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Grenada Student Courtney Parella Selected for Washington Internship


MC senior Courtney Parella of Grenada

Courtney Parella will soon strengthen her communication skills as a Mississippi College intern on Capitol Hill.

MC Department of Communication leaders recently selected the Grenada resident to work as a Washington intern this fall. Courtney will assist the staff of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi.

“Being chosen for the Washington Internship Program is like a dream come true for me,” Parella says. “I never thought I’d have the opportunity to represent the university in such an influential setting. I can’t wait for the new experiences in store for me in D.C.”

A senior communication major and former Kirk Academy basketball player, Courtney thanks the Lord and the Christian university’s faculty for giving her the opportunity.

Communication professors believe the Deltan is an excellent choice to become their first Washington intern. “She’s one of our very best students who will represent the Communication Department and the university well,” says department chairman Cliff Fortenberry. “We’re very proud of Courtney.”

 As the 2013 Miss Mississippi College Pageant winner and a Miss Mississippi contestant, Parella promoted her platform of focusing on the plight of America’s growing homeless population.

The new internship program places communication majors at key offices on Capitol Hill and elsewhere in Washington. Mississippi College juniors, seniors and graduate students are encouraged to apply. The program is expected to grow.

“We’re looking forward to building relationships with our alumni in the Washington area to help support the program in the future,” Fortenberry said.

Mississippi College communication alums have worked to provide scholarships for students to spend a semester away from the Baptist-affiliated university in Clinton.

Applications are now being accepted from communication students for two more internships planned for the spring of 2015. Students would be able to work at the offices of U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, assist the staff at the Barbour Griffith Rogers Group and help other firms in Washington.

For more information, go to http://www.mc.edu/academics/departments/communication/internships/washington-internship-program/ or contact communication instructor Reid Vance at 601-925-7785.