Jane De Hitta
Degree: B.A., Social Work (minor: psychology)
Hometown: Catonsville, MD
Plans: Master’s of social work
“Being older than most students, I didn’t know if I’d have a place, but becoming part of UMBC’s Returning Women Student Scholars program gave me that community that I really wanted.”
Jane De Hitta ‘22 was initially drawn to UMBC by its strong academic reputation and she quickly fell in love with the university. As a social work major who had long worked with adults with disabilities, she wanted to invest in the lives and stories of those around her. But when faced with a cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, she knew she needed a break to focus on herself. She also knew UMBC would be there to welcome her back when she was ready.
That welcome came in the form of an email about a scholarship administered by UMBC’s Women’s Center to support adult learners returning to complete their degrees. De Hitta not only received the scholarship, but also became a social work intern in the Women’s Center, where she could support other returning students on their journey.
She looks forward to a research, policy, and advocacy career focused on helping others navigate challenging systems to reach their goals.
Tags: CAHSS, Psychology, SocialWork, WomensCenter
