In the Know – Issue 74

President Koppell Joins Excelencia in Education’s Presidents for Latino Student Success Network

Montclair joins a national network of college and university presidents and chancellors committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latino students thrive.

Agricultural Grant Awarded to University Will Train the Next Generation

The five-year Green Ag Teams project, funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), will train undergraduate participants for advanced agricultural science and related technology degrees.

Red Hawk Spotlight: 5 Questions for Ben Durant

Learn more about our new Interim Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President who provides oversight for Montclair’s operating budget and core operational areas including human resources, information technology, facilities, finance and business services.

In the News

• Montclair’s Move-in Day was highlighted in a CBS This Morning segment about high schools’ renewed emphasis on career education and why many students – like our Red Hawks – still choose to attend college.
• ROI-NJ published an article about Montclair’s record-breaking enrollment. President Koppell is quoted.
• A 2022 study by the Center for Strategic Communication on Twitter hate speech was mentioned in this NBC News article about Elon Musk’s post blaming the Anti-Defamation League for lost advertising revenue. The study was also cited in this Daily Mail article on the same topic.
• Jason Williams (Justice Studies) is quoted in this NJ Spotlight News article about a recent shooting in Jersey City that has advocates demanding answers about alternatives to police response.
• Cortni Borgerson (Anthropology) had a paper on bird hunting in Madagascar published in the scientific journal Conservation Letters – and it’s the journal’s July/August edition cover story.
• Michael Hannon (Counseling) spoke to digital media brand Black Enterprise about his research on “otherfathering,” the concept of Black men taking on parental roles while in leadership positions as mentors, coaches and more. The study is also discussed in an article on Phys.org.
• The latest issue of INSIGHT into Diversity magazine highlights efforts by Montclair’s Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) program to maintain, revitalize and celebrate Indigenous languages.
• David Galef (English) was profiled for the back-to-school issue of the Gannett publication, Montclair Magazine.

Upcoming Events

• Science Hall will be formally renamed in honor of former University President Irvin D. Reid on Wednesday, September 20 at 4 p.m. Register and if you wish, make a gift to the Irvin D. Reid African American Studies Award scholarship.
• Campus Recreation invites employees and their guests to a special deal on Montclair State University Day at Yankees Stadium on Saturday, September 23 .
  Attendees will receive a Yankees cap with the Montclair hawk logo, a hot dog and a drink with ticket purchase. Please note that transportation is NOT provided.
• The American Red Cross will be on campus for a blood drive on Monday, September 25. Click here to schedule an appointment.
• Occupational Health Services is partnering with Atlantic Health System to provide mammography screenings on Tuesday, September 26. Transportation will be provided to and from the appointment, with pick up at Blanton Hall, Lot 17. The shuttle will depart at 12 p.m. and return at 2 p.m. Atlantic Health System will coordinate costs with your insurance. Participants will receive a boxed lunch. To participate, contact Anne Schepers, RN, schepersa@montclair.edu.
• Homecoming 2023 is Saturday, Sept. 30! With food, music, student performances, a street fair and the Homecoming football game, it’s a day not to miss. Visit the Homecoming website to register and find more information.

Your Input Needed

University Communications and Marketing is embarking on a new initiative to gather information and feedback from employees regarding internal communications at the University. Staff and faculty are invited to participate in focus groups and individual interviews to share thoughts and insights on current communication channels specific to employee communications. If interested, please click here. For more information about the project, contact Brittany John, Internal Communications Editor, johnbr@montclair.edu

Reminders

• Please update your University email signatures and download new Zoom backgrounds to reflect the University’s updated logo.
• Faculty and staff are eligible to purchase the new $300 per semester flexible spending meal plan and receive $50 flex bucks each semester. The plan can be used at all campus dining venues, vending machines and convenience stores. Pay by payroll deduction, cash/check or credit card.
• All University faculty and staff receive a $5 discount on tickets for PEAK Performances Events. Employee ID card is required to qualify. The discount is limited to two tickets per event and based on availability – additional tickets are available to any one performance at full price. To purchase tickets, visit the Alexander Kasser Theater Box Office, Monday through Friday, 12 p.m.– 6 p.m., or contact the Box Office to set up an account at boxoffice@montclair.edu.
• The new University Calendar is here. Powered by the University’s room booking system, 25Live, all event listings should be entered here moving forward. Still need training? Register for online or in-person training.
• The Employee Assistance Program provides free, confidential support services for University employees and their families – including locating resources for substance abuse, mental health and self-help. For more information, see the attached CONCERN brochure.
• Worried about a student’s well-being? Please refer them to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
• If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, the new nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support, 24/7.

Kudos

• To Fatima deCarvalho, Julia DelBagno, Casey Coleman and Jonnine DeLoatch (Center for Student Involvement) for helping organize the campus carnival, which engaged over 2,000 members of the Red Hawk community.
• To Elizabeth McPherson (Theatre and Dance), who received the 2023 Outstanding Dance Education Researcher Award from the National Dance Education Organization.
• To Tara George (Journalism), who was named a 2023 Distinguished Adviser by the national College Media Association for her work with The Montclarion. She will accept the award at the association’s national convention in Atlanta in October.
• To Tim White (Academic Affairs), who will present at the AAC&U on the power of live virtual global experiences which help foster a global mindset among students.
• To Phoebe Farber (Public Health), who taught a five-week summer course in Northern Israel as part of a Fulbright Specialist award.
• To Casey Coleman (Center for Student Involvement) for organizing the “Ask Me” booths on campus where over 3,975 questions were asked by students and answered by volunteers from SDCL, Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management.

Social Media Post of Note

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.