From Mentorship to Advocacy, Anyllah Zackery Found Purpose in Psychology and Child Advocacy

For Anyllah Zackery, growth began the moment she stopped being afraid of discomfort.

“Be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” she says, a lesson that became the foundation of her college experience and helped shape the person she is today.

A first-generation college student from New York, Zackery graduates with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Child Advocacy and Policy. Along the way, she balanced the demands of being a full-time student while working three campus jobs, completing an internship and serving as president of a student organization — all while building the confidence to step into leadership and advocacy roles she once found intimidating.

“When I first started, I was more reserved,” Zackery says. “Over time I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. I became more open to networking, connecting with others and putting myself in spaces that helped me grow both personally and professionally.”

Discovering a Passion for Advocacy

That growth helped solidify her future path. Initially interested in becoming a school psychologist, Zackery realized she wanted to work more directly with children who have experienced trauma. Her experiences in courses like Intro to Child Advocacy and Child Abuse and Neglect deepened her understanding of the challenges many children and families face and reinforced her commitment to advocacy and trauma-informed care.

“I want to be in a position where I can support, advocate for and help children navigate and heal from difficult experiences in a meaningful way,” she says.

Through her coursework and experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zackery says she learned the importance of understanding people’s lived experiences and approaching others with empathy and compassion.

“This has shaped how I see my future role as a clinical social worker and the kind of impact I want to have,” she says.

Leadership Through Service and Mentorship

Outside the classroom, Zackery immersed herself in opportunities to serve others. She worked as a Desk Assistant for Residence Life, a Team Lead at Saxbys and a Peer Mentor for Educational Opportunity Fund scholars, while also interning with Make-A-Wish New Jersey and leading Circle K International at Montclair as president.

Among those experiences, serving as an EOF peer mentor stands out as especially meaningful. In the role, Zackery helped first-year students navigate the transition to college by offering encouragement, resources and support.

“This experience was meaningful to me because I saw firsthand the impact of mentorship and support on students’ confidence and success,” she says.

Zackery credits much of her own success to the guidance she received from mentors including her academic success coach, Stefanie Medina, and EOF counselor, Jazmene Mosley.

“Their guidance, encouragement and belief in my potential helped me stay motivated and confident in my path,” she says.

Looking Ahead

Now preparing to enter Montclair’s Master of Social Work program in Fall 2026, Zackery says her definition of success has evolved during her college years. What once centered on grades and academic performance has become something much broader.

“Success is about becoming the best version of myself while also being able to support those around me,” she says.

As she looks toward a future in clinical social work, and eventually pursuing a Ph.D. in School Psychology, Zackery hopes to continue advocating for children and families while helping strengthen mental health support systems in educational settings. It’s work rooted not only in academic preparation, but in empathy, resilience and a willingness to grow through every challenge along the way.