Gavin Henry CCAS’24 has embarked on an academic and professional path that draws heavily from his time at Rutgers University–Camden. As a student in the master’s of higher education program at the University of Pennsylvania—where he is set to graduate this summer—he is researching ways to encourage student-athletes to study abroad and participate in internships. His four years as a member of the Scarlet Raptors men’s basketball team fueled this interest.
“I had the opportunity to take an experiential learning course at Rutgers–Camden, and it’s a big reason why I am at Penn,” Henry said. “I want to ensure more student-athletes have that same experience.”
Henry played multiple sports in his youth but fell hard for basketball, joining the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) from third grade on and playing in both travel and recreational leagues. At one of Henry's games, a Rutgers–Camden assistant coach offered personal connection and support.
“He is a big reason why I chose to come to Rutgers–Camden as well as Coach [Stuart Pradia],” Henry said.
Henry graduated in four years despite starting college during the COVID-19 pandemic and losing his grandmother during his time as a student. The guard and team captain was honored as a 2024 Jeffrey L. Dean Scarlet Raptor of the Year—named for the late Rutgers–Camden athletic director—thanks to his leadership, passion, and dedication to the program.
While Henry initially thought of pursuing health sciences, he narrowed his academic focus to political science, inspired by Gov. Phil Murphy’s daily livestreams during the pandemic. “I want to be somebody who gives people faith that things will be okay,” he said.
During his senior year, Henry enrolled in an urban studies course in which students engaged with local nonprofits to study how organizations operate in Camden. Through the class, Henry connected with The Division of Community Development for Camden County, where he ultimately earned a paid internship.
Henry's work there centered on youth homelessness; he learned more about how incarceration and socioeconomic status impacts the unhoused. He then expanded his scope of work to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a law that provides equal access to education and other services to children and youth. Henry developed a pilot proposal for a countywide service fair that would offer assistance to eligible families.
Between semesters, Henry also worked with rising first-graders through a University of Pennsylvania-coordinated school program in Philadelphia. “That experience was one of the best of my life,” Henry said. “We worked with language arts and math. And you saw how environment affects these children, how some of them were not able to count to 10. It was very disheartening to see how far behind some of these kids were, because they're amazing kids. From where we started, the kids could count to 15 by the end of the summer. Being part of that meant more than anything.”
The experience inspired Henry to apply to Penn’s Graduate School of Education, where he continues to advocate for youth as an intern with the Carey Law School. While Henry’s work with students and communities has inspired him to work in higher education, he sees himself serving a smaller university—perhaps even his alma mater.
“Rutgers–Camden offers a lot,” Henry said. “The city of Camden offers a lot. I’d like to use the tools that I've gained from Penn and from Rutgers to help the next generation of Scarlet Raptors.”
