USM's New Alumni Association Asst. Director for Communications

Hattiesburg - A USM alum is now back at her alma mater and not just for a visit, but for a full-time position.

Nicole Ruhnke, USM Alumni Association Assistant Director for Communications said, "This is my second week here at the alumni association. I'm so excited to be here. I'm honored to be a part of such a dynamic team of employees and staff members and really just to get on board with the work of the alumni association here on the university campus."

Ruhnke told me why she couldn't pass up an offer of returning back to her alma mater.

"It's great to be back. I had just a wonderful experience as a student here at Southern Miss and so to be back in a staff position and to really be back on campus in the spirit of Southern Miss and such an exciting time for our university all the way around. So really a great time to be back to return to my roots and really just kind of ignite that love for Southern Miss."

Now that Ruhnke is the Alumni Association Assistant Director for Communications, she has one main goal in mind.

Ruhnke said, "To be in this role with the alumni association, I really hope to just continue the great work of this office and the university to ignite and re-instill a pride among the alumni and this community. To come alongside the staff members here, support the awesome work that they do, and just to provide my skill back to the university that gave me so much."

Nicole Ruhnke is very excited to be working for her alma mater and is looking forward to connecting with alumni across the nation.