Coastal Carolina University alumna Amy Hall, owner of The Barber Shop Marketing agency in Dallas, Texas, has established the Amy Hall Student and Alumni Program Fund in Visual Arts in the University's Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Her recent donation to the Edwards College will create a networking series that promotes interaction between CCU alumni and students within the Department of Visual Arts. Alumni will be invited to campus to speak and interact with students, who will have the opportunity to make connections and gain prospective into their chosen fields.

"I was inspired to establish this fund because having a strong network and mentorship is so important in your career at any stage," Hall said. "There have been many hills, valleys, twists, and turns in my career during the last 20 years. It has been invaluable to have strong connections in the business community providing guidance and a sounding board. I think there is a huge opportunity for Coastal to help facilitate the alumni-student connections. I am happy to play a small role in facilitating this in the Edwards College."

After graduating from Coastal Carolina with a degree in fine/studio art in 2000, Hall began a career in the marketing industry that has taken her from Florida to Dallas and from Audi to CBS Radio to AllOver Media. In 2016, she purchased The Barber Shop Marketing, where she serves as president and oversees 14 employees and millions of dollars in revenue each year.

Hall recently joined the Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts board of visitors. In August, she returned to campus to speak with students and hold a screening of "Segfault." She served as executive producer of the full-length feature film that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017, and was recently released in the United States.

"I'm so grateful for Amy Hall to share her experience with our students," said Claudia Bornholdt, dean of the Edwards College. "It helps empower our students to see what opportunities are available while pursuing a degree in the humanities and arts. I hope that Amy's support will inspire more alumni to follow in her footsteps and reconnect with Coastal Carolina University."

Hall sees great opportunities for the newly established program fund.

"I hope students are exposed to and inspired by all of the amazing things CCU alumni are doing all over the country and beyond," Hall said. "I hope they are able to make connections and reach out for help wherever the road takes them. We may come from different places and walks of life, but Coastal connects us, and I want us all to lean in on that a little more."

Additional information:

CCU alum Amy Hall returns to campus for screening of groundbreaking film 'Segfault'