At the start of the 2025 academic year, we welcomed Kaitlyn Koba to the Foundation as our very first undergraduate intern. Kaitlyn is a dual-degree student at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the McCombs School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in African and African Diaspora Studies.
As she wraps up her tenure as Communications Intern, we asked Kaitlyn to reflect on her experience and share what’s next in her postsecondary journey.
What’s next for you academically and professionally?
During my time at the Foundation, I started thinking more deeply about what postsecondary success really means beyond just earning a degree. I was drawn to the organization because of its focus on expanding access and improving outcomes for Texas students, which closely connects with my own experience as a dual-degree student at UT Austin studying Marketing and African and African Diaspora Studies.
Going forward, I plan to use my dual-credit coursework from middle and high school to become an ultrasound technician and pursue my MBA. I also plan to keep growing my photography and digital media business, Koba Collective, and use what I have learned throughout college to turn moments into memories across Texas. Being able to capture the Foundation’s collaboration with grantees and partners at events through photography made me a more confident photographer in professional settings. I plan to continue using my skills to benefit nonprofits through digital marketing that amplifies their impact and makes their work more accessible.
How did you navigate any challenges or obstacles you faced during your internship, and what did you learn from those experiences?
One of my biggest challenges during this internship was improving my professional communication skills. I had to adjust to being more intentional with checking emails, following up, and staying on top of ongoing communication. I learned that this kind of workplace communication is crucial for staying organized and making sure nothing gets missed. I also learned to appreciate how communication and fluid teamwork show up at Trellis Foundation, especially with such a small team, to keep everyone aligned and able to understand the Foundation’s work and priorities.
This experience also strengthened my ability to work effectively in a hybrid, primarily remote environment while staying connected to my team and engaged with the Foundation’s broader mission and work. I am also leaving the Foundation with stronger skills in communication, adaptability, and navigating collaborative professional environments.
Looking back, what skills or experiences from this internship do you believe will be most beneficial in the future?
One of the biggest things I am taking away from this internship is a better understanding of nonprofits and how different parts of an organization work together to support a larger mission. It also inspired me to think about how to run my own business and how strategy and communication connect across different types of work.
Above everything, the impact of the Foundation and the organizations it supports has been eye-opening and has given me a stronger sense of how nonprofits can change outcomes for students. My time at Trellis Foundation complemented my experiences as a student by giving me a broader perspective on the systems, policies, and organizations that support student success beyond the classroom. Through my work, I connected what I have learned in Marketing and African and African Diaspora Studies to real-world efforts focused on educational access, persistence, and attainment across Texas.
As a student leader active in student organizations and youth advocacy through groups like Young Invincibles, I found that the internship also reinforced the importance of student engagement on campus and in public policy, community building, and creating opportunities for others to succeed. Seeing the Foundation’s partnerships with grantees and institutions helped me better understand how collaboration can drive meaningful change for students.
About the Author
Kaitlyn Koba is a dual-degree student at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the McCombs School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in African and African Diaspora Studies. Raised by her grandparents in Beaumont, Texas, she draws inspiration from her lived experiences and community, using digital storytelling as a tool for advocacy and empowerment. Kaitlyn has held several strategic marketing and outreach roles, including Associate Director of Outreach and Media Relations for UT Student Government, Digital Marketing Intern for the UT Computer Science Department, and Youth Advocate with Young Invincibles. These experiences have shaped her interest in content creation and creative strategy. As the Communications Intern at Trellis Foundation, she looks forward to amplifying the Foundation’s impact on students and sharpening her skills in brand development and media management—experience she intends to carry into a future career in marketing and consulting.