Grace Mutze ’25 Gains Valuable Marketing Experience at Iona University
From daily life to global industries, marketing has the power to wield tremendous influence while also allowing professionals to endlessly express their own creative passions.
For Iona’s Grace Mutze ’25, that idea opened up a world of opportunity — and now, she is a declared marketing major in the LaPenta School of Business.
“I like that it can be challenging to find a new way to make a company, person, brand, etc., stand out in a world that is constantly changing. There are endless opportunities to express your own creative passion and abilities with marketing,” said the Bronx native. “Marketing is needed in every industry and plays a huge role in everyday life. Another thing that interests me about marketing is that you must be able to adapt to new technology and trends. Every day, social media channels are coming out with new trends.”
As an intern for Iona's Marketing and Communications Department, she has gained valuable experience from analyzing competitive offerings and communicating with vendors, to developing website designs and event planning skills.
Working alongside industry professionals like Marilyn Knapp, the senior director of marketing at Iona, has solidified Mutze’s desire to pursue a career in marketing. “I am excited to see the experience I will continue to obtain through my internship,” she said.
Beyond the classroom, Mutze’s involvement also includes serving as the philanthropic chair of her sorority, Gamma Lambda Rho. She organizes and executes fundraising events for various charities. This experience instilled in her the importance of giving back to the community, a core Iona value which she embodies throughout her college career.
“There's a real sense of community here," she says. "Everyone wants to see each other succeed, from professors to classmates. It's more than just a school – it's a family," said the management minor.
We talked recently with Grace to learn more about her Iona journey. Please enjoy!
Name: Grace Mutze
Graduation Year: 2025
Major: Marketing
Minor: Management
Fave Spot: Hynes Athletics Center
Why did you decide to attend Iona?
I decided to attend Iona because of the location and confidence in the education. Iona is close to home with easy access to the city, which is something I needed when looking at schools. I also knew that having small class sizes would benefit me in achieving my academic goals. The professors at Iona truly care about their students doing well. They are always willing to meet and help students.
Another reason why I chose Iona is because of the alumni network. It is inspiring to hear from many successful alumni and connect with them during class. Access to these connections will help Iona students reach their fullest potential. One day, I hope to be able to do the same.
What interests you most about your chosen course of study?
Marketing has the power to make an influence on people every day. Marketing is needed in every industry and plays a huge role in everyday life. Another thing that interests me about marketing is that you must be able to adapt to new technology and trends. Every day social media channels are coming out with new trends. I like that it can be challenging to find a new way to make a company, person, brand, etc. stand out with the world constantly changing. There are endless opportunities to express your own creative passion and abilities with marketing.
Have you interned anywhere? If so, how did you find the opportunity? What did you enjoy most about your internship?
I am currently interning in the Marketing and Communications Department here at Iona University. I took a marketing communications course in the fall semester with Dr. Hamerman. He introduced me to Marilyn Knapp, the senior director of marketing for Iona. I am so grateful for the opportunity to grow my knowledge in marketing and get exposure to real experience.
Working with Marilyn and the rest of the marketing team has taught me so much about communications and concept development. I am learning how to analyze competitive offerings, communicate with vendors, develop website designs, research for event planning and much more. I am excited to see the experience I will continue to obtain through this internship.
Is there a faculty or staff member who has made a positive impact on your future that you would like to mention?
I will never forget when I took my principles of marketing course with Professor Magliulo. Taking that class with her is the reason why I decided to declare a major in marketing. With Professor Magliulo, I knew right away that marketing is the field that I wanted to go into. Her passion and knowledge for marketing is so inspiring. She has more than 20 years of marketing experience that she passes along to her students. Professor Magliulo really wants her students to thrive. I am grateful to have had her and gained knowledge from her during my time at Iona.
What clubs, organizations or service projects are you involved with beyond the classroom?
Beyond the classroom, I am a part of Gamma Lambda Rho sorority. This year, I was honored to be elected as a part of the e-board. As the Philanthropic Chair of my sorority, I am able to organize and run events on campus to raise money for different charities. Being a local sorority, we get the privilege to decide which organizations we’d want to offer donations to. This year, we have raised money for different organizations including the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, Gigi's Playhouse, Alex's Lemonade Stand, the Epilepsy Foundation and more to come this Spring. Giving back to the community has always been something I loved participating in. Being in college, it can be hard to find the time to give back but doing it with your friends makes it easy.