Dear Colleagues,

It was nice seeing all of you last Monday at the college meeting. I appreciated your desire for more direct dialogue rather than the working group format I had planned at the meeting. They are both generative and there are times when we need both. For this purpose, I reserved time on my calendar in the next few weeks for smaller group conversations with you. I am gratified to see several of you have already signed up. I look forward to seeing many of you and to using this time to “think together”.

David Bohm¹ uses the phrase thinking together to describe constructive dialogue. He contrasts it with conversations, where participants seek to make the best argument to defend their fixed position. Conversation is a performative “game.” It hones an important skill but does not aim to generate new ideas or approaches. Dialogue is different; participants are not playing against each other, but thinking with each other. It is a generative process. Everyone leaves the dialogue enriched and their mind expanded.

At a time when misinformation is rampant, we have a fundamental duty to model independent thinking, rigorous information discernment, and open dialogue for our students. Our unique role is to guide students toward the formative opportunity of deep inquiry first, and use the performative platforms next—not the other way around.

Look forward to many rich dialogues,

Fatma

[1] David Bohm, On Dialogue, Routledge, 1996

You're Invited!

Interdisciplinary Showcase

Join us this week for Montclair’s Interdisciplinary Showcase, highlighting scholarship, creative projects, and student collaborations that embody the theme of Social Transformation. The event will explore how meaningful change can take shape through ideas, research, and action at every level, from local to global.

Date & Time: Thursday, November 20, 2 p.m.

Location: SBUS 140, School of Business First Floor

RSVP - Let us know you're coming!

The American Experiment: 250 Years and Beyond

In President Koppell’s final lecture of the year, he will address the motto, “E pluribus unum” (Out of many, one). How do we see ourselves as one country with a strong, shared identity? This lecture is open to the public. No prior registration is required. Visit the Montclair 250 webpage for more information.

Date & Time: Monday, December 1, at 10 - 11 a.m.

Location: Presentation Hall, College of Communication and Media

Upcoming Events

Psychology Lab Open House

For one day, Psychology Labs will be open for visitors. This event is open to undergraduate and graduate students across Montclair and Bloomfield campuses. Share with your students! View a list of participating Labs

Date & Time: Wednesday, November 19, 12 - 3 p.m.

Location: Dickson Hall

Japanese Street Fair

The Japanese Language Circle invites the campus community to the Japanese Street Fair where you can enjoy traditional dance, sports and food!

Date & Time: Wednesday, November 19, 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Location: Student Recreation Center, Basketball Court

Film Screening and Discussion: Confessions of a Good Samaritan

The film will be followed by a discussion with Director Penny Lane and Dr. Tamar Schiff, MD, postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Langone. Sponsored by the Marie Frazee-Baldassarre Professorship

Date & Time: Thursday, November 20, 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Presentation Hall, College of Communication and Media

VOCES: A Fireside Conversation with Junot Díaz

Latinos of Montclair, in partnership with the English Department, will welcome Pulitzer Prize–winning author Junot Díaz for a special event. íaz will discuss “the intersections of culture, history, and imagination in the context of the current political climate,” engaging in a candid fireside conversation followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. Tickets are required for entry. Montclair State University students, faculty and staff can attend for free, but must reserve a ticket and show ID at the door.

Date & Time: Thursday, December 4, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Conference Center, University Hall

Kudos

Kudos is a space to celebrate one another—whether it’s expressing gratitude to a colleague, sharing milestones, or recognizing accomplishments and awards. Help us spotlight the people and moments that matter: send us your Kudos for an upcoming edition.

To Antonella Calarota-Ninman (Center for Latine and Spanish Academic Success and Excellence), who received a scholarship from the Mellon Foundation to be part of the ENLACE Mid-Level leadership program for the year 2025-2026 with HACU.
To Enza Antenos (World Languages and Cultures) joined a Vista Higher Learning panel titled "Taking the Language You Teach Beyond Your Department" to talk about how and why she and her colleagues established the degree in Language, Business, Culture

CHSS Faculty and Staff in the News

Dean Fatma Mili contributed a piece to Educational Technology Insights about the challenges in using AI.
Precious Benally (New Jersey Center for Indigenous Justice) is quoted in this NorthJersey.com article about the launch of the New Jersey Center for Indigenous Justice.
Daniela Peterka-Benton (Global Center on Human Trafficking, Justice Studies) was cited in Kathleen Kellett's podcast episode, "The Kids of Conspiracy Stories: The Spectacle of Victimhood from Blood Libel to the X-Files" on the misrepresentation of human trafficking in the movie Sound of Freedom.

More News from CHSS

Montclair Welcomes Students from Austria to Learn About Human Trafficking

Students and faculty from the University of Graz Law School in Austria visited Montclair State University for the third year in a row from October 27th-30th, as part of a Criminal and Public Law Perspectives class on Transnational Crime and Justice – Human Trafficking.

Sara Flores' Path to Teaching and Leading Through Language

A Linguistics major finds purpose at Montclair State University, growing through honors classes, campus leadership and hands-on experience teaching ESL. This photo essay, part of an ongoing series, highlights a day in the life of Sara Flores as she juggles classwork, volunteering and working on campus.

At Your Service

CHSS Resource Guide

This guide is designed to support our faculty, instructors, and staff by providing quick access to the tools, policies, and information you need to carry out your work effectively. Inside, you’ll find resources on office operations, administrative processes, technology support, and campus services all in one place. Whether you’re new or a tenured colleague, this guide will help you throughout the academic year. If you have a question and cannot find the answer in this guide, or don’t know who to contact, start with the Administrative Services Team.

Apply to Join The PROPEL Project

As part of Montclair’s commitment to managerial professional growth and development, the University is excited to announce that applications are open for The PROPEL Project. The program focuses on funding active participation in professional conferences, complemented by coaching support to help employees maximize their conference experiences for career and professional growth. Please visit The PROPEL Project website.

Stay Connected with CHSS