Case Western Reserve University has made headlines this year for its students’ major commitment to service, from reaching No. 7 on Washington Monthly’s list of top universities in the country to recently ranking 10th in small schools with alumni in the Peace Corps. Senior Meredith Collier, a political science and English major, is helping further the university’s reputation as a leader in service, as she was recently accepted into the Teach for America program, where she’ll spend two years teaching high school math.
When not hitting the books or working in the Greek Life Office, Collier spends her time relaxing with her sorority sisters from Sigma Psi, where she previously served as president, shopping or playing piano—plus preparing for her post-TFA career, where she’ll fulfill her lifelong career dream.
Learn more about the North Ridgeville native.
1. What superpower would you most like to have?
I’d love to be able to fly. I could get to classes early, avoid I-90 during rush hour and save the environment in the process.
2. What’s your favorite place to dine in Cleveland?
Mama Santa’s in Little Italy. I’ve been going there since I was a little kid, and it’s just the best pizza in Cleveland, no question.
3. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer, even when I was little, because my parents said I argued just like one. This fall I took the LSAT and started applying to law schools, so it’s pretty surreal to see that childhood dream slowly become reality.
4. What accomplishments are you most proud of—personally and professionally?
I’ll be teaching high school math next fall with Teach For America, and just being accepted into the corps has been my greatest accomplishment. I can’t really separate the personal from the professional when it comes to TFA because ending educational inequality is something I’m incredibly passionate about, and I’m honored to dedicate my life to the movement.
5. What’s your favorite thing about Case Western Reserve University?
The people! Everyone here is so smart and so passionate about their interests that I know I’m going to learn something new from my sisters, friends and classmates every day I spend here. I’ll definitely miss CWRU when I graduate—it’s become home for me.