Amaria Rankins ’25

Amaria Rankins’ compassion and drive to help others inspired her to pursue a major in social work.  

“I have always wanted to work with kids, but I wasn’t sure what aspect I wanted to go into,” she said. “I came here for exercise science to become an athletic trainer for middle and high schools.” 

In the end, she chose her major after her roommate talked to her about social work with children, an idea that called to her.  

“Throughout my time working within the UNCW School of Social Work and gaining experiences within nonprofits in the Wilmington community, I have ultimately decided to pursue working in community nonprofits where the main population is children,” she said. “I currently really like working within the arts community, but I am also interested in education and working in the school system.” 

After graduating in 2025, she plans to pursue a master’s dual degree in social work and education. In the meantime, she has started two community service projects while at UNCW. 

“I have started the Cleanup at the Creekwood South Community Center, where I hosted a deep clean of the space because of a lack of resources; and Reading with Maides Park, where I give volunteers from UNCW an opportunity to read with the afterschool children at the Davis Center at Maides Park to help combat the low reading levels some of the children face,” Rankins said. 

She also wants to start Community with Care, a future nonprofit organization that she hopes will positively impact her community by cultivating growth, empowerment and collaboration. 

“I hope to also continue to create community service projects that can allow students at UNCW to connect and collaborate with the Wilmington community,” said Rankins, president of UNCW’s Black Women’s Association and a mentor in the Black Excellence Project. 

In 2023, Amaria Rankins received the Community Impact Student Award from NC Campus Engagement, recognizing her outstanding dedication to civic and community engagement. Selected by the UNCW administration for her significant impact on campus, she was one of 14 students honored from colleges and universities across North Carolina. That same year, Rankins was named a Health Care Hero Student by the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, further highlighting her exceptional contributions and commitment. 

Rankins presented at the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors’ Student Conference in March 2024 on the impacts of the school to prison pipeline and how it affects Black students on an individual and familial level. 

Her dream is to establish a nonprofit organization that centers on community outreach and advocacy in predominantly Black neighborhoods.  

“UNCW has led me to meet so many amazing faculty and staff members that have helped me gain so many amazing experiences and opportunities that have helped me to cultivate my professionalism, adaptability, project management, confidence and other skills that will carry me to success in my future endeavors,” she said.