My Journey to Texas Tech University Involves You
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been passionate about the intersection of media, technology, and innovation. These three pillars have shaped my career, fueled my creativity, and driven my purpose. Today, I’m thrilled to share a significant step in my journey: I am officially joining Texas Tech University to complete my degree at The College of Media and Communications.
This moment is more than just an academic pursuit—it’s a personal milestone and a professional commitment to growth.
What This Means for Me
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of building a career at the dynamic intersection of tech and media as an on-air media personality, live event emcee, host, tech contributor, and business analyst. Whether you’ve seen me on Tech TV, ABC, NBC, Silicon Valley Network, or SF New Tech; followed my work with companies like Cisco, Salesforce, JPMorgan Chase, ESPN, Comcast NBCUniversal, ServiceNow, Black is Tech, Samsung, SAP, or AfroTech; or engaged with my community, the Success Support Group, you know that lifelong learning is the foundation of everything I do.
As a media personality and tech journalist, I’ve dedicated my career to uncovering how media and technology shape the way we live, work, and innovate. I’ve had the honor of interviewing some of the brightest minds in the industry, moderating impactful panels, hosting live events, and providing insights into how technology is shaping our lives and businesses. Yet, no matter how much I’ve shared with others, I’ve always embraced the role of a leading learner—someone who continuously grows and evolves while inspiring others to do the same.
This next chapter in my journey reflects my commitment to exploring how media and technology transform the world. By deepening my expertise and expanding my reach, I’m excited to push the boundaries of what’s possible in this dynamic and ever-evolving space.
My decision to join Texas Tech University is not just about earning a degree—it’s about refining and advancing my expertise in media and strategic public relations. Media is more than just creating and distributing content; it’s about forging connections, driving adoption, securing investment, and building communities. This journey represents a step toward bridging the gap between media and technology while addressing critical challenges such as user acquisition, brand awareness, venture capital fundraising, and product adoption—everything companies need not just to survive, but to dominate their markets.
As Naval Ravikant famously said,
“The only two pillars that will matter in the future are “code and media.”
I have chosen to master the latter to amplify the impact of technology in the world.
At Texas Tech, I am immersing myself in a vibrant environment that fosters creativity, leadership, and innovation. This journey is about more than gaining knowledge—it’s about embracing the mindset of a lifelong learner: someone who evolves, adapts, and inspires others through growth and shared experiences. I’m excited to begin this new chapter and invite you to join me in shaping the future of media and technological innovation.
What This Means for You
One of my core beliefs is that our growth is only meaningful if it inspires and uplifts others. That’s why I’m using this opportunity to create a ripple effect—an initiative that will extend beyond my personal education.
This step marks the foundation of something I’ve been dreaming about for years:
The Liberty Madison Tech and Media Innovation Scholarship.
[Austin, Texas] – Liberty Madison is proud to announce the launch of the Liberty Madison Tech and Media Innovation Scholarship, a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower innovators leveraging technology to transform podcasting, journalism, press, and media. Recognizing the transformative power of technology in communication, this scholarship provides financial support and mentorship to students excelling in media and communication, with a strong focus on innovation and technology. By supporting the next generation of creators and leaders, this initiative aims to shape the future of storytelling and redefine how information is shared.
The Liberty Madison Tech and Media Innovation Scholarship is open to students nationwide, the fund supports those who demonstrate a commitment to creating impactful content through innovative uses of technology in podcasting, journalism, press, content creation, and video editing.
“My mission is to support and empower generations of media and technology leaders. It’s about building a legacy that bridges businesses and media innovators—the true fuel of our economy. By mastering media and technology, we can shape and change the world.”
Liberty Madison
Inside The Liberty Madison Tech and Media Innovation Scholarship and Fund
Through this fund, you or your business can launch a branded scholarship, such as The Ian Dunlap Scholarship, with a customizable amount. Sponsors will also receive press, media support, and placement, ensuring visibility and measurable impact.
You may have heard the phrase, “Many companies would rather spend $10,000 on doing something good and then spend $10,000,000 on PR and marketing to showcase it worldwide.” This is because visibility amplifies the value of their contribution, turning goodwill into a powerful branding and marketing tool. By aligning philanthropy with strategic marketing, companies build trust, enhance reputation, and strengthen connections with their audience.
We’ve designed branded scholarships to offer two tax-deductible options:
- Business Deduction: Categorize the scholarship as a marketing and advertising expense to receive a business tax deduction.
- Philanthropic Deduction: Opt for a 501(c)(3) tax credit by aligning your contribution with nonprofit giving.
No matter which option you choose, the benefits are the same. Your branded scholarship includes seamless integration of PR, marketing, press support, and more—ensuring your contribution drives both tangible impact and increased visibility for your company or brand.
This unique approach maximizes both philanthropic and business goals, making it a smart and impactful choice for forward-thinking organizations.
Thank You for Your Support
I’m deeply grateful for the encouragement and support I’ve received from my community over the years. Every step of this journey has been shaped by the mentors, friends, and connections who’ve cheered me on. Your belief in my vision has been invaluable, and I’m thrilled to take this next step with you by my side.
Here’s to growth, opportunity, and innovation—together, we’ll make it happen!