I was born in El Paso, Texas, a border city with an 82.9% Hispanic and Latino population. This meant I was fortunate enough to grow up seeing myself constantly represented in the people around me. When I moved to Austin in 2019 to start college, I was in for a culture shock.

October has come and Austin is gearing up for the return of crazy outfits, out-of-towners, and a packed Zilker Park. Yup, it’s time for ACL.  

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I would like to acknowledge the misrepresentation of Hispanics in advertising and the lack of Hispanic advertising/PR professionals. Hispanics are the youngest major ethnic group in the U.S. However, according to a report by the Association of National Advertisers (2021), Hispanics only make up 9.5 percent of entry-level positions. So, how can we take back our narrative when we still aren’t the ones able to write it?

Deciding what college to go to as a PR student? Ranked “#31 in population, public relations and advertising are one of the most sought-after bachelor’s degree programs in the nation” (College Factual). 

Moody College of Communications Alumni, Janelle Sosa, has experienced a full circle journey when it comes to UT. From her experience as an undergraduate student, to her current position as a Digital Content Coordinator for Texas Exes, Janelle is a longhorn through and through.

Moody College of Communications Alumni, Orlan Elizarraraz, shared his experience as a graduate student at the Stan Richards School of Advertising and his journey to his current position as the Social Media Coordinator for the UMAC department at UT. As a child, the UT branding had been ingrained in Orlan. He always knew “the university to be the best in Texas,” so when it came to applying for school, he knew exactly where he wanted to go. “I had no hesitation that I wanted to go to UT,” Orlan said. And it just so happened that he was accepted to the #1 ranked school for advertising.

1. What has been your journey from the program at UT to where you are now? 

Austin, TX - A Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations lecturer, Valerie Salinas-Davis, has been awarded $21,500 from the Office of Sustainability’s Green Fund for 2022-23 to help fund the “Experience Waller Creek” campaign.