These are a few of my absolute favorite ceramic pieces that I made in high school. From bright colors and intricate designs to experimenting with recycled clay and iron oxide, I feel that I truly developed my skills and grew my passion for art while designing these projects.
A mosaic of broken plates and glass beads inspired after Van Gogh’s Starry Night
Handmade candles
A paper mache peacock
Wheel-thrown bowl with red clay and glaze
Decorative basket with iron oxide
Vessel with glaze
A mission trip in Quinhagak, Alaska– Enjoing a day off at the Kenai Fjords National Park and glaciers
A mission trip in Quinhagak, Alaska– Spending time with the locals
A mission trip in Quinhagak, Alaska– Eskimo Ice Cream
A mission trip in Quinhagak, Alaska– Children from the Vacation Bible School and Basketball Camp
Marissa Lee Oquendo, oquendo.8@osu.edu
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, August 2018-Present
JAMESTOWN HIGH SCHOOL/THOMAS NELSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, September 2014-June 2018
SKILLS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ACADEMICS & PUBLICATIONS
LEADERSHIP & COMMUNICATION
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
Kuhn Honors & Scholars Center, Honors Community Advocate, August 2019-Present
T.J. Maxx, Sales Associate & Jewelry Counter Specialist, May 2017-August 2018
Baskin Robbins, Team Member, May 2016-February 2017
Honors Community Advocate at the Kuhn Honors & Scholars Center
I have many passions beyond my dedication to my academics. While in my hometown of Williamsburg, Virginia, I enjoy spending time with my ginger tabby cat, Penelope, the multiple families I nanny and babysit for within my neighborhood, and my pants! In fact, I had nearly 30 different plants in my dorm! Both on campus and at home, I enjoy all things crafty like knitting, crocheting, and especially ceramics.
Penelope!
At Ohio State, I have found a second home in the many organizations dedicated to the student experience and life, as well as residence halls and life! This includes, but is not limited to: Hall Council Organizations, National Residence Hall Honorary Buckeye Chapter, and as a Honors Community Advocate. For the past two years, I have loved living and working in Taylor Tower.
I am pursuing a Bachelor of the Arts in Anthropology, a minor in History, and a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I am set to graduate with honors a year early in Spring of 2021.
After Ohio State, I look forward to the possibility of obtaining a Master’s Degree, perhaps in Museum Studies. The thought of continuing my education at a Graduate School is extremely exciting to me, as I truly enjoy learning!
Part of my plant collection 🙂
Working as an Honors Community Advocate within Taylor Taylor this year, I have developed my global awareness while interacting with a diverse group of residents, residence hall, and within Honors & Scholars. Acknowledging, understanding, and appreciating others, as well as what makes them unique, is a key component of developing as a globally aware life-long scholar and citizen. Beyond my employment, I have become more globally aware by delving into various diverse courses, most notably within my Anthropology Major elective courses. A few examples of these courses include Women, Culture, and Development, Anthropology of Mental Health, Archaeology of the Holy Land, and more.
While taking the course Neighborhood Crime, I had the opportunity to participate in Original Inquiry through research of CATCH Court in downtown Columbus. CATCH Court helps victims of human trafficking better themselves and their communities through rehabilitative programs and setting goals; furthermore, it served as a great, introductory way to delve into conducting research in a respectful and considerate manner, especially considering the sensitivity of the topic. Also taking History of Art 5905, Avant-Garde Cinema, I have been able to study the production side of original inquiry through film. Having never taken a History of Art course before, I came to truly enjoy the content, as well as the conversations that stemmed from the undergraduate and graduate student perspectives within the course. Looking ahead, I will continue to participate in Original Inquiry and work towards my goal of understanding research and creative processes as I participate in the Center for American Archeology’s 2020 Adult Field School in May for my STEP transformational project.
My Honors Contract is extremely reflective of my dedication to pursue Academic Enrichment at Ohio State and beyond. I have taken a variety of rigorous and unique courses, including a graduate-level History of Art course. I also elected to pursue a History Minor and Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in addition to my Anthropology Major, reflective of my commitment to excellence and challenging myself. After graduation with honors from the Ohio State University, I plan on attending graduate school to earn a Master’s Degree in Museum Studies. I aspire to apply Anthropology to this field in order to better curate and display artifacts in a variety of public settings. Most notably, I am interested in focusing on ceramics and other art forms in order to better reflect human history. From there, I can help others engage in Academic Enrichment and aid in the understanding of what it means to be human.
