Beth Gibson’s connection to Troy began long before she became a Trojan. Her family moved to the community in the mid-1980s after her grandfather became president of Troy Bank & Trust. Some of her earliest memories include running through the old bank building next to First Baptist Church and later helping cut the ribbon when the new Troy Bank & Trust building opened on Highway 231.

She graduated from Charles Henderson High School in 2001, where she was a member of the Blue Machine Marching Band and played softball under Coach Steve Haug.

“Growing up in Troy gave me a strong sense of community and connection that has stayed with me throughout my life,” Gibson says.

Gibson was initially attracted to Troy University by its strong Athletic Training program, then regarded as one of the best in Alabama. After her first year, she realized that path was not where she felt called to serve. She changed her major to social work, a decision that better aligned with her strengths, interests, and desire to work directly with people and communities.

“Looking back, that change in direction was an important step in shaping both my professional path and the work I am doing today,” she reflects.

Gibson’s time at Troy University profoundly shaped her life and her family’s direction. Through involvement with Baptist Campus Ministries and Campus Outreach, she became a follower of Christ. Her faith became a foundation for how she approaches service, relationships, and her career.

She also participated in several mission trips, serving in New Orleans, New York City, Zambia, and Kenya. Those experiences opened her eyes to the needs of people and communities both close to home and around the world, reinforcing her passion for service and her desire to use her social work education to support those facing difficult circumstances.

One professor who left a lasting impression was Dr. B.C. Farnham, who began teaching toward the end of her degree program.

“Dr. Farnham believed in me from the beginning and has continued to encourage and support me throughout my career,” Gibson says. He encouraged her to pursue a master’s degree in social work and has remained a trusted mentor, guide, and reference. “Having a professor invest in me beyond the classroom made a lasting impression and showed me the value of mentorship.”

Her internship at the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center proved equally pivotal. Working with children who had experienced severe abuse helped shape the direction of her career and deepened her commitment to advocating for vulnerable children and families.

“TROY gave me much more than an education,” Gibson says. “It provided relationships, experiences, opportunities to serve, and mentors who helped shape my faith, my profession, and the person I became.”

Since graduating, Gibson has remained connected to Troy University in various ways, including attending sporting events and reunions through Baptist Campus Ministries. For a season, her focus on raising her family limited her involvement. More recently, she has reconnected in meaningful ways by speaking at First Baptist Church of Troy and to the Troy Rotary Club.

“It has been rewarding to reconnect with familiar people and places while also sharing more about the work I am doing now,” she says.

After stepping away from social work for several years while raising her sons, Gibson felt called back to the profession a little over two years ago. Walking alongside a close friend through her fostering experience rekindled her desire to support children and families during difficult seasons.

She was first introduced to Blanket Fort Hope through her church, which has supported the organization for years. She also attended one of their fundraising galas and has a close friend who has long been involved with the ministry. Those connections sparked her interest in their work.

What excited her most was the opportunity to join an organization addressing a complex and growing concern. Blanket Fort Hope’s comprehensive approach to providing housing, trauma services, counseling, and education to child trafficking survivors resonated with both her social work background and her desire to do meaningful work with lasting impact. Gibson now serves as Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement Specialist for the organization.

Gibson encourages current Troy University social work students to get involved in their communities early and not wait until they feel completely prepared.

“Some of the most meaningful work begins simply by showing up, listening, volunteering, and building relationships with people and organizations already doing the work,” she says.

She emphasizes the importance of seeing the whole person rather than just the immediate need, and of approaching community engagement with compassion, curiosity, and humility. Students should pay attention to the issues that consistently capture their hearts, even if the career path is not yet clear.

“My own path included stepping away from social work for a season and then finding my way back to it,” Gibson notes. “The experiences, relationships, and skills you develop along the way can prepare you for opportunities you never anticipated.”

Making a difference, she adds, does not always require dramatic action. Being dependable, treating people with dignity, connecting someone to the right resource, speaking up when change is needed, and using one’s skills to strengthen an organization can all create lasting impact.

“Find a cause you care about, be willing to learn, and then look for a place where your abilities can meet a genuine need.”