Welcome to the New School Year 🥳

Hello Roadrunners, I’m Professor Wendy Gratereaux, your head faculty advisor for the UTSA chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA). As one of the oldest and most respected organizations on campus—established in 1975—we are proudly celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year! This milestone is a testament to the legacy, leadership, and lasting impact AMA has had at UTSA.

Over the past few years, our chapter has grown into an amazing team and organization. We’re building something special, and now is the perfect time for you to be a part of it. Whether you’re studying marketing, business, engineering, the arts, or any other field—if you want to learn how to grow a business, non-profit, or association, AMA is the place for you. Everyone is welcome, and every member brings something valuable to the table.

Who Are Our Members?

You don’t have to be a marketing major to join—just bring your curiosity and passion. We welcome everyone who wants to learn, grow, and make an impact.

Our typical members are undergraduates, but we also have graduate students who join and contribute and have their own officers. Many come from the Business School—marketing majors and minors, but we also welcome students from communications, film, design, and other disciplines. AMA at UTSA is truly multi-disciplinary and diverse, bringing together people from all walks of campus life. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and it means you’ll be surrounded by a group of creative, talented, and motivated peers.

Why Join AMA?

• Real Experience: You don’t just learn about marketing—you live it. Last April, our leadership team represented UTSA at the International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans, competing with over 1,600 students and professionals from across the country. We placed in the Top 10 nationally and learned skills that go far beyond the classroom.

• Leadership Opportunities: Be a member, serve on committees, or become an officer. These roles give you incredible experience that translates directly into jobs and leadership positions after graduation.

• Your Voice Matters: This organization is what you make of it. We want you to be involved, share your ideas, and help shape our future.

• Networking & Growth: Meet professionals, recruiters, and other students. Learn about the latest trends, build your resume, and create lifelong connections.

• Fun & Community: From conferences to social events, we make memories together and grow closer as a team.

Big Goals for a Big Year 🚀

This year, we’re aiming higher than ever. We want to grow our association, raise funds to send more students to the national conference in Chicago, and launch new enrichment programs. Do you want to help us reach these goals? Get involved, take initiative, and make a difference!

Let’s make our 50th year our best one yet. Be a part of history, and help shape the future of UTSA AMA!

Warmly,

Professor Wendy Gratereaux

Head Faculty Advisor
UTSA American Marketing Association

Ready to get started? Come to our first meeting, reach out with questions, or sign up to be a member or officer. Your journey begins now!

April 2024 - This year, our leadership team from the UTSA chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) had the chance to attend the International Collegiate Conference (ICC) in New Orleans. This was a big moment for our chapter as we continue working toward becoming stronger marketers and student leaders.

The ICC brought together over 1,600 marketing students and professionals from all over the country. We got to attend helpful workshops, listen to speakers from the industry, and compete in national competitions that helped us grow both personally and professionally.

One of our biggest accomplishments was placing in the Top 10 in the Marketing Simulation Competition hosted by Marketplace Simulations. Our team worked really well together, made smart decisions, and stayed focused. We were proud to represent UTSA and perform so well against other top schools.

We also competed in other events. Eugenia Gutierrez and our chapter president, Andreana Cadena, took part in the Marketing Strategy Competition, where they had just 30 minutes to create a full marketing plan and then give a 10-minute presentation. Sierra Jackson, Benjamin Gomez, and Austin Childres entered the Perfect Pitch Competition, giving a 90-second pitch on why they’d be a great fit for a job. Austin also competed in the Sales Competition, where he pitched Insight Global’s services to a mock client in a realistic 10-minute role-play.

These competitions really pushed us to think fast, speak clearly, and stay confident under pressure. We learned a lot and are already excited to compete again—and maybe even host a competition of our own.

Aside from the competitions, the trip was a great way to build our network and learn more about marketing. We talked to professionals, recruiters, and students from other schools, and went to sessions that taught us about new trends and skills in the marketing world. We’re excited to bring those ideas back to our chapter.

We also had fun just being together and exploring New Orleans. It was a great chance to bond, make memories, and grow closer as a team.

Looking back, ICC 2025 gave us so many opportunities to learn and grow. We’re coming back motivated and ready to take UTSA AMA even further. We’re already looking forward to what we’ll do next year—and we can’t wait to be at AMA ICC 2026 in Chicago!

