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 Montclair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 Montclair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.”聽 聽 聽 聽~ 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 Montclair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聽 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聽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 Montclair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 Montclair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.

Born in Yangon, Myanmar, Zan grew up speaking Burmese and learned English at a local monastic school, becoming proficient enough that he later became a volunteer English teacher at the school. He also worked in translation at a local broadcasting company translating English movies for Burmese viewers.

Then in 2008, in the wake of the catastrophic Cyclone Nargis that devastated Myanmar and the subsequent influx of foreign aid and involvement, new opportunities in the civil society sector opened up and he joined an NGO that worked in education.

鈥淚 worked in education support for local marginalized communities and I joined another NGO working at the Thailand-Myanmar border helping refugee schools build their curriculum and train their teachers,鈥� Zan, 37, says.

A decade of working in translation, interpretation and teacher training made him realize that he was not only interested in languages, but he had a passion for helping other people learn.

Finding the right academic fit at Montclair

Looking to further his own education, Zan applied for and received a Lincoln Scholarship to study in the U.S. 鈥淢uch like the Fulbright, this program offers a premier track for Myanmar scholars to pursue international education in the United States,鈥� he explains. Out of three possible college options, he chose to come to Montclair to study Applied Linguistics.

鈥淚 found that what Montclair provided was an exact academic fit with my interests,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 thought the subjects and electives provided here were directly addressing what I wanted to do with my academic path ahead.鈥�

He found the coursework challenging but also stimulating and developed a particular interest in corpus linguistics.

According to Zan, 鈥淐orpus linguistics is studying language as it is used in the wild. It鈥檚 looking at language at a whole new level of magnitude. People would look at language but only at a specific section of that language, but corpus linguistics brings in the entirety of the whole language.鈥�

Persevering through uncertainty

Although he excelled in his classes, Zan鈥檚 academic path through graduate school was anything but straightforward.

鈥淎t several points in the past two years, the progressing violence following the military coup back home, the largest earthquake in my country鈥檚 history, and the ripple effects of an eventful administration change in the U.S. have had profound effects on my friends and communities,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t was somehow uneasy to be all safe and comfortable here while my folks struggled there.鈥�

In addition to the emotional weight of watching his communities and loved ones endure hardship from afar, funding for Zan鈥檚 scholarship was cut in his second semester, leaving him uncertain if he could remain at Montclair for the second year of the program.

That uncertainty could have ended his journey 鈥� but it didn鈥檛.

With the support of the University, particularly the Office of Global Engagement and faculty and staff of the Linguistics program 鈥� especially Graduate Program Coordinator Professor Larissa Goulart 鈥� Zan was able to continue in the program with a Graduate Assistantship, which helped cover his tuition and fees. He expressed his immense appreciation for all the work done and arrangements made on his behalf so that he could complete his degree.

鈥淚 must have been such an unusual case, giving both staff and faculty a considerable administrative challenge,鈥� Zan says. 鈥淎nd for that exact reason, me completing the degree and graduating is an embodiment of the University鈥檚 commitment to higher education 鈥� for all of its students.鈥�

Through the assistantship, Zan has been working as a research assistant in the Linguistics department鈥檚 . In addition to excelling in research and teaching, he conducted an original, empirical study on Myanmar鈥檚 high school English textbooks, focusing on their vocabulary and phraseological coverage and strength.

Looking ahead

Zan has applied to work at an organization in New York that helps refugee populations get settled, and beyond that, he plans to pursue a PhD in Applied Linguistics with a focus on corpus linguistics.

All the while, he is still engaging with his organizations in Myanmar and providing online trainings and classes for underserved community schools there. His long-term goal remains clear: to elevate the quality of language education in Myanmar, especially in the communities that need it most.

But for now, he is looking forward to Commencement and celebrating his achievements with fellow Red Hawks.

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.

Ready to start your Montclair journey?

Prospective students: Learn more about Montclair鈥檚 Linguistics program or apply to Montclair.

Journalists: Contact Montclair鈥檚 Media Relations team for assets or to schedule an interview.

Crawford鈥檚 path to earning a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, with a concentration in Humanities and a minor in Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations, while working full time and caring for her family has been long and challenging but ultimately, worth it.

