Jamie McGrew empowers change in Appalachia with Marianne Post Arlia MPA Scholarship

From a passionate service provider to a systemic change agent, Jamie McGrew’s journey exemplifies her deep commitment to improving lives in Southeastern Ohio.

As the director of community outreach and programming for the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, McGrew plays a crucial role in ensuring a comprehensive range of behavioral health services is available across seven counties in Southeast Ohio. Her current focus is dedicating her career to helping children and families, especially in areas profoundly affected by poverty.

McGrew’s drive to create systemic change in Southeastern Ohio led her to the Voinovich School’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, where she was recently awarded the Marianne Post Arlia Scholarship.

“I needed to make systemic change,” McGrew said. “The MPA program was the perfect fit for my goals and offered me the tools I need to pursue this broader impact.”

Balancing her dual roles as an MPA student and director of community outreach and programming, McGrew manages a demanding schedule that includes a 40-minute commute, a full workday, and evening schoolwork. Despite the challenges, she finds strong support from faculty, especially Mark Cappone, whose encouragement was pivotal in her decision to pursue the MPA. Their connection through the Leading in Appalachia Program, which focuses on leadership development for those working in Appalachian Ohio, also played a crucial role.

Her passion for working in Appalachia stems from her childhood as an Army brat, moving frequently due to her father’s military career. Despite constant relocations, McGrew feels that her family’s roots are deeply planted in the Appalachian region, and it is there that she is committed to making a difference throughout her career. Although McGrew initially planned to leave Southeastern Ohio after high school, she was irresistibly drawn back.

“I tell people that once you are [in Appalachia], it gets in your blood and gets into your system, and that's what happened to me,” McGrew said. “I moved back, and it just got into my system and now I am here forever.”

McGrew’s path to her current career has been shaped by a diverse array of experiences. Before her tenure with the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, she spent a decade working directly with children and families in mental health services. Before that, she dedicated nine years to social services with the Head Start program, a federal aid initiative for low-income childcare.

McGrew’s commitment to hope, solidarity, and community support is particularly evident during the month of September, which honors Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month. Her journey through the Voinovich School, supported by a robust network of family, friends, and colleagues, reinforces her belief in the transformative power of collective effort.

“There’s always hope and growth,” McGrew said. “Recovery doesn’t happen alone; it happens with support from those around us.”

McGrew’s dedication to enacting change in Appalachia supported by the resources and network provided by the Voinovich School, positions her to make a true, significant impact on the region.

“There is nothing like being in Appalachia,” McGrew said. “The people here, the culture here, and now I am embedded here. This is where I want to be, and I want to bring out the best of what is here.”