From student to professor: Micaela Hankins inspires the next generation

NORTH EAST, Md:When Micaela Hankins reflects on her journey, it's clear that Cecil College was not just a steppingstone, but a launchpad. A 2016 graduate with associate degrees in Early Childhood Education, Psychology, and General Education, Hankins embodies the power of community and purpose that Cecil College strives to cultivate in its students.

Today, she has come full circle, returning to Cecil College as an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Social Work, where she inspires the next generation of students to see themselves as 'agents of change.' Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, Hankins now calls Colora, Maryland, home. Her path to higher education was shaped by both opportunity and curiosity.

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"I changed my major so many times because I could afford to do so at Cecil," she says, noting how the college allowed her the freedom to discover her true passion. That freedom was further supported when she became the first recipient of the Robert A. Gibson Scholarship, an honor she credits with helping her pursue a career in education that ultimately led her back to Cecil College.

Reminiscing about favorite memories as a student, a smile crosses her face as she begins to talk about the joy she had as a student ambassador. She witnessed key milestones in the college's history, including Dr. Mary Way Bolt becoming president and the grand opening of the Engineering & Math Building. Beyond the big moments, it's the everyday experiences that stand out: basketball games, long hours in the library discovering favorite books, spontaneous "study sessions" at Pizza Hut, and even racing office chairs down empty hallways.

Cecil College was also where she went on her first date with her now-husband, Daniel, another Cecil College alum.

"Cecil College was the first time in my life that I had the freedom to explore who I was and what I wanted to accomplish," Hankins says. That sense of discovery carried her forward to Towson University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Family and Human Services, and then to Salisbury University, where she completed her master's degree in Social Work.

Hankins teaches a wide range of courses, including sociology, social work, counseling, psychology. While the subjects vary, her passion remains constant.

"The students are my favorite part of the job. I genuinely love my students. I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to show students the world through a whole new lens," she said, who challenges students to examine their environments, belief systems, and skills more deeply. Her goal is not only academic growth, but personal empowerment. "I want them to see that they can accomplish anything they set their minds on. That they are smart, powerful, capable. That they are the spark for change," she says. Even if just one student leaves her class with a deeper understanding of the world and themselves, Hankins considers that a success.

Looking ahead, Hankins plans to continue making a meaningful impact in Cecil County, a community she knows intimately. She has seen both its strengths and its struggles, and she brings that real-world perspective into her teaching. Each semester, her students explore local challenges, connect with community organizations, and begin building partnerships that can lead to real change. She also has more immediate goals: expanding the social work presence at Cecil College, starting a social work club, and continuing to grow mental health initiatives for students. "Big change comes from small seeds," she says, "and I think Cecil College is the perfect place to plant them."

Hankins is quick to acknowledge the people who helped shape her journey. Her late grandmother, Marie, instilled unwavering confidence in her, always believing she could "conquer the world." Her husband, Daniel, encouraged her to pursue her dreams wholeheartedly, support she credits as instrumental in her return to Cecil College. She also reflects fondly on mentors who guided her along the way.

Without the influence of these individuals, Hankins says, she would not be who she is today. As both alumna and professor, she is proud to carry that legacy forward, "helping Cecil College students discover their potential."

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