“Tarleton State University is a place where you can really grow, both personally and professionally. The classes give you a strong foundation in your field, but what makes TSU truly special is the opportunities to get hands-on experience, build confidence, and discover your strengths.”
Sarah Nolting
Tarleton State Alumna, Class of 2021
Finding your footing in college can be overwhelming at times.
It can be especially scary if you realize, midway through your journey, that the path you originally forged no longer aligns with the goals you have set for yourself.
For Tarleton State alumna Sarah Nolting, no obstacle, even changing majors during her sophomore year, could stop her from not just achieving her goals but exceeding her own expectations.
~Life at Tarleton State University~
Sarah’s Texan journey began like many others — with a “love at first sight” moment that led her to make Tarleton State her home.
“I chose to attend Tarleton because the first time I stepped on campus it felt like a home away from home. From the welcoming staff to the incredible traditions and rich history, Tarleton felt like a warm hug the moment I stepped on campus,” Nolting shared.
The truest challenge she faced was finding a major that perfectly suited the goals she set for herself.
“I wasn’t always a communications major but when I did switch two years in, it was easy to catch up, get connected with my new college, and the professors, specifically Drs. Winslow and Benedict made me fall in love with communications. Their passion and love for teaching and growing students has stuck with me. They truly care about their students going off and being successful and happy and I know I chose the right college because of that,” Nolting said.
As far as getting involved on campus, Sarah had no trouble finding her place! Between joining Phi Mu, being a Texan Rep and getting involved in PRSSA, she certainly made her mark at Tarleton State University.
Sarah graduated from Tarleton State in December 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies with a minor in business.
After crossing the stage, the fun truly began!
~Life after Tarleton State~
She now works full-time as the Senior Communications and Media Specialist for the City of McKinney, specifically within the tourism department, Visit McKinney.
However, this isn’t her first city communications rodeo!
She wore many hats during her time working for the City of Little Elm where she served as the Communications and Tourism Manager.
“Since graduating, my greatest professional accomplishment has been growing into a well-rounded communicator who can balance creativity with crisis management. During my time in Little Elm, I produced my first 50-page community magazine — a fun, large-scale project that reached over 50,000 homes and allowed me to tell stories that brought people closer to their community. At the same time, I managed the more demanding side of municipal communications: handling emergency messaging during snow and ice closures, addressing challenging public safety situations, managing more than 25 social media accounts, and overseeing website updates and upgrades. Those experiences taught me how to pivot quickly, communicate clearly under pressure, and still find creativity in every challenge,” Nolting said.
Now, in her role as the Senior Communications and Media Specialist, she focuses her time on overseeing website updates, SEO and accessibility to maintain and grow Visit McKinney’s online presence.
In addition to helping drive engagement to their sites, Nolting manages advertising strategy and budget, graphic design projects, email and social media marketing, influencer collaborations and the Visit McKinney app!
“My time at Tarleton State University definitely helped prepare me for this role. TSU gave me a strong foundation in communication and marketing, but it also taught me how to be adaptable and take initiative, both essential skills in the fast-paced world of municipal communications. It’s also where I started to step out of my shell, gain confidence in my abilities, and discover how much I enjoy connecting people through creative storytelling. Those lessons continue to guide me in my work today as I promote all the experiences that make McKinney such a special place to visit. And if you’d like to see what we’re up to, follow along with us on Instagram at @VisitMcKinneyTX and Facebook at Visit McKinney. We’re always sharing what makes our city worth the trip,” Nolting said.
“My favorite part of my job is knowing that the work I do has a real impact on my community. Every campaign, event, or piece of content we create plays a part in driving tourism and economic impact, which directly supports our local businesses, residents, and overall quality of life in McKinney. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that promoting our city helps strengthen the community I get to be a part of every day,” Nolting shared.
Sarah’s job isn’t just strategizing! At times, the role calls for event planning whether that’s for a wedding, weekend getaway or group outing!
“Seeing visitors discover McKinney for the first time, or locals rediscover something new about their own city, reminds me why I love this work. It’s a special feeling to know that I’m not just promoting a destination, I’m helping create experiences and memories that connect people to our community in meaningful ways,” Nolting said.
Q&A with Sarah Nolting
Q: Since graduating, what has been your greatest personal accomplishment?
A: Personally, I’m most proud of the confidence I’ve developed along the way. When I first started my career, I was much more reserved and hesitant to take the lead. Over time, through navigating high-pressure situations and seeing the impact of my work, I’ve come out of my shell and learned to trust my instincts. I’ve grown into someone who takes initiative, leads with confidence, and genuinely believes in the value of the stories I’m helping to tell. That growth continues to shape my work today with the City of McKinney, where I get to share what makes our community such a special place to live, work, and visit.
Q: What would you tell future students about Tarleton State & why they should come to school here?
A: I would tell future students that Tarleton State University is a place where you can really grow, both personally and professionally. The classes give you a strong foundation in your field, but what makes TSU truly special is the opportunities to get hands-on experience, build confidence, and discover your strengths.
Whether it’s through group projects, campus organizations, or internships, TSU pushes you to step out of your comfort zone and take initiative.
For me, TSU was where I learned to find my voice, develop my skills, and start building the confidence that has carried me into my career. It’s a community that encourages you to try new things, take on challenges, and connect with people who inspire and support you. If you’re looking for a university that equips you for your career while also helping you grow as a person, TSU is definitely the place to be.
Q: If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
A: If I could give my past self one piece of advice, it would be to focus on building connections and gaining as much experience as possible, but also to be patient with myself along the way. Early in my career, I sometimes wanted everything to happen quickly, promotions, big projects, recognition, but the reality is that growth takes time. By putting in the work, seeking opportunities, and connecting with people in your field, you’re steadily “climbing the ladder,” even if it doesn’t feel immediate. It’s taken me almost four years to get to where I am today and every person I’ve talked to and crossed paths with has helped me to be a better person, communication, and professional.
I would tell myself to trust the process, celebrate small wins, and know that every project, every connection, and every challenge is helping shape the professional you want to become. Hard work, persistence, and patience go hand in hand, and the combination makes the journey not just productive, but meaningful.
The moment I put my faith in God and really put my head down to put in the HARD work, is the moment things started going right. Our jobs as municipal communicators can be hard. It is daunting and it is draining. There will be long days, hard news to share, and times when you just don’t see the light. But in those moments you have to remember the importance of your role and your work. And that has made my job all the more rewarding.
“Once a Texan, always a Texan! I’m still connected to and keep up with many other communication professionals who I went to college with. It’s all one big family and I’m always willing and open to talk about my current job, municipal communications and marketing, or anything else! I’m also always happy to be a reference for a Texan. You can reach out to me on LinkedIn if you ever need anything,” Nolting said.