By Cady Harris
When Leisel Valencia-Hernandez transferred to CSU Monterey Bay this fall, she noticed something missing — there was no marketing club on campus. Instead of waiting for one to appear, she took the initiative to start it herself. Leisel partnered with club advisor Angeline Nariswari, Marketing Professor, and founded the CSUMB Marketing Club, a new student organization within the College of Business that has already attracted around 40 enthusiastic members.
From the start, Leisel’s vision was clear: to build a lasting community where students can develop professional marketing skills, grow their networks, and gain confidence for future careers. “We want to help students learn by doing,” she explained. “It’s about giving people a space to apply what they’re learning in class in real ways.”
Getting the club off the ground wasn’t easy. Leisel admits that navigating the approval process and spreading awareness took determination. “It was challenging at first,” she said, “but I met so many great people and learned so much along the way. It’s been incredibly rewarding.”
We caught up with Leisel to talk about what inspired her to start the Marketing Club, her goal to build a space for hands-on learning and collaboration, and what advice she has for other students looking to turn their ideas into action.
Q: What inspired you to start the Marketing Club?
A: When I transferred to CSUMB, I noticed there wasn’t a marketing club. After talking with other students and my advisor, Angeline Nariswari, Marketing Professor, I decided to start one to create opportunities for marketing students — and anyone interested — to learn, connect, and grow.
Q: What’s the mission or main goal of the club?
A: We want to establish a lasting organization within the College of Business that helps students develop marketing skills, build professional networks, and prepare for future careers. The goal is to make a meaningful mark at CSUMB and keep growing over time.
Q: What kinds of activities does the club host?
A: Since we’re new, we’ve focused on planning résumé workshops, skill-building sessions, marketing mixers, and collaborative events with other business clubs. We’re also brainstorming ways to partner with local Monterey businesses and eventually host joint pitch events.
Q: How has the student response been so far?
A: It’s been amazing! We already have around 40 members, and so many students have expressed interest in getting involved or taking leadership roles. The enthusiasm has been really motivating.
Q: What challenges did you face getting the club started?
A: The approval process and paperwork were tricky at first, but persistence paid off. It’s also been a learning experience figuring out how to spread the word — but meeting new people and seeing others get excited has made it all worth it.
Q: How will the club help prepare students for real-world marketing careers?
A: Through teamwork, leadership, marketing strategy, and event planning. These are skills that apply in any professional setting, and our events will give students hands-on experience.
Q: What advice do you have for other students who might want to start their own club?
A: Be consistent! It might seem impossible at first, but keep going and find people who share your vision. The right team will help everything fall into place.
The Marketing Club isn’t just for students in the Business Administration’s Marketing concentration—students from all majors are encouraged to join. The vibe is diverse and approachable, with members offering a mix of perspectives. The club’s leaders aim to provide hands-on learning experiences that go beyond the classroom—from event planning to strategy development and leadership. With its strong start, clear mission, and growing momentum, the CSUMB Marketing Club is already proving how one student’s initiative can spark opportunity for many.
Although the club won’t be officially recognized until spring, it’s already hosting meetings and planning activities such as résumé workshops, LinkedIn sessions, marketing mixers, and collaborations with other business clubs. The officers are also brainstorming potential partnerships with local Monterey businesses and exploring opportunities to join the American Marketing Association (AMA) in the coming year.
Get Involved
The CSUMB Marketing Club is already creating opportunities for students to connect, build confidence, and gain practical experience. Whether you’re majoring in business or just curious about marketing, joining a club like this can open doors to friendships, professional growth, and future success.
Interested students can join through MyRaft, follow @oma_community on Instagram. Look for flyers with QR codes in the BIT building.