When creativity meets determination

Meet Romina

At nineteen years old, Romina Morales organized a sold-out fashion show. Along with another student, she designed the clothes, styled the models, found the sponsors, promoted the event and managed the day-of programming. Standing in the Wittner Museum in Nogales, Arizona, watching her vision come to life, Romina discovered something important about herself: while she enjoys designing clothes, her true passion lies in running the whole show.

Majoring in fashion industry's science and technology in the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES), Romina graduated in May 2026. Her journey from a small border town to award-winning designer shows what's possible when creativity meets determination.

Music, painting and vintage clothes

Born in Nogales, Arizona, and raised just across the border in Nogales, Mexico, Romina has always been creative. She inherited her love of all things artistic from her family – from her parents, a love for music, and from her grandmother, a love of painting.

But everything clicked in high school when her mom gave her a collection of vintage fashion clothing and accessories. Friends and family noticed her natural eye for style and encouraged her to pursue fashion.

Then, during her senior year of high school, a recruiter from Pima Community College visited her high school and told her about their fashion design program. Though it was hard to leave her friends and family behind, Romina knew this was her path forward.

Fashion shows and early recognition

At Pima Community College, Romina explored every side of the fashion industry, from sewing and garment creation to marketing and promotion. She earned a spot in Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and participated in the Pima Community College Fashion Shows in 2023 and 2024.

But her standout moment came when she and another Pima student decided to organize their own fashion show entitled "Viva la vida!" The show caught the attention of local media, earning coverage in the April 2024 issue of Fuzz magazine and in Nogales International on May 3, 2024. For their work, Romina and her co-organizer received the Student Ambassador of the Arts Award at the Nogales Arts Month Award Ceremony. Romina was touched when her Pima (and future U of A) instructor drove down to attend the fashion show in support.

More opportunities followed, including being invited to present her designs at the "Wonderlust" Fashion Show & Gala, a 2024 Tucson event that raised money for The Care Fund.

This combination of experience and skill building changed Romina’s career plan, from fashion design to creative direction, blending big-picture management with artistic vision.

Creativity around campus

After completing her associate's degree, Romina needed to pick a university to finish her bachelor’s degree. Ultimately, it came down to the U of A or ASU. But when a U of A professor invited her to sit in on a class, Romina was won over. 

She transferred into the fashion industry’s science and technology major, adding a minor in public relations (a vital skill in the fashion industry, she noted). While her courses in Pima prepared her with fundamental technical skills, the U of A built on that foundation by incorporating the business side of the fashion industry. 

Since transferring, Romina has continued to apply her determination and creativity on and off campus. In her junior year, she joined the National Retail Federation Student Association, meeting industry leaders like a merchandiser at Calvin Klein. She even traveled to New York for the National Retail Federation conference in 2025, where she networked and built career connections. She also participated in U of A Fashion Week through TREND, submitting her own designs.

As a member of the Honors College, Romina recently completed her thesis, which explored the role of fashion in other creative disciplines. For this project, she created a full 80-page fashion magazine completely on her own, including designing the looks, taking all the photos, writing the content, and developing the magazine layout. It was a massive undertaking that showcased her range of abilities.

Romina’s hard work and dedication earned her a four-year scholarship, along with additional CALES scholarships. She also earned the Dean's List every semester and the Dean's Scholar award.

Resume-building experiences

Romina knew she needed more hands-on professional experience, so during her junior year, she approached a jewelry retailer in Nogales, Sonora, about creating a summer internship as their Marketing and Social Media Coordinator. Though the position was unpaid, she hoped the experience would open doors. 

She was right. When she returned to campus, she landed a paid internship as a graphic designer at Arizona International. For both internships, Romina credits Maggie Keef’s course Digital Warriors for giving her the graphic design skills she needed to land her roles. 

This summer, Romina will begin a communications internship with Rain Bird, a water irrigation company, further developing her communication and marketing expertise.

Post-graduation plans: international grad school

As Romina prepares for life after graduation, her next chapter is already taking shape. She's been accepted into an online master's program in international business in Spain, a natural next step for someone with global ambitions in the fashion and creative industries.

As for her advice for current and future students, she said, “Balance is key. When you just focus on one thing, it could be easier to get lost.” She encouraged peers to stay open to all career paths, as this is a time of learning and growing, and you never know what you might learn about yourself.

From receiving her mom's vintage clothes in Nogales to organizing a sold-out fashion show, traveling to New York, and creating an entire magazine on her own, Romina's journey reflects a student who blends creativity with determination to forge a path all her own.