Published on June 30, 2026 by Catherine Smith  
Julia Tripp

Julia Tripp ’26, a graduate of Samford University’s Brock School of Business, is already building on the foundation she developed during her time on campus. A Memphis, Tennessee, native, Tripp majored in marketing and made close connections on campus through leadership roles and student involvement. Following graduation, she now serves as a strategic marketing and communication engagement intern with the Executive Leadership Council in Washington, D.C.

Tell us about your time at Samford. Were there any organizations you were involved with as a student?

As a student, I majored in marketing and stayed heavily involved on campus. I was a Ragland Scholar, a member of the Latino Student Organization and competed on Brock School of Business’ National Collegiate Digital Marketing Competition team in the spring. I also worked in both the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement, while serving as a member of the Omicron Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Outside the classroom, I completed internships with the Tennessee Department of Education, Comcast, D.C. United and The Swift Club App, gaining experience across marketing, communications and brand strategy.

What led you to the Executive Leadership Council?

The Executive Leadership Council’s mission to develop and support c-suite and senior executives at Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies immediately stood out to me. Leadership development is essential at every stage of a career, and the opportunity to contribute to an organization that cultivates influential leaders while learning from them has been incredibly rewarding.

What projects are you working on at the Executive Leadership Council?

At ELC, I support a variety of marketing and communications initiatives, including email campaigns for member programs, events and the organization’s annual gala. I have also helped streamline workflows within project management software to improve overall team efficiency. Additionally, I analyze website, email, social media and event performance data to identify trends and recommend marketing solutions. I also collaborate with our digital marketing agency to develop content for social media, events and professional development webinars.

How did Samford prepare you for life after graduation?

I am so grateful for several experiences at Samford that prepared me for this role. Courtney Peters’ digital marketing analytics course and her mentorship during the National Collegiate Digital Marketing Competition strengthened my analytical and strategic thinking skills.

My internship experiences provided real-world marketing experience, while my role in the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement developed my content creation and communications abilities. The Ragland Scholars program and the Office of Community Engagement taught me the importance of intentionally valuing people, an approach that has been invaluable in a fast-paced professional environment. Finally, the Career Development Center helped me build the resume, interview and professional skills that provided a strong foundation early in my college career.

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.