Resume

Marcelinia Speller
6204 Jasmine Lane
Saraland, AL 36571
251-123-4567
Marcelinia.Speller@usm.edu

Education
Bachelors of History in Political Science
The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Sophomore Classification

Experience
Telecounselor January 2008-present
The University of Southern Mississippi Office of Admissions, Hattiesburg, MS
• Call prospective high school students and council them with their college selection process
• Data entry
http://www.usm.edu/admissions/

Office Assistant
City of Satsuma, City Hall, Satsuma, AL May 2006-August 2008
• Assisted with clerical tasks in the office such as data entry, answering the phones, assisting customers at the front desk
• Assisted with balancing the checking accounts, accounts payable, and coordinating special events
http://www.cityofsatsuma.com/

Skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Access
• Ability to multi-task while working on projects
• Great customer service skills
• Well organized with good communication skills

Honors and Awards
• Alpha Lambda Delta
• Phi Eta Sigma
• Leadership Scholarship Recipient
• Academic Excellence Scholarship Recipient

Activities
• Eagle Connection
• Eagle Ambassadors
References
Available Upon Request

Marcelinia Speller
6204 Jasmine Lane
Saraland, AL 36571
251-123-4567
Marcelinia.Speller@usm.edu

References
Mr. Donald Preiss, Coordinator for Transfer Student Recruitment and Telecounseling
The University of Southern Mississippi Office of Admissions
118 College Drive #5166
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
Work: 601-266-5000
Fax: 601-266-5148
Email: Donald.preiss@usm.edu
http://www.usm.edu/admissions/admissionsmap/region4.php

Mrs. Vicki Miller, City Clerk
City of Satsuma, City Hall
5464 Old Highway 43
Satsuma, AL 36572
Work: 251-675-1449
Fax: 251-675-1442
Email: vmiller@cityofsatsuma.com
http://www.cityofsatsuma.com/ContactUs.html

Ms. Edith Butler, Assistant City Clerk
City of Satsuma, City Hall
5464 Old Highway 43
Satsuma, AL 36572
Work: 251-675-1440
Fax: 251-675-1442
Email: ebutler@cityofsatsuma.com
http://www.cityofsatsuma.com/ContactUs.html

Also visit my webpage at

Greek Life

When I was an incoming freshman student, I can remember my tour guide telling me that she was involved in Greek Life. I remember thinking, what is Greek life? Never in my life before had I heard of the word, other that Greek being associated with the country Greece. When returning home from my tour, I looked up Greek Life on the universities webpage. Instantly, I realized that this was an organization that I wanted to get involved in. I knew that I would be the only student from my high school attending Southern Miss, and I saw this as a great way to meet new people and create close bonds. I had also never had a true best friend, so ultimately I had hoped that from the experience I would be able to gain this.
I attended recruitment which was two weeks before school started. During this time, I visited the houses of the different sororities located on campus. I narrowed my choices down, and was lucky enough to receive a bid from the sorority that I wanted to join. Throughout my freshman year, I began to make friends with different girls from the sorority, but I especially made one friend whom today I call my best friend.

Joining a sorority is not only a great way to meet new friends, but it is also a great way to network, especially when you graduate from college. Our sorority has many alumni who are prestigious members in our community. Sororities also do a lot to give back to their communities. One of the main things is the philanthropic event that each and every sorority hosts. Both sororities and fraternities have certain charitable organizations that they raise funds for. The sorority that I am in sponsors the Children's Miracle Network. Last year we hosted Hoops-A-Palooza and raised money to donate to our charity. We also collected stuffed animals to donate to the hospital. Through our philanthropy efforts, we along with many other sponsors, give children a hope at providing the best medical care for whatever illness they are fighting.

Upgrading our Student Activities Hub

Just recently, the University of Southern Mississippi opened the new "Student Activities Hub". This newly renovated office is located in the hub, across from the post office. This new office is conveniently located, and is a great way for students to find out about all of the different ways they can get involved on campus. The Student Activities Hub contains offices different student organizations:
• Southern Miss Activities Council (SMAC)
• Student Government Association (SGA)
• African-American Student Organization (AASO)
• Southerner Yearbook Student Staff

Southern Miss has over 280 student activities to get involved in. And it is very important for student to take part in some of these campus activities. Studies have shown that students who are active in on campus activities seem to have an overall higher success rate during their time in college. Studies have also shown that universities that have more opportunities for student involvement usually have higher retention rates. Students overall satisfaction with their school can sometimes grow from finding an organization or activity that makes them feel comfortable and wanted. One major part of students staying at a university has to do with finding a click that he or she fits into. Clubs or activities can sometimes create these niches that allow students to feel that they have a sense of belonging.
I know that I have enjoyed being involved in campus activities, and it has provided me with encouragement to keep my grades up so that I can continue to participate in these organizations.

Benefits of Studying Abroad

The University of Southern Mississippi has consistently received national recognition for their International Programs. The International Program was established 1937, and since its operation began there have been more then 11,000 students study abroad. Many students find excuses for why they should or will not study abroad but here are some important facts about the benefits of studying abroad. The study programs are offered in almost every major, and in more than 30 countries. Some of the programs offered include studying music in Austria, Religion in India, Opera in Italy and Spanish in Spain. These are only a few examples of the programs offered though. I will provide a link to the University's International Program website.

After studying abroad, a person has gained cultural experience that otherwise they will never have had to the chance to experience. It is also very important for a person to study abroad if they are entering into a competitive field, because studying abroad will give them an upper hand above the other resumes. Studying abroad also provides the student with a chance to get specialized training in a particular study. For example, studying Spanish in Spain may further help the student speak this language more fluently.
Another important thing that is becoming more available today is financial aid to assist students in their study abroad endeavors. Among the different financial aid programs available are loans, grants, and scholarships. Some of the different loans include Parent Plus loans, Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, and alternative loans. There are also pell grants available for students who qualify. There are many different scholarships that are based on a student's academic GPA, field of study, and need for assistance.

