Alumni Spotlight: Melissa Rivera '19
A Conversation with Melissa Rivera '19
October 21, 2026
This October, we’re proud to feature Melissa Rivera ‘19, who returned to campus for our Alumni Culture & Community Celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month. A graduate of SMU in Public Relations and Strategic Communication and Spanish, Melissa works as a Marketing Business Partner at AEG Vision and is also a REALTOR®. Both roles draw on what she values most: meeting people and building meaningful connections.
Purpose as a Gradual Discovery
For Melissa, purpose isn’t something you have to figure out all at once.
Purpose is about finding what gives your life meaning and how you can make a positive impact on others,” she says. “I believe purpose evolves as you grow and experience different stages of life.
Her own path has been gradual, shaped by experiences and relationships, with one constant: “my enjoyment of meeting people, building meaningful connections, and helping others. I think purpose is less about having everything figured out and more about continuing to learn what matters most to you.”
The ESD Foundation: Responsibility, Teamwork, and Community
A student at ESD for eight years, Melissa says the school helped her “develop a strong sense of responsibility, teamwork, and community.” Those lessons shape how she works today, where building relationships remains central.
Her highlights were varied. She played field hockey all eight years, was an active member of Latinos Unidos, and wrote for the Eagle Edition. Journalism stands out in particular, she says, because it taught her “responsibility, collaboration, and attention to detail.”
Her favorite ESD tradition is Pass It On, and she had the chance to do it alongside her younger sister, Camila.
Education and Professional Excellence
- Undergraduate: Southern Methodist University; Public Relations and Strategic Communication, Spanish
- Recognition: Douglas Bauer Incentive Scholar Award
- Current Role: Marketing Business Partner, AEG Vision
- Additional Role: REALTOR®
Purpose: Building Connections
Looking back, Melissa says her ESD experiences helped her realize “how much I value connecting with people and building meaningful relationships, which continues to influence my career today.”
Advice for Current Students
For students hoping to follow a similar path, Melissa offers this advice:
- Stay open: Be receptive to new experiences, and don’t feel you need to have everything figured out right away.
- Build relationships: Take advantage of opportunities and focus on what you enjoy.
- Trust the process: “You never know how one experience or connection might shape your future.”
Every day, our alumni are fulfilling ESD’s mission by making an incredible impact on the world. From innovative entrepreneurs to community leaders to creative trailblazers, their stories are a testament to the power of our community and the values we share. This series is dedicated to showcasing the diverse paths our alumni have taken and the meaningful work they are doing. We believe their journeys will inspire you and highlight the many ways our alumni are living lives of purpose.
Are you an alum with a story to share? We want to hear from you!
Each month, we feature a new Alumni Spotlight, and we're looking for alumni stories to highlight your success, purpose, and impact. Whether you've launched a new business, led a community initiative, achieved a personal goal, or made a difference in your field, we want to celebrate your accomplishments. Ready to be featured? Submit your updates and achievements through the form below for a chance to be our next alumni spotlight.
