Meet Lyla Jacobson, a freshman at Texas State University majoring in public relations with a minor in communication studies. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Lyla chose Texas State because of its nationally recognized mass communication program and the sense of community she felt the first time she stepped on campus. Although moving away from home initially felt intimidating, her first year at Texas State quickly became a period of personal and professional growth thanks to the friendships, mentors, and opportunities she found along the way.
During Spring 2026, Lyla served as the Stelos Alliance Marketing Fellow, where she gained hands-on experience in nonprofit marketing and communications. Working closely with the Marketing Coordinator, Julia Reisz, she strengthened her skills in writing, graphic design, social media strategy, and content creation. Throughout the semester, Lyla created newsletters, wrote student spotlight feature stories, designed Instagram posts, and filmed TikToks. Through this experience, she discovered a passion for storytelling and using communication to highlight the impact of scholarships and student leadership within the Texas State community.
Outside of the classroom and her fellowship, Lyla has been an active leader within the campus community. During her first semester, she was elected President of her residence hall, where she organized events, led biweekly Hall Council meetings, and fostered stronger sense of community among residents. Through this role, she discovered a passion for student engagement and creating experiences that help others feel connected and supported on campus.
Next year, Lyla will continue pursuing that passion while serving on the Residence Hall Association (RHA) Executive Board as the Programming and Engagement Coordinator. In this role, she will collaborate with fellow board members to plan and implement campus-wide events for RHA, the second-largest student organization on campus, which focuses on fostering connection, involvement, and belonging for first-year residents.
In addition to her leadership roles, Lyla currently works as a Supplemental Instruction Leader for an algebra and statistics course. She hosts study sessions designed to help students strengthen their understanding of course content. Balancing two jobs, 18 credit hours, and a leadership position has challenged Lyla to develop strong time management and organizational skills. Despite her busy schedule, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA while also building lasting relationships with students, faculty, and staff across campus.
After graduating, Lyla plans to pursue a master’s degree in student affairs and higher education with hopes of working in university housing or student engagement. Inspired by the mentors and campus leaders who helped shape her first-year experience, she hopes to one day create the same sense of support and belonging for future college students. Through the encouragement of her friends, family, professors, and advisors, Lyla’s first year at Texas State has been both meaningful and unforgettable.
