Cecil College Magazine 2026 - Magazine - Page 29
JIM COARSE, 2011
MICAELA HANKINS, 2016
Jim Coarse, a 2011 graduate of Cecil College with a degree in Web Development,
sees the world through a different lens - literally. After discovering early in his career
that he had the eye and instinct for professional photography, Coarse combined his
marketing experience with practical technical skills to forge a clear creative direction.
Life has come full circle for Micaela Hankins.
A 2016 graduate with associate degrees
in Early Childhood Education, Psychology,
and General Education, Hankins has
returned to the Cecil classroom, but this
time standing in front of the class. As an
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Social
Work at Cecil College, she inspires the next
generation of students to see themselves as
agents of change.
In 2015, he launched Moonloop Photography with partner Joe del Tufo. Since then,
Coarse has traveled extensively for photo shoots, capturing images on music-themed
cruises that sail the Caribbean. His work reflects both an artistic perspective and a
strategic understanding of branding and storytelling.
Coarse credits much of his personal and professional growth to his parents, as well as
the many musicians, actors, teachers, and mentors who influenced him, including his
professors at Cecil College.
“At Cecil College, the steady support from instructors kept things real - answering
questions, offering specific pointers, and pushing projects from ‘almost’ to finished,”
Coarse reflects.
“What I love about the course my life has taken is that I’m proud of the work I create
every time I pick up the camera,” he says.
Before attending Cecil, Coarse earned a Bachelor of Arts in Photography in 2007
from the University of the Arts. His background in visual arts paired naturally with his
technical training in web development, creating a strong foundation for a dynamic
and evolving career.
For Coarse, Cecil College helped turn focus into capability—and capability into a
career that continues to expand.
CATCHING UP WITH
ALUMNI
As the first recipient of the Robert A. Gibson
Scholarship, she credits this honor with
helping her pursue a career in education
that ultimately led her back to Cecil College.
She went on to Towson University, where
she earned her bachelor’s degree in Family
and Human Services, and then to Salisbury
University, where she completed her
master’s degree in social work.
Today, Hankins teaches a wide range
of courses, including Sociology, Social
Work, and Counseling. In her classroom,
Hankins challenges students to examine
their environments, belief systems, and
skills more deeply. Her goal for students is
not only academic growth, but personal
empowerment.
Hankins settled in Cecil County with her
husband, Daniel, whom she met as a
student at Cecil. He remains her biggest
supporter in her passion for educating the
next generation.
CECIL COLLEGE MAGAZINE | 27
