Jenna Crampton, Criminal Justice

After interning with the New Jersey Superior Court in Atlantic County’s Recovery Court program, Jenna Crampton found her calling: advocating for rehabilitation over incarceration.

Witnessing firsthand how second chances and support systems could change lives, the experience solidified her passion for restorative justice, “I was able to experience firsthand the importance of rehabilitation over incarceration,” Crampton said.

Originally from High Bridge, Crampton transferred to ������ to join the . She quickly found a home both on and off the field, thanks to Coach Mavreen Hering. A pivotal course, Professor Jon White’s Forensic Psychology class, inspired her to major in with a concentration in Forensic Psychology and a minor in Public Health.

“These opportunities to work with such standout people have made my time at ������ something I will never forget,” she reflected. “I will always be grateful and forever indebted to the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences here.”

But her journey wasn’t without challenges.

During her sophomore year, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, a life-altering event that tested Crampton’s strength and balance as both a student-athlete and a daughter. After multiple surgeries, ICU stays, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, her mother beat cancer. The experience shifted Crampton’s perspective.

“I struggled to balance being a college athlete while being present in my mom’s fight against cancer,” Crampton said. “My mom’s diagnosis gave me a new appreciation for life and a deeper understanding of the power of a support system. Watching my dad be her rock through everything was incredibly inspiring.”

Her time as a student-athlete was also cut short due to medical reasons. Though she was forced to medically retire from softball, her commitment to ������ Athletics and mental health advocacy only grew stronger. Soon a new passion blossomed, and she joined the ������ Equestrian Team. 

“My personal horse, Riggs, actually came from Split Elm Equestrian Center, where ������’s team rides,” she shared.

She also became an ambassador, and later the president, of the Morgan’s Message chapter at ������, a national nonprofit that works to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in the student-athlete community. She helped host several “dedication games” to spread awareness about mental wellness among athletes.

“As president of Morgan’s Message at ������, my goal has been to normalize asking for help and to remind others that it’s okay not to be okay,” Crampton said. “My goal is to normalize asking for help and accepting it’s okay not to be okay.”

After graduation, Crampton plans to pursue her master’s in clinical mental health counseling at Merrimack College, in addition to working in a juvenile justice setting, with the goal of becoming a forensic mental health counselor in a correctional setting.

What will Crampton miss most about ������? Her home away from home. During her time at ������, Crampton had the opportunity to live with her seven closest friends for her final two years, which left a major impact on her college experience.

“I will forever cherish the memories I was able to make with the people here. ������ truly just feels like family, and I cannot believe my time here is over!”

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