Marissa

What's your educational background?

University of Oklahoma
Bachelor of Arts: Journalism, Public Relations
Minor, Enterprise Studies
Class of 2014

University of Oklahoma
Master of Education: Adult and Higher Education
Class of 2016

As a student, where did you leave your mark on campus?

During my time as a student, I had my hands in several different activities. Whether it was mentorship, serving as a teaching assistant, an active member of greek life, campus activities council, student ministries, or even participating in community service, I enjoyed the integration of all of my favorite activities together. My favorite was when I worked for OU Summer Session and programmed events like large concerts, comedians, free sno cones, pool parties, and even helping start a precollege program, Sooner Discovery, as a Graduate Assistant. Encouraging students to make more of their college experience and enroll in summer classes was extremely fulfilling and truly impactful on the university and students’ ability to graduate on time. Long live the amazing Sooner Summers!

Define the OU Family in your own words.

There is richness in bringing together different types of people to learn and grow with one another. That’s what the OU Family is about, bringing together outstanding students, setting a high standard of academic excellence, cultivating leadership, fostering community, and producing a unique experience unlike any other.

I love that every student has a different Sooner experience, but one thing doesn’t change – we are all Sooners.

When was the moment you felt the greatest Sooner pride?

Serving as a Camp Crimson small group leader each summer during my undergraduate experience brought me the most pride as a Sooner. Welcoming in thousands of freshman students, seeing them learn the OU Chant for the first time, and watching them make their first college friendships is so neat. I have continued to see my former campers continue to establish themselves as outstanding leaders on campus and beyond. The impact they have each made fills me with such pride to know I had the opportunity to take part in the beginning of their college journey.

What was the greatest gift you took with you after graduation?

The greatest thing that I left college with was my future. Everything that OU had invested in me, created such an exciting future for myself. I had the opportunity to continue pursuing a master’s degree at OU, and the opportunity to work there as well. OU gave me the tools and skills that empowered me to take ownership of my future. This university equipped me to use everything I had cultivated during my undergraduate experience to boldly go forth into my future – a future that would have looked completely different if I didn’t attend OU. OU gave me the opportunity to have a strong and meaningful future. Graduating was only the beginning.

Reveal one secret about campus.

I found a magical study space…outside! Gaylord College has a third floor balcony where you can sit outside, enjoy the sun, and study. It’s awesome at nighttime or in the afternoon when you can catch a peak of Sooner football practice!

What is your favorite OU tradition?

Sooner Scandals has been around for over 75 years! It is a musical production where students dance, sing, and act in true Broadway style. I’ve directed the show twice and it has been one of my favorite activities throughout college! It’s always fun to watch students put their creativity together.