If you had told me my freshman year of college that I’d be hired at a nonprofit as a Communications Intern, I probably would’ve laughed and sipped more boba. Not because the idea seemed far-fetched, but because when I first got to college, I knew what I wanted to do, but I didn’t know where to start. But now, here I am, and honestly, I couldn’t be more excited.
My name is Rubyjoy Pepito (Ruby), and I’m currently a communication major at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, TX, with an expected graduation in December 2027. People always say, “college is what you make it,” and I honestly can see why. HT has been so much more than just a school for me; it’s where I found my voice.
As a freshman, I hit the ground running, serving as the Freshman Class Public Relations Chair, HT Theatre Guild Social Media Chair, and NAACP Public Relations Team Member. In these roles, I grew into student leadership on my campus and made connections with students, faculty, and staff alike. As I start my third year, I’ve chosen to trade the many hats for fewer, more focused roles. I currently serve as the 2026-2027 Huston-Tillotson University Miss Junior Elect.
My journey into communications, however, was fostered behind a cash register. At Love Bubble Tea on East 6th Street, I wasn’t just making drinks and taking orders. I was managing the shop’s entire social media presence by creating content, responding to customers online, and building seasonal campaigns. It was scrappy, it was fun, and it taught me that storytelling and connecting with people aren’t just about getting the message out; it’s about making people feel seen and included.
From there, HT gave me my first big break in my communications career: an internship with Tech Allies, where I got my first real taste of professional event coordination, managed logistics for executive networking events, supported sponsors’ communications, and produced marketing materials.
Most recently, I’ve worked as a Communications Intern at HT’s Institutional Advancement office, drafting press releases, supporting alumni events like Homecoming, and creating graphics in InDesign and Canva. That role confirmed something I felt about my major: I want to use communications to do something bigger.
Which brings me to why I’m here. Trellis Foundation’s commitment to improving postsecondary attainment isn’t just a mission statement I read on the website; it’s something I feel personally. As an HBCU student watching my peers navigate the very real challenges of staying in school, I know systemic barriers don’t disappear just because you got an acceptance letter. That’s why this work matters to me. I’m here because I believe in what the Foundation is building.
This internship is exactly the next step I didn’t know I was looking for. I want to learn what it really looks like to turn a mission into momentum, one blog post, one press release, one campaign, one story at a time. I want to do it as part of an organization that believes, like I do, that a degree shouldn’t be a privilege reserved for the few who face the fewest obstacles. If I can help even one student feel as seen as I hope to make others feel, I’ll consider this internship a success before it even ends.
I can’t wait to get to work.
About the Author
Rubyjoy Pepito—Ruby—is a junior Communication major at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, TX, with experience spanning institutional communications, community engagement, and campus leadership. She previously served as an Institutional Advancement Communication Intern at Huston-Tillotson University, where she drafted content for the university’s website, communications, and press releases, and supported event planning for alumni reunions, Homecoming, and community outreach. Ruby is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Huston-Tillotson University, graduating in Fall 2027. She currently serves as Huston-Tillotson University’s 2026–2027 Miss Junior. Outside of school, Ruby enjoys reading, walking, visiting museums, and trying new places around Austin, and loves finding beauty in everyday moments. Her career interests center on entertainment public relations, representing POC and Black artists, creatives, and brands.