The Bayonne, New Jersey, native says, 鈥淭he most rewarding and meaningful part of reaching Commencement has been the feeling of finally standing in a moment I once wasn鈥檛 sure I would get to.鈥�

A nontraditional path back to the classroom

At just 17 years old, Crawford stepped into independence without a safety net, forced to rely on work simply to survive. 鈥淚 started college right out of high school, but after my first year I had to step away because I simply couldn鈥檛 afford to continue,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淎t that point, I shifted my focus to working full time and figuring out how to support myself.鈥�

She supported herself working in a variety of jobs, including a long period in the automotive industry working in sales, finance and customer service, and in her current full-time job: property management.

Despite having to work to pay the bills, Crawford, 36, never lost her drive and determination to reach her lifelong goal of becoming a lawyer. Knowing she needed a degree to reach that goal, she found her way back to school though a community college and in 2013, earned an associate degree.

鈥淓ven after that, my education didn鈥檛 follow a straight path,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 would take classes when I could, but most of the time I had to prioritize work and survival. There were long stretches where school had to wait because life didn鈥檛 leave much room for anything else.鈥�

And for Crawford, 鈥渓ife鈥� is pretty full. In addition to her full-time work and studies, she is a wife and mother of a 3-year-old son, a part-time bartender and actively involved in the local community through her hometown鈥檚 Elks Lodge, currently serving as the Esteemed Loyal Knight and co-chairing the drug awareness and peer leadership committees.

Turning commitment into action

Then last summer, after years of her education taking a back seat to her work and responsibilities, 鈥淪omething shifted for me,鈥� Crawford says. 鈥淚 made the decision that I was going to finish my bachelor鈥檚 no matter what it took.鈥�

She learned of Montclair鈥榮 BA in Liberal Studies program and met with Academic Advisor Alicia Tucker to discuss her options.

鈥淚 had my initial meeting with Alicia and I told her that I was trying to do this quick. I wanted to do this in one year 鈥� two semesters,鈥� Crawford recalls. 鈥淪he was like, 鈥楾his is going to be rough, but you know what, we鈥檙e going to get it done.鈥欌��

Learning from Tucker about , which allows students to earn credits by taking examinations instead of classes, Crawford took three CLEP exams to earn the credits. Tucker also helped build Crawford鈥檚 schedule 鈥� 18 credits one semester and 19 credits the following semester 鈥� a full course load.

鈥淚鈥檓 very grateful to have met Alicia because she was really the final piece of the puzzle for me,鈥� Crawford says, 鈥渂ecause before I chose to go to Montclair, I was already enrolled at another college.鈥�

The fact that the BA in Liberal Studies is a fully online program was also a big selling point for Crawford. 鈥淚t worked out so well for me because I’m so busy 鈥� I’m working full time, I work part time, I’m a mom, I volunteer,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 just have so much going on, but it fit my schedule perfectly 鈥� so I’m very lucky for that.鈥�

Tucker understands this. “As an academic advisor, I see how essential flexibility is for nontraditional students balancing work, family and life,鈥� Tucker says. 鈥淭he BA in Liberal Studies allows them to continue their education without putting everything else on hold.”

The power of a support system

In spite of the workload during her year at Montclair, Crawford made the dean鈥檚 list and was inducted into two honor societies: for transfer students and for first-generation college graduates.

She credits much of her success to the support system around her. In addition to advising and academic support from the University, Crawford鈥檚 family and friends were a constant source of support.

鈥淢y husband stood beside me through long days and even longer nights, always encouraging me and reminding me why I started,鈥� Crawford says, 鈥渁nd my best friends showed up in the ways that mattered most and made sure I never lost sight of myself along the way.鈥�

Her greatest motivation, she says, has been her son. 鈥淚 want him to grow up knowing that nothing is impossible, that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Becoming his mom didn鈥檛 take me away from my dreams, it pushed me to chase them even harder.鈥�

Next stop: law school

After graduation, Crawford isn鈥檛 planning to slow down. While continuing to build her career in property management and remaining committed to her role at home, she plans to take the LSAT this summer and apply to law school this fall for a fall 2027 start.

Thinking back over the past year, Crawford believes her journey reflects resilience, determination and the reality of pursuing an education while also building a life and supporting a family.

鈥淚 hope it can also show others that success doesn鈥檛 always follow a traditional timeline,鈥� she says, 鈥渂ut consistency and hard work still lead to meaningful outcomes.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.

Ready to start your Montclair journey?

Prospective students: Learn more about Montclair鈥檚 BA in Liberal Studies program or apply to Montclair.

Journalists: Contact Montclair鈥檚 Media Relations team for assets or to schedule an interview.

Afriyie-Addo鈥檚 walk across the stage at 2026 Commencement next week makes him the first graduate of the Cali Pathways project, which launched in 2021 and helps talented young musicians access the guidance, training and resources they need to pursue music in college and beyond.

