Thursday Talks: Maritza Camacho

Next up is Maritza Camacho from the Office of Admissions, where she is an admissions coordinator.  

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do at RSDM.

Originally, I started in the Office of Student Affairs and later became part of admissions. I currently oversee programs such as Decision for Dentistry and Gateway. The Decision for Dentistry program introduces 75 high school students to career options in the dental profession each year. The Gateway Program has two sessions a year with a total of 40 students per session. Students are engaged in hands-on activities and various aspects of dentistry. Gateway helps students make critical decisions regarding educational and career planning.

What do you like most about RSDM?

My interaction with incoming, current, and graduated students. The highlight of this experience is witnessing students achieve their goals of becoming dentists as well as witnessing their growth from high schoolers to young men and women. I can never forget my first high school student who graduated from dental school in 2005. I have lost and made many friends while working at RSDM. 

What do you enjoy doing outside school?

Coaching baseball as vice president of the North Newark Little League with over 400 kids in the City of Newark. The program is designed to give young people from underserved and diverse communities the opportunity to play baseball and softball. This helps keep them off the streets. In addition, I manage a 10–12-year-old Little League team. I am also a t-ball and pre-minor director with five teams in each division. With over 20 years of coaching experience, this has become my favorite pastime as well as spending quality time with family and friends.