Student Experience Spotlight | Jill Haram

July 25, 2024

Experiential learning at Campbell University integrates hands-on, practical experiences with academic coursework to provide students with a well-rounded education.

This approach includes internships, service learning, research projects, and fieldwork, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

By engaging in these activities, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional skills that prepare them for their future careers.

Meet Jill Haram

Major: Master of Divinity

Experience: Army Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership

Location: Fort Jackson, South Carolina

How has your time at Campbell prepared you for this experience?

The Divinity School at Campbell has prepared me both theologically and socially.

Theologically it has presented me with a wide spectrum of classes that has prepared me for the aspect of Army Chaplaincy that either, “provides or performs” religious service in a pluralistic environment. Socially, the Divinity School has prepared me to bring hospitality wherever I go, and how to have listening ears and seeing eyes for whoever the soldier is in front of me, no matter the circumstances.

What did you learn from your internship?

I am learning the Army side of Chaplaincy which includes content on doctrine, regulations, laws. Army Chaplains are called the nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor the fallen.

How did you grow during this experience?

I grew in my confidence, my networking list, my knowledge of other faith traditions, and in my excitement to serve as an Army Chaplain. An example is that my battle buddy for the course is a Jewish Rabbi. I theologically learned from her, I assisted her in Army tasks, we exchanged contact information and will work together in our careers.

If students were to pursue a similar opportunity, what advice would you give them?

Army chaplaincy has a lot of moving parts and requires a lot of training, sacrifice, and dedication.