09
May
2022
|
15:10 PM
America/Chicago

The Sky’s The Limit: Scholarship Fuels Marketing Student’s Goals, Dreams

Summary

By Mark Kramer

Sloane PardueSloane Pardue is a student on the rise.

The senior marketing major at the University of Houston-Downtown’s Marilyn Davies College of Business currently works full time in product marketing for an education technology company, maintains a family life, and serves as a volunteer for several organizations.

By the way, she’s also the recipient of a major scholarship.

Pardue was presented with the $5,000 Advertising Education Foundation of Houston Scholarship at a recent awards luncheon.

“It was such a humbling honor to be selected for such a generous scholarship,” she said. “This scholarship will assist me in graduating within my goal timeframe by allowing me to take additional classes during the Fall and Spring semesters.”

The nontraditional student returned to college at UHD when she relocated to Houston six years ago and landed a job as a marketing director serving four Chick-Fil-A restaurants in the Houston area. She was recently presented an opportunity in March and accepted a new position at Coding Dojo, an education technology firm.

“What I am learning at UHD is helping me to grow as a leader within the tech field to bring more opportunities to women and those from underserved communities,” Pardue said. “I love marketing because it involves the beauty of creative, analytical storytelling with the power to bring people together.”

Drew Ellis, owner/operator of two Chick-Fil-A franchises in the Houston area, noticed Pardue’s talent during her six years overseeing the marketing efforts at four restaurants.

“Sloane was a valuable member of our team and helped us grow our marketing presence along the Interstate 10 corridor, and she built a robust online presence. She was an enthusiastic builder of our brand and the teams at our restaurants,” Ellis said.

Dr. Lucille Pointer, UHD Professor of Marketing, is impressed by Pardue’s drive and talents. “Sloane is very energetic, creative, and talented,” Pointer said. “She is already doing great things, and with the knowledge she’s gained on the way to her degree, the sky’s the limit for her.” 

Pardue will walk across the graduation stage in 2023.

“It will be one of the greatest accomplishments of my life,” she said. “The day I earn my diploma, I will finally cross the finish line of the marathon I've been running. It will mean perseverance, joy, and hope to continue to do big things.”

About the University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.