Mary Jo Rufo
Name: Mary Jo Rufo
Hometown: Newton, Mass.
Year in School: Junior (Graduating Dec. 2018)
Major: Business Management
Before Mary Jo Rufo stepped on campus, she was already positively influenced by CCU students. During high school, her family vacationed in Myrtle Beach. One night while out at dinner, the servers who waited on Mary Jo’s table happened to be Coastal students. The friendliness and happiness of the wait staff stood out to Mary Jo and she decided to give Coastal Carolina University consideration.
“If it had not been for our friendly experience with Coastal students, I never would have known about the University,” Mary Jo explains.
Sensing a great fit, Mary Jo became a Chanticleer. Influenced by her dad’s real estate background, she chose business management as her major and immediately started making waves. She thrived in her classes, joined a business honors organization and earned an internship with a Myrtle Beach vacation ownership resort.
Aside from endeavors related to her academic path, she also immersed herself in other worthwhile activities. She joined a sorority, interned with Girls on the Run and gained membership in additional honors societies.
“CCU has completely changed me from who I was when I came in my freshman year,” Mary Jo reveals. “I am now a more confident and outgoing version of myself.”
As much as we would like for her to stay in the area, Mary Jo is leaning toward moving back home upon graduation. She wants to work in Boston and be closer to her family. Lucky for us, Mary Jo still has one final year left at Coastal and we look forward to her enjoying each remaining day on campus.
Q&A with Mary Jo
How did you hear about Coastal?: My junior year of high school my family was visiting Myrtle Beach. We went out to dinner and at several locations our servers attended Coastal. I had not heard of the school previously, so while we were visiting I attended a campus tour. If it had not been for our friendly experiences with Coastal students, I never would have known about the University.
Why did you come to Coastal?: I had fallen in love with the beautiful campus and the close proximity to the beach was an added bonus. As soon as I finished the tour, I knew it was the place for me.
Favorite professor: My favorite professor is Jacob Voegel, Ph.D.
Favorite class: My favorite class so far at Coastal has been CBAD 120. This was taught by my favorite professor, Jacob Voegel. This class developed a solid foundation for a lot of the terms and ideals of business. I enjoyed the class because it was engaging and I learned a lot through the strong teaching skills of the professor.
Favorite aspect of Coastal?: My favorite aspect of Coastal is the smaller campus. Compared to the number of students attending CCU, the campus feels compact. I enjoy this because I often see familiar faces when walking from class to class.
Favorite aspect of living in the Conway/Myrtle Beach area?: My favorite aspect of living in the Conway/Myrtle Beach area is the many restaurants and attractions. There is always a new place to eat or a new place to visit. After three years of living in this area, there are still ample places I haven’t been and many places left to enjoy for food.
Clubs/Intramurals/other extracurricular activities involved in?: I am currently serving my second year as the financial vice president for Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. I also am a member of Order of Omega, Beta Gamma Sigma, the National Society of Leadership and Success and Phi Eta Sigma.
Do you work anywhere currently (either on or off campus)?: I currently work part time at Wyndham Westwinds, a vacation ownership resort in North Myrtle Beach. I interned there for the summer and continued working in the activities department through this fall. The activities department handles all resort crafts, socials and events.
Plans after graduation?: My plans after graduation are to return home to Newton, Mass. Both my parents and twin sister are back in New England, so I would like to be closer to them again. I will hopefully get a job in the city of Boston. Ideally this will be for a property management or a real estate sales company. Eventually I hope to make my way back to the Carolinas, but for the time being I want to be closer to home.
What are your hobbies?: I enjoy watching Netflix in my spare time. Some of my favorite shows are Criminal Minds and Law and Order SVU. Another activity I enjoy is running. I interned for Girls on the Run at Black Water Middle School for the Heart and Soul Program.
Bonus Info: I am extremely excited to be featured for #CCUFamily! Coastal has helped me grow and develop in ways I never imagined, so I am very grateful.