Bridgewater taught me discipline, dedication, and accountability. Each of these characteristics was instilled in me and allowed me to be successful in my career and throughout the different leadership positions I’ve held.
Although nearly 30 years separate Bridgewater State University alumnus Antone Moniz from today’s students, his story mirrors that of those walking on campus today.
The son of an immigrant, the 1994 graduate chose BSU because he needed a school that allowed him to commute from his Fall River home.
“Bridgewater was a very doable commute. I needed a school close by, and it offered criminology, my area of interest. I also needed affordability. Bridgewater offered all of it,” Moniz said.
Like many of today’s students, he also worked while attending school, sometimes up to 40 hours a week at Taunton Hospital’s Juvenile Residential Program. Balancing a full-time job and academics was admittedly demanding, but Moniz found he wasn’t alone.
“Many students were in the same boat, balancing both worlds. It was challenging, but Bridgewater was accommodating to those challenges, and it was not unique,” he said.
Thankfully, he said, there was invested faculty willing to guide him toward earning a degree in sociology with minors in criminology and psychology.
“It wasn’t necessarily the lessons they taught in academia, but more of the life lessons they taught. At the time I was a young man and they taught me what the real world would present, and the challenges I would face," Moniz said. "Those lessons were much greater than those found in an academic book. They created lasting impressions on me."
Today, Moniz serves as the superintendent of the Plymouth County Correctional Facility.
The Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association recently honored him with the 2025 Jail Administrator of the Year Award for his outstanding leadership, exceptional audit results, and nearly three decades of service in corrections.
In his role, he is responsible for overseeing one of the largest correctional facilities in New England. He compares his job to managing a small town. From food, shelter, and medical needs to educational programs and security, he juggles many responsibilities.
“For example, we serve 3,000 meals a day. Not too many outfits in the world do that,” he said. “Ultimately, my job is to ensure that the facility is run as efficiently as possible, that staff is trained, ensuring compliance, that the facility and grounds are in top shape, that there is order and control, and that we offer the inmates the highest level of security while they serve their sentences.”
Throughout his career, he’s also had the support of another Bridgewater alumna. He met Christine, his wife of 30 years, as an undergraduate. She graduated in 1991 with a degree in elementary education. Together they have two adult children, Ethan and Alexandra.
“She is an absolute academic genius,” he said. “She is an exceptional mother and an amazing support system for me. She has been a tutor, a friend, and believer in me. If not for her, I would not have had the professional success I have.”
Moniz’s time at Bridgewater State was impactful, from meeting the love of his life to building the foundation of a successful career.
“Bridgewater helped me prepare for my career goals. It helped me find the balance between full-time work, commuting, and maintaining high academic standards,” he said. “Bridgewater taught me discipline, dedication, and accountability. Each of these characteristics was instilled in me and allowed me to be successful in my career and throughout the different leadership positions I’ve held.”
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