Montclair State University Employee Jodi Cotugno Earns Degree, Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream

This story is part of a series celebrating Montclair State University’s Spring Commencement 火狐体育 graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good. 

Growing up, Jodi Cotugno always wanted to become a teacher. After graduating high school, she enrolled at Bergen Community College to study liberal arts, hoping it would be the first step toward her dream of leading a classroom.

But over time, life happened – she married her husband, James, raised two daughters, and poured everything she had into being the best mom, wife and daughter she could be. She began working at Montclair State University as a pre-enrollment specialist in Undergraduate Admissions, supporting prospective students as they took their own first steps toward college.

And that effort paid off. With her support, her family thrived. Her daughters, Emily and Molly, both went off to college – to Montclair State University – and graduated.

Still, Cotugno’s dream of completing a bachelor’s degree of her own never quite went away. It stayed with her, quietly, tucked into the corners of her mind – unchecked on her bucket list.

But when Cotugno learned about Montclair’s employee tuition waiver, that long-paused dream didn’t feel so out of reach anymore.

Maybe it wasn’t too late after all.

The Balancing Act

In 2022, Cotugno enrolled in Montclair’s Degree Completion Program, choosing to study Education Studies – paying homage to her childhood dream of teaching.

“In the beginning, it was extremely tough,” Cotugno says. At first, she tried to do it all – be a full-time employee, wife, mom, student, and caretaker. But eventually, the burden of trying to be everything to everyone all on her own took a major toll.

“I’m a mom. I wanted dinner on the table, everything ready for everybody,” recalls Cotugno. “Not only do I have my family and just trying to balance home life, work life, school life – at the time my mom was around and I was trying to take care of her. It was just a lot.”

But beyond the book smarts she was learning in her college courses, this experience taught her an unexpected life lesson.

“I realized, I’m working full time, I’m doing school. I need the help,” Cotugno says. “And my husband and kids, they stepped up. I learned that I needed to ask for help – and it’s okay to ask.”

How Montclair Helped

Cotugno’s coursework helped her grow in other ways – both personally and professionally.

Her business writing course gave her the tools to communicate more effectively with prospective students. “It really helps with emails, corresponding with students. It was so helpful,” she says. She also credits her improved critical thinking skills with helping her explain complex concepts more clearly in her work with prospective students.

Unexpectedly, her minor in Family Science and Human Development helped her communicate better with her own family. 

“It helped me understand different age ranges and what to expect developmentally,” Cotugno says. “Even learning about teenagers. I wish I took these classes when my kids were younger – it would’ve been a big help.”

However, the most impactful aspect of her undergraduate experience was the support and community that she felt in Montclair’s Degree Completion Program. That community helped her stay motivated and feel seen.

The Finish Line

Now, in 火狐体育, Cotugno will walk across the stage and receive her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Education Studies. Her family will be right there, cheering her on as she becomes the third Cotugno woman to graduate from Montclair after her daughters Emily (Class of 2022) and Molly (Class of 2024).

Her team at Undergraduate Admissions is also excited to celebrate her achievement. “Jodi is the kind of team member who makes each work day brighter,” says Jordanna Maziarz, director of Undergraduate Admissions. “She’s a true team player and cares about our students and her colleagues in equal measure. I’m so proud of her for completing her degree.”

Cotugno plans to decorate her graduation cap with a checkmark to symbolize crossing this dream off. “This was a bucket list thing, something I always wanted to do,” says Cotugno. “And now I get to check it off.”

And how does she feel now that she’s finally gotten it done? “Relief!” she jokes. “I’m proud that I’m finally getting to that finish line and seeing the end – and finally relaxing.”

The University will celebrate its graduates at Commencement exercises on Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 8, 火狐体育 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. 

Story by Jayda Brown, University Communications and Marketing

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

• Prospective Students or Parents: Learn more about Montclair admissions and Montclair’s Degree Completion Program.
• Journalists: Contact our Media Relations team to request assets or schedule an interview with a member of the Class of 火狐体育.