Congratulations to the College of the Arts 2025 Graduates
Celebrating the Year
In addition to the Commencement Ceremony on May 7, 2025, the academic units within the College of Arts hosted a variety of events to recognize and celebrate the talents of students and faculty. Please read about some of these below.
Community Partnerships
The College of the Arts is deeply committed to public engagement and community impact. Working with schools, cultural institutions, businesses, and local government, we create programs that integrate the arts into everyday community life.
Fashion Design and Merchandising (FADM) in the Department of Art and Design hosted L'Atelier Montclair: Threaded Awakening. The event featured original collections developed in a range of fashion courses including ARTX 120: Introduction to Apparel Construction, ARTX 226: Intermediate Apparel Construction, ARTX 332: Flat Pattern, and ARTX 422: Draping, culminating in a stunning display of work by independent designers.
Shea Scruggs Appointed Director of the Cali School of Music
Montclair State University is pleased to announce the appointment of Shea Scruggs as the new Director of the John J. Cali School of Music effective July 1, 2025. A highly accomplished arts administrator, educator, and former professional oboist, Scruggs brings a dynamic background in music education and institutional leadership and program development to the Cali School.
Scruggs joins Montclair from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, where he served as Chief Enrollment Officer and Director of Institutional Research and Musician Experience. At Curtis, he led initiatives in admissions, alumni engagement, and institutional research, while also playing a pivotal role in enhancing opportunities for all in classical music.
The Department of Theatre and Dance produced quality performances throughout the academic year, including Jesus Christ Super Star, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, Pride and Prejudice, and Stupid F*cking Bird.
School of Communication and Media
Student Team Earns Honorable Mention in PRSSA's National 2025 Bateman Case Study Competition
A team of School of Communication & Media students received an honorable mention in the prestigious Bateman Case Study Competition, hosted by the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). This makes the fourth consecutive year the school has placed among the top schools, including a second-place finish in 2024. The national contest challenges student teams to design, implement, and measure a public relations campaign to support the goals of a real-world client.
Stephanie Spitz Receives Presidential Excellence Award in Advocacy and Allyship
Stephanie Spitz has been recognized with the Presidential Excellence Award in Advocacy and Allyship for her outstanding leadership in advancing inclusion and belonging at Montclair State University and beyond.
Stephanie’s impactful presentations on weight discrimination illuminate the racist roots of sizeism and offer practical strategies for inclusive language, accessible furniture, and equitable programming. Her expertise has reached audiences across campus, including President Koppell and university leadership.
As a member of the executive board of the Montclair Disability Caucus, Stephanie has played a central role in organizing signature events such as the Disability Pride Parade and the first-ever Disability History Month Flag Raising. Stephanie’s commitment to student well-being is evident in her mental health advocacy, including presentations to over 200 freshmen on strategies for thriving.
Through her presentations on racial equity, Stephanie highlights systemic academic gaps affecting Black and Latinx students and offers actionable pathways to foster their success. Her tireless efforts in advocacy and allyship have made a lasting impact on the Montclair community.
Please join us in celebrating Stephanie Spitz for her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to a more just and inclusive future.
