Frank Alvarez '76 and Wamwari Waichungo '90 Named to Montclair State University Foundation Board

Two distinguished alumni to serve on Foundation to support University mission

Montclair, NJ (03/31/2025) — The Montclair State University Foundation Board named Frank R. Alvarez '76 and Wamwari Waichungo '90 as new board members at its February meeting. Both will serve three-year terms, joining the board in its mission of providing financial resources for Montclair State University and its students.

"We are excited for the expertise and commitment these highly regarded alumni bring to the Foundation as we support the University in creating life-changing student outcomes," says Foundation Board Chair Gregory Collins '79. "Both have distinguished themselves in their respective careers and we are fortunate for the dedication and passion they will bring to their new roles to serve Montclair."

Frank R. Alvarez '76

With a career devoted to education, Alvarez now serves as an educational consultant assisting districts to improve educational practices. He received a bachelor's degree from Montclair State University in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and a master's and EdD in Educational Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University. During his career, he has served as superintendent of schools in four districts - North Caldwell (NJ), River Vale (NJ), Montclair (NJ), and Rye (NY). Earlier, he taught and held administrative positions at the local level and worked for the New Jersey State Department of Education.

"Montclair State University played a major role in my professional growth. It is an honor to pay-it-forward by serving on the Foundation board," says Alvarez. "My hopes are to increase financial support for scholarship opportunities as well as University-wide programs."

Together with his wife, fellow Montclair graduate and classmate Nancy Myers-Alvarez '76, '02 MA, Alvarez endowed and continues to annually support the Frank Alvarez and Nancy Myers-Alvarez Endowed Scholarship Fund, awarded to support students during their student teaching semester.

Wamwari Waichungo '90

Wamwari Waichungo is a global leader in food safety and regulatory affairs. She currently serves as the Global Head of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs at ADM. Beginning her career at ConAgra Foods and Campbell Soup Company, she spent more than 20 years with The Coca-Cola Company culminating her tenure as the vice president for Global Scientific and Regulatory Affairs. Wamwari earned her undergraduate degree in Home Economics with a concentration in Food and Nutrition at Montclair State College. She went on to earn a master's and doctorate in Food Science at the University of Missouri. She also has a master's of science in law from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

"I believe in Montclair and the power of education to transform lives hence I am thrilled to deepen my commitment to this incredible institution by serving on the Foundation board," says Wamwari. She previously served on the former CEHS advisory board and was honored with the CEHS Distinguished Alumni Award in 2020.

The Montclair State University Foundation, Inc. was created in 1960 by alumni and friends to provide financially for the educational needs of Montclair State University. The Foundation is a separate not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation established under the laws of the State of New Jersey.

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Building on a distinguished history dating back to 1908, Montclair State University has evolved from an institution that was a recognized leader in teacher education to an R2 research institution ranked as one of the 100 best public doctoral universities in the nation. The University serves 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students with more than 300 doctoral, master's and baccalaureate programs provided by 13 colleges and schools.

Situated on a beautiful 252-acre campus just 12 miles from New York City, Montclair delivers the instructional and research resources of a large public university while retaining the supportive and personalized academic environment that provides a feeling of community more typical of smaller institutions.