Penn Resilience Program

Ever found navigating change to be difficult? Had struggles maintaining confidence or focus? Need some help communicating around problems and successes? You’re not alone!

At Montclair State University, students can get trained in valuable skills for overcoming thinking traps that threaten their well-being and their ability to perform. They can also learn to communicate better and improve their relationships. These skills can boost your physical health and enhance your level of optimism and connection with others.

In the Fall of 2025, 24 faculty and staff at Montclair State University were trained by experts from the University of Pennsylvania to become Trainers of our students in these skills. Now they are bringing what they learned to students in classes, trainings, seminars, and workshops!

Students, faculty and staff that are connected to groups like a student organization, a team of athletes, or a class, reach out to request a training! We can train your group in one or more 90-minute sessions.

The Penn Resilience Program was made possible by a generous gift from Ori and Mirit Eisen (’96) in 2025.

Events and Trainings

Email donoghuec@montclair.edu if you have a group on campus that you’d like to have trained!

Building Resilience

Learn resilience building blocks and explore how your self-regulation, optimism, and connection to others can support you through adversity.

Avoid Thinking Traps

Strategies to pull yourself out of thinking patterns that get in your way of connecting with others, feeling confident and focused, and responding to setbacks and challenges.

Joy Multiplier

How to build trust and strengthen your relationships by responding with authentic engagement to other people’s positive experiences.

Real-time Resilience

Learn how to quiet the unhelpful mental chatter that we commonly have before stressors. Practice strategies that help you stay present, focused, and confident.

Steering Committee

Melissa Zarin

  • Director of Counseling and Psychological Services
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Our Team

Rosy Bido

  • Academic Advisor, College for Education and Engaged Learning

Joseph Perez

  • Assistant Director for Tutoring and Peer Academic Coaching
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