Beyond the Diving Board
"Moody develops people who develop people."
That's how former Olympic diver and Moody graduate Alison Gibson describes what the college means to her.
Alison graduated from the Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations with an undergraduate degree in Advertising, then stayed on to complete her master's degree right after. What makes her story stand out is that she was doing all of that while simultaneously training for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Two massive commitments, running in parallel, and she showed up fully for both.
Even with that kind of schedule, Alison never felt like she was navigating it alone. Her professors and peers showed up for her, and being part of the Moody community gave her something she carried well beyond the classroom: a real sense of pride in where she came from, and a network of people who genuinely invested in where she was going.
She now works as an Associate Consultant at Legend Labs, a brand and reputation consulting firm, and that job came directly through a connection she made as an Advertising student at UT. For Alison, those kinds of relationships are everything. She has a name for the people who open those doors and push you through them: "Portal People." They're the ones who see something in you, point you in the right direction, and change the course of things.
Her advice to current Moody students, especially the driven ones who are already juggling more than they probably should, is straightforward. Don't hold back. Build your connections intentionally. Find your Portal People.
"The only thing holding you back is you."
One of Alison’s most influential Portal People was Dr. Gary Wilcox of TXADPR. She first met him during a recruitment visit to Moody when she was just 16 years old. From that very first conversation, he became what she describes as her "first doorway" into Moody, and a big part of why she chose UT in the first place. That relationship didn't stop there. By the time junior year came around, Dr. Wilcox was the one who guided her toward the selective admissions track for the master's program in Advertising, helping her map out the next chapter before she even knew she needed it.
Dr. Wilcox looks back on their time together warmly: "I enjoyed the time working with and advising Alison. She was smart, motivated, and personable, and I was excited to see her successes unfold."
Alison also got the chance to connect with one of Moody’s most beloved professors, Lisa Dobias, who she ended up working as a TA for as well. Like Dr Wilcox, Prof. Dobias has nothing but warm regards toward her student - “Regardless of the challenge, the circumstances, or the outcome, Alison embraces big moments with a smile and an incredible attitude. Her ability to take things in stride is unmatched.”
That's the Moody experience at its best. It's not just about the degree. It's about the people you meet along the way, the conversations that stick with you, and the doors that open because of both. For every student who walks through Moody's halls, Olympic athlete or not, those opportunities are there.
To learn more about Alison’s journey, visit our YouTube.
