Meghan Gianforte
Name: Meghan Gianforte
Hometown: Annapolis, Md.
Year in School: Senior
Major: Communication
Minors: Marketing and New Media & Digital Culture
A couple weeks back we profiled a sophomore student who is extremely involved at Coastal. We asked what her resume would be like when she becomes a senior. We found our answer…
Let us introduce you to Meghan Gianforte.
As Meghan begins her final year at Coastal, looking at her list of accomplishments and extracurricular activities is daunting. Perhaps the most impressive part regarding her body of work is that it extends to all different areas. Academic positions? Social clubs? Leadership positions? Yes, yes and yes! To take a look at Meghan’s involvement over the past three years is the best way to conceptualize what it means to be busy at Coastal Carolina University.
However, there is one part of her involvement at Coastal that especially stands out. Meghan is a dedicated LIFE Program volunteer. A post-secondary education and transition program for young adults who have mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, Meghan has devoted both her time and resources to Coastal students enrolled in it. She will conclude her selfless service by creating a documentary chronicling the LIFE Program. It is her hope that the video will live on well past the time she graduates in May. We have a feeling that if the video contains just half of the passion she has for those students, she won’t have to worry about it.
Q&A with Meghan:
How did you hear about Coastal?: I learned about Coastal when I was in high school, researching colleges by the beach. From pictures the campus looked beautiful and definitely a place I could call home for four years.
Why did you come to Coastal?: I looked at a ton of schools up and down the east coast. Coastal was the perfect size and as soon as I took a tour here, I knew I wanted be a Chanticleer. I could not see myself anywhere else. I love how it is so close to the beach and how nice everyone on campus is.
Favorite professor: Professor Jeanne Stewart or Professor Brian Roessler
Favorite class: Self Defense, PALS 178
Favorite aspect of Coastal?: Coastal is the perfect size, I feel like I know a good portion of students but still have more people to meet!
Favorite aspect of living in the Conway/Myrtle Beach area?: So many things to do! I have lived here for three years and I am still finding new things to do. Of course, the best part is that the community is so nice and friendly.
Clubs/Intramurals/other extracurricular activities involved in?:
- I am external philanthropy chair for Alpha Xi Delta.
- I am in Sigma Alpha Pi, National Society of Leadership & Success.
- I have an executive position in Order of Omega, the Greek Honor Society.
- I was a Pi Chi, which is a Panhellenic Recruitment Counselor. This required me and 40 other Panhellenic women to disaffiliate from their sorority for two months to be nonbiased counselors to help hundreds of women go through recruitment and find which sorority would be best for them!
- I volunteer with the LIFE program.
- I was a resident assistant for the last two years in the Blue Ridge community and also served on Community Council. I was nominated for RA of the Year last year and SILA’s Unsung Hero Award!
Do you work anywhere currently (either on or off campus)?: I was a student worker in the Office of the Dean for the Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts. I also worked with the Philosophy Department. Now I work in the Visual Arts Department. I model for art classes on campus. I also work at South Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach on the activities team.
Plans after graduation?: I want to work for an advertising or marketing agency. I want to eventually to move to California and run my own advertisement agency.
What are your hobbies?: Traveling, Kayaking, napping, painting, hanging out with friends, going to the beach.
Do you have any hidden talents?: I can say the alphabet backwards and I make amazing pancakes.
Bonus Info: I have studied abroad in Italy and Spain.
Also, for my senior capstone project I am creating a documentary of Coastal Carolina’s LIFE program. I hope this video becomes my greatest achievement at Coastal and that it is used on campus for family and friends to see even after my graduation.