In the Know – Issue 84

Tackling the Teacher Shortage

Montclair launches first apprenticeship program in New Jersey backed by the Department of Labor for current paraprofessionals to become classroom leaders.

Charting a New Path to Leadership

Learn more about HR Learning and Development’s eight-week “Leadership University” and meet the inaugural fall 2023 cohort.

Austrian Law Students Visit Montclair for Global Perspective on Human Trafficking

The three-day visit included a panel discussion with lived-experience experts, survivor advocates, law enforcement and a visit to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

In the News

• President Jonathan Koppell appeared on State of Affairs with Steve Adubato to discuss the recent merger with Bloomfield College. 
• Brigid Harrison (Political Science and Law) is quoted in this Bloomberg article about New Jersey First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy’s announcement that she will run for the US Senate seat now held by Robert Menendez.
• Chris Matthews (Anthropology) was recently interviewed by NBC New York in reference to the fight for state and federal recognition by the Montaukett Indian Nation community on Long Island.
• Seddik Meziani (Accounting and Finance) offered expert commentary for a WalletHub article on credit cards.

Important Updates

• Learn more about the new and improved parking app, Parking Logix Parker Mobile, designed to provide up-to-date information on parking availability in both decks and surface lots, including faculty and staff lots.
• The Facilities Building at 147 Clove Road offers passport and postal services. To streamline parking and enhance convenience for all visitors, please use designated parking spaces for these services.
• Faculty and staff are invited to submit publications to be entered in the University Authors Recognition Program. Those who have published monographs, textbooks, exhibit catalogs and/or produced creative works resulting in CDs or DVDs in 2023 or 2024 are eligible. To submit print publications, use this form. For media (CDs, DVDs and others), use this form. Submission deadline is January 31, 2024. Publications will be listed in Montclair State University Digital Commons. For questions, contact Paul Martinez, martinezp@montclair.edu.

Upcoming Events

• Mark your calendars for Winter Commencement: January 8, 2024. Advanced registration is required for all faculty and staff attending. Registration closes on Monday, December 4. Register at the Commencement website.
• Bloomfield College of Montclair State University is hosting the 11th annual performance of the Heasun Jung Korea Traditional Academy of Arts on Saturday, November 18, 6-7:30 p.m., in the College’s Van Fossan Theater at 63 Fremont Street in Bloomfield. Tickets are free (up to four). Registration is required for tickets.
• Make a meaningful impact in the lives of students on Giving Tuesday, November 28. If you make your pledge on or before November 28, the entire pledge will count toward the 2023 Giving Tuesday campaign. Explore ways to give, including gifting through a payroll deduction, a quick and easy way to make a larger impact.
• Join the Office for Experiential Education and Career Connections for a discussion on Tuesday, December 19, 2:15 – 4 p.m., with John Ehret, labor market analyst with the New Jersey Department of Labor, who will explore the evolving employment landscape and trends. The event will take place virtually and in person in Cole Hall Room 340. Registration required.
• Attend the University Winter Celebration and enjoy conversations with friends and colleagues over food and drinks on Monday, December 11, 3 to 5:30 p.m., outside Cole Hall – Chapin Drive. Please RSVP if you plan to attend and to view more information about seasonal giving at the Winter Celebration.
• Employees and alumni can save 35% on tickets for two New Jersey Symphony concerts at which the Montclair student vocal ensembles will perform: Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, December 17 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart and Orff’s Carmina Burana on March 1 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Use discount code MONTCLAIR35 at the New Jersey Symphony website or call 1-800-255-3476.

Support Rocky’s Closet and Red Hawk Pantry

Support Rocky’s Closet this fall by donating new or gently worn winter items including coats, gloves, scarves, hats and more. Red Hawk Pantry is also in need of non-perishable and personal hygiene donations. Clothing items can be brought to Student Center Room 113A. Food and hygiene items can be brought to the pantry (Blanton Hall, Room 1200) during open hours or donated via the Amazon wishlist. For more information, contact Karina Escobar, escobark@montclair.edu.

Reminders

• In The Know will return after Thanksgiving break, Friday, December 1.
• Take advantage of the State Employee Discount Program with access to discounts in various categories.
• Worried about a student’s well-being? Please fill out a CARE Report form to connect students to mental health support and resources. Faculty and advisors can complete an alert via Navigate for academic concerns.
• EMS has installed hemorrhage/bleeding control kits and Narcan in Automated External Defibrillator (AED) cabinets on campus and is offering training sessions on how to use the hemorrhage control and Narcan kits. If you or your department would like to participate in these training sessions, contact EMS at 973-655-7836 or ems@montclair.edu.
• Did you know the Center for Writing Excellence is open to all University employees? The center provides free, confidential appointments for feedback on all types of writing including professional documents, emails, memos and improving general writing skills. In-person and online appointments are available.
• Visit the Volunteer Center’s updated site for ongoing volunteer opportunities through the 2023-2024 academic year.
• Land on a broken link or dead end on montclair.edu? Report your experience here.
• The new University Calendar is here. Powered by the University’s room booking system, 25Live, all event listings should be entered here. Still need training? Register for online or in-person training.

Support for Staff and Faculty

• The Employee Assistance Program provides free, confidential support services for employees and their families – including locating resources for substance abuse, mental health and self-help. For more information, view the CONCERN brochure.
• If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, the nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support, 24/7.
• Mindfulness Meditation is held every Monday online, 12-12:30 p.m. and open to all with an interest in learning about meditation and developing mindfulness. Register here.

Kudos

• To Mayida Zaal (Teaching and Learning), who organized the 18th Annual two-day Liberation Based Healing Conference that brought 150 scholars, community activists, educators and staff from all over the U.S. to campus to discuss how coloniality shows up in traditional education and therapeutic models and to share dialogues and strategies for healing. Read more about the conference that was co-sponsored by the University.
• To Enza Antenos (World Languages and Cultures), who was awarded the American Association of Teachers of Italian: Distinguished Service Award, the Italian Language Foundation Teacher Recognition Award and $5,000 in grants from the Italian Consulate and New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission.
• To Ashlee Martellacci (Global Center on Human Trafficking), who received the education award and Phetlavahn Sinpaseuth (Humanities and Social Sciences), who received the student activist award at the annual Bella Chanel Mentoring Program end-of-year gala. Ali Boack (Global Center on Human Trafficking) served as the keynote speaker of the event, highlighting the collaborative work of the University and organization.
• To the Center for Student Involvement and Residence Life for winning “Outstanding Community Building Program” for their “Nightmare on Clove Road” program and the Joseph H. Benedict Award which recognizes leadership, volunteer service and commitment to the college unions and student activities movement at the ACUI Region VII conference.
• To Yema Gbla (Graduate Admissions), who led an information session in her community for high school students to learn more about Montclair and the programs the University offers. Her ongoing efforts have resulted in applications and new students.

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.