C’Meijah Donaldson ‘12 is a candidate for a Masters in Social Work (MSW) at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). After graduating from Waterside, she attended Sacred Heart Greenwich, where she participated in their diversity club and played varsity softball. She then went to Temple University in Philadelphia, graduating with a degree in Social Work and Spanish Language, Literature, and Linguistics in 2023. 

C’Meijah working on an art project while attending Waterside

While at Waterside, C’Meijah’s love for community was nurtured through school events, such as Family Bingo Night and the International Festival. The International Festival, in particular, helped foster an appreciation for other cultures and diversity which continues to influence her actions today. 

“My time at Waterside wasn’t just about academic achievement, but about personal growth, community, and lifelong learning,” she shared. “The Commitment to Work Hard, Be Kind, and Respect Learning remains with me because I apply it to everything I do. Every experience and interaction is an opportunity to incorporate this motto in my daily life.” 

During her time at Sacred Heart Greenwich, she remained connected to Waterside through our Alumni Team, who would reach out over the phone or email to keep the personal connection the School builds with every alum. She also participated in our College Boot Camp, taking SAT prep classes while preparing for the college application process. 

Today, C’Meijah continues to live by Waterside’s Daily Commitment everywhere she goes by contributing to her communities wherever she finds herself. through staying involved in her current communities. 

At Temple, she was a Resident Assistant in the dorms, Vice President of the Black Law Students Associations – Pre-Law Division, and an Events Coordinator for Temple’s Best Buddies Program, which creates relationships between Temple students and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through activities and meetings. In addition, she helped create a community fridge in North Philadelphia. 

Currently, C’Meijah is a part of UPenn’s Imagination in Action, a group of students who work alongside faculty and staff to create more opportunities for their community members to engage in healthy, thoughtful, and brave conversations with the goal of effective mobilization. 

Since 2022, she has been interning at the Public Defender’s office in Philadelphia to gain the necessary skills to pursue her goal of becoming a licensed social worker in the legal system.

“My passion for social justice and change, coupled with a desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of marginalized individuals and communities, inspired me to pursue an MSW,” she said. “Within UPenn’s program, I have the opportunity to gain practical experience through internships and fieldwork placements, collaborate with experienced professionals in the field, and participate in research projects that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in social work practice.” 

After completing her MSW, C’Meijah looks forward to helping formerly incarcerated individuals to successfully reenter into society with access to the support they need to thrive. She also aspires to advocate for systemic changes within the criminal justice system to promote an understanding and change of the criminalization of mental health, illnesses, immigration, and other social and economic barriers to reform within the criminal justice system. 

C’Meijah is inspired to do this work by a specific part of the Waterside Commitment. She shared,“‘Be kind’ serves as a reminder to approach others with empathy, compassion, and understanding, fostering positive relationships and contributing to a supportive community.”