Giselle Hernandez Avila, a senior at Georgia State University, is preparing to graduate this May with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a minor in international business. As one of the university’s first Yardi Scholars, Avila has received financial support that allowed her to focus on her studies and career development.
Avila, who grew up in Cairo, Georgia, entered Georgia State as a sophomore after completing college courses during high school through dual enrollment. She chose Georgia State after visiting Atlanta with her father and appreciating the campus environment. “I really liked that it’s an open campus and in the city,” Avila said. “And it forced me to become more independent from my parents.”
The Yardi Scholarship program, funded by Yardi Systems, supports outstanding first-year, first-generation students interested in business careers. The scholarship provides $10,000 annually to each recipient who maintains at least a 2.8 GPA. Last year, Georgia State and Yardi announced plans to expand the program by awarding 25 scholarships per year for four years.
Allison Calhoun-Brown, senior vice president for Student Success at Georgia State University, stated: “We’re grateful for generous, ongoing partnership with Yardi Systems and the tremendous boost they provide to our student success mission. Students from all backgrounds succeed at equal levels at Georgia State when barriers to their achievement are removed, and by substantially growing the financial and support resources available to GSU students, Yardi Systems is eliminating barriers, creating opportunity, improving outcomes and helping more Panthers thrive.”
Avila explained that receiving the scholarship eased her family’s financial concerns. “It’s been a big relief for my family and me,” she said. “I didn’t have to worry about getting the money for each semester anymore.”
During her time at Georgia State, Avila has focused on product and event marketing. She completed a study-abroad program called “Soft Landing Chile & Peru, South America” last May where she learned about international franchise operations and met representatives from a Colombian coffee company. “It gave me a lot of perspective on how things work internationally,” she said.
This semester Avila is participating in an internship through the J. Mack Robinson College of Business supporting Arden’s Garden—a smoothie and juice company based in Atlanta—by researching local events relevant to the company’s outreach strategies.
She has also developed communication skills through coursework and speaking opportunities such as serving as a panelist during International Education Week’s “Global Horizons” event.
With graduation approaching, Avila has applied to GSU’s Master of International Business program with plans to concentrate on global supply chain and logistics starting this fall while seeking further internships or early career roles.
Reflecting on her education at Georgia State University she said: “One of the things I’ve liked about GSU is, a lot of the classes consist of projects. We have to go out and find companies to get to know. We have to communicate with them,” she said. “When you go out and you have those experiences, the education is invaluable.”
