Bio

Dr. Mari Ann Callais worked in higher education for 16 years, and most recently served as an Assistant Professor and Student Affairs Program Coordinator at Mississippi State University. Professionally she is the Senior Vice-President for Leasing/Marketing, Cottages Division for Capstone Development. She serves in numerous volunteer positions, including as a Member of the Tri-Delta National Center Board and as the Past National President for her sorority Theta Phi Alpha. She has presented more than 450 workshops on fraternity and sorority leadership, team building and values.

Mari Ann holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Loyola University New Orleans, a Masters of Education and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Research from Louisiana State University. She has been presented several awards through the years, including the Sigma Sigma Sigma Greek Advisor of the Year, Theta Chi Outstanding Greek Affairs Professional Award and has received the Southeastern Interfraternity Conference Advisor of the Year Award twice. She was also awarded the Association of Fraternity Advisers Distinguished Service Award and the highest award Theta Phi Alpha bestows on a member, the Guard of Honor.

CAMPUSPEAK

CAMPUSPEAK was founded in 1999 as an agency representing college speakers.  Mari Ann joined the CAMPUSPEAK team in 2000.  CAMPUSPEAK works exclusively within the higher education community, serving all areas of student life including: fraternity/sorority life, residence life, leadership, athletics, student activities, judicial affairs, student governments, program boards, first-year experience, and health promotions.

To book any of Mari Ann’s campus-based programs, contact CAMPUSPEAK:

CAMPUSPEAK, Inc.
P.O. Box 440560 Aurora, Colorado 80044-0560
Phone: (303) 745-5545  Fax: (303) 745-5569
Email: info@campuspeak.com

Capstone Development, Inc.

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 hired her in 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.

In 2008, Capstone promoted Mari Ann to Senior Vice President of Marking/Leasing for the Cottages Program.  Since that time, she has worked with and supervised the leasing staff for projects in Columbia, MO, Hattiesburg, MS, Gainesville, FL, Norman, OK, and Lubbock, TX.  These high end off campus student projects, known as “The Cottages”, are an amazing concept for off campus student living.  Mari Ann works with the marketing and leasing teams and brings a unique perspective having been a college administrator and faculty member.  She promotes The Cottages Program at various conferences as well as the campuses where she presents. Learn more about Capstone Development at www.capstonecompanies.com.

Favorite Artists/Musical Influence

Mari Ann has had a passion for music since she was a very young child.  Since age 11, playing guitar has been her primary instrument of choice.  As a result of very supportive parents, she was able to learn how to play the guitar and has used it in every aspect of her life since that time.  Over the years, many “famous” and “not so famous” people have had an influence on her style of music.  Being a singer/songwriter was something that just happened.  Today, she uses her music as part of her presentations, playing with her niece Callie, and just sharing her love for music whenever the opportunity arises.

Here are some of Mari Ann’s favorite musicians:

Marc Broussard
The Indigo Girls
Edwin McCain
Stephen Curtis Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dave Matthews Band
Melissa Etheridge
Better Than Ezra
Sarah McLachlan