September Member of the Month: Melissa Zazzo

This week, we’re excited to highlight Melissa Zazzo,

Melissa Zazzo

a dedicated member of the Ferris State University

American Marketing Association (AMA).

Melissa’s passion for communication, creativity,

and professional growth shines through both in

and out of the classroom.

Getting to Know Melissa

“My name is Melissa Zazzo, I’m 23 years old, and I’m currently a junior at Ferris State University pursuing my bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in marketing,” she shared.

Outside of school, Melissa bartends at Star Shooters and also helps manage the bar’s social media accounts, combining her marketing knowledge with real-world experience.

When asked to share something unique about herself, Melissa smiled and said, “I have three cats, Gizmo, Soup, and Flounder and they’re my absolute favorites.”

In her free time, Melissa enjoys staying active at the gym, as well as writing and journaling. “It’s a great way to clear my mind and stay motivated,” she added.

Involvement in AMA

Melissa first heard about the AMA through one of her best friends, who encouraged her to join after learning about her interest in marketing. “Even though my friend wasn’t in the marketing association, he knew it would be a great opportunity for me to meet goal-oriented people and develop professional skills,” she explained.

Her favorite part of being in the club? “Definitely meeting new people and being able to see more familiar faces around campus,” she said. “I also love challenging myself in ways I never have before.”

One of her standout memories from her time in AMA was winning first place in the elevator pitch competition at the West Michigan Collegiate Sales Competition. “At first, I wasn’t even that excited to participate in the group practice,” she admitted. “But once I committed to the full experience, it really paid off.”

Personal and Professional Growth

Melissa credits the AMA with boosting her self-confidence and helping her regain focus after taking a couple of gap years from school. “Working at the bar and getting back into academics was tough,” she shared. “But being part of AMA showed me how I could thrive in a professional atmosphere as long as I stayed open-minded and committed.”

Through her involvement, Melissa has also strengthened her public speaking skills and learned to take herself seriously as a professional. “This experience has helped me prove to myself that I’m capable. The club is really what you make of it.”

She’s also made plenty of meaningful connections. “I love meeting new people, and everyone in AMA is so friendly,” Melissa said. “It’s a club for everyone, if you want to be here, there’s a place for you.”

Looking Ahead

Melissa is eager to continue learning as much as she can through her involvement with AMA. “I didn’t expect to learn how to give an effective elevator pitch, but now that’s a skill I’ll carry with me throughout my career.”

When asked what advice she’d give to someone considering joining AMA, she didn’t hesitate:“Do it! There’s no financial commitment unless you become a national member, so why not come check it out? At the very least, you’ll make a new friend.”