Gina Marinelli, CogWell National Intern

Hello to anybody reading this. My name is Gina Marinelli, and I am this year’s national intern for CogWell. I am currently a senior at Immaculata University, pursuing a degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and Journalism. I am also a former member of the Immaculata Women’s Soccer team. 

One of the main reasons I decided to intern for CogWell is because of my own mental health struggles. I was originally supposed to graduate in 2025, but I took a year off in 2024 due to some personal challenges I was facing internally. This was a really difficult time for me, and to be honest, I am still in the process of healing. CogWell would have been an extremely helpful organization for me at the time, but I unfortunately didn’t know anything about it. When I discovered it in 2026 however, I knew I had to be a part of it. 

I support CogWell’s mission because it is extremely important. College can bring extreme amounts of stress, with very little relief. For anyone, knowing how to effectively cope with the challenges that come with young adulthood can be difficult. CogWell aims to do this in a fun, hip way by engaging students in conversations that they wouldn’t normally have. This work is so important, as it can help save lives. One conversation can help ease someone’s fight, which can in turn save a life. 

Overall, I am so proud to be part of an organization like this. Although I didn’t know about the organization when I really needed it, I now can help those who are at a time in their life where they need it, which in turn is really healing for me.