First-generation college student Leslie Gonzalez Tapia uplifts those around her

By: Camille Gibbs

As a first-generation college student who has also taken on several internships, Leslie Gonzalez Tapia is a role model for her younger sisters.

While navigating college without guidance, Gonzalez Tapia has faced challenges and internal pressure. However, she has persevered because of her motivations to guide her younger sisters as they transition from high school to college.

“I wanted this not only for me, but this is also for my sisters,” she said. “It's been amazing seeing my sisters start prepping by applying to colleges. I'm so glad that I can be someone that helps and guides them. They know about all these things that I didn't.”

After transferring from Calhoun Community College, Gonzalez Tapia took the opportunity to work at the UAH Fitness Center as a social media content producing intern, where she created social media content for various sports departments. After she built a social media brand, two more interns joined the team under her supervision.

“The two interns taught me how to manage and delegate work and how to be a leader,” Gonzalez Tapia said. “I always want to be like everyone that's ever been my mentor. I wanted to be someone that they could come to when they needed help or someone to be there to support and guide them, but not overstep and not let them do anything.”

She also worked as marketing and communications intern at the UAH Athletics Communications Department, where she wrote articles and maintained and updated websites and social media accounts.

These experiences have helped Gonzalez Tapia transition into her current position as a content producing intern at the modern media company Hville Blast.

“I do a lot of articles and roundups and research on different companies and produce social media content,” she said. “I wrote little blurbs about the Huntsville Trash Pandas, Huntsville Havoc, Huntsville Novas and the Huntsville City Football Club.”

Gonzalez Tapia also serves as a marketing and communications intern at the UAH Office of Undergraduate Admissions, where she showcases UAH to prospective students.

Gonzalez Tapia has a long-term goal for her future.

“I ultimately want to have my own marketing agency that's geared towards small businesses, because marketing is such a tough thing to dive into. I would love to help small businesses or even bigger corporations and plan and strategize all their marketing needs.