MU Summer 2024
Josh Meredith
2013 | B.F.A., Theatre Performance
Current job
Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as the Chief of Staff for Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. While I’ve shifted away from the professional theater scene for now, I still draw upon the professional training and storytelling prowess I cultivated at Marshall to share my journey of growing up as a queer youth in Appalachia, grappling with anxiety and depression.
How did your time at Marshall prepare you for your future endeavors?
During my tenure at Marshall University, I not only acquired the skills to bring various narratives and characters to life, but also learned the art of harnessing the power of my own story. I honed a diverse range of skills, on and offstage, to enhance my craft and gained an invaluable comprehension of the industry that laid the foundation for my professional career. But above all, my training at Marshall helped me better understand and celebrate the talents and qualities that made me a unique artist and person.
What supports helped you choose and stay at Marshall?
I was a Promise Scholar, which was definitely influential in my decision to attend Marshall. I also received the Mary Poindexter Williams Scholarship Award in 2010 while in the theatre department, which was a lovely honor.
What ties do you still have to your alma mater?
I am grateful for the community I found within the department. Many of my fellow classmates have become lifelong friends, forming a chosen family that has continued to support me both personally and professionally to this day. I’m also forever moved by the kindness and thoughtfulness of each and every professor and staff member I encountered during my tenure. I’m still connected to many to this day and know I can always count on them for continued guidance and support — even a decade after graduation.
Tell us about your career passion
My goal is to let other young people know that they are not alone. With a mission to build a kinder, braver world, I feel honored to be part of the Born This Way Foundation, working to provide resources that support the mental health of young people.
Special recognition
I was recently honored to receive the Award of Distinction from the College of Arts and Media as part of the Alumni Award Banquet in April.
