Texas State University student Mel Hidrogo earned second place in the 2026 Association for Business Communication (ABC) Student Competition, marking the first time in the competition's 24-year history that a TXST student has earned a podium finish.
This year's competition placed students in the role of communication consultants for the fictional company, Irol Industries, after leadership announced a mandatory return-to-office policy.
Competitors were tasked with developing a persuasive cover letter and strategic memo outlining how the company should respond to employee concerns while achieving its business objectives.
Hidrogo, a student in the McCoy College of Business, received international recognition for her strategic response to a business communication case. Her submission was sponsored by Seth Frei, Ph.D., assistant dean and associate professor of instruction in the McCoy College of Business.
In her award-winning submission, Hidrogo recommended a communication strategy that emphasized transparency, empathy and flexibility while preserving the company's collaborative culture.
“Honestly, I think it’s just the respectful thing to do,” Hidrogo said. “If I knew that whoever was making a change had reached out and wanted to make sure that it was effective for everybody and really cared about your situation personally, things would be a lot better.”
Judges recognized Hidrogo's submission for its clear purpose, logical organization and breadth of relevant evidence. The competition's final reviewer also praised her "good judgment about the political and leadership issues involved" while maintaining exceptional clarity in her writing.
Frei said Hidrogo’s ability to balance concise writing with detailed reasoning helped her submission stand out. “I was impressed with her ability to concisely explain her thoughts while fully explaining the reasoning behind her choices,” Frei said.
Held annually since 2002, the ABC Student Competition invites students from around the world to apply professional communication skills to realistic business scenarios. Participants analyze a case and develop strategic recommendations that demonstrate critical thinking, persuasive writing and communication strategy.
For Frei, Hidrogo’s recognition also demonstrates how classroom assignments can provide students with opportunities to apply their skills beyond the university.
“I believe it is always important to find opportunities for our students to be represented on a national level,” Frei said. “In this case, what started as a course project was refined and submitted to a national competition. I’m excited to see Mel’s work as a stellar representation of the students in McCoy College.”
The recognition marks a milestone for TXST, representing the university's first podium finish since the competition began in 2002. The accomplishment highlights the strength of McCoy’s business communication program while showcasing the ability of students to compete successfully on an international stage.
“It makes me realize there’s so much I can do with what I’m learning,” Hidrogo said. “Instead of just focusing fully on grades, I want to also focus on what I can bring to the table and how I can help the community further. It makes me feel like more of a Bobcat.”