In The Know – Issue 107

Bloomfield Commencement 2024

Take a look at the recap, photos and highlights from Bloomfield campus’ 151st Commencement.

Montclair Faculty Earn Inaugural MLA Pathways Step Grant

Funded by the Mellon Foundation, the $10,000 grant will support faculty members with the development of programs and resources for undergraduate students.

The Social Justice and Diversity Impact Awards Honor Diversity

The awards honor those who work toward creating a more inclusive University community along with holding two additional ceremonies for graduates of color and those who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Grammy Winner Holds Immersive Residency at the Cali School

Composer, conductor and speaker Eric Whitacre conducted over 900 music students in an intensive choral and instrumental experience.

In the News

• President Jonathan Koppell was named one of the Top 10 Higher Education Influencers by business publication ROI-NJ.
• Psychology Today published an article discussing a new book, When Animals Die: Examining Justifications and Envisioning Justice co-edited by Julian Keenan (Biology). The book examines how humans rationalize animal deaths and use dead animals, and the article includes a Q&A with the book’s editors.
• The Povolo quintuplets continue to generate media interest post-Commencement, most recently on Good Morning America.
• Leslie Wilson (History) is quoted in this PIX11 story about a preliminary report offering one of the country’s most comprehensive analyses of reparations and ways to compensate for economic, legal and political inequities resulting from slavery, Jim Crow, and other historical practices.
• Jaime Grinberg (Educational Foundations) was interviewed by Radio Universidad, AM 580, which belongs to the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba in Argentina (the oldest public university in Argentina, founded in 1619). The topic of the interview was antisemitism in the context of U.S. higher education.
• Montclair Local published an article about the fourth annual Disability Parade co-organized by Priya Lalvani (Teaching and Learning). Lalvani, who is also quoted in the article, participated in the rally alongside other Montclair faculty, staff and students.
• News12 New Jersey highlighted one of our recent graduates, 72-year-old Rosalyn Coppola, in its “Jersey Proud” segment; Coppola was profiled in a Graduate Spotlight feature by staff writer Marilyn Joyce Lehren.
• David Witten (Cali School of Music) is quoted in an article by Chinese media outlet People’s Daily Online about pianist Ju Xiaofu’s debut at Carnegie Hall.

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 Natasha Fernandez and Tammy Castro (Academic Affairs – Bloomfield), and the team at Bloomfield for organizing a fantastic Baccalaureate ceremony.
• To Lucy Candal-Fernandez and Chandra Sakajani (Financial Aid), who were recognized for their contributions to the Eastern Association of Student Financial Administrators Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging and Federal Relations committees.
• To Pablo Tinio (Educational Foundations), who received a $1 million grant from the Templeton Religion Trust for the project, Mirror to the World: The Power of Art to Build Understanding and Creativity.
• To Jeffrey Gonzalez (English), who recently published a review essay discussing Sonic Youth member Thurston Moore’s memoir, Sonic Life, in the online magazine Public Books.
• To the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s Recognition Award winners:
  • Daniela Peterka-Benton (Justice Studies), Award: Research
  • Evelyn De Jesus-Quiles (Operations and Administrative Affairs), Award: Service
  • Laura Nicosia (English), Award: Teaching
  • Sangeeta Parashar (Sociology), Award: Teaching
  • Manuel Gonzalez (Psychology), Award: Teaching
  • Mark Rotella (Coccia Institute), Award: Teaching
  • Dayna Arcurio (Writing Studies), Award: Teaching
  • Zachary Zerby (Linguistics), Award: Teaching

Social Media Post of Note

Child’s dream job growing up VS what they are doing now?

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.