Today@Sam Article

SHSU Marketing Student Wins Education Fund Scholarship

April 2, 2024
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

By Enrique Paz

Having had an eventful year representing Sam Houston State University at multiple conferences, and becoming a founding member of an organization, Sonia Diaz wasn’t expecting yet another large feat towards the end of her senior year. However, on March 20, Diaz was informed that she was the recipient of the $5,000 Love Advertising Education Fund Scholarship.

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"I received the notification via phone call as I was getting ready for class, it came to me as a shock,” Diaz said. “My emotions at that time were all over the place but it was mostly happiness and gratitude.”

The Advertising Education Foundation of Houston hosts scholarships for students who are in District 10, which consists of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Only 15 students from that region were awarded scholarships from various sponsors, with Diaz being one of them. Moreover, she’s been invited to attend a scholarship awards luncheon in Houston on April 5.

“I had a professor, Renée Gravois, inform me and a couple of other students about the opportunity after class,” Diaz said. “At first, I was hesitant to apply because I was thinking I wouldn’t receive anything.”

The application consisted of questions regarding her involvement on campus, career goals and field experience. In addition, she submitted materials including a two-minute video, resume and a letter of recommendation, which was provided by marketing professor Gina Brynildsen.

“This scholarship brings in a lot of peace of mind knowing that the cost of my education is now fully covered for the semester,” Diaz said. “As for my career goals, it brings me the opportunity to enter into the industry and possibly obtain a summer internship or even a job after graduation.”

These achievements haven’t come easy to Diaz, who has put numerous hours of work into her craft and taken opportunities outside the classroom to obtain a head start in her career.

“It all comes down to one event which changed my experience,” Diaz said. “During my first semester, I participated in the Level Up HubSpot national competition, which the team won first place for. I went into that competition without even taking a principles of marketing class, so it was a bit intimidating doing something like this.”

Thanks to these extracurricular activities, she hasn’t only broadened her industry knowledge, but grown as an individual with the merits to qualify for significant recognition. Sonia-Diaz2.jpg

“This opportunity helped me to come out of my comfort zone and get more involved in organizations,” Diaz said. “Attending conferences and competitions also served as a way to know more about the industry and the many options regarding a career. It also allowed me to meet incredible people and obtain new friendships.”

Despite her continued invitations to network across the state, Diaz stays true to her university roots through continued participation within the school. In fact, she’s acquired positions serving as:

“Through my involvement in ALPFA, I am also part of the COBA dean’s student advisory council, in which leaders of student organizations will offer feedback and advice that represents the student body, advocates for positive change and fosters a vibrant college community,” Diaz said.

One of Diaz’s aspirations after graduating is to obtain a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in marketing. Afterward, she wishes to remain in Houston and work for an advertising agency or within a company’s in-house marketing team.

“My top two career options are social media marketing or marketing research, but I am very open to any opportunity that may come up,” Diaz said. “In the future, I want to help students in the field accomplish their career goals.”

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