From the Classroom to the Counseling Chair: Marchelle Nixon’s Mission to Make a Difference
April 14, 2025
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
WILMINGTON – For Marchelle Nixon, returning to school wasn’t just a professional decision—it was a step of faith. A Wilmington native with a lifelong passion for helping children, Nixon spent years working in early childhood education. But a growing desire to do more for the students she served, particularly those who struggled silently, led her to pursue something deeper.
“I wanted to do more than support students academically,” Nixon explained. “I wanted to understand their struggles, be someone they could trust, and help them through whatever they were facing.”
That realization led her to the University of Mount Olive, where she enrolled in 2023 to pursue a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Now approaching graduation in May 2025, Nixon has more than a 3.65 GPA—she has a renewed belief in herself and her purpose.
But the path hasn’t always been easy. “I was hit with doubt after being placed on academic probation my first semester,” she said candidly. “But my faith has kept me since. The thought came to me, ‘If He can bring you to it, He can bring you through it.’ I believe God allowed me to get into grad school, and I knew He would bring me through it.” That message became her anchor through seasons of uncertainty and self-doubt.
Her journey to this point has been deeply personal—shaped by moments of self-discovery and the battle against negative self-talk. “I’ve struggled with not feeling good enough or smart enough. Even with two degrees, I didn’t feel like I had reached my full potential. Grad school changed that. It showed me that I can succeed and that I can make a difference.”
Making a difference is exactly what Nixon plans to do. Inspired by the memory of her 14-year-old cousin who died by suicide, Nixon hopes to one day open a youth counseling group in her community—providing a safe space for local teens to feel heard, seen, and supported.
Throughout her time at UMO, Nixon found steady support in her academic advisor, Stacy Gray. “She was always there when I needed encouragement the most. Her words lifted me at just the right times.”
Outside of academics, Nixon is deeply rooted in her community as a youth leader and Sunday school teacher at her church. She was also recognized with the New Hanover County Mental Health Fellowship—an acknowledgment of her dedication to the field.
When asked how UMO has transformed her life, Nixon doesn’t hesitate. “It transformed my confidence. It turned doubt into belief.”
Her message to other adults considering a return to college is clear and heartfelt: “Do it for the childhood version of yourself who gave up on dreams. Do it for the adult version of yourself who needs a fresh start. It’s never too late – do it!”
After graduation, Nixon plans to take a well-earned vacation and eventually continue building on her degree. More than anything, she’s walking into her next chapter with purpose—and faith.
“I’m flawed and imperfect, but I strive to grow every day—as a professional, a counselor, a woman, and a daughter.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
