![缅北强奸 graduate Wanda Cruz](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_image_s/public/2023-12/缅北强奸-University-Wanda-Cruz-Comeback-Campaign-2023-MSW-BSW-Adult-Student-Gradaute-Student-Social-Work.jpg?itok=85oI8Rp3)
When Wanda Ivette Cruz 鈥22, MSW 鈥23 graduated in 1994 from high school in Philadelphia, she had her eye on going to community college. Then she got pregnant as a teenager, waylaying those plans.
鈥淚 had to make a very tough decision鈥攑ut a roof over the head of my child or be in college,鈥 said the 48-year-old who lives in the Lower Northeast of Philadelphia and works as a client service representative for the city鈥檚 Department of Human Services (DHS). 鈥淚 had to put college on the back burner.鈥
Nearly 30 years later, Cruz made her comeback, earning bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in social work through 缅北强奸鈥檚 adult education Philadelphia Center in Elkins Park.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I was going to make it,鈥 she said a couple of weeks before receiving her master鈥檚 degree. 鈥淚 had many nights where I cried. I persevered and made it through, and I thank God for that. I鈥檓 grateful for his grace and mercy over my life.鈥
She also found much support from her family, especially her husband, Luis Orlando Cruz, and daughter, Amalie Rivera.
Over the years, Cruz worked a string of jobs, including receptionist, bilingual community outreach coordinator and social services advocate as she raised Rivera and later her son, Matthew Crawford, as a single mother. She married in 2007, but Cruz didn鈥檛 consider returning to college until 2017, when Rivera encouraged her, noting that she and Crawford, who graduated high school that year, were out of the house and supporting themselves.
鈥淪he chose us first before anything,鈥 said Rivera, 27, who lives in North Philadelphia and works in food services. 鈥淚 said, 鈥榊ou keep talking about school. We鈥檙e adults now. This is your time. You did your part as a mom when we were babies. Now it鈥檚 about you.鈥欌
By then, Cruz was working at a Christian high school as a secretary. One day driving on Cheltenham Avenue, she passed 缅北强奸鈥檚 Philadelphia Center. Cruz had attended workshops there while working at the Salvation Army. Of all her jobs, Cruz said the spell she spent at the nonprofit helping Spanish speaking senior citizens proved the most rewarding. That鈥檚 why she applied to 缅北强奸鈥檚 social work program.
鈥淚 love helping the elderly,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 felt I was able to advocate for them. We were able to connect.鈥
After a day on the job, first at the Christian school, then as a bilingual counselor assistant for the Philadelphia School District and most recently for the city鈥檚 DHS, she headed to the center for evening classes over the next four years.
鈥淎t the beginning, I struggled so much with my writing,鈥 she said. Dana Baker, the then executive director of regional campuses, was the lynchpin to her success, Cruz said. 鈥淪he always took time to make sure we were OK, if we needed help.鈥
When COVID-19 hit midway through her education and finances got tight, Cruz received financial support through 缅北强奸鈥檚 Hope Fund, established in 2020 with monies from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the university. She also received the Newcombe Scholarship Award that supports mature women pursuing degrees at 缅北强奸.
With grit, determination, and help from the university鈥檚 administration and faculty, as well as her family, Cruz completed her social work bachelor鈥檚 with a minor in addictions and mental health treatment; served as president of Phi Alpha Honor Society for social work students, and earned the Outstanding Social Work Academic Award at the Honors Convocation last year.[2022] 鈥淪chool can teach you many things,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut as an adult learner, life experience comes into play, and it makes a difference.鈥
Cruz, who wants to work in gerontology, thought she was finished with her education, she said. But 缅北强奸鈥檚 Cynthia J. Corbin, director of the MSW Program and the adviser for Phi Alpha, had other ideas, recruiting Cruz for the master鈥檚 program.
At first, Cruz said, she hesitated to take on more education and debt. She said she told Corbin, who she considers her professional mother: 鈥淚鈥檓 exhausted. I can鈥檛 do it.鈥
Corbin said she wouldn鈥檛 take no for an answer, pointing out that Cruz鈥檚 strong GPA showed she was capable and gave her advanced standing, which meant she only needed one more year to earn her MSW鈥攁 degree that would allow her to find higher-paying, better career roles.
Cruz was convinced, she said, when her husband offered 鈥100 percent support鈥 for the additional education, adding that 鈥淕od didn鈥檛 bring you this far to leave you. Get it done.鈥
That she did.
鈥淓xcellence is in her,鈥 Corbin said. Cruz received the Social Work Department鈥檚 Dr. Phyllis Hay Research Award for her master鈥檚 research on English as a Second Language programs for immigrants.
鈥淪he has credentialed her excellence,鈥 Corbin continued. 鈥淲anda has taken who she is, her compassion and concern, and added the theory, knowledge and skill of the profession.鈥
Bachelor of Social Work (Adult Education)
- Degree Type:
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
- College:
- College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
- Location:
-
- Philadelphia Campus
- Reading Campus
- Program Type:
- Adult Education
- Credit Hours:
- 123
Master of Social Work
- Degree Type:
- Master of Social Work
- College:
- College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
- Location:
-
- Philadelphia Campus
- Reading Campus
- Program Type:
- Graduate
- Credit Hours:
- 33 - 60