If there’s one thing Texas State is serving right now, it’s influencers who know how to balance campus life, social media, and their passions like pros. Social media isn’t just about keeping up with trends for these two – it’s about creating community, repping TXST, and making content that feels real. I had the chance to chat with two of our biggest stars on campus: Melissa Rodriguez and Stephanie Valdez. From fashion inspo to day-in-the-life vlogs, these ladies are doing it all and keeping us hooked.
And honestly, I get it – I’m one of those students. I remember scrolling through TikTok and one of Melissa’s posts popped up on my For You page. She was showing off her day at TXST, which seriously made me consider looking into the school. I wasn’t the only one either. With the way these two create content, they’re drawing in both future and current students who can relate to their journeys. But who are these influencers, and what makes them stand out?
Melissa Rodriguez (a.k.a. @melissardiaz_)
Melissa Rodriguez is no stranger to building connections and she’s already made a name for herself on campus. As a sophomore majoring in Public Relations, Melissa’s content focuses on the perfect blend of college life, fashion, and lifestyle. And let me tell you, she’s as relatable as it gets.
“I heard so many good things about Texas State’s mass communication and public relations program, and when I saw how much financial aid I’d get, it just felt right,” Melissa explained. But it wasn’t just the academics that drew her in. Getting involved with Her Campus at TXST gave her the extra push to lean into her influencer journey. “It opened so many doors,” she said. “And those doors led to collaborations with brands, making content about travel, fashion, and, of course, Texas State.”
Melissa’s content is all about authenticity.
“People want to connect with someone who’s going through the same stuff they are – like figuring out what to wear to class or dealing with burnout halfway through the semester,” she shares. With fun and approachable posts like day-in-the-life vlogs and travel recaps, she’s keeping it real with her audience while staying on top of the school. Time management is key for her – cue her love for Google Calendar and Notion to keep everything in check.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Melissa has faced mental blocks and moments of self-doubt. “There are definitely times where I’m like, ‘Should I even post this?’” she admits. But she’s learned to push past those moments, reminding herself that at the end of the day, it’s her platform, and she has the control. Her advice to other students considering taking the plunge into influencing: “Just start. Use your free resources, do your research, and be consistent.”
Melissa has also used social media to help fund her college experience. “My on-campus job only schedules me once a week, but the financial support I get through social media gives me some extra stability,” she notes. Her online presence has opened doors for networking, collaborations with brands, and connections to other influencers, turning what was once just a hobby into something bigger.
Stephanie Valdez (a.k.a. @_stephanievaldez)
If you’re on TikTok (which, let’s be honest, most of us are), you’ve probably come across one of Stephanie Valdez’s videos. With nearly 14k followers on TikTok and a growing Instagram following of 800, Stephanie’s content is all about sharing the ins and outs of college life. As a senior majoring in Interior Design, she’s captured the attention of thousands with her casual vlogs and beauty and fashion tips.
Stephanie’s journey to TXST started during the height of the pandemic. “I was watching YouTube videos and just fell in love with the nature here,” she recalls. What sealed the deal, though, was TXST’s Interior Design program, which integrates early internships, giving students a head start in their careers.
While she didn’t grow up with social media, Stephanie’s freshman year dorm tour video took off, and she’s been building her platform ever since. Her content is niche, focusing on TXST, college lifestyle, beauty, and fashion, with her vlogs and “get ready with me” videos grabbing the most views. Oh, and let’s not forget that viral Target TikTok where she’s casually walking to the store and racked up 5 million views. Yes, Target reached out to her after that!
What’s incredibly inspiring about Stephanie is that even though she’s had major brand deals – Target, Ulta, and Barefoot San Marcos, to name a few—she’s never lost sight of what matters. She keeps her content fun and doesn’t take it too seriously, showing students that you don’t have to stress to make an impact. Her advice for aspiring influencers? “Just start posting and pretend you already have a million followers. Fake it ‘til you make it!”
Beyond influencing, Stephanie is also a University Ambassador, a role she’s held for four years. She takes pride in giving back to the TXST community through campus tours and events, showing how her social media success connects with her journey at the university.
The Power of Inspiration
Both Melissa and Stephanie are proving that being a college influencer is more than just posting pretty pictures and viral videos. They’re inspiring students like me who might be scrolling through TikTok or Instagram and are curious about college life at TXST. Melissa’s day-in-the-life content gave me a glimpse into what being a Bobcat could look like, and it made me excited to consider TXST as my college home.
Current students’ journeys show what’s possible with creativity, passion, and, most importantly, staying true to yourself. Whether building brand deals or balancing midterms with TikToks, they’re setting a new standard for how college influencers can shape and inspire their community.
Balancing College and Social Media
But it’s not always easy. Both influencers have faced their fair share of challenges when balancing content creation with college life. Stephanie admits that juggling filming, editing, and just living in the moment is challenging. “Sometimes I start a vlog and totally forget to film the rest of my day,” she laughs. And when it comes to mental blocks, Melissa and Stephanie know the pressure is real. But they’ve found ways to manage it by taking a break from social media, ignoring negativity, or staying grounded in their self-confidence.
For anyone thinking about joining the influencer world, they both say the same thing: consistency is vital, but so is having fun. “Put yourself out there and find your niche,” Stephanie advises.
Looking to the Future
Both of these influencers have bright futures ahead. Melissa still has a few more years at TXST and plans to make the most of it. She’s hoping to continue building her brand and would love to work with more organizations on campus. “I want to work with a club or maybe even the school of journalism here,” she says.
As for Stephanie, she’s ready to make the most of her senior year with goals to hit 15k followers on TikTok and ace her classes. After graduation, she plans to travel Europe and pursue her career in interior design, though she’s unsure how social media will fit post-grad. “I love social media, but I don’t have any specific plans after graduation,” she says. Either way, we’re sure her journey will continue to inspire.
Melissa and Stephanie are more than just influencers – they’re role models for students navigating the college experience. They show us all that with dedication, creativity, and heart, you can turn your social media into a platform for authentic connection. So whether you’re considering applying to TXST or already here, following them will give you all the inspo you need to balance college life, build a brand, and, most importantly, have fun doing it. These ladies are living proof that anything is possible when you embrace your passion and stay true to yourself. So what are you waiting for? Just start posting!