My position as Honors Community Advocate has allowed me to blossom while participating in Leadership Development, in addition to being a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary Buckeye Chapter. Getting to know and spend time with the residents of Taylor Tower as well as those within the Honors & Scholars programs across campus has been an empowering and inspiring experience, allowing me to excel as a leader both on campus and in my personal life. A great example of my drive to develop as a leader is evident in my participation in the 2020 Honors Leadership Summit, collaborating with and alongside peers within the community to better the Ohio State and Honors & Scholars communities and experiences. Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Museum Studies as well as working within museums requires immense independence and leadership, so my development of these skills proves valuable in current and future endeavors.
This past year, I have dedicated myself to working alongside Student Life Disability Services to provide students with various disabilities the ability to participate in courses and to engage with the material at hand. As a student notetaker, I have enjoyed being able to aid a handful students in excelling in multiple courses, like Neighborhood Crime, Women, Culture, and Development, Fundamentals of Archaeology, and Anthropology of Mental Health. Beyond this involvement, I have participated in Service Engagement projects through the National Residence Hall Honorary by making blankets for organizations like Project Lupus. This form of service has allowed me to both enjoy my crafty side and my yearning to help others as best I can. I plan on continuing to engage with the community as I look into volunteering with the Columbus Humane Society in addition to continuing to be a Student Life Disability Services student notetaker.
Working as an Honors Community Advocate within Taylor Taylor this year, I have developed my global awareness while interacting with a diverse group of residents, residence hall, and within Honors & Scholars. Acknowledging, understanding, and appreciating others, as well as what makes them unique, is a key component of developing as a globally aware life-long scholar and citizen. Beyond my employment, I have become more globally aware by delving into various diverse courses, most notably within my Anthropology Major elective courses. A few examples of these courses include Women, Culture, and Development, Anthropology of Mental Health, Archaeology of the Holy Land, and more.
While taking the course Neighborhood Crime, I had the opportunity to participate in Original Inquiry through research of CATCH Court in downtown Columbus. CATCH Court helps victims of human trafficking better themselves and their communities through rehabilitative programs and setting goals; furthermore, it served as a great, introductory way to delve into conducting research in a respectful and considerate manner, especially considering the sensitivity of the topic. Also taking History of Art 5905, Avant-Garde Cinema, I have been able to study the production side of original inquiry through film. Having never taken a History of Art course before, I came to truly enjoy the content, as well as the conversations that stemmed from the undergraduate and graduate student perspectives within the course. Looking ahead, I will continue to participate in Original Inquiry and work towards my goal of understanding research and creative processes as I participate in the Center for American Archeology’s 2020 Adult Field School in May for my STEP transformational project.
My Honors Contract is extremely reflective of my dedication to pursue Academic Enrichment at Ohio State and beyond. I have taken a variety of rigorous and unique courses, including a graduate-level History of Art course. I also elected to pursue a History Minor and Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in addition to my Anthropology Major, reflective of my commitment to excellence and challenging myself. After graduation with honors from the Ohio State University, I plan on attending graduate school to earn a Master’s Degree in Museum Studies. I aspire to apply Anthropology to this field in order to better curate and display artifacts in a variety of public settings. Most notably, I am interested in focusing on ceramics and other art forms in order to better reflect human history. From there, I can help others engage in Academic Enrichment and aid in the understanding of what it means to be human.
My position as Honors Community Advocate has allowed me to blossom while participating in Leadership Development, in addition to being a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary Buckeye Chapter. Getting to know and spend time with the residents of Taylor Tower as well as those within the Honors & Scholars programs across campus has been an empowering and inspiring experience, allowing me to excel as a leader both on campus and in my personal life. A great example of my drive to develop as a leader is evident in my participation in the 2020 Honors Leadership Summit, collaborating with and alongside peers within the community to better the Ohio State and Honors & Scholars communities and experiences. Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Museum Studies as well as working within museums requires immense independence and leadership, so my development of these skills proves valuable in current and future endeavors.
This past year, I have dedicated myself to working alongside Student Life Disability Services to provide students with various disabilities the ability to participate in courses and to engage with the material at hand. As a student notetaker, I have enjoyed being able to aid a handful students in excelling in multiple courses, like Neighborhood Crime, Women, Culture, and Development, Fundamentals of Archaeology, and Anthropology of Mental Health. Beyond this involvement, I have participated in Service Engagement projects through the National Residence Hall Honorary by making blankets for organizations like Project Lupus. This form of service has allowed me to both enjoy my crafty side and my yearning to help others as best I can. I plan on continuing to engage with the community as I look into volunteering with the Columbus Humane Society in addition to continuing to be a Student Life Disability Services student notetaker.