Orla McGrath

(she, her)

Orla McGrath is so excited to be back at her alma mater as part of the amazing Office of Pre-Health at CU Boulder! Orla joined the university as a staff member in November 2024, but she also received her undergraduate degree from CU in English and Journalism. She cannot wait to embark on her new path in program coordination with OPHA.
Orla believes that program coordination and academic advising are the backbone of a large part of the student experience – she wants to ensure that every student feels supported and part of a safe community while at CU, especially students who hold marginalized identities or those who don’t already have a support network with familiarity to the US college system, which she herself experienced as an international student here. 

For students pursuing the pre-health track which can be overwhelming and daunting, Orla hopes to create a safe space for these students to meet each other, study, and attend helpful and engaging events. She was supported by so many wonderful staff members in positions like hers when she was a student, and can’t wait to give back and help continue to foster the supportive and inclusive community that OPHA has created.

Orla was born and raised in Ireland, but has lived in the US for almost a decade. Since moving to Colorado, she has lived in Fort Collins, Boulder, and most recently Denver, and has fallen in love with the Front Range and all the amazing outdoor activities and beauty it has to offer! In her spare time, she enjoys getting outside with her partner and friends as much as possible, whether it’s a quick walk around the lake or a last minute weekend camping trip. She is an avid reader and writer and loves to dance, cook, spend time with loved ones and connect with her inner child as much as she can! Most of all, Orla is a lifelong learner who hopes to always be expanding her knowledge of the world around her and how others experience it, and is very happy to work within the education system with so many others who feel this way.