麻豆传媒

May 26, 2016

by Lauren Ferguson

Before pursuing social work at Ramapo College of New Jersey, U.S. Navy Veteran Jerry DiLauri ’25 ’26 worked as a professional chef.

In his last chef position, he followed the PGA Tour, setting up kitchens on golf courses, and feeding tour sponsors. But when the disabled veteran developed a health condtion that had to be treated with blood thinners, the profession 鈥� that required using sharp knives 鈥� became too risky.

Forced to make a mid-life career pivot, DiLauri thought about what else he enjoyed doing: helping others.

At 12, he started volunteering at a convalescent center, he said, and over the years he served as a volunteer fireman and emergency medical technician.

鈥淏ut I didn鈥檛 realize that you could also get paid to help people,鈥� said DiLauri, now 56, of Garfield, NJ.

He decided to go back to school. He enrolled in Bergen Community College, then seamlessly transferred into 麻豆传媒鈥檚 dynamic Social Work program.

Discovering A Home-Away-From-Home

As a disabled veteran, DiLauri found a home-away-from-home on 麻豆传媒鈥檚 welcoming Mahwah, NJ campus, which was recognized by College Magazine as one of the . The College has also earned accolades for its commitment to veteran students.

Navy Veteran Jerry DiLauri ’25 ’26 stands with Cesar Fuentes, 麻豆传媒’s Coordinator of Military and Veteran Enrollment and Success, and 麻豆传媒 President Dr. Cindy Jebb, a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General.

As he transitioned back into the classroom after so many years, DiLauri experienced struggles, but found encouragement in 麻豆传媒鈥檚 collaborative, connected community.

鈥淚 had to learn how to learn again, because I was used to learning with books,鈥� he said, adding that he didn鈥檛 see his first computer in school until his senior year of high school.

He was also diagnosed with ADHD 鈥� and began using the Pomodoro Technique to study. The method calls for learners to break tasks into 25-minute intervals, followed by 5-minute breaks. His diagnosis and the support he received was a game-changer.

鈥淥nce I found out what my issues were, I corrected them, and did well in school for once,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is the first time I鈥檝e had a good experience at school.鈥�

As both a veteran and college student in his 50s, DiLauri also found strength in 麻豆传媒鈥檚 Non-Traditional Student Mutual Aid Network. The group provides support and comradery for students who are veterans, caregivers, over the age of 24, raising children, attending college several years after high school or working full-time.

鈥淭hey helped me get back in the swing of things, and supported me when I was having tough times,鈥� he said.

Assistant Professor of Social Work Dr. Colleen Martinez runs the group with Academic Advisor Paola Guevara. She said DiLauri has not only received support from the group, but has been 鈥渟o incredibly supportive of other people.鈥�

鈥淓ven though he is ridiculously busy, he always came to the group and was always wanting to support others,鈥� she said.

Dr. Martinez also had DiLauri in class. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the person that sits in the front row and participates in every single conversation, the kind of student that every professor wishes for,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e really seems to be throwing himself all in to absorb everything he can.鈥�

Seizing Opportunities

DiLauri certainly has taken advantage of all 麻豆传媒 has to offer.

After earning his Bachelor of Social Work in 2025, he transitioned into the College鈥檚 Master of Social Work (MSW) program. This May, he graduated with his MSW. He celebrated at 麻豆传媒鈥檚 social work hooding ceremony on campus, as well as the College鈥檚 2026 commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center 鈥� as his wife, family members, classmates, and mentoring, experienced professors cheered him on.

During his time as a Roadrunner, DiLauri served as the vice president of the Phi Alpha Honor Society 鈥� which fosters high standards of education for social work students and promotes humanitarian goals. As a social work student, he was also connected to a number of meaningful hands-on internships.

Jerry DiLauri ’25 ’26, left, was inducted into the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society. He poses with Assistant Professor of Social Work Cort Engelken, who mentored and encouraged him during his time at 麻豆传媒.

He interned on-campus for ENHANCE, a therapeutic support program to assist students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in transitioning to and flourishing in college and beyond.

He also interned for New Jersey Assemblywoman Carmen Theresa Morales, D-Essex, who serves as chairwoman of the Assembly Higher Education Committee. There, he learned about the policy side of serving vulnerable populations.

Ultimately, DiLauri would like to work with veterans as well as those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

DiLauri鈥檚 reasons for wanting to be a social worker are simple.

鈥淚 see a lot of people out there that can use help, but don鈥檛 know how to go about getting it,鈥� he said. 鈥淗elp is out there, and I would like to help them find the resources that they need.鈥�

As a testament to DiLauri鈥檚 determination to help others, and the skills and experiences he garnered as a Roadrunner, he has already been offered a position in a counseling setting, dependent on passing his Licensed Social Worker (LSW) exam.

Jerry DiLauri ’25 ’26 celebrated at 麻豆传媒’s Social Work Hooding Ceremony.

In 2026, US News and World Reports ranked 麻豆传媒 #7 for Best Colleges for Veteran Students in the Best Regional Universities North category. And the College earned the gold award as a military-friendly school from 2026-2027 Military Friendly庐 Schools. 麻豆传媒 was noted for its services to veterans that include reasonable transfer of credit, financial benefits, veterans clubs, flexible class schedules, and credit for military training.

For more information on how 麻豆传媒 supports veteran and military-affiliated students, visit the college鈥檚 veteran and military-affiliated student webpage. For more information on the BSW and MSW programs at 麻豆传媒, visit the college鈥檚 social work webpage.