When Dorcas Gbeve-Hill’s father named his daughter after the Biblical figure known for sewing clothes for the poor, he predicted her passion for helping others. Born in Ghana and now residing in Manchester, N.J., Dorcas leads with compassion, whether caring for her children, working toward her degree, or connecting with her faith.
Pursuing her nurturing nature, Dorcas will graduate from GCU with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) this May.
She was initially drawn to GCU’s opportunities for students of various backgrounds. “I was impressed with the university’s resources for students like me,” she said. “It’s not easy to juggle school on top of being a mom of three children.”
Dorcas leans on her faith to find hope in difficult times.
“As a born-again Christian, I believe that we are all equal in the eyes of God,” she said. “When I’m sad or going through a difficult situation, I know God is there to carry me through.”
These experiences strengthened her sympathetic heart and made her want to pursue a career in social work so she could care for others. Her goal is to become a licensed Clinical Social Worker and eventually start a non-profit organization that offers mental health treatment to underserved communities.
This academic year, Dorcas had the opportunity to pursue a research project that combines her role as a mother with her passion for social work. The project, “The Mental Status of Parents Raising a Child with a Disability,” investigates how parents raising a child with disabilities take care of their own mental health. Dorcas was inspired to pursue this topic due to her own experience caring for her 13-year-old daughter, Susan, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
“It’s hard. I want to know how other parents cope with my situation,” said Dorcas. “We’re still collecting data, but so far, I’m surprised to find how many parents don’t know who to turn to for support. They lack the knowledge and skills to practice self-care.”
In addition to relying on her faith, Dorcas leans on her community. “My professors at GCU empower me. They understand my situation because some of them are parents, too. They allow me to take the time I need to do my best work.” She added, “I also want to thank the Department of Social Work and the faculty involved in TRIO-Student Support Services (TRIO-SSS) and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF).”
Family is another important part of Dorcas’ support system.
“I can’t talk about my journey without mentioning my husband, Neville,” said Dorcas, “He’s made it so easy for me to be able to go to school, supporting me so I can ‘fly high.’”
Dorcas’ children, who are also students, look up to their hard-working mother. “My son Benjamin, a 15-year-old AP student, tries to compete with me for better grades! I hope that he will be a GCU student one day,” she exclaimed. She also has a five-year-old son named Glory.
In everything she does as a caretaker, student, mother, wife, Christian, and community member, Dorcas centers the Mercy value of Compassion, which she connects deeply to her faith.
“I often come back to this quote from 2 Corinthians 12:9. It says, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfect in your weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’”
Dorcas has a 3.94 GPA, has been named to the President’s List throughout her entire educational career at GCU, has earned the OSHE award, and is a member of Phi Alpha, Chi Alpha, and the Kappa Zeta Chapter of Alpha Sigma (ASL National Honor Society).
