Using Her Strengths to Help Others – Lauren Grodi

When exercise and sports science major Lauren Grodi, ’20, first visited campus, she fell in love with the empowering atmosphere. Four years later, Lauren’s appreciation for Meredith had only grown.

She immersed herself in a slew of activities, from serving as captain of the volleyball team to conducting undergraduate research to teaching wellness classes for students, faculty, and staff as a certified group fitness instructor. She was president of the Sport Science Association and student representative of the Exercise and Sports Science Advisory Board. She also gave tours of campus for the Admissions office.

But playing volleyball all four years, and serving as team captain for two, was a highlight of her experience.

“I was able to learn important qualities such as leadership, communication skills, time management, and also how to work with others – all while playing the sport I love with some of my best friends,” she said. “MCVB has given me a family that I know I can always count on.”

Lauren also learned to understand and apply her strengths while at Meredith, which allowed her to manage her time and prioritize her many responsibilities. She conducted undergraduate research on the effects of core stability on athletic performance in DIII collegiate women athletes, and then went on to present that research at the Southeastern American College of Sports Medicine conference in Jacksonville, Florida.

In two internships, Lauren further learned how to make the most of her individualization strength. She completed her first internship at Neutral Bay Physio while studying abroad in Sydney, Australia. Her second internship was at Duke Health Fitness, where she worked as an exercise physiologist, creating exercise prescriptions, monitoring high-risk patients while exercising, and evaluating rest and exercise heart rates, blood pressure, and other symptoms.

“Through my strength of individualization, I developed into a student who works very well in group settings and is exceptional when handling conflict,” she said. “I believe my strength to individualize leads me to recognize unique qualities in people and respect those aspects that make them distinctive.”

For Lauren, Meredith’s women’s college status set it apart from other schools. She enjoyed the unique traditions as well as the classroom experience.

“The culture is extremely empowering, inclusive, and positive,” she said. “There is a lot of depth and participation in class discussions and topics of these discussions are relatable to women and our personal experiences.”

Upon graduating, Lauren felt ready for her next step: earning her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) at East Carolina University.

“The small class sizes allowed me to form relationships with my professors and really absorb what was taught or ask questions when I was confused,” said Lauren. “I was a strong applicant when applying to DPT programs and I feel prepared for the next chapter of my life.”