Eagle Connection

This year I chose to join a couple of clubs on campus. I felt that this would be a great way to meet new people and also get involved in university activities. I tried out for Eagle Connection, and was pleasantly surprised when I found out that I had made it. Eagle Connection is a student club within the Recruitment Office here at USM. This club is comprised of upper classmen students (sophomore and up) and we travel out to different high school and college fairs and assist admission counselors in the recruitment process. This is a prestigious club, and requires a lot of commitment and dedication. On Black and Gold Day, which is October 17, 2009 we will be giving tours to prospective high school students who attend the event. I am very excited because I look forward to seeing familiar faces from the Mobile area and my home town. I can remember being right there in their shoes, and I also remember how this event helped make me decide to attend USM.

One of the many requirements of the club includes attending a weekly UNV 312 class. We meet weekly, and study all of the admission requirements, scholarships offered for entering freshman, and the degree programs offered under each college. I feel that learning all of this information has made me become more passionate about our schools simply because I know all of the wonderful opportunities that USM makes available to not only our incoming freshman class but also students who currently attend school here. For instance, one of the projects of our class was to do research on the study abroad program. Before completing this project, I had always thought of these programs to be too costly and not helpful for the degree that I am pursuing. After completing the project though, I realized all of the wonderful benefits that I could gain from participating in a study abroad program.



Joining different student clubs on campus similar to Eagle Connection has broadened my knowledge about the University of Southern Mississippi. I enjoy taking part in clubs that assist in helping student’s make one of the most important decisions in their life. Making a decision about where they would like to attend school is just the first difficult decision of many to come after graduating high school. I can remember being in their shoes, and I like knowing that I am helping them become the most knowledgeable about USM, and possibly helping them make the right decision to attend school here.

Eagle Ambassadors

Southern Miss Football is associated with some of the most popular traditions here at USM. From the rally cheer, “Southern Miss to the Top,” to the encouraging cheers for the defense “Nasty Bunch”. For many students, the environment of the student section on game day is an experience that they will remember for their entire life. Win or lose, many students feel like they can just take pride in the unity of the students on game day. Being able to explain all of this to a high school prospective student is a key tool in the recruitment process. Working as an Eagle Ambassador, my job is to help the prospective students become knowledgeable of both USM and our athletics program.
Eagle Ambassadors is a student club through the recruitment office. The girls of this club go through an interview process in which they are asked questions concerning their pride in our Southern Miss football team. We work very closely with the football staff in their process of recruiting high school prospects. On game day, we check the students in and give tours upon request. During the meet and greet, we assist the students by placing them in meetings with different coaches or recruiters and we also attempt to answer any questions they may have after these meetings. We then walk with them down to the field, where the prospects are allowed to walk around on the field before the game. We then direct them to their seats, and sit in close accordance to them just in case they come across any questions during the game.

One thing that I enjoy about this club is the close ties that it has to the athletic department. I enjoy working on the recruitment side of football. You are able to see all the great extents that our football staff goes through to make our football program here at USM so successful. I also enjoy sharing my pride in the University of Southern Mississippi with other high school students. I enjoy watching football, and I take great pride in our football program here at USM, and nothing is more exciting than sharing this with a prospective student.

Theodore G. Bilbo

While attending a presentation about the sources available at McCain Library and Archives, an interesting archive came to my attention. Mrs. Jennifer Brannock had laid out different archives for us to examine, and she gave a description of what each of them was and their significance. She read a letter to us from a former Mississippi Governor and U.S. Senator. During his different terms, he received many different forms of hate letters. When I state different forms of hate letters, I mean that some of them were sarcastic and comical and others were strictly to express their deepest hate for Mr. Bilbo. I returned back to McCain Library and Archives to further read some of the different letters that Mr. Bilbo had received. I found that his replies were sometimes more comical or interesting than the letters that he received. Mr. Theodore G. Bilbo also referred to by some as “the man” was a very liberal democrat. He served twice as Governor of Mississippi and later served as a U.S. Senator. In short terms, I would describe Mr. Bilbo as a proud racist. In some of the letters that I read that he received from different people, they stated their disgust in his racist behaviors and speeches. One letter that was very interesting to me was from an attorney. She stated her name and a return address but did not give what profession she was. In Mr. Bilbo’s reply letter he stated that after looking into his background, he found it quite interesting that she was “ashamed” or “not brave enough” to state her profession as an attorney. Mr. Bilbo went on to explain that he received letters similar to hers on a daily basis, but he chose to reply to her letter simply to show her cowardness by not stating her campaign.

There was many more hate letters received than replies sent back by Mr. Bilbo. One of the most comical letters, which was read aloud to the class during our presentation, was one from three men from up North. The men had cut out a newspaper clipping of a picture with Mr. Bilbo and a “white mule” in the background. The “Yankee’s” as they referred to themselves questioned Mr. Bilbo as to “which one was considered the “jackass” the white one in the background or the one with a hat on”. Mr. Bilbo’s reply was beyond inappropriate but I feel that it showed his true stubborn yet strong will. Mr. Bilbo stated in his letter that he was truly appalled by the lack of intelligence of “Yankee’s” and corrected the three men by stating that the only jackasses in the entire letter were the three men who had signed their names. He went on to state the white mule in the background had more intelligence than the three men combined, and he stated that he hoped the three men would be able to take advantage of the G.I. Bill that he pushed to be passed so that they could receive some type of schooling to enlighten themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Special Collections Department of McCain Library and can see myself furthering investigating the history of Mr. T.G. Bilbo.