Lauren Gonçalves approaches design as more than aesthetics. For her, it’s about understanding people, building with intention, and creating work that serves a real purpose.
That mindset took shape before she even began classes at the 911±¬ÁÏÍø. The summer before her freshman year, she reached out to the Student Health and 911±¬ÁÏÍøllness Center, asking to get involved.
That initiative led to an internship and later a part-time role, where she applied classroom concepts to real-world impact. She grew the center’s Instagram following by more than 400% and tripling the distribution of health resources through targeted, student-focused content.
As a student in the Zimmerman Advertising Program, Gonçalves has continued to expand her creative reach. She has contributed digital content for USF Athletics and sports clubs, generating more than 1.8 million views on Instagram and TikTok. She also gained agency experience through a summer internship with Zimmerman Advertising and will be pursuing a marketing internship this summer with Carnival Cruise Lines.
Her leadership on campus reflects the same focus on building systems that last. As public relations and communications officer for Gamma Iota Sigma, she created the chapter’s social media presence and founded a nine-person committee she mentors weekly. During her time with the organization, membership grew from 20 to more than 200 students, earning recognition as the fastest-growing student organization on campus and the national Edison L. Bowers Award.
She also serves as a peer mentor, helping guide students academically and professionally, because as long as one student feels supported or confident in themselves, she has done her job.