Running At Full Throttle
A day in the life of a student leader
By Michael Marcelli

Michael Marcelli’s day starts early. Up by 7 a.m., Michigan’s youngest elected offical begins his day at the gym. During his workout he reads the newspaper and other news magazines to keep abreast of what is taking place in the world. “Current events are important not only for my classes, but also to be an informed citizen of the world community,” Marcelli says. This week he’s busy looking over the tentative labor contracts for the five negotiating units that represent the employees of the Southgate Community School District. Marcelli, 21, was elected to the Southgate Board of Education, and is one of the youngest publicly elected officials in the United States. “Getting elected to the school board has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. There aren’t too many young people responsible for a $38.8 million dollar budget, over 700 employees, and the educational welfare of nearly 5,200 students,” he says. Marcelli has been aggressively pushing for more Advanced Placement classes in the suburban school district of Detroit.

After the gym, Marcelli rushes down to campus for his morning classes. He’s currently studying political science at Wayne State University in Michigan. Not only is he a full-time student, but Marcelli also is involved in extensive leadership on his campus. For the past three years, he has served in the Student Government Association as a member-at-large and as Vice President for Governmental Relations. Currently, he’s serving as the College of Liberal Arts liaison, which allows him to serve on such committees and commissions as the Tenure and Promotion Committee, the Salary Committee, and the Student Disciplinary Commission. “Opportunities are endless for students who want to serve. Sitting on the Tenure and Promotion Committee is the greatest contribution I can give to the university. This is where the students have a say in which professors get promoted and hired. It’s an honor to serve,” he says.  Marcelli was recently awarded the David Adamany Outstanding Student Leadership Scholarship for his efforts and volunteerism.

After morning classes, Marcelli changes into a suit and tie and heads down to his monthly Board of Director meeting for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross. Marcelli was appointed to the Board of Directors in June of 2001, when the nation’s fifth largest chapter of the American Red Cross set out on the mission to be one of the first non-profits to appoint a young person to a voting seat. “The Red Cross is a phenomenal organization, which offers so many invaluable services to our communities,” Marcelli says.

In fact, Marcelli and his board have recently won a major victory at a recent national conference of the American Red Cross chapters in Phoenix. A resolution was unanimously passed that encouraged the Board of Governors to promote governance leadership opportunities for young people by actively seeking qualified youths and young adults for election to full voting positions. “I was so excited when I found out that my resolution passed. To affect change in the nations largest non-profit is very exciting,” Marcelli says.

Later that night, Marcelli heads back to the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity—were he serves as Secretary and as a member of the Executive Board—for a closed-door meeting of the Executive Board for Pi Kappa Alpha. The topics tonight include setting up an alumni event, appointing brothers to the 14 critical internal chairmanships, such as Philanthropy and Scholarship, and discussing pressing house issues. Pi Kappa Alpha, or Pikes as they are commonly know, have the largest house on campus. “I’ll never forget the night that I got my bid, and the night that I was initiated. I love the house, and the opportunity to say the I am a Pike.”

After the meeting is concluded, Marcelli heads home to pack for Michigan State University, where he is a 2002 fellow in the Michigan Political Leadership Program. “MPLP is a one of a kind program that each state should have,” he says.  MPLP was created ten years ago after the voters of Michigan added an amendment to the state constitution which term limited members of the House of Representatives, Senate and Governorship. MPLP, which is operated by private donor and MSU, trains twenty-four fellows each year in the skills necessary to hold statewide office in the future. While over one hundred people apply each year, only 24 are selected, and Marcelli is the youngest fellow in his class. “The other people in the fellowship are amazing individuals, from county commissioners, mayors, lawyers, and individuals running for the state legislature,” he says. The fellowship is valued at $10,000 and is free to those who are accepted. The fellows are trained in campaign law, fundraising, media relations, and understanding the issues facing urban and rural people. The program boosts many distinguished alumni who serve in a variety of elected positions in local, state, and national office.

After Marcelli has packed for the weekend fellowship he checks his e-mail and returns phone calls. It’s nearly 11:30 p.m. before he hits the bed for the night. “While my schedule is sometimes grueling, I love it. I’m getting the experiences and opportunities that most people never get in their lifetime. I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” he says.

To demonstrate the exhausting schedule a student leader has to balance, Marcelli chose to write about a day in his own life. Marcelli is currently a senior at Wayne State University in Michigan. Contact Marcelli at mmarcelli@gwlc.com

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