By Ines Aviles-Spadoni, M.S., M.A., UFTI Research Coordinator/Communications
For some students, the journey to higher education is a straight path. For others, such as Charles Grigley, it can be a road full of adventures and unique experiences, ultimately shaping an interesting and meaningful career. This is a story about one student’s journey to higher education.
Grigley is from Mount Holly, New Jersey. Because his father was in the U.S. Army, his family moved around a lot between Army posts across the United States. His father’s military career took him as far as South Korea where he spent two years living on an Army base. After Korea, the family settled in Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.
While back in the states, Grigley took some classes at a local community college and worked in construction but found himself attracted to military life and soon joined the U.S. Marine Corps as an infantry indirect fireman also referred to as a “mortarman.” After a stint in the U.S. Marine Corp, Grigley enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served until 2015, deploying to Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan during that time.
As he transitioned to civilian life, Grigley took a job in government contracted security. He was then hired by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) as a clerk and steadily rose to become the senior safety and health specialist for District 4 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
“I respond Hazardous Material spills along state roads,” he said. “I respond and investigate employee crashes, work injuries. I conduct vehicle and building safety inspections along with working with our environmental contractor to improve the environmental health within our jurisdiction.”
Using the GI Bill, Grigley graduated with his bachelor’s degree in emergency management from Barry University, which this paved the way for his graduate studies at UF. While working at FDOT, he learned about UF’s online master’s degree in civil engineering with a concentration in transportation leadership. This is a new online program within the UF College of Engineering open to students with a bachelor’s degree who have work experience in a transportation-related field.
Grigley became highly interested in the program applied and was accepted.
“Dr. Siva directed that program and was the chair for the program of study,” he said. “The first course was introductory, led by Dr. Siva, and after that I was able to pick my classes based on core classes along with elective courses. I enjoyed the program very much and I was able to balance my work/ school life.”
Grigley graduated from UF in December 2024, with his master’s degree, and said his decision to enroll in the program was driven by his desire to continue learning and keeping his mind in top shape. He also believes UF’s online master’s degree in civil engineering with a concentration in transportation leadership has prepared him to excel in any career he chooses.
“I want challenge myself, while keeping my mind sharp.” Grigley said. “I am studying for the FE Exam, as I want to get my Professional Engineer license. I would like a job in the engineering field, preferably a safety engineer position.”
To balance out his work/life environment, Grigley likes brewing beer and watching his son play sports. While he used to be very active in rugby, he officially retired from “club play” and is looking forward to the St. Patrick’s Day Rugby Tournament in March 2025.
From service to his country to transportation leadership, Charles Grigley is an example of how keeping one’s mind sharp and pursuing opportunities, now matter how winding the road ahead may be, may lead to great opportunities and meaningful careers.