Recent Texas State graduate continues family legacy

Allison (center) with parents Cathy and Bill Jones after graduating in December 2019.

Graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and mass communication last December, Allison Jones was proud to be part of a strong family legacy of Texas State University alumni.

Her older brother and sister-in-law, Nick (B.B.A ‘13, M.B.A ‘15) and Grace Jones (B.S.’13, M.Ed. ‘16) met through the New Student Orientation (NSO) program, where they were paired as orientation leaders. It was from there that Nick became one of the first 10 students chosen to be a peer mentor. While attending graduate school, Nick and Grace became academic coaches.

Her other brother and sister-in-law, Ryan (B.B.A ‘15) and Amy Jones (B.S. ‘16) also chose to attend Texas State. They became peer mentors as well, having been influenced by older brother, Nick.

Although born and raised in California, Allison decided to follow her siblings’ footsteps and move to San Marcos in 2016.

“I knew I didn’t want to go to school in California,” Allison said. “At the time, my brothers and my sisters-in-law were either attending Texas State or had already graduated. Coming here, Texas State felt like home but was also giving me the opportunity for an out-of-state college experience. It’s difficult to find a place that can offer both.”

Allison (right) with sisters-in-law Gracie and Amy after Amy's graduation in December 2016.

During her undergraduate career, Allison joined the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, serving as chapter president. She won the Dorothy Shaw Leadership Award, which is the highest honor a member of Alpha Delta Pi can receive. She also worked as a peer mentor through the Personalized Academic and Career Exploration (PACE) Center for two years.

The Jones family has left a legacy of strong leadership at Texas State. Whether it was through the NSO program, academic coaching or peer mentoring, each member of the family has impacted a multitude of incoming students along the way. 

It is a legacy that Allison hopes to continue as the new social media coordinator for the PACE Center.  

“Knowing that I've walked a similar path as my family here at Texas State gives me a lot of pride,” Allison said. “It's incredible when faculty and staff who knew my brothers and sisters-in-laws speak so highly of them, because I know that I have big shoes to fill. I feel so lucky and proud to continue the legacy that my brothers and sisters-in-laws helped build here.” 

While working, Allison plans to get her master’s degree in mass communication at Texas State and continue her passion of working in higher education and assisting incoming students. It is through social media that she hopes to make campus resources and programs more accessible to students, therefore continuing the Jones family legacy.