Ramhae Andrea Awit doesn’t even have her degree yet, but she’s already built the kind of resume most early-career marketers spend years trying to piece together.
Awit, a marketing student at Lee Business School, has built an internship portfolio across several of the city’s most recognizable sports and entertainment organizations, including Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Aces, Allegiant Stadium, and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Each role built on the last. Now, she’s taking her talents to the major leagues.
With graduation just weeks away, Awit landed a role as a marketing project coordinator for the Athletics,. She will be part of helping the franchise establish its identity in Las Vegas.
From Saipan to Las Vegas
Awit’s path to professional sports marketing began thousands of miles away in Saipan, a small island in the Northern Mariana Islands.
She originally imagined a career in the culinary world. Growing up, she enjoyed baking and even appeared in a Bon Appétit YouTube video that drew more than 2 million views. But an early business internship exposed her to the creative side of the corporate world.
She moved to Las Vegas in fall 2023 to attend UNLV, drawn both by the university and a built-in support system. “I knew there was a strong community here,” Awit said, noting that friends from home were already attending the university. “Having [extended] family nearby also meant I would have people around during holidays and special moments.”
Classroom to Industry
Courses like MKT 422: Advertising and Promotion Management, taught by marketing professor and interim dean Anjala Krishen, helped Awit translate creativity into strategy.
“We’ve built marketing proposals from scratch, and [Krishen] pushes us to try unconventional ideas,” Awit said.
She didn’t wait long to apply those skills. She connected first with the Vegas Golden Knights for a part-time gameday role after hearing about the opportunity from fellow students. Working inside the arena gave her a new perspective on the industry.
“Being in the arena as staff instead of as a fan gave me a completely different perspective,” Awit said. “Seeing how much coordination goes into every game made it hit me that I was actually working in professional sports.”
Experiences across multiple organizations also showed her how interconnected the Las Vegas sports and entertainment ecosystem really is.
“I started to notice how everything connects,” she said. “Organizations across the city genuinely enjoy working together to serve a greater purpose for the community.”
Leadership and Confidence
Mentorship and leadership played a key role in Awit’s growth. She found early mentorship through UNLV's chapter of the American Marketing Association, where student leaders Christen Smith and Andres Carrasco encouraged her professional development.
“Experiencing their leadership up close really impacted me,” Awit said. “They took the time to understand my goals and share opportunities that helped me grow.”
Today, Awit serves as co-president of UNLV AMA. Under her leadership, the chapter was named the American Marketing Association International Collegiate Chapter of the Year, marking the first time UNLV has received the honor.
“Teaching workshops and supporting other students helped me realize that communication is not just about speaking well,” she said. “It’s about creating clarity and connection.”
Stepping into leadership roles also changed how she saw herself.
“During my first internship, I felt like I needed to prove that I deserved to be there,” Awit said. “In my most recent roles, I walked in knowing I had something to contribute.”
She also stopped trying to blend in, realizing that her unique background from Saipan was actually her greatest strength.
Joining the Athletics
That confidence, combined with a strong portfolio helped her secure her new role with the Athletics.
“I get to contribute not just to campaigns, but to how the team integrates into the community and builds its presence from the ground up,” she said. “Helping shape the early chapters of a franchise’s story in a new city is something really special.”
Looking back, Awit has one piece of advice for her fellow students: Stop talking yourself out of the room.
“Apply anyway, even if you don’t feel fully qualified,” she said. “So many of us talk ourselves out of opportunities before we even try. The opportunities are out there, but you have to be the one to make them real.”
