For Pamela George-Merrill G.O. ’80, education has always been the foundation — not just of her career, but of her values.

 

A graduate of Chatham University and Cleveland State University, where she earned her master’s in public administration, Pamela traces many of her professional opportunities back to those formative academic experiences. “It was really my time in graduate school that opened doors for me,” she says. “That’s how I landed a spot with the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, which led to my first position as a legislative aide with the House of Representatives.”

 

From there, she became a lobbyist representing Ohio’s public universities, an experience that aligned perfectly with her lifelong passion for education. “My parents always emphasized the value of learning,” she recalls. “I’ve always loved going to school. So having the opportunity to advocate for colleges and students — it just felt right.”

 

That passion ultimately brought her back to her hometown of Cleveland, where she began a long and impactful tenure at the Cleveland Foundation. “Because I had interned there during graduate school, I was able to return and work there for almost 12 years. It was another example of education shaping my future.”

 

Today, Pamela continues her commitment to education as Director of Foundation Relations and Grant Writing at John Carroll University. “It’s different from lobbying, but still incredibly meaningful,” she says. “I know that the grants I help secure support students — many of whom are the first in their families to attend college — and that’s something I care deeply about.”

 

Outside of work, Pamela is just as engaged in her community. She has served on several boards, including the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, and has participated in leadership development programs like Cleveland Bridge Builders and Leadership Shaker. She’s also stayed involved with the Cleveland Foundation through scholarship action committees. “Supporting scholarships is personal to me,” she says. “I was a scholarship student myself, thanks to the A Better Chance program. Giving back is a way to honor that opportunity.”

 

Pamela’s appreciation for the opportunities she received extends back to her days at Glen Oak. “It was such an important place in my life,” she says. “Teachers like Mims Adler made a big impression on me — she was someone I could always go to.” Pamela also served as the editor of the school’s poetry magazine, a formative experience guided by librarian and advisor BJ Brooks.

 

Though it’s been years since her graduation, Pamela remains closely connected to the Gilmour and Glen Oak communities. She regularly attends reunions and contributes to the Glen Oak Scholarship Fund. “Even if my support is small, it’s meaningful to me,” she says. “This school helped shape me, and I’m grateful.”

 

Asked what advice she would share with current students, Pamela’s response is immediate: “Never give up. Life can be challenging, but education is a powerful tool. Stay positive, lean on your teachers and keep moving forward.”