From Ireland to America: Former Waitress and Chef Achieves American Dream of a College Degree

This is one of several stories highlighting Winter Commencement 2025 graduates who are pursuing the American Dream and have found a quality education and sense of belonging at Montclair State University.

A trained chef, Jean-Marie Beeks, recalls chopping carrots with a 7-year-old girl in the South Bronx who confided in her that her mother had diabetes and her father was in jail. At the time, Beeks and a friend were running after-school programs in the Bronx and Brooklyn to teach children healthy cooking and eating habits. That moment, however, made her reevaluate her life.

“My god, here we are chopping a carrot together, and this young child feels safe enough to tell me this stuff. I remember thinking, Where does my heart really lie? It’s not about chopping vegetables and healthy eating, it was the connection for me,” Beeks says. “It was such a massive turning point for me.”

So, after 20 years in the food industry, first as a waitress and then running the programs, Beeks decided to pivot and study Family Science and Human Development at Montclair’s College for Community Health. As a wife and mother of two young children, the Dublin native knew juggling family, home and school wouldn’t be easy. Starting with one class at Montclair State University, then two, then three, she steadily worked toward her dream. Six years later, she will realize her goal of earning a bachelor’s degree — a dream she’s had since arriving in this country. Her family — husband, children and mother and sister who are traveling from Ireland — will be cheering her on at Winter Commencement 2025 on January 13 at Prudential Center.

Turning Shame into Empathy

Beeks says her experiences growing up in social housing  in Ireland help her relate to children facing socioeconomic struggles. “We didn’t have a lot. I remember at times going down to get day-old bread off the nuns, and there was a lot of shame around that,” she says. She recalls , carrying the bread in a brown paper bag to avoid teasing from other children.

At 17, Beeks moved to New York to become a nanny. When that job fell through, she found herself waiting tables—the only job she could get without a green card. One day, while serving a regular customer, Beeks mentioned her dream of going to college. The customer took her information and had a friend from LaGuardia Community College contact her. This gesture marked the beginning of Beeks’ long academic journey, which included remedial English and math at LaGuardia, followed by classes at Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn College, and finally Montclair State University.

Overcoming Academic Challenges

Early in her academic career, Beeks struggled academically, especially with math due to a traumatic childhood experience. “I was told by a teacher that I was stupid, and I was never going to amount to anything,” she recalls. “Math was a massive fear for me because I felt that if I don’t know how to do math, then I’m not smart.” She was able to overcome her anxiety around math thanks to the help of supportive staff and faculty. Mathematics Chair and Professor Ashwin Vaidya “made math fun for me again. He was so patient and suggested that I stop saying I am bad at math. So, I don’t say that anymore,” she says. “He also reminded me that I’m a chef, so I’m doing math every day.”

Supportive faculty and staff helped her overcome this fear. She also dealt with the challenge of morning sickness during her second pregnancy, with a dean at another institution advising her to drop a class. “I don’t think a woman should have to decide between having a child and getting her education,” she says.

At Montclair, however, she found a culture of compassion. Family Science and Human Development Professor John Caspi allowed her to bring her 8-year-old daughter Ciara to class when she lacked childcare. His concern during her struggles, including during her daughter’s broken arm and two surgeries, moved her to tears. “It meant a lot to me,” she says.

Montclair: A Community of Support

During her first Montclair class, a Creative Writing course, Beeks struggled with imposter syndrome when a class assignment called for writing about high school. She confided in Professor Rick Reid that she’d not attended high school in America. He assured her that her life experiences were valid contributions, something that motivated her throughout her academic journey. “I used that as the driving force to get me through,” she says.

Associate Professor Olena Nesteruk, who taught Beeks in multiple classes, praises her as an active participant who brought invaluable perspectives. “Her experiences as a mother, wife, and immigrant enriched our class discussions,” Nesteruk says. “Even while managing school and family life, she stayed dedicated to her studies, setting a great example and motivating others.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

When Beeks’ son Declan, 12, wore a Montclair State University sweatshirt to school, his classmates were surprised to learn it was his mother who was in college, prompting him to ask Beeks why it had taken her so long to get her degree. Beeks sees these conversations as teaching moments. “They see me working hard, and we talk about the importance of education,” she says. “I talk to them about how lucky they are to be living here and to get an education.”

Beeks notes that growing up, getting a job to support the family was paramount. “It’s just lovely to be in a home where education is celebrated because I didn’t grow up with that,” she says.

A Bright Future Ahead

Beeks has excelled academically, winning this year’s Katherine B. Hall Family & Child Studies Scholarship, which requires a 3.5 GPA, and she’s graduating with honors and a 3.7 GPA.

Professor Lyndal Khaw, Chair of the Family Science and Human Development Department, says, “Jean-Marie is one of the most accomplished students we have had in FSHD. We are super proud of how far she has come and the impact she will continue to have on the people and communities she serves.”

Story by Staff Writer Sylvia A. Martinez.

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