In the Know – Issue 71

State Approves Merger with Bloomfield

Bloomfield College of Montclair State University will provide enhanced education for students and an affordable, high-quality liberal arts education in a supportive, personalized environment.

$850,000 Grant Supports Mental Health Services

The “Mental Health in Higher Education: Community Provider Partnership and
Professional Development Grant” will help expand mental health resources for students.

University Joins First Scholars Network

This designation will enhance and support first-generation students’ success.

Employees Give Back for Service Day

Staff lend their time to volunteer at a food pantry in Paterson on the first employee service day of the summer.

Red Hawk Spotlight: Mike Chiappa, Architectural Design Specialist

Meet Mike Chiappa, who provides design and management services for the University on new construction, expansion and renovation projects of existing facilities.

In the News

• President Koppell spoke to NJ.com following the SCOTUS decision on affirmative action.
• Margaret Freedson (Teaching and Learning) is quoted in this Chalkbeat Newark article on a report on the condition of New Jersey’s teacher prep programs.
• Leslie Wilson (History) spoke to CNN.com, NPR, NorthJersey.com, and NJ.com about the history of Juneteenth.
• Montclair student Terry Dickerson was featured on The New York Times podcast “The Daily” discussing the impact of ChatGPT in the classroom.
• Jason Williams (Justice Studies) is quoted in this NorthJersey.com article about the crackdown on a Paterson gang, and another Paterson-related article about an anti-violence worker charged with gang crimes.
• Sandra Adams (Biology) is quoted in this NJ.com article about the next disease agent called “Disease X.”
• Emily Isaacs (Faculty Excellence) spoke to The Chronicle of Higher Education about how educators can plan to incorporate ChatGPT in the classroom.
• NJBIZ named Dan Geltrude (Accounting and Finance) No. 3 in its 2023 Accounting Power 50 list.
• Brad van Eeden-Moorefield (Family Science and Human Development) is quoted in this NJ.com article about a New Jersey woman who wrote a book about coming out later in life.
• NorthJersey.com, NJ.com, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, reported on Montclair’s merger with Bloomfield College.
• Matthew Aardema (Biology) spoke to NJ.com for an article about a concerning trend threatening fireflies, and to NorthJersey.com for a story on aphids (the article was also picked up by Yahoo! News).
• Montclair made Money.com’s list of Best Colleges in America 2023.
• A study co-authored by Ashley Ermer (Family Science and Human Development) on singlehood ​​is highlighted in this Psychology Today article.
• Jonathan Caspi (Family Science and Human Development) shared his expertise in this NorthJersey.com article offering advice to those moving back home after college.
• Paul Bologna (Biology) is quoted in this New York Post article on jellyfish, and one about the Portuguese man o’ war. He is also quoted in this article in The Mirror about the dangerous creature.
• Ariel Alvarez (Political Science and Law) is quoted in this NorthJersey.com article about personal injury lawsuits in the state, which ranks near the top in the country.
• Prudence Jones (Classics and General Humanities) is quoted in this History.com article about Cleopatra’s complicated inner circle.
• Elizabeth Wishnick (Political Science and Law) is quoted in this Bloomberg article (via Yahoo! News) about China intensifying Russia military drills amid U.S. sanctions.

In Case You Missed It

Upcoming Events

• Instructional Technology and Design Services is offering faculty development events to help you get ready for the fall semester, including sessions focused on course design best practices, setting up and designing your fall courses in Canvas, AI and other generative technologies, as well as strategies for effective assessment and student engagement. The afternoon of the in-person event will provide an opportunity to work on your courses with customized support from ITDS staff and lunch will be provided. Register for one of the Preparing for the Fall 2023 events!
• Learning and Development is offering The Project Management 101 Learning Series in person monthly from September 2023 to July 2024. Each two-hour session will focus on different essentials of project management and will be taught by one of the instructors in the Management department of the Feliciano School of Business. Space is limited to 24 participants per session.

Reminders

• If you encountered technical issues with completing the mandatory Title IX and Sexual Misconduct training, please utilize the updated support link. All employees are required to complete the training for compliance. As a reminder, it should take approximately 40 minutes to complete.
• The Red Hawk Diner is back! Visit this summer to dine in or take out. Check out the new menu and place your order via the Grubhub mobile app for the University. The diner accepts credit, flex and Red Hawk Dollars. For more information about on-campus dining venues open this summer, visit the summer dining news item for details.
• The University will be collecting new (or very lightly used) school supplies for students at Eastside High School in Paterson, for the annual 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Donations will be collected from now until September 9. See the Amazon wish list here. Drop off donations at the following locations: Cole Hall, Room 348; Campus Recreation Center; Center for Student Involvement 104J; and Office of Residence Life (Bohn Hall, 4th Floor). For more information contact communengage@montclair.edu.
• Explore the 2023-2024 Learning and Development Catalog for a variety of leadership and professional development opportunities including project management and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• The Center for Academic Success and Tutoring has received free campus-wide access to Go2Knowledge from June 2023 to May 2024. Go2Knowledge hosts over 300 prerecorded and 150 additional live webinar topics in a range of Higher Education-specific topics designed for faculty and staff.
• Several elevators on campus are scheduled for testing and will not be operating on certain dates and times. Visit the elevator testing schedule news item for the latest information.
• Human Resources has a satellite office on campus at 18 Normal Avenue. Stop by to discuss employee benefits, tuition waivers, payroll matters or retirement planning. Questions regarding the satellite office location? Contact HR at hr@montclair.edu or 973-655-7736.
• 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 Jonathan Parker (Research and Sponsored Programs), who has been selected by the Society of Research Administrators International as a “Future of the Field” honoree.
• To John McCarthy (Exercise Science and Physical Education), who was recently inducted into the New Jersey Basketball Hall of Honors for his contributions to basketball in the state.
• To Enza Antenos (World Languages and Cultures), who was appointed to the administrative team of Middlebury College’s intensive summer Italian School as teaching and curriculum coordinator.
• To Evin Deschamps (Student Academic Services), who was selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities 2023 Emerging Leaders Program.

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.