About Me

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 so fulfilling to my soul.

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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 abroad to Japan with TNCIS. I graduated 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 in the Campus Activities Board, and was a member of the Lambuth Honors Advisory Council. I graduated 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 currently a graduate student (until August 2025) at the UofM studying Integrated Strategic Media with the Department of Journalism & Strategic Media—a nationally ranked program. I also earned a graduate certificate in Social Media Analysis and Strategies while completing my master's. Up until the spring before my summer graduation, 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 abroad in Germany.

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When I'm not working or in school, you can find me practicing photography (most likely in a National Park), playing games with family (video, card, and board), or thrift shopping (I love a good deal!).

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I look forward to continuing my education and am excited to see what the future holds!

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Feel free to connect with me at elliaparrish@gmail.com or

visit my LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/in/elliaparrish

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Check out my Instagram account! www.instagram.com/elliaparrishpr/