Published Articles from

Alexa Spear

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November 20, 2019 // By Alexa Spear

Taking Responsibility for Accessibility

The only elevator in the Student Center that offers passage beyond the second floor was broken on Nov. 11. While classes and events carried on as usual, students with disabilities were stranded. That same day, a monthly discussion group called Grub and Grapple was being held on the fourth floor. Hosted by the Office of Social Justice and Diversity (OSJD), the event was focused on the needs of students with disabilities. Trinity Corney, a junior journalism major and staff writer for The Montclari...
November 6, 2019 // By Alexa Spear

‘Living with Yourself’ Reflects on Self-Improvement in the Age of Instant Gratification

“Living with Yourself” is an existential dramedy that personifies our greatest insecurities while remaining hilariously inventive. Although the plot travels through unexpected twists and turns, the ensuing character development is a rewarding experience. The Netflix original program created by Timothy Greenberg forces viewers to consider how far they would go for a quick fix as Miles Elliott, played by the incomparable Paul Rudd, drops tens of thousands of dollars on a mysterious pro...
// By Alexa Spear

Village Residents Are Getting Heated

On the afternoon of Nov. 1, residents of The Village were sent a blast email confirming that “the university switched over to heat on Oct. 15,” and, “will stay in heat mode until some time in the spring semester.” This change came without warning and has caused students to experience uncomfortably hot temperatures in their dorm rooms without the ability to turn on cold air. The miscommunication has caused students to believe that the HVAC units in their rooms are malfunctioning. In the s...
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...