Class of 2023 Wissahickon High School graduate Nia Murray has been familiar with GMercyU for most of her life from growing up in the area. She was taken aback by campus’s beauty and welcoming atmosphere, in addition to GMercyU’s approach to education with small class sizes and personalized attention from professors. She got the sense that she would whole-heartedly be supported throughout her educational journey.
“My first visit to campus was truly amazing! I had the best tour guide who knew a lot about the University and was passionate when speaking about the beauty of campus,” shared Nia. “I explored the various buildings and I got to visit the dorm rooms, which was my absolute favorite part. It helped me visualized my future here and eased any nerves I had about transitioning to college life.”
Campus Life
Nia is a member of the Black Student Union (BSU), where she engages in meaningful discussion and attends events celebrating diversity and inclusion. She’s also a member of the Education Outreach Club, which she says “aligns perfectly with my passion for teaching and community service.” She has enjoyed being a member of both organizations as they’ve allowed her to forge friendships and develop her leadership skills.
“My favorite part about GMercyU is all the resources provided for students. I’ve never heard about a university that provides students with so many resources to be successful,” Nia said. “At GMercyU, I have access to free tutoring and printing, which has helped me tremendously in my academic career.”
I chose this path because I believe that every child deserves a quality education, and I want to be part of their developmental journey.
While only a sophomore, Nia has described her experience as “nothing short of amazing” in GMercyU’s Education program. She expressed that she’s gained so much knowledge in just a short time, and is excited to see what the next few years will hold for her.
“A standout moment for me was taking a special education course with Professor Boyd during my first year. Her passion for the subject and her insights into the realities of being a special education teacher opened my eyes to the importance of this role in every child’s life,” said Nia.
Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP)
So far, Nia has had three placements for TAP, including Hancock Elementary School with second grade, Germantown Academy Lower School with two and three-year-olds, and Shady Grove Elementary with fifth graders.
“I am so honored that I have had the opportunity to experience different age groups and different school districts because this has given me insight into what it truly takes to be a teacher and how your environment or the age of the students that you work with can change the types of experiences you will encounter while teaching,” Nia shared.
Post-Graduation Plans
After graduating, Nia hopes to obtain her master’s degree in Education to deepen her knowledge and enhance her teaching skills. She will also return to Wissahickon School District where she hopes to make a positive impact within one of the four elementary schools.
