Madi Rau-Serpas makes big marketing moves

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Madi Rau-Serpas, a junior digital marketing student at Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business, is fostering a successful career through her involvement in student organizations. From Bay City, Michigan, Rau-Serpas has learned the importance of connections and team building. 

With a motivation for getting involved, Rau-Serpas began her leadership journey early on in her college career.

“Before diving into digital marketing, I had the opportunity to gain leadership experience as a first-year student through the Leadership in Training (LIT) club at WMU. This club was an invaluable part of my early college years, as it provided a chance to engage with my fellow students in my residence hall, create a social media presence for the club and organize events. These experiences introduced me to the power of engaging communities and developing strategies to reach people through events and digital media. My time in LIT helped shape my leadership skills and ignited my passion for using digital tools to create meaningful interactions and experiences.”

Initially majoring in cybersecurity, Rau-Serpas transferred to WMU Haworth in her sophomore year. Once she transferred, she began to have experiences in a variety of different fields. 

“I took my first accounting class with Dr. Brittani Shantel Jackson, who made the subject come alive with real-world examples. She encouraged me to pursue an accounting minor and guided me through the process, answering questions and even informing me of scholarship and tutoring opportunities. Toward the end of the semester, she shared that she was looking for someone to take over as president of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) at WMU, as the club was in transition. I saw an opportunity to support NABA’s message by using my digital marketing skills to grow the organization and reach students who would benefit from it. I accepted the presidency, and I’ve successfully increased membership from 10 to 50 members.”

Rau-Serpas is a leading force in the digital marketing program, with her devotion to her work making her stand out. “Digital marketing isn’t confined to a single industry,” she says. “Professionals can work in entertainment, fashion, tech, education and so many other fields. This versatility makes the field incredibly exciting, as digital marketers can work in any industry they’re passionate about. This field encourages lifelong learning, as new trends, tools and platforms constantly emerge. Staying up to date with these changes keeps the work fresh and exciting!”

Planning to graduate next spring, Rau-Serpas is soaking up her final semesters at WMU. She shares this advice for future business students.

“Embrace change, get involved early, and create your own opportunities. Joining clubs allowed me to develop leadership and digital marketing skills, even though my focus initially wasn’t in marketing. Getting involved early, whether through student organizations or events, can help you build a network and discover what excites you. These experiences taught me that leadership is about recognizing opportunities and taking action, which can lead to success in unexpected ways. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.”

This summer, Rau-Serpas is excited to work as an SEO intern with Kzoom, a digital marketing company based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She plans to continue her education post-graduation, aspiring to earn her master’s degree to deepen her understanding of marketing.

Learn more about digital marketing at WMU.

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