I Do Declare!

In this episode of I Do Declare!, host Natalie Lopez sits down with Faith Amero, a senior Film and Television major at Montclair State University, to discuss her academic journey and campus involvement. Though initially considering journalism, Faith discovered her passion for film during an Accepted Students Day and made the decision to pivot to the film program. She opens up about overcoming early challenges, from entering college with minimal technical background to finding a strong support system and connecting with key professors. Beyond the classroom, Faith shares how stepping outside her comfort zone led her to leadership roles as an orientation leader and University Fellow, experiences that helped her grow and mentor younger students. Looking toward graduation, she outlines her next steps in the School of Communication and Media’s mentorship program and offers advice for underclassmen exploring the film and television path.

For this episode of Adulting for Real, host Alicia Tucker brings together two perspectives on the adult online student experience at Montclair State University. Jane Sanchez-Swain, Director of Online Student Success for Montclair Unbound, shares how Montclair is working to create a stronger sense of connection, community, and support for online learners, while recent graduate Leyda Gonzalez opens up about her own journey back to college.
After graduating high school in 2002, Leyda’s path to completing her bachelor’s degree took a few unexpected turns as she balanced school with raising four children. Years later, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to reflect on what she wanted for herself, inspiring her to finally finish the degree she had always dreamed of. She ultimately completed 32 credits in just two semesters, graduating from Montclair in May 2025.
But Leyda wasn’t finished. After stepping into a new role as an assistant to a Chief Human Resources Officer, she decided to pursue a master’s degree in Strategic Communication at Montclair. Along the way, she discovered that the lessons she learned as an online undergraduate student, and the support available through Montclair Unbound, continued to help her succeed.
Together, Alicia, Jane, and Leyda discuss the realities of balancing school with work and family, the challenges of navigating an online learning environment, the importance of accountability and connection, and the resources Montclair is developing to help adult students feel prepared and supported. At the heart of Leyda’s story is a simple but powerful message: it’s never too late to finish what you started, or to start something new.

For this episode’s guest, Cory Murphy, Montclair State University has been a lasting presence. With a mother who worked in admissions for thirty years, the campus felt more than just familiar – it felt like home. Though MSU was a welcoming environment where Cory thrived through extracurriculars like radio and on-campus concerts, life (as it sometimes does) got in the way. Fifteen years later, Cory has returned, bringing a story many listeners can relate to as she pursues not only her Bachelor’s, but her Master’s as well. She opens up to host Natalie T. López, M.A. about her career hopes and dreams, how her husband supports her, and how her son provides her with the drive to keep moving forward.

While college can come with its own difficulties, students are often wrestling with outside problems – whether they be from their past, or present. Dr. Tamara Massay-Trotz comes on the podcast to share her journey, and how her own story has prepared her for her career as Senior Director of Student Services at Bloomfield College. From East Orange to Miami and up to Montclair State, Dr. Massay-Trotz discusses being driven from a young age, and her process of realizing that there was a future despite her struggles. She provides an important voice, working from both a student and university employee perspective, and works to recognize the difficulties that will inevitably crop up. Life cannot be put on pause or thrown aside, and her department can help adult learners – already busy with coursework, careers, families, and health issues – keep their college story going, no matter how difficult the terrain may get.

While often an unseen aspect, finances are a deeply important aspect of keeping college life running smoothly. After all, money makes the world go ‘round – a sentiment Dr. Stephanie Mayer knows well. An adjunct professor and jazz musician by trade, Dr. Mayer also works full-time as Montclair’s budget analyst, converting numbers to easily understandable data that can then be used to improve MSU. She discusses the differences between accounting and finance, as well as how creativity can be found even in the most analytical of spaces. Though we frequently think of math as a hard science, Dr. Mayer’s love for the field shows the true power of pursuing your passions and bringing your full self to the table for the best possible results.

The second season of Adulting for Real starts off strong! Returning host Jane Sanchez-Swain interviews Chris Taite, a writer and poet who returned to Montclair State. His first round of education ended after he left for the workforce, which is where he spent most of his early life. Spurred on by his father’s request and one perfectly timed email later, Chris decided to take the plunge and finish what he’d started. While nerves are natural when it comes to college, Chris found comfort in the form of Montclair State’s academic advisors – care and attention that turned out to be fundamental to his return and continued success. From there he found himself gaining confidence: in himself, his voice, and his story. Deeply inspiring, Chris shows that there is no starting point too rough, and no circumstance too difficult to overcome when you have consistent support on your side.

This episode’s title is the main message Sunovia Scudder wants listeners to take from her work on campus. After graduating from Rowan University, Sunovia wanted to go into mechanical engineering but, after a temporary setback, explored law and justice. This turned out to be the best decision of her life, as her career path instantly clicked into place. From there she became an accomplished and driven project coordinator, working for Montclair State’s University Community Actions Nexus (uCAN). Providing outreach to prospective college students through the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships, Sunovia connects resources to those who’ll benefit from them, while taking the time to understand their individual life stories and how these experiences may affect their college journeys. Those interested in sociology, law, psychology, and community service will find Sunny’s story compelling, and may inspire undeclared students to pick their path as well.

While many may think communication and health majors have little in common, today’s episode of I Do Declare! shows otherwise. With an early interest in media, Dr. Chris McKinley went from undeclared to a communications undergrad on the West Coast, spending his early years in San Diego and considering internships in Los Angeles. When his path crossed with a professor studying the effects of advertising on health, however, Dr. McKinley knew he’d found his calling. Discussions of purposeful consumption – of both food and reputable media sources – underscores the importance of this unlikely meeting of majors, especially in a world where good information on health is hard to find. Those interested in either field may want to take a listen, as Professor Chris McKinley discusses how this crossover shapes the health and happiness of millions.

“Luck, love, perseverance” is how Serena Kenney describes how she got her credit union job. However, anyone tuning into this episode can agree that these three words are the pillars for not only her job, but her college degree journey as well! In this illuminating and empowering discussion between Serena and Alicia Tucker, they discuss the role intuition plays in discovering what you really want in life, how Serena's intuition led her back to college, and how the ability to choose is life-changing. Having options is one of life’s greatest pleasures, one that can be augmented and attained through higher education, and Serena’s story is one of the best examples of this version of success.

After five years of working in banking and call centers, Dr. Ashante S. Connor decided she wanted more. Her story starts, like so many others, with community college and developing her skills and strengths, and ends with her graduating with a doctorate in 2021. What did she learn in between? How can this knowledge help other students on their own paths? Host Natalie Lopez walks listeners through Dr. Connor’s career, outlining each step clearly and concisely as they talk. Her experiences as a grad assistant student and her responsibilities as the Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence set the stage for her current work, and reinforces the lesson from past episodes of how a sense of community and belonging makes all the difference in student success.