Montclair State - Student Development for Athletes Staff

Overview | Staff | Athletic Advising | Academic Center for Excellence

Tara Rienecker, Assistant Athletic Director - Student Development for Athletes/SWA Tara joined MSU Athletics in 2000 and has been the Director of Student Development for Athletes for the last 15 years. A former soccer player for the University of Connecticut, Tara earned her degree in Sport Psychology at UConn and moved on to complete her Masters in Education from Springfield College. Tara specialized in Counseling and Psychological Services with a focus on Athletes while at Springfield. As a former coach and athlete, Tara now coordinates the services for student-athletes at MSU. The program has developed and grown over the last 15 years and now encompasses the areas of academic excellence, personal development, career development, and community service. Tara is also a mom of three and resides in Verona, NJ with her husband Eric and family.

Dwight Ceballo, Academic Athletic Advisor- Student Development for Athletes Dwight Ceballo was named the Academic Advisor for Athletics in January 2024. Ceballo brings a critical background in Mental Health Counseling with a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology from Montclair State University. He also has several published peer review publications and presentations about mental health, and his background and knowledge in the field comes at a crucial time for student-athlete well-being. Ceballo worked for four years at the Albert "Bo" Robinson Assessment and Treatment Center as a Clinical Researcher and Group Counselor in Trenton and as a Group Counselor with the Community Psychiatric Institute in East Orange.