About Mari Ann Callais, PhD

Theme Housing Specialist
Affiliated with Capstone since 2001

Mari Ann has over 13 years experience in student services, education and leadership programming. She was most recently employed at Mississippi State University as an assistant professor. Capstone worked closely with Mari Ann as Director of Organizations and Fraternity/Sorority Life at Southeastern Louisiana University while developing The Fraternity/Sorority Village on Southeastern's campus. Impressed with her knowledge and experience, Capstone retained her as our Fraternity/Sorority Housing Advisor and has hired her as of August 2004, as the Theme Housing Specialist. When Capstone is selected as developer, she works with the Fraternity/Sorority Life staff, administration and organizations to provide insight into important design, leasing and management issues and brings an understanding of the unique needs of each organization which helps build consensus among all "stakeholders" in the new Fraternity/Sorority community. She will also help to design and explore theme housing opportunities for special interest groups.

Education
Qualifications
Capstone Affiliation
CAMPUSPEAK Affiliation
National Presentations
Prior Work Experience
Volunteer Activities
Accomplishments and Awards
Professional Associations
Personal
Theta Phi Alpha Experience and Awards
Favorite Artists/Musical Influence

Education
Louisiana State University
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Educational Leadership and Research
Dissertation: Sorority Rituals: Rites of Passage and Their Impact on Contemporary Sorority Women
2002

Our Lady of Holy Cross College
Master of Education - Education Administration and Supervision
1991

Loyola University
Bachelor of Arts – Political Science
1987

Highlights of Qualifications

Over 13 years experience in student services, educational and leadership programming
Faculty member for student affairs graduate program for 3 years
Create and develop concepts for fraternity and sorority housing initiatives
Implementation and development of multifaceted programs in a variety of student development areas
Ability to relate well with students, faculty, and administrators influencing them in a very positive manner
National Speaker & Consultant
Extensive experience with current educational issues

Capstone Development Corporation – Birmingham, Alabama

Theme Housing Specialist 2004-Present
Greek Housing Consultant 2001-2004

Assist with developing marketing plan and ideas as well as working on project proposals for fraternity and sorority housing developments at prospective colleges and universities across the country
Conduct focus groups, develop resources, and participate in team presentations to campus administrators, students, alumni/alumnae concerning the possibility of fraternity/sorority housing developments

CAMPUSPEAK, Inc. - Aurora, Colorado
Consultant/Speaker 2000-Present

Travel to colleges, universities, conferences, and corporations presenting workshops, keynote addresses, and team development (presented at more than 300 campuses, conferences, retreats, and workshops across the country).

National Presentations 2004 – 2005

Presented on the following campuses during the 2004-2005 Academic Year:

Keynote for Kappa Alpha Theta’s District Conferences Omaha and Los Angeles
Southern Methodist University, Northern Kentucky University, University of Rhode Island, Mississippi State University, West Chester University, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Northern Arizona University, University of Southern California, Mississippi State University, Kappa Alpha Theta Risk Management on the Road, Monmouth University, Loyola University – New Orleans, University of Alabama, Colgate University, University of Texas San Antonio, Alpha Rho Chi Professional Fraternity National Conference, University of Washington, Radford University, Illinois Weslyan, Emory University, Shepard University, Florida Institute of Technology, Denison University, Louisiana State University, University of Southern Mississippi, 3 rd program at the University of Delaware, University of Pittsburgh, Mississippi State University Greek Retreat, Gannon University, University of South Carolina, University of North Carolina – Greensboro, University of North Carolina – Wilmington, Greek Housing Institute, Southeastern Panhellenic Conference, Northern Greek Leadership Conference

National Presentations 2002-2003

Presented on the following campuses and conferences during the 2002-2003 Academic Year: University of Oklahoma, Dickinson College, University of the Pacific, University of Delaware, Centenary College, Northwestern State University, Keynote for Kappa Alpha Theta’s District Conferences in Washington, D. C., Pittsburgh, Dallas, and Atlanta; Keynote for Western Regional Greek Leadership Conference, Opening Keynote for Southeastern Panhellenic Conference, and for Kappa Alpha Theta Risk Management on the Road Consultant Program, Texas A & M, 2 nd program at the University of Delaware, East Tennessee University.
Presented four programs at the Association of Fraternity Advisors National Conference
Assisted with master plan development for Washington and Jefferson College
Assisted with development Fraternity/Sorority Housing Project at Western Carolina University
Conducted focus groups for housing possibilities at Washington and Jefferson College and Winthrop University with Capstone Developers

Involvement for 2004-2005

Served as a Fellow for the Interfraternity Institute at Indiana University, Summer 2004
Currently serving on the Association of Fraternity Advisors Research Initiatives Committee and the Hazing Think Tank
Served on the CAMPUSPEAK 1 st Hazing Symposium Advisory Committee at Purdue University
Keynote speaker at Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and Delta Zeta Sorority’s National Conventions, Summer 2004
Keynote speaker at Alpha Omicron Pi, Delta Delta Delta Delta, and Kappa Alpha Order’s National Housing Conference, Spring 2004
Speaking at the following institutions Spring 2004: Southern Methodist University, Westchester University, Northern Kentucky University, University of Rhode Island, and University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Speaking at the Southeastern Panhellenic Conference

Mississippi State University – Starkville, Mississippi
Faculty/Student Affairs Program Coordinator August, 2001-August, 2002
Assistant Professor – Tenure Track Position August, 2002-July, 2004
Counseling, Educational Psychology Department and Special Education Department

