July 10, 2024 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu

“There are not many cities in the country that are both the state capital and the home of the flagship university, which makes Columbia a really unique and vibrant place to live,” says Matt McGrievy, Director of Information Services.

Raised in Akron, Ohio, McGrievy attended the Miami University in his home state. He studied English – not knowing that he would one day use the degree in his role as a director overseeing communications at a major school of public health. McGrievy also met interdisciplinary studies student, Brie Turner – not knowing that they would share intertwined careers in public health and a set of twins.

After graduating with their bachelor’s degrees, the pair moved to Texas, where McGrievy earned a Master’s in Library and Information Science at the University of Texas – preparing him for the web development responsibilities of his future work at the Arnold School. Two years working as a computer services librarian at the University of Alabama resulted in professional experience for McGrievy in computing services and a master’s degree in nutrition for Turner-McGrievy (they got married in 1999). 

The next four years saw them in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, where McGrievy worked as an IT specialist in the Physics and Astronomy Department at Johns Hopkins University, and Turner-McGrievy gained clinical research experience. Their final stop (before finding their home at South Carolina) was the longest yet. Nearly seven years in Chapel Hill at the University of North Carolina led to a Ph.D. in Nutrition and a postdoctoral fellowship for Turner-McGrievy and increasingly higher-level administrative roles managing information services for McGrievy.

Arriving at USC in 2011 for Turner-McGrievy’s faculty appointment with the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, the McGrievys have been with the Arnold School for 13 years this month. They’ve loved living close to  downtown activities and work as well as seeing the capitol city’s growth – adding new restaurants, breweries and fun things to explore. Both dedicated runners, they’ve enjoyed a thriving, close-knit running community and cheering on the development of trails along the Three Rivers Greenway.

When he first joined the university, McGrievy was hired as the informatics manager on a federally-funded project aimed at training the state’s public health workforce. In less than three years, he transitioned to serving the Arnold School as a whole.

And by 2016, McGrievy had been promoted to director. Though the name of his group has gone through various iterations, today it is known as Information Services.

“Every day is slightly different, and supporting people with such diverse skillsets and helping them to work through challenges is extremely fulfilling,” says McGrievy, who continued developing his leadership skills with a doctoral degree from the College of Education that integrated his expertise in technology, communication and public health. “I also just really enjoy working with everyone on the Information Services team and feel lucky and proud to get to work with them every day.”

“Dr. McGrievy is a thoughtful leader who brings a collaborative spirit to every aspect of his work,” says Lee Pearson, Executive Director of Operations and Accreditation. “He and his impressive team have elevated the information services of our school to be the envy of campus, and his devoted efforts are a key ingredient in that success.”  

Overseeing a team of specialists, McGrievy is responsible for the Arnold School’s more than 1,500 web pages, its communications/marketing activities and approximately 50 projects that range from study recruitment websites to mobile apps for research projects to web-based wellness assessments built for two state hospital associations.  His favorite aspect of this work is the team he collaborates with every day.

“My job is somewhat unique in that I oversee both communications and marketing for the school, as well as web development projects,” McGrievy says. “Communications and IT responsibilities aren’t usually grouped together, and it requires a wide variety of skills for one team. We have such an incredible group of people in Information Services, with expertise in communications, marketing, graphic design, multimedia development, web development and application programming.”

There have been so many good times – the annual Montgomery Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic fundraisers, anniversary celebrations and meeting colleagues for a beer, to name a few. But he also points out that the tough times are when the Arnold School community really shines. In McGrievy’s decade-plus at USC, there have been tragic deaths, floods and even a worldwide pandemic.

“I think the people are what really make the place special, and some of the memories that stick with me are when the Arnold School has been faced with crises, including COVID, that have allowed people to step up and show their professionalism, compassion and grace,” he says. “The most difficult situations have really brought out the best in people and offered good reminders that we have an amazing community at the university, but more specifically in the Arnold School.”

Of course, he leads by example.

“Dr. McGrievy is a unique talent in that he has an equal balance of expertise and kindness – both in full measure,” Pearson says. “His approach to guiding projects and people begins with a foundation of courtesy, and that has become his trademark. We are truly fortunate to have him in the Arnold School.”

The Staff Spotlight Series is sponsored by the Arnold School's Office of Access and Collective Engagement.