Spring 2025 - UTSA AMA recently welcomed Carolina Chambers from FPO Marketing as a guest speaker at one of our general meetings. Carolina shared her incredible journey in the marketing industry, which began in Mexico and has led her to make a strong impact here in the U.S. Through stories from her career, she highlighted the importance of adaptability, cultural insight, and staying true to your voice in the field of marketing. Her passion and experience left a lasting impression on our members, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to learn from her global perspective. 

April 2025 - UTSA AMA recently had the incredible opportunity to tour Frost Bank’s headquarters in downtown San Antonio. The highlight of the visit was getting to sit down with Blair, Frost’s Chief Marketing Officer, and Bill, a senior executive in communications. They shared valuable insights about their careers, Frost’s marketing strategy, and the importance of authenticity in branding. In addition to these conversations, we learned about the rich history of Frost Bank and how it has remained a pillar of trust and service in Texas for over 150 years. It was an inspiring experience that gave our members a deeper understanding of both the financial industry and leadership in corporate marketing. 

April 2025 - UTSA AMA recently had the incredible opportunity to tour Frost Bank’s headquarters in downtown San Antonio. The highlight of the visit was getting to sit down with Blair, Frost’s Chief Marketing Officer, and Bill, a senior executive in communications. They shared valuable insights about their careers, Frost’s marketing strategy, and the importance of authenticity in branding. In addition to these conversations, we learned about the rich history of Frost Bank and how it has remained a pillar of trust and service in Texas for over 150 years. It was an inspiring experience that gave our members a deeper understanding of both the financial industry and leadership in corporate marketing. 

Spring 2025 -  UTSA AMA was proud to have several of our members participate in Campaign in a Day, a fast-paced marketing competition hosted at Trinity University by AMA San Antonio. Our team included chapter leaders and general members who came together to take on the challenge.

In just three hours, the team was tasked with developing a full marketing campaign for Goodwill San Antonio, focused on engaging and reaching Gen Z audiences. Collaborating with FPO Marketing, they conducted audience research, crafted targeted messaging, and built a creative strategy aligned with Goodwill’s mission.

The event was a high-energy, hands-on experience that allowed our members to apply their skills in a real-world setting while supporting a great cause and building stronger connections within the local marketing community.

In March 2025, UTSA AMA was proud to host Jaclyn Bustos, President and Founder of 2ten Marketing, as the guest speaker for our second general meeting of the spring semester. Jaclyn shared her inspiring journey from starting out in the marketing world to launching and leading her own successful digital marketing agency in San Antonio. She spoke about the challenges she overcame, the lessons she learned along the way, and what it takes to grow a brand in today’s fast-paced industry. Her insight into agency life, leadership, and entrepreneurship offered our members valuable takeaways as they prepare to launch their own careers. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a driven and accomplished professional right here in our local community. 

Feb 2025 - UTSA AMA recently had the pleasure of hosting a professional development workshop led by Brianna Figueroa, focusing on how to build an impactful portfolio and optimize your LinkedIn profile. During the session, Brianna shared practical tips on showcasing your work, highlighting your unique skills, and creating a professional online presence that grabs attention. Members gained insights on how to tailor their LinkedIn profiles to reflect their career goals and how to use their portfolios as storytelling tools. It was an incredibly informative and engaging workshop that left everyone feeling more confident about their personal branding! 

UTSA AMA members recently volunteered at the San Antonio Food Bank to give back to the local community. Together, we helped sort and pack food donations, playing a small part in supporting families facing food insecurity. It was a meaningful opportunity for our chapter to step outside the classroom and make a positive impact through service — all while strengthening our bond as a team. We’re proud to support organizations making a difference in San Antonio! 

January 2025 - UTSA AMA leaders Andreana Acuna (President), Ben Gomez (Vice President), and Austin Childres (Director of Operations) had the opportunity to participate in the "Mock Interviews & Mocktails" event hosted by AMA San Antonio. This event brought together students and local marketing professionals for an evening of career development, networking, and mentorship. We gained valuable insights through mock interview sessions and meaningful conversations with industry leaders — an experience that helped us sharpen our professional skills and build stronger connections within the San Antonio marketing community.