Student spotlight: DeAndra Hodge

October 31, 2019

Like many students just entering college, DeAndra Hodge wasn’t sure what her future would hold or what path she would take to achieve her goals. But through involvement in campus life at the University of Montevallo, her journey to success has already seen a positive start.

“Just being on the campus and knowing there are so many other people on campus who were in the same boat of not really knowing where we belong in the world, that’s when I knew I was at the right place,” Hodge said. “I realized that I have teachers and friends who are helping me figure that out. That really made it clear to me that I belong at Montevallo because the people here helped me become the person I am today. I’ve had a lot of opportunities to be a leader here at the University.” Hodge is an art major focusing on graphic design with a minor in public relations, and is set to graduate in December. After graduation, she would like to continue to hone her graphic design skills by working with a print publication company. Last summer, Hodge interned with Wilbron, Inc. in Birmingham, where she focused on designing materials for Freedom Fest. She is currently interning with Taziki’s Mediterranean Café, where she produces in-house marketing materials for the company.

 

“With my current internship, I’m kind of getting to see how graphic design works in-house. It’s really interesting and I’m learning a lot,” she said.

While preparing for her future career, Hodge has also been heavily involved with campus organizations, including SGA, Freshman Forum, Delta Sigma Theta Inc., Purple Side, Alpha Lambda Delta, Senior Who’s Who and the Alabamian.

During her time as an upperclassman, Hodge has been working to make other students feel just as welcome as she did when she arrived at UM as a freshman.

“I love meeting new people here because I get to help them realize that they belong here, too,” Hodge said.