In The Know – Issue 128
Posted in: In the Know
Montclair and University Partners Launch Public Phase of One Square Mile Initiative in Paterson
The multi-year plan will create housing solutions for Paterson residents in the fourth and fifth wards of the city over the next five years.
Montclair’s Women’s Leadership Conference Continues Its Legacy of Empowerment
This year’s theme, ‘Triumph Over Trauma: Transforming Pain into Power,’ inspired young women by tackling essential topics such as emotional well-being and overcoming adversity.
Fighting Fat Discrimination in Higher Education
Through her research, graduate student and staff member Stephanie Spitz is driving change on campus.
President’s Winter Celebration Recap
View photos from the event!
Reminders
Submit Your Spring Tuition Waiver/Reimbursement
The Spring Tuition Waiver/Reimbursement deadline is January 1, 2025. All applications MUST be submitted to the Division of Human Resources via Workday.
Spring 2025 Reminders for Instructors
Please see the new academic calendar announcement from August. As you complete your fall courses, consider how you will condense your course to meet the new formats.
Key Points:
- Spring 2025 Sessions A and B begin Friday, January 17. Classes will meet for 14 and 7 week sessions on a Monday Schedule.
- The new schedule has two common hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
- The calendar of University meetings has changed – see administrative calendar/schedule of meetings.
- View the Time Block Grid for a detailed view of the new schedule.
- For more information, consult OFE’s FAQs on the Spring 2025 calendar.
Important Dates:
- There are no classes on Monday, January 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
- Spring 2025 Session B ends Friday, March 7
- The last day of Spring 2025 Session A and C is Monday, May 5. Classes will meet on a Friday schedule.
Please contact Classsched@montclair.edu if you have additional questions or concerns.
NJ Stem Loan Forgiveness
Apply for HESAA’s New Jersey STEM Loan Redemption Program for individuals pursuing or employed in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. If eligible, you may receive up to $2,000 in loan forgiveness annually, for a maximum of four (4) years. For more detailed information, including eligibility criteria, application requirements and deadlines, please visit the NJ STEM Loan Redemption Program webpage.
Free Calm Subscription Now Available for Faculty and Staff
The world’s #1 app for sleep, meditation and relaxation is now free for employees! Experience lower stress, less anxiety, improved focus and more restful sleep with Calm. Whether you have 30 seconds or 30 minutes, Calm content is available to support you! To get your free subscription, email Ivana Drazin Ivelja at drazinivelji@montclair.edu from your Montclair State University email address with a request to join Calm. You will be sent instructions to begin by downloading the Calm app and logging into your account. Once registered, you can add up to 5 friends or family (age 16 years or older) via the “Manage Subscription” page on calm.com. Take steps to feel better today!
In The News
(Articles may require a subscription to view)
- President Jonathan Koppell is quoted in this New York Times article about how and why universities have updated expressive activity policies in recent months.
- Montclair’s One Square Mile initiative is highlighted in this NorthJersey.com article about the need for affordable housing in Paterson.
- Stephanie Silvera (Public Health), appeared on NJ Spotlight News to discuss walking pneumonia, which is spreading across New Jersey.
- Charley, the women’s basketball team’s “Director of Pawsitivity,” continues to get media love, most recently from Worcester’s 96.1SRS Christmas Station (an iHeart property) and HOLA! Magazine via msn.com.
- A segment on News12 New Jersey highlighted service work by Montclair students, who were at the Community Food Bank in Hillside the week before Thanksgiving, helping to unload 1,500 free turkeys with the help of veterans who served in Afghanistan, Desert Storm and Vietnam.
- Daniel Geltrude (Accounting and Finance), appeared on Newsmax program “Wake Up America” to discuss various topics about the economy. He also appeared on a separate Newsmax segment to discuss Black Friday shopping and other topics.
- Becky Ofrane (Public Health), co-authored an opinion piece for NJ.com about why New Jersey should continue to pass laws that protect all women’s right to choose.
- Emily Isaacs (Office for Faculty Excellence), is quoted in this Inside Higher Ed article about mentorships between students and professors.
- Ethan Hein (Adjunct, Cali School of Music), wrote a piece for Music Radar about the “flawed genius” of classic pop anthems.
- Keith Strudler (School of Communication and Media), offered commentary to WAMC Northeast Public Radio about outdoor sports.
Kudos
- To the CART Academic Advising Team on the acceptance of their proposal, “Advising the Creative Mind: Navigating the Needs of Students in the Arts”, as a concurrent session at the upcoming NACADA Region1/Region 2 conference in Buffalo, NY.
- To Meiyin Wu (Biology), who co-authored a report on “Carbon Storage Capacity of Forest Soils in New Jersey” for Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. The report is instrumental in advancing New Jersey’s commitment to climate change research.
- To Roman Liera (Educational Leadership), who along with a colleague, published an article on racial commodification in the academic job market with the Review of Higher Education.
- To Joanna Torres and Joe Fernandez (University Police) on their graduation from the Essex County Police Academy. We look forward to having these two police officers back in headquarters and on campus to serve our community.
- To the Feliciano School of Business which was ranked number 6 by FORTUNE for 2025 Best MBA Programs for Human Resource Management.
- To Roxanna Ast (Social Work and Child Advocacy), who was invited by the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate to join the executive committee for the state’s first comprehensive food security strategic plan. Dr. Ast will represent Montclair alongside leaders from various sectors to address gaps in food security across New Jersey.
- To Vincent Alfonso (Interim DeanCollege for Education and Engaged Learning), who shared his expertise with the American Psychological Association on students experiencing sadness as part of their Mental Health Primers Audio series for teachers.
- To Maughn Gregory (Educational Foundations), who delivered the keynote address “Three Traditions of Philosophical Dialogue” at 4th International Biennale on Practical Philosophy convened by the Laboratory of Research on Practical Philosophy (L.R.P.Ph.), University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece.
- To Elizabeth McPherson (Theatre and Dance) and faculty in the Dance program, which has once again been named to DanceUs.org’s list of the best college dance programs in the country. It is the only dance program in New Jersey to earn this coveted distinction.
- To Peter Flynn (Theatre and Dance), who directed “The Eyes of The World” at Carnegie Hall and for the Boston Pops. The production is being aired nationally on PBS and has been invited to perform for President Biden at the White House where Peter will meet the President and direct this command performance.
- To Katia Paz Goldfarb (Academic Affairs), who received the Prospanica Partner Award at The Mujeres Brillantes Awards in November. The Mujeres Brillantes Awards honor Latina women who have used their expertise, professional achievements, power and personal tenacity to advance other women, help their community and open doors for others.
Social Media Post of Note
Our rising and new Director of Pawsitivity for @montclair_wbb Charley‼️
Quick Links
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