Leah Grubb

“I didn’t think I’d have the opportunities to serve at a state school, but when I visited Austin Peay, I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.”

Major: Corporate Communication
Hometown: Charlotte, Tennessee
Involvement: President’s Emerging Leader Program, Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Program English as Second Language, Love Your Melon

Faith is important to Leah Grubb, which is why she initially favored smaller, religious institutions over state universities when looking for a school. But it was only when Grubb visited Austin Peay State University that the Charlotte, Tennessee native found a place where she could grow spiritually while also enjoying the benefits and diversity of a larger, state university.

The Department of Communication is housed in the Music and Mass Communication building.

Grubb is active on campus, serving as president of Baptist Christian Ministries, as well as the President’s Emerging Leaders Program and Love Your Melon, an apparel company supporting children battling cancer. Austin Peay has also given her the chance to serve beyond Clarksville, traveling to states like Maine and Texas, where she helped in hurricane relief efforts, as well as abroad with volunteer efforts in Trinidad and Tobago, Italy, Mexico, Africa and the United Kingdom.

“I didn’t think I’d have the opportunities to serve at a state school, but when I visited Austin Peay and found out about the opportunities and organizations on campus, I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else,” Grubb said. “Growing up in a small town, I wasn’t exposed to many things, and being at Austin Peay and meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds has helped me see that, especially in these times, my purpose is just to love people.”

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For Grubb, leadership is more about what she does to help others rather than what she does for herself.

“I believe in leadership through service,” she said. “When you set the example, and serve others, they will respect you more as someone they want to follow.

"I’ve grown a lot at Austin Peay, and it’s because of all the opportunities I’ve been given to serve and help other people.”