聽鈥淚 really appreciate the Pathways program because I wouldn’t be in college without that entry into Montclair,鈥� he says.

He studied music for two years before switching his major to business and sees parallels between the two.听聽

鈥淭here are similarities between music and business, particularly in terms of community, leadership and freedom,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he best music comes from people sharing a common emotion and playing the music together 鈥� and the best businesses come from people sharing a common goal together.鈥�

A late start and a sharp shift

Afriyie-Addo鈥檚 path to the stage was anything but traditional. While many musicians begin their training in early childhood, Afriyie-Addo didn鈥檛 discover his passion for music until his junior year of high school during the COVID-19 pandemic. While doing some spring cleaning, his mother pulled a keyboard from the closet and Afriyie-Addo decided to teach himself to play by ear.

To support his newfound passion and talent, his mother found him a piano teacher. Afriyie-Addo recalls hearing a fellow student play what he mistakenly thought was an original piece but turned out to be one of Beethoven鈥檚 piano sonatas in E flat major.

鈥淚 was astonished. It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever heard,鈥� he says. That鈥檚 the moment he was hooked on classical piano and decided, 鈥渨ow, I want to sound like that.鈥� He practiced at every opportunity.

Inspired by his choir and piano teachers and bolstered by a scholarship, he began a rapid ascent into the world of performance and composition.

During his time at the Cali School, he also discovered and fell in love with jazz and studied under Adjunct Instructor David DeMotta, who describes Afriyie-Addo as 鈥�an inspired student who consistently pushed himself to master the art of improvisation.鈥�

鈥淚t was wonderful to watch him develop from his first introduction to jazz piano into a self-motivated and serious student of the art form,鈥� DeMotta says. 鈥�Isaac has the type of deeply curious and professionalized approach to learning and achievement that will allow him to find continued success within and beyond jazz piano.鈥�

The composition of commerce

Even after switching majors, Afriyie-Addo stayed involved with the Cali School. His leadership skills were put to the test when he took charge of organizing 鈥� and performing in, of course 鈥� the Hues Concert at the Cali School鈥檚 Leshowitz Recital Hall earlier this year. Even when faced with a snowstorm delay, Afriyie-Addo utilized his networking and marketing acumen to ensure the event was a success, showcasing the business skills he honed in the classroom.

He also wrote original compositions for dancers and others. That’s when he fell in love with and pivoted to jazz. “Jazz is a lot like composition in real time, you’re composing in the moment, and that felt thrilling.” The bigger pivot, however, came when he switched his focus to business partly because he had an interest and could see the commonalities in both, as well as 鈥渢he influence of my family wanting the best for me financially,鈥� he says.听

The Hues Concert experience fueled an interest in event coordinating; he hopes to continue to fuse his business and music acumen. 鈥淚 want to create a venue or business that allows artists to be able to perform and put themselves out there,鈥� he says.

A future in fusion

While school kept him busy, he also found time for other interests, volunteering at a hospital and shadowing an executive at a retail store to learn data analytics.

Wherever Afriyie-Addo ends up when he enters the professional world, he knows music will remain a lifelong passion.

鈥淚 can’t see myself without it. I’m someone who has a lot of interests, and I can balance doing multiple things at once. Whether it’s performing, creating or building spaces that allow other people to connect, that’s something that really is something that I strive for. One of the best ways to bring people together and comfort others is through the universal language of music.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.

Jones will address her classmates at two ceremonies, Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12, at Prudential Center in Newark, drawing on an unconventional path to the podium that she now sees as her greatest strength.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e not defined by previous versions of yourself, mistakes you鈥檝e made or your major,鈥� she says. 鈥淵ou can evolve so much by putting yourself in unfamiliar and different spaces.鈥�

Leading together

Jones鈥� impact is deeply connected to the work of the Student Government Association鈥檚 executive team. Together, they oversaw the SGA scholarship fund, awarding scholarships totaling $31,500 this spring semester alone, including new funding for students completing unpaid internships.听

They also partnered with the Red Hawk Pantry to address food insecurity through food drives, meal vouchers and awareness campaigns. The team also helped cultivate future leaders by moderating a Student Leadership Conference for incoming high school students.

Jones will graduate with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Economics and continue at Montclair through the University鈥檚 4+1 program to earn a master鈥檚 degree in Cybersecurity, with long鈥憈erm plans to pursue a career in patent law.

