Name: Michelle McGrew ’08 (M.P.A. ’12)
Hometown: Shady Side, Maryland
Education: B.A. in media communication from CofC; Master of Public Administration from the Graduate School, University of Charleston, South Carolina
Job title: Executive Assistant to the President
How long have you worked at the College? 5 years
What are your job responsibilities? Managing the calendar and day-to-day operations of the Presidentโs Office, ensuring the president is well-prepared for meetings/events, drafting agendas/meeting minutes as delegated and assisting with planning/implementation of events on behalf of the Office of the President.
What do you like most about your job? I have only been in this position for a few weeks, but I enjoy the fact that every day brings a new challenge. No day is ever completely the same. These are very complicated and interesting times in higher education, and I am fortunate I have a really great team of individuals to learn from.
What question do you get asked most in your job? โIs President Hsu available on ______?โ
Whatโs your favorite location on campus and why? Cistern Yard. The backdrop against Randolph Hall and all of the Spanish moss is almost poetic. That and all of the dogs and puppies, of course.
What are your hobbies? Reading, playing the violin, attending shows, running (at a VERY elementary level), really anything involving being out on the water. Quarantine has also forced me to develop my cooking skills, which Iโm actually quite proud of.
What personal and/or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? Professionally, probably completing graduate school. I took a year and a half off between earning my bachelorโs and starting graduate school, and I really value that time as it allowed me to travel and figure out what to do next. I had not initially planned on earning another degree, so Iโm proud I took that step to continue my education.
Name a creative work (book, movie, performance, etc.) you enjoyed recently and why? Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens. Not only is it beautifully written, but I love how the story progresses by shifting back and forth between the past and present. You know the ending up front, but the how andย why keep you guessing until the end.
What was your favorite TV show growing up? Scooby-Doo. Who doesnโt like mysteries and talking dogs?
Whatโs next on your bucket list? I keep saying I am going to get my scuba diving certification, so I should really get my act together.
What is something your campus colleagues would be surprised to know about you? I am quite good at identifying oysters based on their taste and shell type. I can thank my years of experience working at an oyster restaurant for that one.
What was your first job? Pool lifeguard! Which was a poor choice, as I sunburn easily.
Whatโs your favorite Lowcountry restaurant? Obstinate Daughter on Sullivanโs Island. The short-rib gnocchi will change your life.
Describe your perfect day: Wake up, take my coffee and dogs on a walk down to the pier, go kayaking off the Pitt Street Bridge and around Sullivanโs island, attend an evening play or listen to live music (remember those things?!) and retire in the evening with a couple chapters of a good book.
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