Passaic Today

Sheila Alex Halata, a member of the Army National Guard and an occupational specialist in helicopter repair, has successfully completed her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies at Montclair State University. Her journey to this achievement was marked by personal challenges, including her father's illness and subsequent passing, as well as the birth of her daughter.

Halata's educational path began at Rutgers University but later shifted to Montclair State due to a better fit for her interests in nutrition and dietetics. "Then life happened. First COVID, then my dad got sick with cancer and I had to work to keep the house. My life was a crisis," she shared. Despite these setbacks, Halata found support through Jane Sanchez Swain, Director of the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies program.

Sanchez Swain highlighted Halata’s determination: "She would often join virtual advising appointments from her job on a military base, sometimes in fatigues near a plane. Balancing work, military service, and pregnancy, Alex never let her circumstances dim her resolve."

The flexible nature of Montclair State's program allowed Halata to manage her studies alongside her responsibilities as a National Guardsman and new mother. She expressed appreciation for the program: "It was the best option for me, the perfect fit."

Halata plans to further her education with a master's degree in Public Health with aspirations to work for organizations like the FDA or USDA. Sanchez Swain emphasized the broader impact of students like Halata: "Their accomplishments extend far beyond themselves, creating ripple effects for their families and communities."

As Hatala prepares to graduate at Montclair State's Winter Commencement on January 13 at Prudential Center, Sanchez Swain stated: “It’s a moment they’ve truly earned.”