Mary Zheng ’15 hopes to “Outwit, Outplay, Outlast” her opponents on season 48 of Survivor

As a cultural anthropology and Chinese major at Grinnell College, Mary Zheng ’15 may have learned a thing or two about social dynamics and what it takes to function — or fail — as part of a group. And as a cast member of Survivor 48, the most recent season of the long-running reality show, Mary has had the unique opportunity to put this knowledge into action.

Zheng has been featured prominently during the first three episode of the current season as part of the Vula tribe, which has so far failed to win a single challenge and has already voted off half of its members. Through some skillful maneuvering and a bit of luck, however, Zheng has managed to avoid elimination despite being clearly targeted by her fellow tribe members. 

Currently living in Philadelphia and working as a substance abuse counselor, Zheng, 31, is a first-generation Chinese American writer, singer-songwriter, and licensed social worker. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania and plans to begin her own mental health practice in 2026.

Learn more about Zheng and her approach to the game in this short CBS cast member video. To keep up with Zheng and her effort to become the latest Survivor winner, tune into Survivor on CBS each Wednesday at 7 p.m. Central, or catch episodes streaming on Paramount +.