Laura Grace Hardy
Starkville,MS
Summary
Professional with comprehensive experience in front office operations, adept at managing high-volume environments with efficiency and poise. Known for strong communication skills, organizational abilities, and keen attention to detail. Collaborative team player focused on achieving results and adapting to changing needs seamlessly. Proficient in scheduling, customer service, and administrative support, ensuring smooth daily operations.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Receptionist, Foster and Volunteer Coordinator
West Point Clay County Animal Shelter
West Point, MS
03.2025 - 03.2026
- Receptionist, Foster Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator and Supervisor, Adoptions Coordinator, Fundraising and Grants Manager, Dog and Cat Kennel Technician, Veterinary and Intake Assistant
- I was hired as a Dog Technician in March of 2025, and was cross-trained as a Cat Technician as well. I was then trained to handle intakes and basic veterinary care. In August of 2025 I was promoted to handle fosters, volunteers, adoptions, reception, fundraising events, grants, records, and budgeting.
- Coordinated animal intake processes, maintaining accurate records and documentation.
- Handled basic veterinary care, including but not limited to oral, occular, and intranasal medications, vaccinations, blood draws for various tests, fecal examinations and testing, heartworm and FIV/FELV tests, etc.
- Reviewed all adoption applications, matching animals with families to ensure all animals and people end up with the best fit. I only had two adoptions I approved be unsuccessful, with both being due to previously unknown allergies in the home.
- Confirmed adoption meet and greets and foster pickup/dropoffs, communicated with potential adopters, and updated client and animal records.
- Stayed in constant contact with all foster homes for updates and any questions or concerns. I was available any time, day or night, to support fosters throughout the process. Scheduled veterinary appointments, coordinated pick ups and drop offs, supply restocks, and meetings with potential adopters.
- Stayed in contact with past adopters in order to ensure a smooth transition process for the animals and families, supporting them throughout the initial weeks.
- Processed all receipts and purchase orders in order to keep our budget on track and make sure all purchases made on company cards were accounted for.
- Trained all new volunteers on shelter guidelines and practices, while supervising existing volunteers.
- Stayed on top of records and feeding/play schedules for 150+ animals in all areas of the shelter.
- Planned and coordinated fundraising events and opportunities, including grant applications and the following through of grants we were allocated.
- Assisted in daily feedings, rotating play groups, and maintaining cleanliness standards to ensure all animals in our care were happy, healthy, and adoption-ready.
- Balanced and kept track of veterinarian and staff schedules in order to best serve potential adopters, foster homes, and the animals in our care.
- Streamlined front desk operations for increased efficiency by effectively managing phone calls, emails, and walk-in volunteers or adopters.
- Handled transactions via card, cash, and check and maintained sales and payments records accurately.
- Kept track of all donations, writing and mailing the appropriate donation acknowledgments.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking abilities while managing numerous tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion while maintaining strict confidentiality standards.
- Provided administrative support to staff members by handling correspondence, filing documents, and managing office supplies inventory.
RECEPTIONIST
Miracle-Ear Hearing Center
Tupelo, MS
12.2022 - 12.2024
- Was in charge of the staff's office space, weekly schedules, travel reports, phones, credit cards, and keys to the office.
- Scheduled and confirmed appointments and meetings.
- Kept digital as well as physical records up to date.
- Packaged and unpackaged deliveries, repairs, and any other packages.
- Completed office-related errands.
- Followed up on sales offers and reached out to prospective sales leads.
SERVER
Poppa's Grill
New Albany, MS
07.2024 - 08.2024
- Once Rafters Music and Food New Albany closed, I assisted in the transition to new ownership and reopening as Poppa's Grill.
- I continued to work as a server and assist in training new staff until I returned to college in August of 2024.
FRONT DESK CLERK
The Hill and Moor
Starkville, MS
11.2023 - 08.2024
- Oversaw all front-desk operations for a busy event space and motel.
- Responded quickly to room requests and other inquiries received through the establishment's website, email, or phone.
- Make reservations for incoming guests based on available rooms.
- Answered phones, handled customer inquiries, and transferred calls to the appropriate department.
- Handled customer complaints and concerns quickly and effectively with a positive attitude, resolving issues to the satisfaction of customers.
- Assisted in stocking and taking inventory, handled transactions, served complementary Happy Hour, and more.
- Worked multiple events; assisting in decor, catering, keeping areas clean, and post-event cleanup.
SERVER
Rafters Music and Food
New Albany, MS
01.2021 - 07.2024
- Maintained customer satisfaction with timely table check-ins to assess drink or other needs.
- Kept an eye on guests for signs of intoxication and immediately alerted management.
- Was frequently complimented by customers for going above and beyond my normal responsibilities.
- Folded napkins and prepared silverware sets to ensure an adequate supply for the host station.
- Educated new employees on the restaurant's practices, culture, and procedures.
- Performed opening, closing, and shift change duties with precision to keep the restaurant running smoothly and ready to meet all customer needs.
- Customers paid with credit cards, cash, and gift certificates, and I made proper change for cash transactions.
- Worked efficiently to keep the dining room and work areas clean by busing and resetting 30 tables per shift.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Psychology Candidate
Mississippi State University
08.2026
High School -
New Albany High School
New Albany, MS05.2021
Skills
- Leadership experience
- Time management
- Customer service
- Sales
- Data entry
- Event planning
- Logistics and strategy
- Organizational skills
- Delegation
- Verbal and written communication
- Scheduling
- Customer/Client relations
Accomplishments
- Member of the Philanthropy Committee for Alpha Chi Omega.
- Former Vice President of Membership Programming on the Executive Board of Alpha Chi Omega, Epsilon Upsilon chapter.
- Former Chair of the Membership Programming Committee for Alpha Chi Omega.
- Former Chair of the Retention Committee for Alpha Chi Omega.
- Represented the Epsilon Upsilon chapter at Alpha Chi Omega's 2023 Leadership Academy.
- Former Panhellenic Delegate on the Executive Board of Alpha Chi Omega, Epsilon Upsilon chapter.
- Former Chair of the Panhellenic Delegate Committee.
- Former Assistant Panhellenic Delegate.
- Alpha Chi Omega's representative for the 2022 Panhellenic Philanthropy Task Force.
- Accepted into the Psychology in Europe (Vienna, Salzburg, Leipzig, and Prague) study abroad program through Mississippi State University for May 2023.
- ACT Composite score of 31, with a Superscore of 32.
- A score of 36 on the Reading section of the ACT, as well as a score of 35 on the English section.
- ACT Work Keys Assessment - Platinum.
- Graduated with honors from New Albany High School.
Certification
- CPR Certified through The American Red Cross
- Bloodborne Pathogens Certified through The American Red Cross
- ACT Work Keys Assessment - Platinum
- First Aid Certified through The American Red Cross
Timeline
Receptionist, Foster and Volunteer Coordinator
West Point Clay County Animal Shelter
03.2025 - 03.2026
SERVER
Poppa's Grill
07.2024 - 08.2024
FRONT DESK CLERK
The Hill and Moor
11.2023 - 08.2024
RECEPTIONIST
Miracle-Ear Hearing Center
12.2022 - 12.2024
SERVER
Rafters Music and Food
01.2021 - 07.2024
Some College (No Degree) - Psychology Candidate
Mississippi State University
High School -
New Albany High School