Gracie Meisner ’25, a student from Wellesley, MA, was drawn to Gettysburg College for its emphasis on authentic learning both in and out of the classroom. “I remember speaking with current students during my Get Acquainted Day and I was fascinated to hear how involved they all were,” she shared. “I was excited about the opportunity to be a learner, but also a doer.”
Meisner is an Eisenhower Scholar and a triple major in sociology, public policy, and German studies. Her dedication to hard work and service is evident through her involvement in numerous campus activities, clubs, and organizations. She is the advanced group leader for Casa Swim, a peer teaching associate for the German Department, a Fielding Fellow through the Eisenhower Institute, vice president of the Amnesty International chapter at Gettysburg, vice president of recruitment for Panhellenic Council, and the personal and chapter enrichment chair for the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
One of Meisner’s most rewarding experiences has been volunteering with Casa Swim through the Center for Public Service. “I love getting to work with children in the community. We didn’t originally have an advanced group, but the kids that I started working with are now doing laps in the big pool,” she said. “The experience has taught me so much about working with children from different backgrounds and overcoming language barriers.”
As a peer teaching associate through the German Studies Department, Meisner designs and teaches weekly sessions focused on grammar, language, and culture for the 200-level classes. “It’s been really fulfilling to take what I am doing in the classroom and use it to support other students,” she explained. “My goal is to create an environment where everyone feels that they can succeed, regardless of the level they are at.”
This experience prepared her for a semester abroad in Berlin, and she now hopes to return to Germany after graduation to teach English to children.
Through her public policy and sociology coursework and as a Fielding Fellow through the Eisenhower Institute, Meisner has deepened her passion for public service. After teaching abroad, she aspires to do policy work for the government, leveraging her sociology background—in understanding the root causes of social issues—and public policy background—in creating effective policies. “Ultimately, I want to apply my learning from both Gettysburg and abroad to make more equitable policies for people with disabilities,” Meisner shared.
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By Brooke Askin ’25
Photos by Amber Tetmeyer ’27
Posted: 01/06/25