March 14, 2026
By Zahara Chowdhury
Editor-in-Chief
For 25 current and former members of The Lighthouse, a field trip on Feb. 25 offered a preview of what lies ahead. The group explored the state-of-the-art facilities at Montclair State University’s College of Communication and Media, receiving a tour of the building and hearing from three journalism faculty members.
Junior Serenity Mendoza, a first-year staff writer for The Lighthouse, said she enjoyed the atmosphere inside the building, which opened in 2017.
“The interior was bright, open and welcoming. It was easy to navigate the rooms, and they were all very accessible. The lounge area also conveyed an inviting and relaxed energy,” Mendoza said.
She said she was impressed with CCOM’s advanced cameras, filming backdrops and recording studios.
“Had I not visited, I probably would never have realized the amount of high-grade technology they use,” Mendoza said. “I did not know they had such sophisticated broadcast equipment.”
Mendoza said she was pleased to learn the college offers eight undergraduate majors, including Animation and Visual Effects and Sports Communication.
“Each professor or student [we met] had a different specialty, and I think it’s amazing that so many different branches can all be compiled under the same profession. It really puts into perspective how much creative freedom there is in a journalism career,” Mendoza said.
Coordinator of Special Projects and Events for CCOM Skyler Malchiodi, who led the tour, said her goal was to give The Lighthouse staff an overview of the Journalism and Digital Media Program and its faculty.
“I typically connect with the colleague who is the best fit for the proposed itinerary. I’ve been fortunate to build strong relationships with my team, and everyone is always willing and enthusiastic about participating,” Malchiodi said.
She said prospective students benefit from taking tours like this one.
“I hope [students] gain[ed] a clear understanding of the hands-on opportunities, professional connections and real-world experiences that set CCOM apart, while also seeing firsthand how deeply our staff and faculty care about student success,” Malchiodi said.
During Professor of Journalism, TV and Digital Media Mark Effron’s lecture in the News Lab, the headquarters of CCOM’s Journalism and Digital Media programs, Montclair State senior Sophia Lazaridis joined to discuss her academic and extracurricular experiences.
“Being willing to participate in productions and getting yourself out there is what’s really going to make the difference.”
A film and television major who was a video editor for Montclair State’s student news publication, The Montclarion, Lazaridis is now an executive producer for two student-produced shows, “Focus” and “On The Road.” She is also an undergraduate social media manager for @redhawklife, Montclair State’s student life Instagram.
Lazaridis said the News Lab course, which she took last spring and in the fall, led her to focus on broadcast journalism.
She said she advises students interested in communication and media to get involved.
“Even if you don’t have experience, or you’re not taking a class in broadcast or broadcast journalism, just [raise] your hand. Being willing to participate in productions and getting yourself out there is what’s really going to make the difference,” Lazaridis said.
She said those interested in pursuing journalism should be open-minded, empathetic and dedicated to sharing the truth through storytelling.
“Journalism feels like a scary job to get into, but journalism [matters]. We need people who are seeking the truth, [and] it’s an important job,” Lazaridis said. “Put your passions first if you can, because everything will always work out when you’re doing something that you love.”
