Mary-Kate McGeary
University of Rhode IslandMary-Kate McGeary, junior at the University of Rhode Island, is a student servant leader active in addressing issues of inequality, immigration injustices, urban poverty, and community engagement. Ms. McGeary leads, organizes, and engages peers in community engagement, advocacy, and continued action. She not only leads by example by helping to organize engagement programs for the campus, but has a deep understanding of the importance of recognizing the leadership potential in peers and aides in their own development to find their voice, passions, and courage to step outside of their comfort zones. Ms. McGeary takes advantage of all opportunities that will increase her ability to reach vulnerable and disenfranchised populations of our communities in order for us to find sustainable solutions for our society's most pressing issues. She collaborates with her peers to lead and inspire us all to commit to simple acts of community engagement to help create a more just and equitable society.
Personal Statement
I am Mary-Kate McGeary, I'm a junior studying Human Development and Family Studies. I began my service journey on campus with a service trip to Atlanta, GA under URI Service Corps that sparked my passion for servant-leadership. Through this I have grown into my leadership strengths, becoming a trip leader for two years and a member on our Advisory Board. I use my top strengths of empathy, connectedness, ideation and relative to help students find the leadership qualities within themselves, which is what I am most passionate about.
Through my work I have seen some of the largest issues facing our country today; inequality, urban poverty, climate change etc. My exposure to these troubles has changed my collective view on social issues. I believe the root of these problems is based on generations of ignorance and fear. They now lie within our government policies and the minds of people who hold power. To address public problems I believe the willing must come together and advocate for what the changes we need. I believe advocacy is our strongest tool, helping educate others will not only strengthen our passion but also inspires others to make a change, strengthening our movement.