Hello there, I'm Ellie!
Welcome to my page! Here, you can find helpful information regarding who I am, experience I've gained, and the education I've been blessed to receive along the way.
As a brief introduction, I am a senior at Old Dominion University studying communications across the lifespan, with a strong interest in interpersonal relationships and conflict management. I am a passionate, self-motivated individual who values empathy, reflection, and meaningful connections. As I enter my final year at ODU, I am preparing to transition into graduate studies in counseling, where I hope to continue learning how to support others through compassionate, evidence-based, and holistic approaches to mental health
About Me.
Throughout my education journey, I have been given incredible opportunities to engage in volunteer and extracurricular activities. Through these activities, I have been able to make amazing connections and serve the community around me while building my education. In high school, I engaged in as many activities as my time allowed me to participate in, including volunteer service at my local library, children’s ministry at my church, and 4H clubs. In 2018, when I first began college at Southside Virginia Community College, I served as a student ambassador and interned with the school’s public relations department. These experiences have helped shape me into the disciplined, empathetic, and motivated person that I am today, and have created a passion for the field of counseling and advocacy where I plan to build my career.
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In 2020, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with an Associate's in General Studies at Southside Virginia Community College. I am now majoring in lifespan communications where I am cultivating skills in interpersonal communication and leadership. At Old Dominion University, I am continuing to build my experience through extracurricular activities and am currently a member of the ODU Film Club and The National Society of Leadership and Success. Additionally, I take part in various group counseling and art therapy sessions to strengthen my connections and personal growth.
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In addition to my professional experiences, I enjoy engaging in many hobbies. In my free time, I love freelancing photography, walking dogs, taking nature hikes, and writing poetry!
RESUME
EDUCATION
2022-2026
Bachelor's of Science,
Lifespan Communications
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
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GPA 4.0
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Publicity Chair of The National Society of Leadership and Success
2018-2020
SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Associates of Arts and Sciences
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Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society
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Student Ambassador
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President’s List
EXPERTISE
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
I major in Lifespan Communications and have closely studied how people connect and communicate across different developmental stages and diverse backgrounds. Through coursework such as Interpersonal Communication Theory, Nonverbal Communication, and Health Psychology, I have developed a strong foundation in empathetic communication, conflict navigation, and relational dynamics.
ACADEMIC AND
REFLECTIVE WRITING
Writing has always been one of my greatest strengths, and I use this skill both academically and for personal clarity. I have been given the opportunity to work as an English tutor in my community college and have had several of my papers used as examples in university courses. Through academic and personal writing, I've learned how intimately language can be used to explore identity, process experience, and communicate emerging knowledge and awareness.
STORYTELLING
My background in photography and visual media has given me opportunities to notice nuance, emotion, and unspoken narratives. I have five years of experience in photography, including serving as the school photographer for Southside Virginia Community College. This work strengthened my ability to observe and attend to others' candid experiences, so I could capture these moments and communicate their experiences without words.
COURSE PROJECTS
This 30 second reel highlights my first independently written, directed, and edited short film. This playful short follows a pair of old, worn Converse as they journey to the beach for a day to escape their mundane routine. Through visual storytelling, pacing, and sound design, my goal was to connect with the audience through relatability and humor. The film was ultimately chosen by my professor for screening in the school theater where it was met with love and laughter, fueling my appreciation for storytelling as a means of connection. ​
This original poem was selected for publication in Constellate, Old Dominion University's 2024 student creative anthology. Chosen through a competitive review process, this piece was ultimately said to stand out among "other exceptional entries".
This is the final draft for my class, Intro to Research Methods where I designed a study examining how healthcare providers' nonverbal behaviors affect patient trust across various demographic groups.