Hayes Elliott

I am a student at Baylor University majoring in Corporate Communication with a minor in Museum Studies. I like being in environments where I am actually doing things and interacting with people instead of just sitting behind a desk. A lot of my interests are centered around being active and outdoors. I love animals and have a dog named Rosie, and I have always grown up around animals. Every summer, my brother and I hatch chickens and ducks using an incubator, which has been a tradition in my family for years. I really enjoy spending time outside and do a lot of fishing and hunting, especially on land my family owns in Pearl, Mississippi. I also love hiking and one of my favorite experiences was hiking in Hawaii because I enjoy traveling and being in nature. I played tennis in high school and still like staying active through running and walking, and I am currently enrolled in both aerobic walking and aerobic running classes at Baylor. I walk several miles most days and like having routines that keep me moving and busy. Overall, I am someone who likes being hands on, outdoors, and involved in real activities rather than just sitting still.

I think one of my main strengths is that I am very good at figuring things out as I go and staying calm in situations where a lot is happening at once. Through my jobs at the Mayborn Museum and the YMCA, I have learned how to talk to all kinds of people, from kids to older adults, and adjust how I communicate depending on who I am working with. I am comfortable taking responsibility for tasks without needing constant direction and I usually notice problems before they become a big issue. I am also very organized with information and technology. I spend a lot of time working with online systems, documenting things, and keeping track of details, whether that is for museum programs, scheduling, or social media. I am good at learning new platforms quickly and I do not get overwhelmed by having to manage a lot of small moving parts at once.

Maintained a 3.92 GPA while carrying an accelerated academic load and reaching junior standing in two years
Earned Dean’s List every semester at Baylor University
Selected for employment at the Mayborn Museum Complex after being personally recommended by museum studies faculty based on academic performance and demonstrated engagement with museum work
Accumulated 200+ documented community service hours through long-term involvement with the YMCA
Recognized by YMCA leadership for consistent service, reliability, and community impact
Organized and executed a large-scale scholastic chess tournament in partnership with the Mississippi Scholastic Chess Organization
Raised over $7,000 for the YMCA Kids Nutrition Program in two months
Managed all aspects of tournament logistics including registration, scheduling, outreach, volunteer coordination, and on-site operations
Successfully launched and manage a law firm’s social media presence from zero, including content strategy, filming, editing, and platform growth
Built and maintained an ongoing youth chess program with consistent attendance and strong community engagement
Served as co-instructor for a weekly chess class serving approximately 15 children per session
Developed strong skills in public-facing communication through museum and YMCA work in high-volume environments
Gained practical experience working with adult learners, children, and professional staff across educational and nonprofit settings
Demonstrated ability to manage real-world responsibilities alongside full-time coursework
Selected for Baylor’s LEAD Living Learning Community and completed leadership-focused coursework
Gained early professional experience in museum operations, community programming, and digital media

• LEAD Living Learning Community – Baylor University
  Completed leadership-focused coursework and training in communication ethics, group dynamics, conflict management, and collaborative problem-solving.
• YMCA Youth Program Training
  Completed internal training for working with children in educational and recreational programs, including classroom management, safety protocols, and youth engagement strategies.
• YMCA Front Desk Systems Training
  Trained in membership systems, registration platforms, scheduling software, and handling sensitive member information.
• Museum Operations Training – Mayborn Museum Complex
  On-the-job training in public programming support, guest services, event logistics, and internal documentation systems (Box, Ignite, Teams).
• High School Computer & Coding Coursework
  Completed multiple computer-based courses including introductory coding and typing/computer fundamentals.
• Basic Media Production & Editing (Self-Taught)
  Ongoing practical experience in filming, editing, and publishing digital content for professional social media use.

One of my main interests is social media and how people communicate online, especially through video. I manage my mom’s law firm’s social media, and it has become something I genuinely enjoy and spend a lot of time on. I come up with content ideas, help plan what to film, write captions, edit videos, and post everything. A lot of it is trial and error, which I actually like because I get to see what works and what doesn’t. Since I live in Texas and she is in Mississippi, most of this is done remotely, so I have gotten used to coordinating everything through calls, shared files, and messaging. If you are curious, her TikTok is @attorneyelliott and her Instagram is @shannonelliottattorney

I am also very involved in community service and enjoy working in environments where I can help people directly. I have completed over 200 hours of documented community service through the YMCA, and most of my work experience has involved public-facing roles, education, or youth programs. I like being in roles where I feel useful and where my work actually impacts other people.

I am really into fitness and staying active. I am currently enrolled in both aerobic walking and aerobic running classes at Baylor, and I walk a lot on a daily basis. I like having physical routines and goals because it helps me stay disciplined and balanced, especially during busy academic semesters.

Long-term, one of my biggest interests is law. My mom is a lawyer, and growing up around that environment made me interested in the field from a young age. I am especially interested in immigration law because I like the idea of helping people navigate complicated systems and situations. I am drawn to work that feels practical, meaningful, and focused on helping others, and law feels like a path where I can combine communication skills with real-world impact.

• Charity Chess Tournament Organizer
• High School Make A Difference Project
• Independently planned and executed a large-scale scholastic chess tournament in partnership with the Mississippi Scholastic Chess Organization. The tournament was officially rated and open to regional participants.
• Achievements:
• Raised over $7,000 for the YMCA Kids Nutrition Program in two months
• Managed participant registration and event logistics
• Coordinated with external organizations and volunteers
• Handled marketing, scheduling, and on-site operations
• This project involved long-term planning, accountability, outreach, and problem-solving.
• LEAD Living Learning Community – Baylor University
• Completed leadership coursework focused on:
• Communication ethics
• Group dynamics
• Conflict management
• Collaborative problem-solving