About me
About me
Embedded Files
Melinda Garza graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American in May of 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a focus in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in History.
She has worked in School PR for the last six years, where her key responsibilities include writing, shooting and editing videos to highlight students, staff and district achievements and initiatives, as well as co-running her district’s social media channels.
As a multimedia journalist, she is skilled in writing for print and broadcast, graphic design, social media content creation and management, photography and the development of strategic communication plans.
Prior to jumping into the world of School PR, Melinda’s background included live-reporting and storytelling through social media at her local CBS station, while also writing and reporting breaking news as the Digital Content Producer.
She has a handful of professional certifications and trainings that can be seen below, and has won several awards at the Texas School Public Relations Association Annual Conference.
Melinda’s biggest passion is storytelling and finding creative ways to share other’s stories.
Education
Education
Quinnipiac University Expected graduation: May 2022
Master of Science in Interactive Media and Communications GPA: 4.0 (Summa Cum Laude)
University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) Graduation date: May 16, 2015
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication GPA: 3.71 (Magna Cum Laude)
Concentration: Broadcast Journalism
Minor: History
Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) Joined Spring 2016
National Press Photographers Association Joined April 2018
Work experience
Work experience
Mission CISD - Multimedia Journalist February 2021- Present
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD - Producer/Reporter March 2016- January 2021
KGBT CBS 4 News - Digital Content Producer February 2015- March 2016
Bronc TV - Reporter, Anchor, News Director. August 2013- May 2015
The Pan American - News Writer, Multimedia Reporter, News Editor July 2013- May 2015
Starr County Courthouse - Internship Summer 2011
Professional Training, Certifications & Associations
Professional Training, Certifications & Associations
- Class Intercom Social Media Management Certification March 2022
- FEMA Social Media in Emergency Management October 2020
- STC World Class Training: Customer Service December 2018
- NPPA Advanced Storytelling Workshop April 2018
- National Seminars Training: The Copywriter’s Workshop January 2017
- UTRGV Certificate in Social Media Management May 2017
FEMA Introduction to Incident Command System July 2016
FEMA National Response Framework July 2016
FEMA Applying Incident Command System to Health Organizations July 2016
Texas School Public Relations Association 2016 - Present
National Press Photographers Association April 2018
Texas School Public Relations Association Conference Awards
Texas School Public Relations Association Conference Awards
Crystal Commendation Award: Staff/Student Recognition
PSJA Student Profiles - PSJA Public Relations/KTRI Department (2017)
Crystal Certificate of Merit: School/Community Partnership
H-E-B Community Challenge at PSJA PSJA - Public Relations/KTRI Department (2017)
Crystal Certificate of Merit: Marketing
PSJA Votes Campaign - PSJA Public Relations/KTRI Department (2017)
Platinum Certificate of Merit:
Spirit of PSJA Leadership Definition Campaign - PSJA Communications Dept. (2019)
GOLD
GOLD
Communication Plan: More than 30,000 students
It’s Time Texas Community Challenge at PSJA ISD - Communications Dept. (2019)
Video News Package: More than 30,000 students
A Very Buell Halloween - Melinda Garza & Marco Vasquez (2019)
Video News Package: More than 30,000 students
PSJA students participate in Mandarin Chinese Program - Melinda Garza & Daniel Ramos (2018)
2017-18 PSJA Back to School Social Media Campaign - Communications Dept (2018)
News Package: More than 30,000 students
Snap Story: Elementary Special Olympics at PSJA - Melinda Garza (2017)
Video Training/Instructional: More than 30,000 students
How to Make Cucumber Lime Water Daniel Ramos & Melinda Garza (2017)
Stay Updated! Important Changes to Financial Aid Process - Daniel Ramos, Melinda Garza & Jim Zavala (2017)
Social Media Campaign: More than 30,000 students
PSJA ISD 2017 Graduations - PSJA Public Relations/KTRI Dept. (2017)
SILVER
SILVER
Video News/Information: More than 30,000 students
Up to Date with PSJA: March 9 - Melinda Garza & Marco Vasquez (2018)
Video Feature Story: More than 30,000 students
PSJA ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year: Denise Garcia - Marco Vasquez & Melinda Garza (2018)
PSJA Student Profiles: Daniel Hernandez - Daniel Ramos & Melinda Garza (2018)
Video Promotional: More than 30,000 students
Join our PSJA Family: The Contreras - Communications Department (2018)
National School Bus Safety Week - Melinda Garza & Daniel Ramos (2018)
Video News/Information: More than 30,000 students
Up to Date with PSJA: June 8 - Melinda Garza & Mark Vasquez (2017)
Video General Interest/Feature Series: More than 30,000 students
Natalie Contreras: First PSJA Sotomayor ECHS Associate Degree Graduate - Mark Vasquez & Melinda Garza (2017)
Video News/Information: More than 30,000 students
PSJA ISD Newscast - Melinda Garza, Daniel Ramos & Mark Vasquez (2016)
BRONZE
BRONZE
Video News/Information: More than 30,000 students
Up to Date with PSJA: Sept. 14 - Melinda Garza & Santiago Zavala III (2019)
Video Marketing: More than 30,000 students
A PSJA Student’s Journey, Through the Years - Marco Vazquez, Melinda Garza, Santiago Zavala III Daniel Ramos & Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez (2019)
Video Promotional/Marketing: More than 30,000 students
Creativity Through LivingTree - Mark Vasquez, Danny Ramos & Melinda Garza (2017)
CRYSTAL COMMENDATION
CRYSTAL COMMENDATION
In February 2018, the PSJA Communications Department earned the coveted Crystal Commendation award during the TSPRA Annual Conference for the "PSJA Student Profiles" campaign. The campaign consisted of a compilation of videos, graphic designs, written articles and social media posts highlighting one special student from each of our five high schools. I contributed to the video aspect of this project, but the entire department worked together as a team to put this together and receive the Crystal Commendation award.
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