Everyday hero: She's a firefighter, lifeguard, Abington student-athlete

ABINGTON, Pa. — Nina Maxwell’s drive is rooted in service to her community. A criminal justice major at Penn State Abington, she’s focused on a career in local law enforcement. Near her Bucks County home, she’s a “probie” — a probationary volunteer firefighter. Maxwell also works as a lifeguard and coaches swimming at her local club. 

Her dedication to her communities became clear when she learned some of her Abington cross-country teammates couldn’t tread water — not surprising since the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites lack of swimming and water safety instruction as major factors in drownings. 

“Some of them said they would drown — literally,” the first-year Abington student said. “So I said I would give them free swimming lessons.” 

Even with a packed schedule, Maxwell showed no hesitation. Between classes, cross-country practices and meets, firefighter training — almost 20 hours a week — and coaching swimmers, she’s always finding ways to give back. 

Her coaches weren’t surprised.  

“As both a firefighter and a runner, Nina shows our team what it means to give back — to your teammates, your community and yourself,” said Jill Swavely, assistant cross-country coach. “Her example reminds us that cross-country isn’t just about racing; it’s about resilience, teamwork and service.” 

Head coach Mike Patterson added, “What sets Nina apart as a runner is the toughness she brings from being a firefighter. She knows how to stay calm under pressure, work through pain, and constantly give it her best.” 

Maxwell is an accidental runner. She met Patterson and Swavely at Abington’s new student orientation last summer and thought running for the NCAA Division III team would be fun. 

“I love running, moving my body, and being with people who share my interests,” she said. “It’s a smaller, close-knit community, and I can cross-train for fire.” 

Maxwell’s passion for service grew during high school. 

“I considered joining the military because I wanted to serve,” she said, “but I realized my community is the most important thing to me. That’s why I decided to pursue a career in local law enforcement.” 

Her path to firefighting began by chance. While driving one day, Maxwell noticed a sign from the Northampton Township Fire Department seeking volunteers. She emailed them and is now assigned to Station 3, attending classroom training two nights a week and full-day sessions on Sundays. She already knows basic emergency medical response techniques and plans to earn her EMT certification to expand her life-saving skills. 

Back on campus, Maxwell reflected on why enrolling at Penn State Abington is helping her achieve her goals —  it’s affordable, an easy commute from Bucks County, and allows her to save money while earning a respected degree. 

Her advice for other students preparing for college? 

“When choosing a college, people stress over reputation or acceptance rates,” she said. “It’s more important to pick what’s smart for you. Choose a place you want to go that makes sense in the long run. Don’t let pride outweigh your rational thinking.” 

About Penn State Abington 

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 26 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.