Maya Campbell

Story Posted: Spring 2025

Maya Campbell, a 2022 graduate of Gloucester County Institute of Technology (GCIT), had been familiar with GMercyU for some time, as her brother is a graduate. Having prior knowledge from her brother’s first-hand accounts, Maya decided to dig deeper into GMercyU’s offerings, and decided that Social Work was the route she wanted take.

In high school, Maya had dreams of becoming a therapist due to her passion of helping people. Much of her influence stemmed from her family members, who are in a variety of healthcare roles. The more she learned about social work, the more she came to realize it was the correct choice for her.

“Not only can you help someone emotionally, but you also have the opportunity to lead them in the right direction,” said Maya.

When it came time to choose where to go, there were several reasons GMercyU stuck out.

The selling point for me was the size of the campus and my program. While my program isn’t that large, it’s growing. I loved meeting Dr. Nuss and Dr. Luquet; they were welcoming and supportive of my decision.

Maya’s first campus visit wasn’t until First-Year Orientation, although she had a good idea of what to expect from what her brother shared.

“When I saw the campus and walked through it, it was so pretty – open areas to hang out with friends and to study. Everything about the campus was so comforting,” shared Maya.

Campus Involvement

Maya has been heavily involved on campus since starting her undergraduate career. She was encouraged by Dr. Nuss to become and Orientation Leader. While she was nervous and hesitant to sign up initially, Maya ended up loving her position.

“Our primary goal is to focus on helping the incoming freshman and making them feel welcome. It’s such a positive feeling. Even after Orientation, seeing familiar faces and how it makes them happy to know at least one person makes a difference,” Maya said.

Maya is also a member of the Social Work and Psychology Club (SWAP) and Alpha Lambda Delta.

Volunteer Work

Through the Social Work program, Maya completed volunteer work with Catherine’s Cupboard, GMercyU’s on-campus food pantry and Jaisohn Center. At Catherine’s Cupboard, Maya shadowed current workers and helped to restock the various food pantry locations on campus. She also assisted with the Thanksgiving drive, packing bags with Thanksgiving meals for those in need.

At the Jaisohn Center, an Asian American organization, Maya assisted in organizing its table for the International Spring Festival. After conducting research, Maya found that mobility in older populations was an issue, so she constructed “Walk Strong Live Strong,” engaging in different stretches to do before exercising and how to perform certain exercises to help joints. After completing the exercises with participants, Maya led them in a mile-long walk.

Academic Experience

“My experience in the Social Work program has been welcoming and unique. It has allowed me to create connections both within the program and outside of it,” Maya said. “Dr. Nuss and Dr. Luquet see potential in everyone who comes in. They allow us different opportunities, such as presenting at NASW conferences and working with organizations outside of GMercyU. My confidence and viewpoints have significantly increased because I have had the most amazing instructors.”

One of Maya’s favorite classes so far was “Counseling and Communication Skills” with Professor Stephanie Fratantaro, as she felt it helped prepare her for her career post-graduation.

She also really enjoyed Sr. Henkel during her first year in the program in her “General Psychology” class.
“After leaving the final exam, I will never forget her saying, ‘You were such an amazing student, and I am so glad I got to have you in my class.’ It had caught me off guard at the moment, but in a way, I needed that. Small motivations from teachers go a long way, and hearing that during my first year made me feel better about myself,” Maya shared.

The professors Maya has had thus far have made a significant impact on her academic journey, and are by far her favorite part about GMercyU.

I couldn’t ask for more compassionate, welcoming, and supportive advisors. Dr. Nuss and Dr. Luquet are the two who made me feel welcome here. Not only that, but they opened doors for me. Dr. Nuss encouraged me to get more involved, and now I know a good amount of faculty and have built genuine connections with others.

Post-Graduation Plans

While Maya is not graduating until May 2026, she has many hopes for the future, including earning a master’s degree. She is interested in working in a school or hospital setting, but is also aware of the government-level work that exists. Once she completes an internship, she feels her career direction will be more solidified.

“My biggest takeaway so far is the advice I’ve received from various teachers while at Gwynedd. All of it was positive, not only regarding my academic abilities, but also my character. I am a student who is typically quiet, regardless of whether I know the answer or not. Getting advice from teachers to embrace my knowledge has changed how I speak in classes,” said Maya. “I put more confidence in myself. School is still a learning experience, no matter what year you are in. Everyone has room for learning. This is why I can say that now I feel more confident to embrace myself.”