Nicholas Kernick, a student in Moravian University's Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program, makes astute connections in his studies, on the tarmac, and eventually his career.
At first glance, Nick Kernick comes across as a quietly spiritual, eager student in Moravian’s Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC) program. What you might not guess is how he spends much of his after-hours time: on the tarmac at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE).
“You ever see those guys out there with the wands?” Kernick says, motioning with his arms to mime waving in an airplane. In a fluorescent green uniform, Kernick directs planes, drives equipment around, and ensures luggage gets to where it needs to go.
It’s a job that invites perspective.
“You’re in this hub where everybody’s going to some place, you’re connected to all these different areas,” Kernick remarks. “I find that very inspiring to be out there and see these planes take off and come back… It humbles you in a way.”
Kernick can comfortably balance his job with his course load from the MACC program. Although the 23-year-old holds a degree in business management and finance from Duquesne University, where he graduated in 2023, he ultimately decided to follow his passion for psychology.
“I guess it was more of a spiritual thing than anything else,” Kernick says of that decision. “I felt that it would be more fulfilling in the long run to be in a field that really calls to me… I decided to take the [MACC] program at Moravian, and it was the right decision for sure.”
For Kernick, who minored in psychology, understanding and connecting with people is a lifelong enthusiasm. “I’ve always had an interest in people,” he explains. “Understanding human nature in general, why people do the things they do, why people hurt the way they hurt, how people can heal.”
A self-led learner, Kernick enjoys reading a wide variety of literature that ranges from religious texts to the work of different psychologists, including Carl Jung. “I was dabbling in everything, just looking for the ways that they connect,” he says. “The basis of my passion in psychology is consciousness, the question of what is consciousness and how are we conscious, and what does that mean?”
At Moravian, Kernick can delve into these questions, pursuing his passion for learning in both classroom discussions and individual conversations with professors. “The moment I got there, everybody was welcoming,” Kernick affirms. “Everybody I’ve met, all my professors, all my classmates, everybody has a kind heart and a welcoming spirit and a desire to learn and help people.”
“My first professor, Dr. Santiago, she’s been nothing but a wonderful mentor to me,” he adds, speaking about Associate Professor of Clinical Practice Michelle Santiago.
As a hybrid student, Kernick takes a combination of in-person and virtual classes. He lives at home in Bethlehem and is vocal about his enthusiasm for the town. “Moravian’s campus is placed perfectly,” he says. “Bethlehem is a beautiful little town. It’s primed for students and families, and there’s always something going on.”
Following the completion of his degree, Kernick hopes to eventually open his own practice, where he will have the chance to connect with the people he is so passionate about helping. “Eventually, with experience and going through more mentors and meeting more people, I would love to have my own private practice way down the line,” he shares. “I’d love to be independent.
“I’m just an apprentice right now,” he hastens to clarify. “It’s gonna take another decade for me to get there. I have a lot to learn.”
Kernick is expected to graduate in 2025 or 2026. Until then, keep an eye out for him on the runways of ABE.—Caroline Junker