Graduate Council

The Graduate Council is the primary University-wide advisory body for graduate education at Montclair State University. The Council reviews graduate curriculum, considers graduate policy matters, and makes recommendations that support the quality, consistency, and continued development of graduate programs.

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Get InvolvedCouncil LeadershipCommitteesCurrent Members

Get Involved

Serving on the Graduate Council means taking an active role in shaping graduate education at Montclair. Members meet once a month to review committee recommendations, discuss and vote on proposals and policies, and share perspectives from their departments. They also bring Council updates back to colleagues, advocate for graduate students, faculty and staff, and help ensure that decisions reflect the needs of the University’s graduate community.

Attend a Meeting

Graduate Council meetings are open to the community.

Meetings take place during common hour, from 2-3:30 pm.

  • Wednesday, September 9
  • Wednesday, October 7
  • Wednesday, November 11
  • Wednesday, December 9
  • Monday, January 25
  • Wednesday, February 10
  • Wednesday, March 17
  • Monday, May 3

AY 2025-2026

Become a Voting Member

If you're interested in one of the openings, please contact the representative school or college.

  • Vice chair, 2026–2027

College of Communication and Media

  • 2 faculty representatives, 2026–2028
  • 1 alternate faculty representative, 2026–2028

College of the Arts

  • 1 faculty representative, 2026–2028
  • 1 alternate faculty representative, 2026–2028

School of Nursing

  • 2 faculty representatives, 2026–2028
  • 1 alternate faculty representative, 2026–2028

Graduate Center

  • 1 faculty representative, 2026–2028
  • College for Education and Engaged Learning, 2026–2027
  • College of Communication and Media, 2026–2027
  • College of Science and Mathematics, 2026–2027
  • School of Nursing, 2026–2027
  • Graduate Center, 2026–2027

Council Leadership

Dr. Matthew Schuler

Dr. Matthew Schuler
Chair

Dr. Michele Fisher

Dr. Michele Fisher
Secretary

 

Committees

Curriculum Committee

Reviews proposals for new graduate programs and changes to existing programs, and recommends action to the Graduate Council.

Policy Committee

Reviews graduate policy questions, considers their impact across programs and the University, and recommends action to the Graduate Council.

Student Affairs Committee

Reviews issues affecting graduate students, considers their impact on the student experience, and recommends action to the Graduate Council.

Current Members

NameCollege / UnitProgramCommitteeRotation
Dr. Vaibhav AnuCollege of Science and Mathematics (CSAM)Computer Science 2024–2026
Dr. Vidya AtalFeliciano School of Business (SBUS)EconomicsCurriculum2025–2027
Dr. Amanda BadenCollege for Community Health (CCHL)CounselingCurriculum2025–2027
Dr. Danne DavisCollege for Education and Engaged Learning (CEEL)Teaching and LearningStudent Affairs2025–2027
Dr. Emily DouglasCollege of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)Social Work & Child AdvocacyPolicy2024–2026
Claudia Fernandes (Student)Feliciano School of Business (SBUS)Master of Business Administration MBAStudent Affairs2025–2026
Dr. Michele Fisher KinesiologyPolicy2025–2027
Elana Gabriel (Student)College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)Clinical Psychology PhDStudent Affairs2025–2026
Dr. Rachel GarverCollege for Education and Engaged Learning (CEEL)Educational LeadershipPolicy2025–2027
Dr. Rebecca GoldsteinCollege for Education and Engaged Learning (CEEL)Teaching and LearningCurriculum2025–2027
marcus d. harveyCollege of the Arts (CART)Theatre and DanceStudent Affairs2025–2027
Dr. Aaron HelgesonCollege of the Arts (CART)Cali School of MusicCurriculum2025–2027
Dr. Yasir IbrahimCollege of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)Religion 2024–2026
Laiba Ishtiaq (Student)College for Community Health (CCHL)Audiology AuDStudent Affairs2025–2026
Dr. Rashmi JainFeliciano School of Business (SBUS)Information Management & Business AnalyticsStudent Affairs2025–2027
Dr. Christopher M. King PsychologyCurriculum2025–2027
Dr. Eli LeeCollege of Science and Mathematics (CSAM)Chemistry & BiochemistryPolicy2025–2027
Dr. Hao LiuCollege of Science and Mathematics (CSAM)Computer ScienceStudent Affairs2024–2026
Dr. Yi LuoCollege of Communication and Media (CCOM)Communication and MediaPolicy2025–2027
Dr. Meena MahadevanCollege for Community Health (CCHL)Nutrition and Food Studies 2024–2026
Dr. Brenda MarshallSchool of Nursing (NURS)NursingCurriculum2024–2026
Cameron Nail (Student)College for Community Health (CCHL)Audiology AuD 2025–2026
Dr. Daniela Peterka-BentonCollege of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)Justice StudiesStudent Affairs2025–2027
Dr. Suman RathCollege for Education and Engaged Learning (CEEL)Educational Leadership 2025–2027
Dr. Matthew SchulerCollege of Science and Mathematics (CSAM)BiologyCurriculum2025–2027
Dr. Matthew ShurtsCollege for Community Health (CCHL)CounselingPolicy2024–2026
Dr. Valerie SessaCollege of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)PsychologyCurriculum2025–2027
Joi Suttle (Student)College of the Arts (CART)TheatreStudent Affairs2025–2026
Dr. Ethne SwartzFeliciano School of Business (SBUS)ManagementPolicy2024–2026
Dr. Brad van Eeden-MoorefieldCollege for Community Health (CCHL)Family Science and Human DevelopmentStudent Affairs2025–2027
Dr. Te WuFeliciano School of Business (SBUS)Management 2024–2026

Contact Us

Graduate Center

Graduate education at Montclair is about more than coursework. The Graduate Center provides a central hub where students come together, access resources, and find encouragement to pursue their passions.