Posted on April 20, 2026 by Rebekah Alegria
Marlene Perez didn’t wait for graduation to start building her career — she built it first, then returned to the classroom.
Marlene Perez
A senior marketing student in the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, Perez is the director of development at San Antonio Pets Alive!, where she helps expand community partnerships, strengthen donor relationships and increase visibility for the organization’s programming.
For Perez, the decision to return to school wasn’t about following a timeline. It was about positioning herself for long-term growth and ensuring she could lead with confidence in rooms where strategy, credibility and connection matter.
“Going back to school felt like an important step not just to advance my career, but to deepen my understanding and build confidence in my knowledge,” said Perez, a native of Brownsville.
Before transferring to UT San Antonio, Perez completed her associate degree at San Antonio College while building professional experience in the workforce. Over time, she learned what many nontraditional students discover firsthand: the value of education doesn’t disappear with age — it becomes clearer.
“I like learning, and I like to continue to better myself every single day,” she said. “I thrive in environments where I’m challenged, and education is a place for me to explore my passions.”
As Perez’ career grew, she wanted an education that matched the direction she was heading. UT San Antonio made sense not just as a university, but as a city-centered institution she felt proud to represent.
“What better way to represent the city of San Antonio than to attend a university so deeply tied to it?” she said.
Choosing to major in marketing was equally intentional. For Perez, marketing is an avenue of advocacy, using strategy and storytelling to move people to care, give and get involved.
“Marketing has strengthened how I tell the story of our mission,” Perez said. “The pets in San Antonio don’t have a voice and through my work, I get to be that voice. My experience as a marketing student at the Alvarez College of Business has helped me amplify it even further.”
At San Antonio Pets Alive!, Perez’ role is built around relationships. Her days can include donor stewardship, corporate outreach, networking events, community partnerships and the behind-the-scenes planning that powers nonprofit growth.
She’s also proud of the role she’s played in helping more people recognize the organization’s impact.
“What I’m most proud of is being able to increase the visibility of the organization,” she said. “We’re seeing stronger recognition across San Antonio, with new partners and generous donors joining our mission. That growing support is making a real impact, but there’s still so much more we can do together.”
Though difficult at times, Perez says being a student while working professionally has strengthened her confidence and sharpened her communication skills. In one course this semester, she’s been challenged to step outside her comfort zone in ways that mirror what leadership often requires: initiating conversations, building confidence and learning how to show up consistently.
Managing both school and a leadership role takes structure, and Perez relies on organization to keep everything moving.
“Over the years I have learned how to be structured and prioritize what is important,” she said. “I use my calendar and email to keep me organized.”
As she works toward graduation, Perez is already thinking beyond the bachelor’s degree, considering graduate school and continuing to grow as a professional who leads with purpose.
She’s quick to acknowledge that a nontraditional path isn’t always easy — but she doesn’t view it as a limitation.
“It is very tough,” she said. “But it’s also not impossible. If there’s something that you truly want to do, don’t stop. Just keep pushing through.”
— Rebekah Alegria
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