Published Articles from

Alexa Spear

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October 16, 2019 // By Alexa Spear

Our Student Trustee Wants Change that Makes Cents

Nikita Williams greets students from behind a table covered in pamphlets and student government paraphernalia. She lures shy passers-by with free bags of snacks and a warm smile. Soon, a crowd gathers and forms a circle around her, nodding their heads in agreement with her message: students need to take action. This is just one of the ways Williams is working towards a better future for Montclair State University. The senior psychology major and leadership development through civic engagement mi...
October 2, 2019 // By Alexa Spear

Food Truck Festival Fills the Field at Yogi Berra Stadium with Food and Fun

A sea of brightly colored umbrellas filled Yogi Berra Stadium to shield families from the beaming rays of the sun. The bustling, energized crowd assembled on the baseball field as they debated which craving to indulge. On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Montclair State University community gathered at the third annual Yogi Berra Stadium Food Truck Festival to celebrate a day of “feasting and fun.” Over 25 local eateries like Clydes, Churroland, Empanada Guy, Empanada Lady, House of Cupcakes, Shake S...
April 9, 2019 // By Alexa Spear

#FocusImmigration: Tint Journal Illuminates the Shades of Language

Lisa Schantl traveled to a foreign land in 2017, leaving her hometown to embark on a new adventure that would bring her to Montclair State University. As an English as a Second Language (ESL) student, Schantl was passionate about immersing herself in a new culture and seeing through others’ perspectives. As founder and editor-in-chief of Tint Journal, she is now expanding that opportunity to her readers. Schantl was an exchange student awarded the Montclair-Graz Sister Cities Scholarship, ...
March 29, 2019 // By Alexa Spear

JobConscious is ‘The Next Step to Finding Your Next Step’

Resumes, LinkedIn and Indeed, oh my! The job search process can be overwhelming, especially as graduates embark on their new lives post-degree. JobConscious, a website created by two Montclair State University students, will showcase first-hand accounts of industry experts to help demonstrate that success can take many forms. Non-degree student Nicholas Vassilakos came up with the idea for JobConscious, a “career-focused video blog” with goals to provide insight to emerging professionals. He...
March 27, 2019 // By Alexa Spear

Ciara Rolle-Harris on the Path to Success

What do HBO, MTV and The Wellmont Theater have in common? Ciara Rolle-Harris has interned there. Junior public relations (PR) major Ciara Rolle-Harris has earned a reputation as a hardworking student and capable professional. In fall of 2018, Rolle-Harris was named a Forbes Under 30 Scholar. However, one of her proudest achievements is using her experiences to help others. Genesis Obando, a junior journalism major and Montclarion staff writer, shared that Rolle-Harris has motivated her to reach ...
March 21, 2019 // By Alexa Spear

Montclair State’s Petey Greene Program Hosts Project PRIDE

Four presenters sit at the front of the room, acknowledging an eager audience while wearing fluorescent orange jumpsuits. The speakers are escorted by two police officers who look on as they tell the story of their incarceration. The last names of currently incarcerated individuals were omitted to protect their privacy. The first speaker was Nicole, a young woman whose mother had struggled with alcoholism. At just 12 years old, Nicole’s mother passed away and she began self-medicating with dru...
January 30, 2019 // By Alexa Spear

Where Are They Now: Gianna Natale on Finding Resilience

“Before it happened to me, I felt like it was something that only happened to other people,” Montclair State University Alumna Gianna Natale said, recalling the life she knew before everything changed. Natale overcame tremendous obstacles on her journey to graduation, but through everything, she has remained focused on being a source of support for those in need. Natale always knew she wanted to make a difference, but it was her high school guidance counselor that inspired her to pursue a si...
January 23, 2019 // By Alexa Spear

RIP New Year’s Resolutions with Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day

Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day is an annual celebration of giving up. That is to say, giving up on unrealistic and stress-inducing goals. The new holiday was undoubtedly celebrated by many on Jan. 17, as reality started to set in for idealists everywhere. Despite its connotation, Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day has an ironically positive message. Setting huge, unreachable goals can sometimes do more damage than good. New Year’s resolutions can be really overwhelming and cause self-est...
November 7, 2018 // By Alexa Spear

The Notorious ‘RBG’ Lays Down the Law

Carla Gutierrez, the editor of the acclaimed documentary “RBG” came to Montclair State University to not only screen the much-hyped film but to lead a discussion about the editing process. The Film Institute at Montclair State’s Films and Filmmakers Series presented the documentary, profiling Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her fascinating trajectory as a feminist icon that changed the lives of American women forever. Montclair State professor Roberta Friedman hosted the event during her w...
October 30, 2018 // By Alexa Spear

Student Artist Profile: Kelly Heil

Kelly Heil is a senior graphic design major with a minor in business at Montclair State University. Heil’s talents are interdisciplinary, spanning a variety of mediums and skill sets. Her experience ranges from photography and illustration to portraiture and creating her own fonts. Heil is passionate about artistic expression and developing as a graphic designer. She is rarely seen without a notebook in hand, sometimes practicing calligraphy or doodling ideas for her next project. She spoke wi...