{"id":18670,"date":"2025-08-13T14:45:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T18:45:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=18670"},"modified":"2025-08-13T14:45:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T18:45:19","slug":"pi-gamma-mu-at-wilmu-combining-academic-excellence-and-community-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2025\/08\/13\/pi-gamma-mu-at-wilmu-combining-academic-excellence-and-community-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Pi Gamma Mu at WilmU: Combining Academic Excellence and Community Service\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column18670_618e85-20 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column18670_618e85-20 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column18670_618e85-20 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column18670_618e85-20 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column18670_618e85-20 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column18670_618e85-20 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column18670_618e85-20 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column18670_618e85-20{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18670_618e85-20 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column18670_618e85-20 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18670_618e85-20\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>During her senior year at Wilmington University, <strong>Rafaella Nero<\/strong> received an unforgettable invitation \u2014 offering membership in <a href=\"https:\/\/pigammamu.org\/convention-2024.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pi Gamma Mu<\/a> (PGM). Founded in 1924, the international honor society for social sciences values scholarship, leadership and service.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt was a validating moment and proof that my hard work was paying off,\u201d says Nero, who moved to the United States from Brazil and earned her second bachelor&#8217;s degree, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/law-policy-and-political-science.aspx\">B.S. in Law, Policy and Political Science<\/a>, at WilmU. \u201cI was thrilled to join a community of talented, highly educated peers in the social sciences.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>WilmU&#8217;s Delaware Beta Chapter, chartered in 2007, has more than 300 lifelong members.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBeing a member of PGM is a unique opportunity to connect with peers and faculty who are equally passionate about advancing society through the social sciences,\u201d Nero says. \u201cMembers can build relationships through events and projects, where they can engage with others, present research and learn from professionals in the field.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Social Science Students Embrace Leadership and Community Service\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/directory\/behavioralscience\/johanna-bishop.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Dr. Johanna Bishop<\/strong><\/a>, director of WilmU\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/behavsci.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Behavioral Science<\/a> programs, serves as PGM\u2019s Northeast chancellor.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs chapter founder and leader, I am so proud of what Delaware Beta Chapter students have done to make their communities a better place,\u201d Dr. Bishop says. \u201cOur Delaware Beta Chapter Pi Gamma Mu students are special \u2014 not only have they demonstrated academic excellence, they also understand the need for human connection and the importance of service.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before their induction, members perform at least 15 hours of dedicated service. Nero, whose husband is a Marine, has been helping active-duty families for years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs a military spouse myself, I deeply understand the challenges our community faces, so I was grateful for the chance to give back to people I truly care about,\u201d Nero says.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other PGM members have collected charitable donations, including children\u2019s books and eyeglasses. They&#8217;ve also volunteered at WilmU\u2019s annual <a href=\"https:\/\/events.wilmu.edu\/site\/academiccolleges\/event\/disrupting-human-trafficking-conference-2025\/\">Disrupting Human Trafficking Conference<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe skills and qualities learned during service hours are meant to empower Pi Gamma Mu members indefinitely,\u201d says <strong>Alyssa Romano<\/strong>, who graduated from WilmU with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/psychology.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">B.S. in Psychology<\/a>. \u201cReturning to secondary school as an older adult in an asynchronous program was a unique experience, and having the ability to meet other Wilmington University students through Pi Gamma Mu positively shaped my university experience.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doctoral student <strong>Camilla \u201cC.C.\u201d Carter<\/strong> agrees. A retired clinical physical therapist, she completed her master\u2019s in Health Care Administration at WilmU in 2005 and returned for a\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/dss.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Doctor of Social Science in Prevention Science<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt was both an unexpected blessing and honor to be inducted into an international honor society for social sciences, given I spent 40 years serving in a medical model of health care,\u201d Carter says. \u201cPGM membership provides unique opportunities for potentially lifelong collaboration and shared experiences that will continue to grow, shape and contribute to the prevention community.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Empowering Journeys Through Inclusivity and Flexibility\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every three years, Pi Gamma Mu hosts an international convention. From the engaging speakers to student research presentations, Carter calls it \u201ca life-changing, paradigm-shifting experience.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She and other members not only appreciate Pi Gamma Mu but also WilmU.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat I love most about Wilmington University is its commitment to inclusion and flexibility, and how it made higher education accessible and meaningful for me,\u201d says Nero, adding that \u201cbecause of our frequent relocations, finding an online program that could travel with me was essential. From the beginning, WilmU provided a smooth experience, helping me stay on track with my goals despite the challenges of military life.