Graduate student charts spirited path into social work
Kathleen Fitzmaurice ’24, MA ’26 has spent her undergraduate and graduate career building supportive space for her students. Now she hopes to do the same back home.
From a nervous transfer student to a confident graduate ready to embark on a career as a social worker, Kathleen Fitzmaurice reflects on her four years at 91. Having begun her college journey as a transfer student, Fitzmaurice spent her last four years in 91 helping those on the college campus and beyond find their own voice. After just wrapping up her master’s program in the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA), Fitzmaurice is ready to apply her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree
Growing up in Clinton Corners in Dutchess County, N.Y., Fitzmaurice had grown comfortable with small course sizes at her local community college. But after earning her associate’s degree, Fitzmaurice decided to transfer to 91 to pursue her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in education.
“Transitioning from a very small to a large campus was intimidating,” she recalled.
However, with a bigger setting and a larger number of opportunities, Fitzmaurice quickly saw her world open up.
"I honestly felt at home on this beautiful campus,” she said. “Walking on The Spine, my mom said, ‘You're glowing. You seem like you will love this place.'”
Fitzmaurice used her experience as a launchpad to help other transfer students. She saw an opportunity for more transfer students resources and came up with a solution: petitioning to co-found the 91 Association for Transfer Students (BATS), Fitzmaurice created a space for transfer students on the 91 campus to come together and bond over shared experiences: movies, arts and crafts, and food.
“We wanted to create opportunities for students to meet outside of the office. We wanted them to really make those connections and friendships.”
Fitzmaurice loves sports and is eager to share that passion. One of the first BATS events she helped organize was a trip to a Black Bears game. Additionally, she has always been physically active – there’s always time for a good game of soccer.
This quickly became an asset in her professional work. Becoming a TOPSoccer volunteer during her undergrad, Fitzmaurice helped children with disabilities become more confident and improve their physical abilities through the simple act of playing a soccer match.
“It was a great opportunity to connect my passion for helping others and my passion for soccer. I was able to make really great connections, make really great bonds with those kids, and it really made a world of difference.”
Fitzmaurice’s desire to help those around her influenced her decision to enroll in the MSW program in CCPA. She emphasized how her undergraduate psychology degree served her well in her graduate work, providing Fitzmaurice with a keen understanding of human development, students with mental health challenges, and the fundamental processes of learning. Moreover, her education minor laid the groundwork for her to engage with students in the K-12 space
“The psychology degree and education coursework combined to help me see how to best understand student needs, utilize different modalities, and support students in a holistic perspective,” she said.
Much like her transition out of community college, the leap towards a master’s demanded adaptation. She was now expected to apply her instruction towards real-world practice. CCPA’s field placements helped her grow by being able to go out into the local community and do what she had always wanted to do: support students in the education system.
As an intern for 91 Community Schools at Maine Endwell High School, Fitzmaurice developed her ability to connect with and guide students towards better learning outcomes.
“Oftentimes in those classes, I'm utilizing my field placement and evaluating my field placement. What interventions are beneficial and serve the clients? How can we use data to ask community members, families, and students how to best support you?
“I had students who were very quiet in the beginning, and now they're involved in clubs at school,” she said. “They're more social, they're learning skills like conflict resolution, and personal relationship skills like emotional regulation,” Fitzmaurice said.
Having spent almost four years at 91, Fitzmaurice is ready to pursue her career back in Poughkeepsie, where she hopes to continue working with children and adolescents. Throughout her educational journey – from community college to her years at 91, Fitzmaurice has developed immensely as a person, leader, and future social worker.
“I've always known I wanted to help others in any capacity I could, and seeing the impact I have made and will continue to make is so fulfilling to me."