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 – that required using sharp knives – 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.

“But I didn’t realize that you could also get paid to help people,” said DiLauri, now 56, of Garfield, NJ.

He decided to go back to school. He enrolled in Bergen Community College, then seamlessly transferred into Ramapo’s dynamic Social Work program.

Discovering A Home-Away-From-Home

As a disabled veteran, DiLauri found a home-away-from-home on Ramapo’s welcoming Mahwah, NJ campus, which was recognized by College Magazine as one of the top ten campuses for students with physical disabilities. The College has also earned accolades for its commitment to veteran students.

Navy Veteran Jerry DiLauri ’25 ’26 stands with Cesar Fuentes, Ramapo’s Coordinator of Military and Veteran Enrollment and Success, and Ramapo 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 Ramapo’s collaborative, connected community.

“I had to learn how to learn again, because I was used to learning with books,” he said, adding that he didn’t see his first computer in school until his senior year of high school.

He was also diagnosed with ADHD – 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.

“Once I found out what my issues were, I corrected them, and did well in school for once,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve had a good experience at school.”

As both a veteran and college student in his 50s, DiLauri also found strength in Ramapo’s 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.

“They helped me get back in the swing of things, and supported me when I was having tough times,” 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 “so incredibly supportive of other people.”

“Even though he is ridiculously busy, he always came to the group and was always wanting to support others,” she said.

Dr. Martinez also had DiLauri in class. “He’s the person that sits in the front row and participates in every single conversation, the kind of student that every professor wishes for,” she said. “He really seems to be throwing himself all in to absorb everything he can.”

Seizing Opportunities

DiLauri certainly has taken advantage of all Ramapo has to offer.

After earning his Bachelor of Social Work in 2025, he transitioned into the College’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program. This May, he graduated with his MSW. He celebrated at Ramapo’s social work hooding ceremony on campus, as well as the College’s 2026 commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center – 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 – 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 Ramapo.

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’s reasons for wanting to be a social worker are simple.

“I see a lot of people out there that can use help, but don’t know how to go about getting it,” he said. “Help is out there, and I would like to help them find the resources that they need.”

As a testament to DiLauri’s 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 Ramapo’s Social Work Hooding Ceremony.

In 2026, US News and World Reports ranked Ramapo #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® Schools. Ramapo 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 Ramapo supports veteran and military-affiliated students, visit the college’s veteran and military-affiliated student webpage. For more information on the BSW and MSW programs at Ramapo, visit the college’s social work webpage.