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWilmington University understands that education does not look the same for everyone,\u201d Romano says. \u201cEach person has a unique academic journey, and their inclusivity and compassion ensure that many students\u2019 dreams can happen and, most importantly, that they are not left behind.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id18670_ff334a-ac{margin-top:0em;}.kb-row-layout-id18670_ff334a-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id18670_ff334a-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id18670_ff334a-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:0em;padding-right:0em;padding-bottom:0em;padding-left:0em;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id18670_ff334a-ac{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}.kb-row-layout-id18670_ff334a-ac > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id18670_ff334a-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id18670_ff334a-ac{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kb-row-layout-id18670_ff334a-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id18670_ff334a-ac{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}}.wu-text-col,.wu-img-col {\tmin-height: 114px;}.wu-text-col &gt; div,.wu-img-col &gt; div {\tflex: 1;}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id18670_ff334a-ac alignnone FULL wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette9, #ffffff);}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}.kadence-column18670_857819-a7 figure.image-is-svg {-webkit-margin-after: 1em;  margin-block-end: 1em;}img[src$=\".svg\"] {  max-width: 220px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18670_857819-a7 kb-section-dir-horizontal wu-img-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image18670_15cb5d-d0:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image18670_15cb5d-d0.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-image18670_15cb5d-d0 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image18670_15cb5d-d0 size-large image-is-svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/WilmU-logo-vertical.svg\" alt=\"WilmU logo\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-13537\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column18670_39a470-32{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18670_39a470-32{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:#eeeeee;}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column18670_39a470-32{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18670_39a470-32{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column18670_39a470-32{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18670_39a470-32{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}.kt-row-column-wrap &gt; .wp-block-kadence-column {align-self: stretch;}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 &gt; div {  padding-block: 1em;}.kadence-column18670_39a470-32 p:last-of-type {  -webkit-margin-after: 0;  margin-block-end: 0;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18670_39a470-32 kb-section-dir-vertical wu-text-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"NoMargin\" style=\"font-size:1rem\"><em>Contact your program chair to learn more about Pi Gamma Mu membership and <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/about-college-of-social-behavorial-science.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>qualifications<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"NoMargin\" style=\"font-size:1rem\"><em>Interested in a career in <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/psychology.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Psychology<\/em><\/a><em>, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/dss.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Prevention Science<\/em><\/a><em> or another social science? Explore Wilmington University\u2019s degree and certificate programs in the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/indexs.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>College of Social &amp; Behavioral Sciences<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During her senior year at Wilmington University, Rafaella Nero received an unforgettable invitation \u2014 offering membership in Pi Gamma Mu (PGM). Founded in 1924, the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":18674,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[286,1045,14,15],"class_list":["post-18670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-college-of-social-and-behavioral-science","tag-human-services-degrees","tag-wilmington-university","tag-wilmu"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"ACADEMIC NEWS"}],"post_tag":[{"value":286,"label":"College of Social and Behavioral Science"},{"value":1045,"label":"human services degrees"},{"value":14,"label":"Wilmington University"},{"value":15,"label":"WilmU"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pi-gama-mu-2-480x480.jpg",480,480,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Mckayla Imperatrice","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/author\/mckayla\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2,"name":"ACADEMIC NEWS","slug":"academic-news","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":559,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":460,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2,"category_count":460,"category_description":"","cat_name":"ACADEMIC NEWS","category_nicename":"academic-news","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":286,"name":"College of Social and Behavioral Science","slug":"college-of-social-and-behavioral-science","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":843,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":10,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":1045,"name":"human services degrees","slug":"human-services-degrees","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1602,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":5,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":14,"name":"Wilmington University","slug":"wilmington-university","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":571,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":357,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":15,"name":"WilmU","slug":"wilmu","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":572,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":291,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18670","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18670"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18670\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18672,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18670\/revisions\/18672"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}