Rising Together: How Education Fuels Service, Leadership, and Uplifting Communities

Urban College of Boston alumni often have one powerful thing in common: they are deeply mission-driven and as they rise, they lift others with them. That mission-driven spirit is central to the work of Urban College, reflects the ripple effect of education, and is embodied in Charmain Burrell’s journey from Human Services student to social work leader. As Charmaine points out, when women are educated, entire families and communities benefit.

Uplifting Communities Around the World

Charmaine is currently completing her Master of Social Work degree at Bridgwater State University, and had the opportunity to join a study abroad program that took her to South Africa and Istanbul. Her work in Durban, South Africa was especially meaningful to her. Her group worked with local NGO the Family Literacy Project, to promote literacy, social work, and community organizing during an intensive, 17-day cohort experience. 

The work in Durban was grounded and practical. Charmaine helped transport more than 800 pounds of hygiene supplies, books, pencils, and classroom supplies the communities could use. Monetary donations helped buy groceries and offset government funding cuts, while seeds and other essentials were purchased to strengthen local sustainability. The experience deepened Charmaine’s understanding of privilege, an insight that continues to shape how she approaches her work and service. 

From Human Services to Social Work

Charmaine’s commitment to helping others began long before she enrolled in Urban College. In 2009, she was working as a paraprofessional with Boston Public Schools while raising her family, and decided to enroll in the Human Services Associate Degree program at Urban College. She graduated in 2011, an experience that she describes as foundational. 

Returning to college was possible thanks to Urban College’s flexible class schedules. Evening classes, twice per week, allowed Charmaine to balance working full-time, parenting, and school. She remembers registering and choosing to begin in the summer, ready to sacrifice her free time to invest in her future. “I knew this was for real,” she recalled. “I was ready to commit.” From there, her educational journey began. 

Charmaine still stays connected with her cohort’s classmates, one of the benefits of relationships built in a learning environment designed for adult students. 

Several moments in the Human Services program stand out for Charmaine. She recalls a public speaking course taught by Professor Darnell that challenged her to project her voice and believe in what she was saying. A history course took students into downtown Boston to learn how education shapes communities and show how human services professionals are often on the frontline. Long before COVID made this more visible, the class underscored the importance of access, empathy, and community expertise in the human services field. 

Education That Moves With You

After graduating, Charmaine planned to take a year off before pursuing her bachelor’s. That pause stretched into a decade, until 2021, when she enrolled at Bridgewater State. Every credit from Urban College transferred, including her electives, making the transition back to school that much smoother. Earning her BA still required time and focus, but the ability to build directly on her AA made completion possible. Charmaine graduated in 2024 with a renewed sense of purpose and momentum. 

Charmaine then enrolled in Bridgewater’s MSW program, received a Social Justice Award scholarship, and completed an internship that greatly expanded her perspective on social work. She currently works at Foxborough High School as an Instructional/Social Work Assistant, supporting students who are returning to school after mental health hospitalizations. The role focused on individualized planning and ensuring students are involved in designing their transition plan back to school.

Advocacy to Remove Barriers

Charmaine describes herself as a “policy person.” As a student ambassador for the Massachusetts chapter of the Social Work Student Association, she has supported efforts related to licensure equity, youth justice reform, and food insecurity, including addressing bias in LCSW licensure exams and advocating for policies that remove unnecessary barriers for qualified graduates.

Her approach to policy work is grounded in evidence. Charmaine emphasizes that meaningful policy change requires accurate data that can be defended. She points to telehealth access barriers as a clear example of how legislation directly affects access to care. Looking ahead, she plans to begin a clinical internship and is considering a Doctor of Social Work program, with the goal of applying existing research to real-world problems.

The Power of Empathy

When reflecting on what she carries with her from Urban College, Charmaine consistently returns to empathy. Her human services program taught her to center humanity in every interaction and to consider how she would want to be treated in a similar situation. While circumstances differ, she believes basic needs are universal, and everyone deserves to be treated well.

That mindset continues to guide her work. Charmaine also underscores the broader impact of women’s education, noting its ripple effect on families and communities.

Her path reflects the heart of Urban College’s mission: expanding access to education that supports personal and professional growth and community impact.