by Charis Marshal, Student Public Relations Writer
When people call 911, they are often facing one of the worst moments of their lives. For Summer Gray, responding to those moments is a calling shaped by her own experience.
A two-time cancer survivor and 2024 graduate of Cedarville University, Gray works as a 911 dispatcher for Medina City Police Department in Medina, Ohio. Though she earned her degree in business management, Gray felt led in a different direction.
Now, after more than 16 months on the job, she sees dispatching as both public service and ministry.
In her role, Gray coordinates emergency response efforts for police, fire and medical personnel, serving as the first point of contact for people experiencing trauma, danger or uncertainty. Her calm presence on the phone is rooted in personal experience.
“When you go to work and pick up the phone, it's a mission field,” said Gray. “You are serving these people, and they're calling you because they're mad or frightened or scared or some of them are just really curious. And you're just trying to help as best you can.”
How Personal Suffering Prepared Summer Gray for Crisis Response
Gray understands crisis in a deeply personal way. During her sophomore year at Cedarville, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and during her senior year, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
“My health experiences prepared me to handle crises, but that wasn't my area of study,” said Gray. “I was a business major, and there were many doors that God could have closed along the journey to dispatching.”
From Business Management Degree to Emergency Dispatching Career
That unexpected journey became clearer through Ashley Pesata, a friend and mentor from church, who noticed Gray’s compassion for people in difficult situations and encouraged her to consider dispatching. After an intense interview process and rigorous training, Gray entered the field and now works alongside Pesata.
“By the time something is in the news, it has already happened, and they're dealing with repercussions,” said Gray. “But when we're on the phone with them, we can pray into that situation, right then and there. They might not know we're praying for them, but I know, and God knows, and that's all that matters.”
Why 911 Dispatchers Play a Critical Role in Public Safety
Emergency dispatchers play a critical role in public safety systems, acting as lifelines during medical emergencies, natural disasters and criminal incidents. For Gray, the job is also an opportunity to offer peace and steady reassurance in moments of fear.
“It can be easy or excruciatingly hard depending on the call,” said Gray. “There are so many vices people take up without faith in this job and career to try to fill that space. Thankfully, I don't have to because I've got Jesus.”
Using Faith and Compassion in Emergency Dispatching
Through her work, Gray shows how personal suffering can prepare someone to serve others in their own hard times. What began as an unexpected shift from business management to emergency dispatching has become a way for her to use her compassion and faith in crises for God’s glory.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
