Connections. If there’s a word to describe the work of TLU alum Maria Claudia (Yoder) Redd, that would be it. Ask anyone who knows her or who’s worked with her. She has a way of connecting with people—and of connecting meaning to work, and ideas to impact.
So there’s no doubt that she’s right at home in her current position as Marketing Manager at GVTC Communications, a company which offers services that—you guessed it—connect people through high-speed internet, digital TV, phone, and more, in New Braunfels and much of South Central Texas. “I get to do what I love every day—develop brands that truly connect with people,” Redd says, explaining that her work is meaningful to her because it intersects the areas of creativity, strategy, and impact. “Whether it’s refreshing a legacy company’s image or designing campaigns that drive record-breaking sales, I’m driven by the idea of helping customers not just recognize a brand but fall in love with it.”
Redd has been with the company for fifteen years. But how did she land there? That story goes all the way back to her college years. It didn’t take Redd long to decide that TLU was the place for her. Her pastor’s kids were alums and recommended the school, so Redd made the drive to Seguin to take a look. “I was looking for a small school and fell in love with the campus after my first tour,” she says.
Her years at TLU offered some profound connections that have held strong since her graduation in 1998. For one thing, she met her husband Kevin at the beginning of their freshman year. And the friends she made that same year? They’re still her friends.
Meanwhile, in journalism class, she learned some important lessons from her advisor and professor, Linda Calvert Jacobson, that have stayed with her through the years as well. “She opened my eyes to opportunities that I didn’t see I had potential for,” says Redd, who took an internship at KENS TV under Jacobson’s guidance. “Although I didn’t pursue a career in journalism or TV, I always appreciated her encouragement.”
Redd also fondly remembers another professor—one who recently retired after forty-nine years, teaching generations of students at TLU: Dr. Norman Beck. “I feel incredibly grateful for having the chance to be his student,” says Redd, recalling Beck’s calm spirit inside and outside the classroom. “He personifies to me what a genuinely kind, respectful person should be, and how to approach different perspectives other than my own with grace.”
She earned her degree in Communications in 1998, then spent the next few years working as a production artist at Story Communications. But 2005 brought her back to her alma mater, where she took on the role of graphic designer in TLU’s University Relations department.
“Before GVTC, one of the most rewarding chapters of my career was working at TLU,” she says, adding that the work was deeply personal to her—which makes sense for a woman who had truly cherished her college years. “We weren’t just promoting a school, we were telling the story of an experience that shaped my own life in such a positive way,” she says. “From designing t-shirts for student organizations to producing the alumni magazine, everything we created supported the same mission: enriching the experience for future students, current students, and alumni. Working with the professors and administrators who helped shape the TLU community made if feel like family.”
That experience served Redd well, and among the lessons she’s picked up along the way is the ability to blend data with storytelling to create experiences that resonate. Since being with GVTC, she’s led the company’s brand refresh, helping to evolve its perception from a rural telecom provider to an innovative, customer-centric technology leader. As part of that, she developed an Augmented Reality campaign featuring local high school students who helped bring the company’s messaging to life in an interactive way. “Seeing that shift reflected in both customer sentiment and company growth is incredibly rewarding.”
And TLU helped to prepare her for all of this. “My education at TLU created a strong foundation for my career,” she says. “The small classroom settings created a space where we could dive into meaningful conversations, not just during class but outside of it as well. Professors were incredibly accessible and genuinely interested in our growth. We were encouraged to speak up, share ideas, and think critically. These are skills that have been invaluable in my career.”
Redd says it was TLU’s liberal arts environment that prepared her for the creative side of her work. “Being exposed to different areas of study gave me the flexibility and creativity to see problems from multiple angles. That kind of cross-functional thinking is important in marketing, where you’re constantly blending data, storytelling, and strategy.”
Even though she moved on in her career, taking a position at GVTC in 2010, Redd hasn’t lost her strong connection to TLU. She and husband Kevin take every opportunity to spend time with their friend group from their college years, many of whom live in the vicinity. “That always feels like an extension of those glory days at TLU,” says Redd. The Redds make a point of driving through campus now and again, and they take part in the annual Homecoming celebration. They like to see what’s new—but also what’s still the same on campus. “Seeing the progress and growth of the campus is great, but I think it’s important to maintain the areas that alumni can visit and reminisce—it’s like coming home.”
She and Kevin have two daughters, aged 21 and 16. “They have grown up with our TLU friends and have seen the impact and importance of our time at TLU and what that stood for,” says Redd.
That’s a message she’d also share with future Bulldogs, given the chance. “I would tell them that while some things may look different today than they did back in the ’90s, the heart of what makes TLU special hasn’t changed. You’ll still find a close-knit community where you’re more than just a number, where professors know your name, genuinely care about your growth, and are always accessible when you need support or guidance.”
She says TLU offers the kind of education that goes beyond the realm of academics. “It’s rooted in values and faith, helping you grow as a whole person.”
Her biggest word of advice? “Don’t take those days for granted. TLU is the kind of place that will shape you in ways you may not fully realize until years later, but you’ll carry that impact with you for life.”