no doubt she will continue to make a meaningful impact as both a Montclair alumna and a compassionate global citizen.鈥�

Helping the “Future Change Agents”

Atieh鈥檚 passion earned her a spot as an inaugural CCHL Ambassador, where she shares her experience with prospective students. Her work didn’t go unnoticed; she was recently named one of the University鈥檚 Outstanding Student Employee award winners, selected from over 100 nominees across the campus.

As part of her role, she gives tours of CCHL and speaks highly about her major: 鈥淚 always tell prospective students, 鈥業magine how welcoming, empathetic and understanding they’re going to be when they’re talking to you, a future change agent.鈥�

A new horizon

Today, Atieh finds peace in the nature of New Jersey 鈥� running trails, kayaking and fishing. She recently completed her first half-marathon, a physical manifestation of her endurance.

As she prepares to enter 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 Master of Social Work program this fall, Atieh is no longer in denial. She is a survivor who has found her voice, nature and immense gratitude.

鈥淚 never imagined getting out of those dark places in my head and overcoming all of this,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 feel more grateful. I鈥檓 building a better life for my family and my future family and I’m going to try to help my family back home as much as I can.鈥�

On Monday, Atieh鈥檚 family won鈥檛 have to watch her graduate on a screen as she receives her BA in Family Science and Human Development. They will be in the stands, cheering for the eldest daughter who crossed an ocean 鈥� and survived a blast 鈥� to find her way home.

This story is part of a series celebrating 精品成人福利在线 University鈥檚 graduates 鈥� students who embody the University鈥檚 mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.

Cameron has danced around the world, but never in a venue as large as Prudential Center in Newark, where 4,251 students will receive their diplomas over two ceremonies.

鈥淚’m not going to be able to have a dress rehearsal, so I’m trying to put myself in a place of calm,鈥� Cameron says.

For him, though, this moment is as much about what comes next as what happens on stage. Drawing on those years as a performer, his MFA work at Montclair has focused on how that experience can translate into teaching 鈥� using everyday gestures to make dance more accessible and to expand what 鈥渃ounts鈥� as dance.

Expanding what counts as dance

Much of his graduate research has explored everyday actions as choreographic material, starting with familiar movement and building layered performance out of it.听

鈥淚’ve spent much of my life hearing people say they can’t dance, that they have two left feet, or that dance is only for the trained,鈥� he says. 鈥淎s an artist, I鈥檝e become increasingly committed to challenging those beliefs and to expanding how dance is understood, created and experienced.鈥�

His culminating project, Again, But Different, built an entire performance from familiar movement. Dance Professor Elizabeth McPherson, MFA Dance coordinator, says Cameron 鈥渁pproached every single assignment with insight and depth of thinking, often bringing in personal examples from his own teaching practice.鈥� His thesis, she notes, used everyday gestures 鈥� often in humorous ways 鈥� 鈥渢o show just how meaningful they can be when structured for performance.鈥�

From stage to classroom

For Cameron, turning ordinary actions into choreography is another way to invite people in, and 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 low鈥憆esidency MFA in Dance gave him the structure to pursue that work. The two鈥憏ear program features asynchronous online study and summers spent inside the Montclair dance studios.听

鈥淲e were sweating and moving and doing all the creative practices that we could physically,鈥� mixed with academics in dance technology and media, anatomy and movement analysis.

Montclair also let him step into the role he鈥檇 been working toward by giving him classroom experience teaching Dance Appreciation to undergraduates.听

I’m in such a happy place now. I’ve found that, at an older age, I can still be on stage, but that’s not my main focus. My main focus is to be an educator, to enjoy the benefits of being a dance professor.鈥�

From Nutcracker kid to Commencement speaker

The roots of that commitment go back to his childhood in Lynn, Massachusetts. His parents, Paul and Claire Brewer, got him into lessons after he began dancing around the house, mimicking The Nutcracker鈥檚 Rat King. 鈥淢y parents worked hard and made sacrifices so I could have opportunities to dance. My dad even sanded the studio floors at my dance school and took on extra work to help make my training possible,鈥� he says.

鈥淲hen I say I’d missed my moment, I tried one year of college at SUNY Purchase鈥檚 Conservatory of Dance right out of high school,鈥� Cameron says. 鈥淔ourteen thousand dollars for out鈥憃f鈥憇tate tuition was just too much for my family. I also wasn鈥檛 very focused. I just wanted to dance professionally.鈥�

At 20, he left for Florida to take a job at Busch Gardens in Tampa. 鈥淚 ended up staying with that company for almost 12 years, working on cruise ships, dancing around the world, and being a production corporate dancer,鈥� he says.

From performer to pedagogue

After moving back to Boston, teaching was always in the back of his mind, but he refused to do it halfway. 鈥淚 knew that when I was going to teach, I wanted to do it correctly, and I knew I needed an education to do that,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 not hyperbole.鈥�

That chance came when his husband, Kell Cameron, a business school professor, got a job at the University of South Florida and Jason enrolled at Hillsborough College, a nearby community college, giving him affordable access to general education classes and dance coursework.听

鈥淥nce I got this academic bug, I couldn’t stop,鈥� he says. He transferred to the University of Tampa on scholarship, drawn to its focus on pedagogy. From there, his sights turned north.

鈥淢ontclair was what I’d had my mind set on for quite a while,鈥� he says. 鈥淭heir reputation in our little dance world is phenomenal.鈥�

When he thinks about how far he鈥檚 come, his mind goes back to those early living鈥憆oom Nutcracker performances before he ever set foot in a studio. From there to world dance tours and now earning a Master of Fine Arts to become a teacher, Cameron says, 鈥淒ance is just a part of my being.鈥�

鈥淚’m just not kicking my face and doing triple pirouettes and all that kind of jazz much on stage anymore.鈥�

This story is part of a series celebrating 精品成人福利在线 University鈥檚 graduates 鈥� students who embody the University鈥檚 mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.