In The Know – Issue 105

Five Times the Celebration

The Povolo quintuplets will make history when they all graduate from Montclair on Monday.

Decades of Determination

At the age of 74, Rosalyn Coppola has earned her college degree through the University’s Degree Completion Program.

Montclair’s Provost Named Advisor to National Institutes of Health Initiative

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales has been named one of five advisors to the Common Fund, which supports scientific programs, and biomedical and behavioral research.

Elected Officials Visit Montclair to Announce Extension of Mental Health Services Funding

New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way and Secretary of Higher Education Brian K. Bridges shared students will continue to have access to free mental health services and wellness programming.

In the News

• Sabrina Sanichar (Career Services, Feliciano School of Business) is featured in this NorthJersey.com article about “job hoppers” in New Jersey.
• Jonathan Howell (Linguistics) is quoted in this NorthJersey.com article about chatbots and AI assistants.
• The Peoria Journal Star, a Gannett news organization, cited Cortni Borgerson (Anthropology) in an article about cooking cicadas.
• The recent event on campus during which officials announced the extension of a mental health initiative for students was covered by outlets including PIX11 (also picked up by Yahoo! News), CBS New York, NJ Spotlight News and NJBIZ.

Employee Communications Survey – Survey Closing Monday, May 13

• As a loyal reader of In The Know, we value your feedback and want to hear about your preferred communication preferences and the types of information you consider most valuable. Please complete our Employee Communications Survey by Monday, May 13. Your responses will be anonymous and will assist in identifying areas for improvement, developing strategies to enhance communication effectiveness and strengthen employee engagement.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

• Sign up for Mental Health First Aid Training and learn to identify, understand and provide initial aid to someone who may be struggling.
• Take an online mental health screening and try TAO Connect, an online self-guided program to help support your mental health.
• Campus recreation offers a wide variety of fitness programs for employees to take care of their minds and bodies.
• Faculty and staff can refer students to counselors via Let’s Talk, Uwill or CAPS at 973-655-5211.

Reminders

• Take advantage of employee discounts via the State Employee Discount Program and the Bloomfield Business Discounts list.
• Download the Parking Logix app to check for available parking on campus.
• Request our pupscot, Pebbles and Rocky the Red Hawk at your upcoming events!
• Lost and found items may be brought to the Student Center information desk in the 2nd floor lobby. Browse the inventory of lost items or file a claim for lost items.
• To receive training on the use of hemorrhage/bleeding control and Narcan kits, contact EMS at 973-655-7836 or ems@montclair.edu.

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.
• Concerned 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.
• 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.
• Email successcenter@ascendiumeducation.org or call 833-707-1220 for assistance with student loan repayment support. Visit MSU GradReady website for additional resources available to help with managing your financial needs.

Kudos

• To Jason Torreano (Media Communications, Bloomfield), who was invited to attend the Council for American Overseas Research Centers Overseas Faculty Development Seminars. He will attend the seminar in Cambodia on climate and political change in Southeast Asia.
• To Peter DeSarno (Accounting, Bloomfield), who was honored with the 2024 Good Scout Award at the 12th Annual New Providence Good Scout Awards Reception by the Boy Scouts of America Patriots’ Path Council.
• To Dawn Wilkenfeld (Early College Programs), who received the 2024 Excellence in Academic Advising and Career Services Award sponsored by the Office of the Provost.
• To Fernando Naiditch (Teaching and Learning), who will serve as a keynote speaker at the New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages and New Jersey Bilingual Education Association’s joint annual spring conference.
• To Matt Pierce (University Communications and Marketing) and Kevin Handeli (University Libraries), for their engaging breakout session, “Navigating Accessibility: Making Your Website an Inclusive Space,” at the Tech Summit for NJ Libraries.
• To Christopher Parker (Classics and General Humanities), who will be performing at the St. Thomas the Apostle’s Church’s 85 Years of Faith and Music Anniversary Concert.
• To Rachel Mecca (Financial Aid), who earned the FAAC designation from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ accredited Certified Financial Aid Administrator Program.

Social Media Post of Note

What’s Up Graduates ☝️ We’re only a few days away from Commencement at the Prudential Center! ⚪️

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.