Jones will share the Commencement stage with her fellow executive board members:

• Carmela Beitler, a Psychology major with a Social Work minor, helped shape SGA鈥檚 scholarship review process and says her leadership experience taught her 鈥渉ow to be a resource for students, when to guide them and how to recognize what they鈥檙e capable of.鈥� After graduation, Beitler plans to pursue her Master of Social Work at Rutgers University and one day specialize in school social work.
• Danny Gonzalez, a Theatre Studies major, co鈥憀ed initiatives like Know Your Rights, an immigration鈥憆esource information board. Gonzalez will earn his degree in August and will continue at Montclair as part of the 4+1 program, which allows students to earn both a BA and an MA in just five years.
• Edlyn Eugene, a Business Administration major concentrating in Marketing, led SGA鈥檚 outreach and social media strategy 鈥� boosting student engagement and election turnout and helping plan Senior Sendoff and other senior鈥憌eek events.

As Jones reflects on remarks she鈥檒l give at Commencement, she keeps returning to the guidance that helped her grow into her role.

Grace through all seasons

Jones credits her mentor, Dean of Students Margaree Coleman-Carter, with grounding her throughout her journey. 鈥淚 knew I wanted to do more, but I didn鈥檛 have that representation growing up and didn鈥檛 feel like I had the space to speak,鈥� Jones says.

鈥淒ean Carter told me, 鈥楬ave grace through all seasons in your life,鈥欌�� she adds. 鈥淭hat stayed with me 鈥� knowing it鈥檚 going to be OK, even when it doesn鈥檛 feel like it.鈥�

Outside of SGA, Jones taught yoga at the Student Recreation Center. 鈥淓ven though Computer Science might not correlate with being in student government, those core values 鈥� discipline and structure 鈥� shaped me as a leader,鈥� she explains. 鈥淭eaching yoga taught me how to slow down, be soft and think through every decision that I make.鈥�

鈥淣ow I feel confident stepping into rooms and finding my voice.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.

Roby did just that. A graduating senior with a double major in Political Science and Policy Studies and a double minor in Chinese and Global Security and Diplomacy, he is also a winner of the U.S. Department of State鈥檚 highly competitive Critical Language Scholarship for intensive Mandarin study.

Policy fellowships and research

As an honors student in the Martinson Honors EDGE Program, Political Science and Law Professor Tony Spanakos showed him that politics could mean 鈥渢aking your ideas, translating them into public policy, and making a positive impact on the world.鈥� That insight led Roby to seek out real鈥憌orld policy experience early in his college career, building a record of hands鈥憃n public鈥憇ervice work.

鈥淛acob has a very good ability to link what interests him to seeking information and opportunities to listening to other people and then moving ahead with his research or professional activities,鈥� Spanakos says. 鈥�He is humble, hard-working and interested in hearing multiple perspectives.鈥�

Roby dove into opportunities that brought his interests to life:

• Alexander Hamilton Institute, Washington, D.C. 鈥� A program that took him to the nation鈥檚 capital to study U.S. history and meet policymakers, which 鈥渙pened me to public service as a vocation.鈥�
• National security research in D.C. 鈥� Work with a think tank on Taiwan and Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturing, giving him a window into the intersection of technology, security and foreign policy.
• USDA Student Fellow 鈥� A role in New Jersey that connected his policy training to real鈥憌orld issues affecting communities closer to home.

Roby also joined Project AROS, a Montclair鈥慹xclusive research lab that paired him with the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. There, he researched how U.S.鈥揅hina competition is shaping global efforts to address climate change in the Indo鈥慞acific region 鈥� a new angle on issues he was already exploring through his national security work in D.C.

Learning alongside students from all walks of life

Roby鈥檚 idea of Montclair as an 鈥淎merican dream school鈥� comes as much from who he studied with as from what he studied. He recalled an early macroeconomics course filled with nontraditional students: veterans of the Marine Corps, a taxi driver, a construction worker and a classmate who worked overnight shifts at a FedEx facility before coming straight to class.

鈥淭hat is what I mean about the American Dream 鈥� this University accepts students from all walks of life and gives them a chance to better their lives through higher education,鈥� he says.

Taking Montclair global

After Commencement, Roby will take that story abroad with support from his Critical Language Scholarship, studying Mandarin Chinese at Tamkang University in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The intensive, immersive eight鈥憌eek summer program is equivalent to one year of university鈥憀evel language study and includes living with a host family, meeting regularly with a language exchange partner on campus and immersing himself in the local community.

