My Story
Hello there! My name is Ellia [pronounced ELL-lee-uh]. For over 20 years, Jackson, Tennessee, has been my home. Growing up, I was homeschooled and took part in various local and regional activities. I participated in youth soccer in Humboldt, practiced Ryukyu Kempo karate in Jackson, learned violin and piano in Memphis, and performed Celtic harp with the Birdsong Harp Ensemble in Camden. Additionally, I played violin in the Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra for six years and was concertmaster for two seasons. Life back then was a little chaotic, but it was also so fulfilling to my soul.
Education
Following in the footsteps of my four older siblings, I was a dual enrollment student at Jackson State Community College (JSCC). In May 2019, I earned the Jackson State International Ambassador Scholarship and studied English Comp/Analysis in Japan with TNCIS. I graduated cum laude from JSCC in 2021 with an associate degree in general science.
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Next, I attended the University of Memphis (UofM) at the Lambuth Campus. As an undergrad, I worked with Lambuth Student Services as a marketing intern, participated on the Campus Activities Board, and was a member of the Lambuth Honors Advisory Council. I graduated magna cum laude with University Honors from the UofM in December 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations.
This all leads me to today. I’m a recent graduate of the UofM where I studied Integrated Strategic Media—a nationally ranked master's program—under the Department of Journalism & Strategic Media. I also earned a graduate certificate in Social Media Analysis and Strategies while completing my M.A. While I was a full-time student, I was the Graduate Assistant of Student Engagement for Student Services and Residence Life on the UofM Lambuth Campus. In May 2025, I was awarded the Pennington Scholarship and the Graduate Study Abroad Scholarship, which went towards the UofM Journalism in Mainz program where I studied Media Effects & Communication in Germany.
Mission Statement
To help people connect with the digital and social world through creativity, storytelling, and analytics.​
