Georgian Court University is celebrating a major milestone with the graduation of the first cohort of students from the new Master of Social Work (MSW) program.
For Dr. Ingyu Moon, MSW Program Director and an Assistant Professor of Social Work, this represents more than the completion of a degree. “We’ve been working toward this for a long time,” he said. “When we launched the program two years ago, it was still taking shape. Now, we have 29 students crossing the finish line.”
The graduating class includes both traditional students and those in the program’s advanced track, which allows students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) to complete their degree in one year. The students come from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and career goals.
A Program Built with Its First Students
From the beginning, the MSW program was designed to prepare students for real-world social work, grounded in academic learning and hands-on experience.
“The goal was to prepare social workers who are confident, ethical, and ready to do the work in real communities with real people,” explained Dr. Moon.
As the program developed, the first cohort played a larger role than expected. “They weren’t just going through the curriculum. They gave feedback, challenged us, and helped us shape what the program needed to become,” he shared.
“I feel genuinely grateful to be part of GCU’s inaugural MSW cohort,” said Haley Tomasulo of Brick, a graduating student in the program. “There’s something special about being part of the program’s foundation and contributing to its growth.”
Students recognized that being part of a new program involved adjustments along the way, particularly during the accreditation process and during program changes. “What really stood out to me was the consistent care for students’ learning and wellbeing that faculty showed throughout the program,” she added.
The program continues to evolve as faculty refine coursework, strengthen advising and the field education processes, and recently completed the program’s accreditation review process.
“That process pushed us to look critically at every part of the program and make sure it holds up to external standards,” said Dr. Moon.
Learning in the Field
A key component of the MSW experience at Georgian Court is field placement. Students complete extensive hands-on training in settings such as hospitals, behavioral health centers, and community organizations.
Local partnerships include A New Hope Integrated Health, Preferred Behavioral Health Care, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and other community-based agencies across Monmouth and surrounding counties.
These placements allow students to actively apply what they learn in the classroom while building professional skills and connections. For traditional students, there are 720 required hours of field placement. The goal is to place them in settings where they can grow.” Dr. Moon explained that the impact goes both ways: “Students gain real experience and mentorship, and organizations gain motivated future professionals who bring knowledge and commitment.” :
Haley reflected on working both in a group home for adolescents and later in long-term care with older adults. “Both settings were challenging in different ways, yet incredibly rewarding,” she said. “My time spent in both placements enhanced my ability to adapt, get comfortable with the uncomfortable, and broaden my perspective on what roles social workers fill.”
Preparing for a Growing Field
The need for trained social workers continues to rise across industries, including healthcare, schools, mental health, and community services.
“The demand hasn’t slowed down,” said Dr. Moon. “Social workers are central to conversations around well-being, trauma, and community support.”
GCU’s MSW program offers both flexibility and real-world preparation.
Sophia Melendez, of Union, NJ, who balanced full-time work in a radiology office while completing the program, said the hybrid structure and supportive faculty helped make graduate school manageable.
“I was looking for something that allowed me to work and go to school at the same time,” she said. “Georgian Court really offered that. The professors were very flexible and easy to communicate with.”
Sophia completed the field placements in both substance use and psychiatric settings, experiences that helped shape her future goals in palliative care and oncology social work.
“One of the most impactful parts of the program was seeing classroom learning come to life in real time. “ She continued, “What we were learning, I was doing in my field internship at the same time…It helped me feel confident in what I was doing.”
Looking Ahead
Graduation marks both an ending and a beginning for these students who are pursuing careers in clinical practice, school social work, community organizations, healthcare, and policy work, reflecting the breadth of the field.
“I’m proud of this cohort,” said Dr. Moon. “Launching a program takes leadership, faculty, partners, and students. This graduating class is proof that it was worth it.”
2026 MSW Graduating Class
Monmouth County
- Ariana Cosaj, Manalapan, NJ
- Carmela Gambella, Manalapan, NJ
- Sandra Lipovetsky, Manalapan, NJ
- Bianca Garofano, Freehold, NJ
- Dorothy Amedu, Neptune, NJ
- Ashley Remy, Howell, NJ
- Olivia Annibale, Middletown, NJ
- Brittney Caruso, Oceanport, NJ
Ocean County
- Mary Barnes, Cream Ridge, NJ
- Ariana Cohan, Brick, NJ
- Sophia Gray, Brick, NJ
- Haley Tomasulo, Brick, NJ
- Tyrek Cooper, Barnegat, NJ
- Barbara Borke, Jackson, NJ
- Kylie Hinds, Jackson, NJ
- Kylie Runyon, Jackson, NJ
- Mikayla Laplaca, Island Heights, NJ
- Aaliyah Thorpe, Lakewood, NJ
- Maria Barr, Toms River, NJ
- Savannah Coppola, Toms River, NJ
- Briann Ferguson, Toms River, NJ
- Julionna Lawrence, Toms River, NJ
- Anne Marie McGuire, Toms River, NJ
- Ciara Zdanowicz, Toms River, NJ
Middlesex County
- Julia Heizer, Monroe, NJ
- Christina Minieri, Plainsboro, NJ
Burlington County
- Amanda DiMilia, Burlington, NJ
Union County
- Sophia Melendez, Union, NJ