Advised all graduate students in the Student Affairs/Higher Education Program, which includes Masters, Specialist, and Doctoral students
Coordinated all recruitment activities as it relates to the Student Affairs Graduate Program
Taught all student development/student affairs courses for the Department
Assisted Head of the Department with all areas pertaining to accreditation aspects of the Department and all other Coordinator duties

Courses Taught at Mississippi State University – Lecturer/Assistant Professor

COE 8553 - Student Affairs in Higher Education
COE 8523 - Student Development Theory
COE 8730 - Internship (Designed for student affairs students)
COE 8543 - Legal Issues in Student Development
HED 8113 - Administration of Student Personnel Services in Higher Education
COE 8533 - Literature of Student Affairs
COE 8053 - Practicum (Designed for student affairs students)
HED 8123 – University and Community College Governance (All doctoral students)

Southeastern Louisiana University - Hammond, Louisiana
Director of Student Organizations/Greek Life 1991-2001

Responsible for the supervision and coordination of services and activities associated with student organizations (more than 100 student organizations)
Advised all fraternity and sorority governing boards (Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, Pan-Hellenic Council)
Coordinated and produced all publications that related to student organizations
Communicated all information concerning risk management, legal liability, hazing, community service opportunities, university policies, and national policies
Assisted with the development of 10 sorority/fraternity houses living facility called “The Village”

Our Lady of Holy Cross College - New Orleans, Louisiana
Coordinator of Admissions and Student Affairs 1988-1991

Served directly under the Director of Admissions and Student Affairs and was responsible for the areas of student services and student development, admissions and recruiting and career planning and placement
Responsible for the development, coordination, and administration of all policies and activities for student affairs and admissions to ensure that the goal, objectives and programs are complementary to the mission of the college
Advisor for Orientation Team
Co-advisor for Student Government Association

Volunteer Activities

Loyola University – New Orleans Alpha Beta Chapter of Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity Chapter Advisor for Board of Directors (1999 - 2002)
Theta Phi Alpha Programming Chairman for Leadership Conference and National Convention (1993 - 2001)
Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity National Panhellenic Delegate (1998-2002)
Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity National President (2002 - Present)
Staffer and Member of New Orleans TEC (Teenagers Encounter Christ) Community; TEC is a part of the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) Youth Ministry of the Archdioceses of New Orleans; Retreats are given five times a year to allow the youth and adults an opportunity to get away to a fresh and different atmosphere
Camp Abbey Summer Camp for Girls (1996-present)

Accomplishments & Awards

Outstanding Graduate Student Education Administration and Supervision - Our Lady of Holy Cross College (1991) (Chosen by Graduate Division Faculty)
Graduate of the 1993 Interfraternity Institute at Indiana University
Theta Phi Alpha Outstanding Chapter Governor Award - 1992-1994
Theta Phi Alpha White Rose Merit Award - 1992-1994
Theta Phi Alpha Social Service Award Scholarship - 1994
Served as a Facilitator at the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute at Butler University. Sponsored by the National Interfraternity Conference (May, 1993, July, 1994, June, 2001); Session Coordinator (July, 1995, 1996)
MISSIANA ( Louisiana and Mississippi Greek Affairs Professional Association) Distinguished Service Award - 1995
Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority National Outstanding Greek Advisor 1995-1996
Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Recipient 1995
Louisiana State Advisor for the SEPC Conference Committee, Atlanta, Georgia - 1995-1996
SEIFC Conference Committee Advisor for Area III, Atlanta Georgia - 1997-1998
Southeastern Interfraternity Conference Advisor of the Year Award 1996, 2001
Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity - Beta Epsilon Chapter - Most Outstanding Alumnae Member 1996
Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity National Achievement Award Recipient 1994-1996
Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity Outstanding Alumnae Delegate for Convention 1996, Buffalo, New York
Recipient of the 1996 National Interfraternity Foundation Balfour Fellowship
Awarded the Louisiana Youth Seminar Lifetime Achievement Award, 1997
Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity - White Rose Memorial Scholarship - 1998
Awarded the National Order of Omega Doctoral Fellowship – 1998
Awarded the Theta Chi Fraternity Outstanding Greek Affairs Professional Award – 2002

Professional Associations

Association of Fraternity Advisors (AFA)
Association of College Personnel Administrators (ACPA)
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)

Personal
Mari Ann enjoys traveling and speaking at college and university campuses, conferences and conventions concerning ritual and responsibility as well as new student programs. In her spare time, Mari Ann plays music, works youth retreats, and enjoys the outdoors.

Theta Phi Alpha Experience
Initiated into Alpha Beta Chapter, April, 1986
President, New Orleans Area Alumnae Association,
Chapter Governor, Beta Beta Chapter,
Recipient, Chapter Governor Award, 1992
Recipient, National Achievement Award,
Conference Director
Programming Director
NPC Delegate
Leadership Conference / Convention Programming Chairman
National President, 2002-present

Theta Phi Alpha Awards
1995 – Sigma Sigma Sigma Greek Advisor of the Year
1996 and 2001 – Southeastern Interfraternity Conference Outstanding Advisor
2002 – Theta Chi Fraternity Outstanding Greek Affairs Professional Award
Louisiana Youth Seminar Lifetime Achievement Award

Favorite Artists/Musical Influence
Damien Rice
Jim Brickman
Marc Broussard
The Indigo Girls
Edwin McCain
Stephen Curtis Chapman
Michael W. Smith
Tracy Chapman
Dave Matthews Band
Tim McGraw
Melissa Etheridge
Better Than Ezra
Sarah McLachlan
Kenny Chesney