Tower Media, HPU's student-run marketing agency.
Hawaiʻi Pacific University has launched Tower Media, a new student-run marketing agency designed to give students hands-on experience while advancing the university’s digital marketing capabilities in an increasingly AI-driven world.
More than a traditional internship program, Tower Media is embedded within HPU’s Marketing & Communications team, functioning as both an experiential learning platform and a strategic engine to strengthen how the university connects with prospective students across digital channels.
A New Model for Experiential Learning
Tower Media reflects HPU’s commitment to “learning by doing,” bringing together academic coursework, professional mentorship, and real-world application. Students work directly on live marketing projects, gaining practical experience in digital strategy, analytics, and content development.
The agency operates as a working “Marketing Lab,” where students collaborate with marketing professionals to build content and campaigns designed for today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
“Tower Media represents the evolution of how we prepare students for the workforce,” said Jeffrey Rich, Vice President of Marketing & Communications. “We’re giving students the opportunity to work on real projects that directly impact the university while developing skills in AI, digital strategy, and content development that are in high demand across industries.”
The HPU Marketing Communications team from left to right-top row, Vice President Jeffrey Rich, Director of Marketing Dabney Gough, Director of Strategic Communications Gregory Fischbach, Social Media Manager Brynn Cowe. From left to right-bottom row, Director of Creative Services Anastasiia Vlasova, Digital Marketing Strategist Kristin Niizawa, Video Production Specialist Ian Bressel, Director of Editorial Services Lianne Yamamura.
Student-Led Innovation in Action
This summer, the agency is launching in a pilot phase with two graduate students: John Stockton and Andy Balha. Together, they are helping shape the foundation of Tower Media while contributing to high-impact marketing initiatives.
Their work is focused on optimizing HPU’s website and digital content for AI-assisted search, helping ensure that the university’s programs are more visible and accessible through AI-powered platforms such as generative search tools. The team is also working to enhance HPU’s chatbot “Sharky,” improving how it engages with prospective students and delivers timely, relevant information.
For the students involved, the experience offers a unique opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a meaningful, real-world context.
“Being part of Tower Media has completely changed how I think about marketing,” said Stockton. “We’re not just talking about strategy, we’re actually building and testing it in real time, and seeing how it impacts how people discover HPU.”
“The focus on AI and search optimization is especially exciting,” added Balha. “We’re working at the intersection of data, marketing, and emerging technology, which is exactly where the industry is headed.”
Expanding Across Marketing Channels
While the initial focus of Tower Media is on AI search and digital optimization, the agency model is designed to extend across a broad range of marketing functions.
Students will contribute to ongoing work in:
- Website and SEO optimization
- Social media strategy and content creation
- Digital advertising campaigns
- Editorial storytelling and news content
- Video and multimedia production
This integrated approach allows HPU to expand its marketing capacity while maintaining strong editorial standards and brand consistency.
At the same time, it exposes students to the full spectrum of modern marketing, equipping them with both creative and analytical skills that are highly sought after across industries.
Opportunities for Students to Get Involved
As Tower Media continues to grow, HPU students will have opportunities to join the agency starting this fall through both academic and paid pathways.
Students can:
- Participate as part of an internship or practicum for academic credit
- Apply to work as a paid student employee within the agency
The program is designed to be interdisciplinary, welcoming students from marketing, communications, journalism, multimedia, business analytics, and related fields.
A Strategic Investment in Student Success
The launch of Tower Media represents a broader shift in how HPU approaches marketing, moving toward a model that emphasizes continuous content development, digital innovation, and data-driven strategy. More importantly, it reflects a commitment to preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
By embedding students directly into the university’s marketing operation, HPU is creating a powerful bridge between academic learning and professional experience, ensuring graduates leave not only with knowledge, but with a portfolio of real-world impact.
As Tower Media evolves, it will stand as both a strategic asset for the university and a defining example of HPU’s commitment to innovation, experiential learning, and workforce readiness. For more information or to apply as a student worker, you can email the agency at marcomm@hpu.edu.