Looking ahead, Roby hopes to continue his studies at National Taiwan University鈥檚 International Chinese Language Program for the following academic year and summer term. He is also considering staying in Taiwan long鈥憈erm by pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in Political Science at National Taiwan University and building a career in a Chinese鈥憇peaking environment.

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.

A dozen years later, that promise is coming true. A first-generation student from Camden, New Jersey, Rodriguez is graduating in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and minors in Chemistry and Classics from 精品成人福利在线 University, and will attend medical school.

That promise has shaped his time at Montclair, especially his work in the lab with zebrafish to better understand cancer. Rodriguez dove into research focused on melanoma and fertility, presented his work at conferences and mentored fellow pre-med students 鈥� all while balancing rigorous science courses with Honors and Classics seminars.

With his mentor Melissa Spigelman 鈥�23, 鈥�25 MS, Rodriguez discusses how clytia jellyfish polyps will be used in the next stage of their research in Professor Carlos Molina鈥檚 lab. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

Discovering research with zebrafish

At Montclair, Rodriguez joined research already underway in Biology Professor Carlos Molina鈥檚 lab using zebrafish to 鈥渁pply what we see in the fish to then help humans.鈥�

Explaining the zebrafish research in a way his grandmother would have understood, Rodriguez says, 鈥淭he genes of the zebrafish are kind of like a light switch; you can turn them on and off.鈥� He and his labmates turn off a tumor-suppressor gene so the fish are more likely to develop tumors and increase their chances of getting melanoma in their skin pigment cells. By watching how a single protein changes under those conditions, they can learn lessons that may apply to people, since humans and zebrafish share similar genetics and the same ICER protein with similar effects.

Rodriguez engaged deeply in that research and in sharing the work, including poster presentations at Montclair, Rutgers University and in Dallas, Texas, as part of the American Heart Association Hispanic-Serving Institution scholar program, where he collaborated on research with scholars across the United States and Puerto Rico. He earned recognition as a (LSAMP) Scholar, a CSAM Summer Research Scholar and a participant in the six-week t (PULSE) program.

鈥淚 love being rigorously challenged. I’ve always been very heavy on my work ethic, and there’s just no other curriculum like medicine that is so rigorous, so intense. I feel I would be doing a disservice to myself by not pursuing something that I know I could definitely handle and take on,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 believe everyone has a God-given vocation, this inexplicable desire to pursue certain professions, and for me that’s medicine.鈥�

Support, mentoring and EOF

Navigating college as a first-generation student came with challenges. He credits the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program, the Pre-Medical Program, mentors and close friends with providing the support, leadership development and MCAT preparation that helped him succeed and feel a strong sense of belonging at 精品成人福利在线 University.

鈥淢elvin came to college with a clear goal and determination to make it happen,鈥� says Melissa Pecora, his EOF counselor and academic advisor. 鈥�Through hard work and focus, he followed through on that mission and turned his goals and dreams into reality.鈥�

Rodriguez is paying it forward as a pre-med mentor. 鈥淚 help incoming freshmen and transfer students adjust to college life, suggesting what classes to take, what extracurriculars to pursue 鈥� and helping to keep them motivated on the pathway towards medicine because it is a really difficult and daunting journey.鈥�

Even with a course load packed with lab work and research, Rodriguez says his Honors and Classics courses give him balance 鈥� helping him stay focused on the intense science in front of him. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

A well-rounded education

Rodriguez, a student in the Martinson Edge Honors Program, says his own path has been academically well-rounded. 鈥淪cience is definitely heavy. If I had pure science every semester, I’d probably want to pull my hair out cause that’s a lot of knowledge, a lot of information, a lot of studying.

鈥淭hat’s why I like having the Classics minor on the side as well as being in the Honors Program. The Honors Program helped create a further divide, because I’ve taken interesting courses 鈥� like a class about cookbooks, a class about animal minds 鈥� which makes each semester feel different and have some type of outlet to go to apart from the sciences. Being able to balance my curriculum and to feel very grounded in my education has proven successful and very instrumental in my ability to succeed.鈥�

Looking ahead to oncology

Looking ahead, he knows where he hopes his path leads. He鈥檒l be attending Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden to pursue medicine.

鈥淚 definitely want to pursue oncology. Recently, I’ve been debating whether I want to pursue radiation oncology or medical oncology, which would allow me to do chemotherapy and things of that nature. I guess that’s something I will discover in medical school. I also want to have an open mind because I know a lot of people say that you enter med school to become one profession and then might switch to another.

鈥淚 understand medicine is multifaceted in both its disciplines as well as the patients that you face. It’s always good to keep an open mind 鈥� you never know what you might encounter.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.