Mia Melendez

Mia's History Making Moments

What are your central passion(s), and how do you plan to pursue them after graduation? How have your experiences at Flagler shaped these passions?

My passion is marketing, specifically social media. To some, that may sound like simply taking photos and posting aesthetically on Instagram. And while I do love creating content and curating visually appealing feeds, it’s so much more than that.

During my time at Flagler, I’ve been able to dive deeper into the true meaning of marketing and understand why it’s so essential. Without marketing, audiences wouldn’t know who you are, what you stand for, or why your brand matters. It truly is the heartbeat of any company. After graduation, I’m proud to share that I will continue with Soliant Healthcare as a Marketing Coordinator, supporting two of their brands. In this role, I’ll be developing social media and email strategies, analyzing performance metrics, and translating data into insights that help guide decision-making across teams.

Who or what inspired your passion in this area?

My passion for social media began in high school, inspired by both my yearbook class and my mom. After being homeschooled for my first two years, I went back to public school my junior year and was placed in yearbook. Initially, I was drawn to the photography aspect, but I quickly discovered a deeper passion for creating and storytelling. I eventually became the business manager for the yearbook, where I connected with sponsors and families to design advertisements that highlighted their brands and celebrated graduating seniors. Receiving feedback from these clients pushed me to continuously improve and think more strategically about how to communicate a message. This is where I first discovered my love for marketing.

At the same time, my mom launched her own marketing agency, Growing Socially, which focused on helping small businesses grow their social media presence. Working alongside her gave me hands-on experience and further confirmed that this is where I belong. I’ve developed a genuine passion for helping businesses and individuals tell their stories and market themselves in meaningful, creative ways.

Can you share a memorable story from your time at Flagler that always makes you smile? What made this moment special for you?

A memorable moment from my time at Flagler was being elected Student Government President at the end of my junior year. My involvement in Student Government began in high school, where I first discovered my passion of advocating for students and ensuring their voices were heard by administration.

When I joined Flagler’s Student Government as a Senator during my first year, I set a goal for myself: one day, I would become President. Each year, I worked toward that goal with intention and dedication because I knew it was what I truly wanted. Seeing my name next to “President” in that email was an unforgettable moment. It brought me so much joy and pride, knowing how far I had come, and that I was making my younger, homeschooled self proud.

Which academic resources, experiences, or mentors at Flagler were most valuable to you, and how did they contribute to your success?

During my time at Flagler, I’ve been fortunate to have access to incredible resources, experiences, and mentors. Three individuals who will always stand out to me are Logan Gullage, Ashley Brown, and Dr. Kimberly Bynum. 

Logan and Ashley are truly the hearts of Student Leadership and Engagement. Logan Gullage, the advisor for Student Government, has played a huge role in shaping the organization into what it is today. Throughout the challenges we’ve faced during my time here, her guidance, leadership, and unwavering support have made all the difference, and it will never go unnoticed.

Ashley Brown is the ultimate SLE queen. She was actually one of the first people I met during orientation, which makes our connection even more special. She has witnessed my entire journey at Flagler and having her as a constant source of support has meant so much to me.

Dr. Kimberly Bynum has been a professor of mine for nearly every semester at Flagler, supporting me academically throughout the four years. She is one of the strongest and most inspiring individuals I know. Her genuine care for her students is evident in everything she does, and she truly embodies the impact that faculty members can have on their students’ lives. I am so grateful to these three incredible women for being such an important part of my support system and my Flagler experience.

What advice or lesson would you give to your freshman year self about the college experience?

The advice I would give to my freshman-year self is that everything happens for a reason. There will be times when things don’t feel right, when you feel like you should’ve won something, or even when things feel too good to be true. But there is always a reason behind what you’re experiencing, even if you haven’t seen it yet. That’s a lesson I’ve learned and carried throughout my time here, and it’s something I’ll take with me forever. Literally, it’s even tattooed on my arm!

In the Flagler spirit, how do you hope to make history after graduation?

After graduation, I am becoming the Marketing Coordinator for two brands with Soliant Healthcare. Soliant was the home of my first internship which lasted all of 2025. It is so rewarding to be able to go back and pursue a career with the company that I was an intern for!