Student Spotlight: Communication major Adrian Restrepo

Each spring and summer, PLU recognizes seniors from across campus – we reflect with them about their experiences, celebrate their accomplishments, and cheer them on as they make plans and take their next steps after graduating from PLU.

Major: Communication with a Strategic Communication concentration
Minors: Nonprofit Leadership and Innovation Studies

After immigrating to the U.S., Adrian served in the Army and transferred to PLU from Tacoma Community College (TCC). College has been an integral part of working towards his goals: “I always dreamed of getting my bachelor’s degree. While I have always been driven, I never truly saw myself belonging in higher education. PLU changed that. It gave me a sense of belonging and made me realize that I do have a place in higher education.”

“I was raised by a very altruistic and selfless mom, who inspired me to be compassionate. Also, as an immigrant coming to the U.S., I experienced firsthand the unmet needs that many nonprofits work to address. After leaving the Army, I saw the continued need for organizations that support veterans and service members. Those experiences inspired me to pursue the nonprofit leadership minor.”

“I have had incredible experiences at PLU, but one of the most memorable would be my internship with the Tacoma Rescue Mission, in which I applied all the interdisciplinary knowledge I have learned at PLU. I used entrepreneurship and networking skills from Professor Shelly Kurtz’s class, media knowledge from Dr. Brooke Phipps’ classes, and all the wisdom from Dr. Justin Eckstein, Professor Sean Robinson, and advising from Dr. Amy Young. It was a moment where everything I learned came together in a real-world scenario.”

For his senior capstone project as a Communication major, Adrian worked alongside PLU’s Wellbeing Services and Resources (WSR) to make it easier for PLU students to find support when they need it.

“Dr. Frey [PLU Dean of Students] and I discussed needs within WSR. One crucial need was expanding their marketing and outreach, not only to students but also to other departments and possible partners in the community.”

His project included extensive outreach to understand how people tap into WSR resources – and why some students don’t know about WSR. “We conducted various focus groups, surveyed 10% of the student population, and connected with new stakeholders both on and off campus.” Ultimately, Adrian’s capstone yielded a comprehensive communication strategy that WSR can employ to reach more students.

“I am blessed and love that all the professors in the communications department have given me the freedom and opportunity to develop projects with other departments. In the real world, very few jobs are ultra-specialized, and we live in an era in which diverse skills and broad experience can be extremely valuable. I’m grateful that my professors have supported interdisciplinary work and encouraged us to think beyond the classroom.”

“I want to work with veteran-focused non-profit organizations while also exploring family entrepreneurship ventures. I will also be pursuing an MBA in the near future to continue building on my experience and to help me create a bigger impact in my community.”

“I will miss the community the most. PLU has a unique environment where anyone is welcomed and supported. It is a place in which staff, professors, and other students genuinely want to see you succeed.”

“PLU is more than just a college. It is a place to grow, connect, and be driven by servant leadership. I am grateful for the people, opportunities, and experiences that helped me become who I am today. I am honored to be a Lute.”

Adapted from the PLU News Article, ‘‘Making support easier to find: Adrian Restrepo’s ’26 capstone creates campus-wide impact’’ by Britt Board, Assistant Director of Communications