#GradyGrit: Meet Maria Stagliano

Editor’s Note: #GradyGrit is a new series of profiles of Grady College students who show determination, leadership and outreach to the community. Search “#GradyGrit” on the Grady College website for additional profiles.

Why did you choose Grady?

I chose Grady because I
knew it would prepare me with the skills I needed to be a strategic communicator.
Grady has been so much more than a major for me; it is my family. I love
hanging out in the journalism building, talking to other students and professors,
and learning more about the other majors. Grady has given me friends, mentors
and invaluable network connections!

How has Grady influenced your time at UGA?

One thing I did not expect
was to end up doing the PAC Certificate. I went into Grady taking classes for
fun–one of which being Professor Watson’s intro class. That class opened my
eyes to another way of communicating your message, and now, I am getting a
certificate in Public Affairs Communications. It was through those classes with
Watson that I also found my love for D.C. It is now my plan to move there after
graduation (if I get a job).

Who has been your favorite instructor/class?

My favorite class at UGA
was Professor Watson’s Advanced Public Affairs Communications class. His class
taught me so much about strategic thinking and message development. I was
surrounded by peers with a range of different political ideologies and
different ways of thinking. The best part of the class is the work we produced
throughout the semester. By the end, I had an entire campaign plan!

What is your most memorable Grady experience?

AdPR Connection will always
hold a special place in my heart. I transferred to UGA in the summer of 2017
and so I did not have a community yet. Before I was even accepted into Grady, I
decided to join a committee for AdPR Connection 2017. I remember the day of the
event, it all felt so surreal. I knew so many people and professors already and
felt like I had built a small community in a short amount of time. AdPR Connection
was the first time I felt like Grady was my home. This year, I got to be
Co-Director for the event and that was a true high for me! I hope someone else
got to feel the togetherness and excitement that I felt my first
time at the event.

Knowing what you know now, what would you tell yourself before you
began taking Grady classes?

Get to know your
professors. Grady is one giant network of amazingly talented people–all with
different perspectives. If you take the time to make connections, even just
one, it will go a long way. Grady is a family, and we all want to help each
other out. Eventually, we will all be in the workforce, and you never know who
you might run into or work with in the future. Maintaining good connections,
finding a mentor, and learning from your peers will make you so much happier
and more successful during your time at Grady.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to do crisis communications within a D.C. firm. 

If you could travel
anywhere in the world where would it be?

I have always wanted to go to Vancouver!

What is the best comfort
food?

Mmmmm lasagna, but I’m biased because I’m Italian.

Winter break highlight?

New Year’s Eve with one of my best friends who I met in Grady!

What is one thing not many people may not know about you?

I am an avid bird watcher so I go on bird identification walks and I bake a lot of delicious gluten-free desserts in my spare time. I also spent my first year of college at a school in Montreal, Quebec studying theatre design. That’s another thing a lot of people don’t know–I used to be a theatre design major for 2 years. That gives me a unique perspective.