At GSU, we love celebrating students who step out of their comfort zones, get involved, and make a real difference to student life. Glory Folaranmi is one of those students. From society leadership to sports and community building, her journey at Greenwich is shaped by purpose, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to support others. 

From a Small Village to Studying Pharmacy 

Glory was born in a small village in Ireland and grew up with a strong passion for sport, particularly competitive cheerleading. Today, she is studying Pharmacy at the University of Greenwich, a course she chose because of her desire to positively impact people’s lives.

For Glory, pharmacy isn’t just about improving physical health. It’s about enhancing people’s quality of life, including their mental and social wellbeing. That sense of purpose continues to motivate her both as a student and as a person. 

Finding Her Community at Greenwich 

From the moment she arrived at university, Glory made a conscious effort to get involved. One of her first steps was joining the Medway Volleyball Team, where she quickly formed friendships and connected with students outside her course. 

Her introduction to volleyball came during Welcome Week, after attending a laser tag event where she met students already involved in the sport. Encouraged by the friendly environment, she joined a volleyball taster session and never looked back. Even though she admits she wasn’t the best player, she always had fun, which made the experience even more rewarding. For Glory, trying new things and stepping outside her comfort zone was essential to building a fulfilling university experience. 

Leadership, Responsibility & Growth 

Glory’s involvement soon grew into leadership roles within societies. Last year, she served as Social Media Secretary for the MPSA and Social Secretary for the Mermaids Cheer Team. This year, she has taken on even greater responsibility as President of the MPSA, while also continuing as Social Media Secretary for the Mermaids. 

These roles have helped her grow both professionally and personally. Glory learned the importance of organisation, staying on top of tasks, and managing time effectively, especially when balancing an intense degree like Pharmacy. 

Creating Impact Through Student Life 

Glory has played a key role in organising events that brought students together and strengthened the community within her course. In her first term, she helped run an MPSA Games Night and co-organised an inter-university games night with King’s College London, UCL, and Kingston University. She was also involved in organising academic webinars with special guest speakers, giving Pharmacy students opportunities to learn beyond lectures.

One of Glory’s proudest moments this year was seeing MSOP dominate the inter-university event, alongside selling 70 MPSA hoodies, a brand-new record for the society. 

Representing Greenwich Beyond Campus 

Beyond campus life, Glory has represented the University of Greenwich in national cheerleading competitions. She credits her involvement with GSU for making this possible; if she hadn’t attended the society taster sessions, she wouldn’t have gone to try-outs or joined the competition team in the first place. 

Recognition & Lasting Impact 

Last year, Glory received the MPSA Lasting Impact Award, an achievement that means a great deal to her. More than personal recognition, it symbolised her commitment to ensuring students continue to have a positive experience within the society long after she has moved on. 

Her goal has always been to leave things better than she found them and to create structures that allow student communities to flourish. 

Looking Ahead 

Next for Glory is completing her Pharmacy degree and beginning her Pre-Registration Year as a trainee pharmacist this summer. Beyond that, she hopes to continue giving back, whether through financial support, academic guidance, or mentoring future students. 

A Message to Other Students 

Glory’s advice to fellow Greenwich students is simple but powerful: 
“Don’t isolate yourself, get involved. Your university experience is what you make it.” 

She encourages students to engage with GSU, try new activities, meet new people, and learn skills that go far beyond the classroom. 

GSU Celebrates Glory 

Glory’s journey is a reminder of how much students can gain when they take that first step into involvement. Through leadership, initiative, and community spirit, she has helped shape a more connected and supportive student experience. 

We’re proud to feature Glory Folaranmi as part of our GSU Student Stories series, and we can’t wait to see the impact she continues to make. 

Want to be featured?

If you’d like to share your story or if you know a Greenwich student doing amazing things, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us via email or via our Instagram and you could be part of our next GSU Student Story.