Education

Summer McSpirit-Flanagan holds a bachelor’s degree in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies from Rutgers University – New Brunswick. She is currently a second-year, full-time MSW student at Ramapo College.

Relevant Experiences

Following years of advocacy through public speaking, Summer began her social work career in sexual violence response and prevention in 2019, working as a prevention education specialist at YWCA Northern New Jersey’s healingSPACE. She worked on Ramapo College’s campus at the healingSPACE satellite office, assisting the Office of Violence Prevention and Title IX Office in rewriting the College’s policies related to Title IX, following new federal regulations in 2020. Summer became the Hotline and Volunteer Coordinator in 2020, working closely with Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Sexual Assault Response Team, and helped to develop and implement a texting app to offer additional ways for those affected by sexual violence to reach out for help. She briefly stepped away from the world of social work to become a 200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher in 2021, in the hopes of helping survivors through other holistic modalities. In 2025, she returned to Ramapo College to begin pursuing her Master of Social Work, interning at Pascack Hills High School’s RISE Program and serving as Graduate Assistant to the Social Work Program for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Professional Interests

Summer’s professional interests include trauma-informed care, interpersonal and sexual violence, self-esteem, anxiety, relationship concerns, and life transitions. She is particularly interested in strengths-based and holistic approaches that help students build self-awareness, identify their own resources, and develop greater confidence in navigating challenges.

Personal Interests

Summer enjoys traveling both domestically and internationally. She has a strong interest in holistic practices and wellness. Summer is also passionate about community engagement and leadership, and is also the founder of the Master’s Chapter of Ramapo College’s Social Work Club.