Since coming to UGA, Mallory Grebel has found many opportunities for service and leadership. During last year, she was the Vice President of the Student Government Association, and in this role she led the statewide student campaign against budget cuts to the University System of Georgia. She helped circulate a petition to show state lawmakers that a mid-year tuition hike was not a good idea. She also recently served as a co-emcee for the kick-off for the Archway to Excellence Campaign, and has been selected as a member of the Sphinx Society, the oldest honorary society at the University. She mentors a child at Oglethorpe Primary School and calls her work “one of the most rewarding experiences I have had at UGA.”
Hometown:
Leesburg, Georgia
High School:
Lee County High School
Degree objective:
Bachelor of Social Work with a Certificate in Business Leadership
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
I am a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, where I have been actively involved throughout my time at UGA. I was an Orientation Leader for the summer of 2004 and I had the opportunity to acquaint 4600 freshmen and transfer students to the University. I serve as a member of the Dean Tate Honor Society and founded the UGA days of community service, “Dean Tate Days.” I have served on the Student Leadership Advisory Council and have also been a counselor for Dawg Camp. I was selected as a participant in Terry College of Business’s LEAD Program where I actively partake in coursework, community service,and other leadership opportunities that strengthen my business leadership abilities. I was recently selected as a member of the Blue Key International Honor Society. I was honored to be selected as a 2005 initiate of the Sphinx Society and to serve as the Vice President of the Student Government Association last year. I have recently served as a coordinator of the student-wide Hurricane Katrina Relief effort. As a coordinator, I have worked with other student leaders across campus to organize a fundraiser to sell 15,000 t-shirts to UGA students, faculty, and alumni. All proceeds from this student fundraising campaign will benefit the American Red Cross. Although I cherish all of these opportunities, I believe that one of the most rewarding experiences I have had at UGA, was the chance to mentor at Oglethorpe County Primary School. I was able to mentor the same child for three consecutive years and I believe that my relationship with her has encouraged my desire to work with children and become a successful social worker.
Current Employment:
I am currently an intern at Project Safe. Project Safe is a local, non-profit organization that provides a safe shelter, support groups, and a 24-hour hotline for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence. I work as a legal advocate for victims and lead support group sessions for both women and children.
Family Ties to UGA:
I am proud to claim Georgia football legend, Wally Butts, as my great uncle. This UGA hero coached the Georgia Bulldogs from 1939-1960. Uncle Wally, known to many as “the little round man”, is still the topic of conversation at many of my family reunions. His love for the University of Georgia and his invigorating spirit lives on today across campus and especially within the members of his family.
I chose to attend UGA because…
…I sought a place that provided me with endless educational, career, and social opportunities. I wanted a large campus atmosphere where chances for success were plentiful but I also wanted to live in a place that could really feel like home. I was afraid that it would be difficult to find this balance. Yet when I looked at UGA and saw past the great football program that I already knew so much about, I still found everything I wanted out of a college. I found a place that was filled with motivated students and professors, a place with tons of fun stuff to do, and a place that I felt I could grow. I chose UGA because I felt that I could maximize my potential here. It was the best decision I have ever made.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…take a stroll through north campus after dinner on a late autumn evening. I believe the beauty of north campus is unforgettable on cool, autumn nights. I love to top the night off by walking by Sanford Stadium when it is all lit up on a Friday night before a big home game.
When I have free time, I like…
…to grab a friend and go to Hodgson’s Pharmacy to pick up some ice cream. This small pharmacy with its friendly staff always reminds me of my hometown. Just getting some ice cream at this little store somehow turns a good afternoon into a great one.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
…invite a group of about thirty girls to my Brumby Hall dorm room for a Tuesday night “Bachelorette” Party. We had a fun-filled evening watching the finale of our favorite reality TV show. It may not sound too exciting… but squeezing thirty girls into one dorm room is the craziest thing I am going to post on the Internet!
My favorite place to study is…
I am a third/fourth floor SLC inhabitant. I study on the third floor when I am not crunched for time and I can be a little bit social, and I study on the fourth floor when it is time to get down to business and there is no room for error. I love the SLC because I can always find a good friend to hang out with during study breaks and because of the convenience of the location. With a possible dinner at the Bulldog Cafe and the wireless internet access, it is unbeatable.
My favorite professor is…
…Margaret Robinson. As the director of the Bachelor in Social Work Program, she also serves as an advisor and instructor to social work students. Dr. Robinson teaches class in an engaging way that relates real world problems to social policy, culture, and the economy. She empowers her students to find their personal strengths that will enable them to assist those in need. She seeks to develop each of her students into not only the best social worker they can be, but also the best person they can be. By taking the extra time to invest in me, Dr. Robinson has challenged my way of thinking and enabled me to develop as a social worker.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…I would share my afternoon with my family and closest friends from throughout my life. I would want my preschool playmate, my two elementary school best buddies, my favorite fourth grade teacher, my group of high school girlfriends, my closest friends at UGA, my dog, my family, and my boyfriend to all be a part of this special afternoon. I cannot imagine a greater treat than having everyone significant in my life all together at one time.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
I am such an idealist, so of course I want to save the world. I would reform the education system, rid the world of disease, and give every child the motivation to become successful. But since those are not all possible, I would skydive.
After graduation, I plan to…
I plan to either attend graduate school to pursue my masters degree in Social Work or become an elementary school teacher. I find myself drawn to social work because of the impact it can have on the future of our country and children. I also believe, however, that I can truly impact children in a classroom, as well. I believe there is great need for public education reform in our state, and I believe that with my background in social work, I may take steps to achieve reform by teaching in the classroom and working with government officials on educational and social policy.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
I believe that one of the most significant events in my life occurred just last year when I served as Vice President of SGA. I had the opportunity to lead the statewide student campaign against state budget cuts to higher education funding. The Student Government Association created petitions that urged state government officials to continue adequately funding the University System of Georgia. In just over a week, I helped collect over 36,000 signatures that professed the harm of inadequate higher education funding. I will never forget reaching the 10,000 signature mark from UGA students alone. I believe that we, the students, impacted our state government on that day. Because of the effort given by so many students that week, tuition did not increase mid-year and our state officials realized that students do hold them accountable for their actions.
