LEXINGTON, Ky. – With her son in attendance, UK College of Social Work graduate Rachel Campoy will walk across the commencement stage on Dec. 19, receiving two degrees in one year.
Campoy, a Master of Criminal Justice (MSCJ) graduate, is a first-generation graduate student, while also taking care of her almost 2-year-old son. For her, commencement represents a second chance in her academic journey.
After graduating with a degree in criminology, sociology, and forensic psychology from Western Kentucky University in December 2024, Campoy was looking for a way to better herself both personally and academically, with her undergraduate GPA not representing her work ethic. Campoy found the MSCJ program at the CoSW, a program that had the flexibility that she needed to be able to work and take care of her son.
“During my first semester in the program, I received a 4.0 GPA, the first 4.0 I had ever gotten in my life,” Campoy shared. “I was receiving helpful feedback from my professors and making connections with my classmates, as well as taking advantage of the opportunities there were through the MSCJ program.”
Taking advantage of those opportunities led Campoy to serve as the MSCJ representative on the Dean’s Student Advisory Council. She was also elected Vice President of Alpha Phi Sigma, the criminal justice honor society, and currently works as a research assistant for professors Dr. Nicole McKenna and Dr. Stephanie Quiring. She also had the opportunity to guest lecture for one of Dr. Quiring’s criminal justice classes.
Through these opportunities, Campoy shares that in addition to the preparation she has received to go into the criminal justice field, she has also developed as a leader both in and out of the classroom.
“My training through the MSCJ program has allowed me to learn how to connect with the people I’m working with and how to serve my community,” said Campoy. “My leadership as a professional has grown significantly during my time at UK.”
Considering several different opportunities for her next step, Campoy is interested in interested in re-entry and corrections, aspects of the criminal justice field she was able to explore while in the MSCJ program.
Accomplishing her goal of a better GPA and more experience in the world of criminal justice, Campoy is set up for success thanks to her hard work and dedication, as well as the support she received from CoSW faculty and staff. December commencement is a celebration of that commitment Campoy made to herself, her future, and her son.
