Hudson Valley businesses looking for marketing consultation services now have a new option: The American Marketing Association (AMA) chapter at SUNY New Paltz.  

This student-run organization, housed in our School of Business, is now operating as a full-service marketing agency, with about 15 students applying what they’re learning in class to provide high-quality, cost-efficient marketing strategy plans, social media management and website evaluations and updates to client businesses across the region. 

“We’re enjoying the experience while making a meaningful impact on both New Paltz and the broader community,” said Lori Krzeminski, Director of Business Events and Marketing, and advisor to the New Paltz AMA chapter and The Agency. “It’s truly a win on every level.”

The Agency is a manifestation of the chapter’s mission of being committed to service leadership, and the broader SUNY New Paltz mission of providing value to the residents and businesses of the State of New York. 

“We work with real clients, managing their social media and presenting deliverables to enhance their marketing plans,” said Nicholas Miller ’25 (Marketing). “Working with real clients has helped me refine a ‘business tone’ when communicating, whether through emails or during client meetings.” 

Clients get the benefit of a marketing lift at a fairer-than-market cost – valuing the students’ expertise, while also recognizing that these services are part of their own learning experience – that’s also a qualified tax-deductible donation. 

Revenue can be used for chapter activities like their recent trip to the annual AMA International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans from April 3-5, 2025.  

To date, they’ve raised $1,050 with agency projects, surpassing their original goal of $800 generated in the first year. 

Among The Agency’s early clients have been the assistive math technology company ModMath, the group management software company Groopl, and a private yacht charter company called Osprey Marine.  

The latter project involved getting out of the classroom to study the business model up close – which, of course, included checking out the boat – before providing a marketing strategy plan and website update services.  

“They lit the fuse and helped me get going on my website plans,” said Peter Kane ’78 (Biology), owner of Osprey Marine. “It was a big help. I would recommend it to anyone.” 

It’s been an undeniably beneficial experience for the students who work with The Agency. Each student said that the real-world experience was exactly what they were looking for before graduating. 

“Being in The Agency means we can weave together what we learn in classes with real-world applications while working with actual clients,” said Arden Montenaro ’25 (Marketing, General Business). 

And that’s the goal for Krzeminski. “It’s one thing to read about marketing in a book or online, but it’s a completely different aspect when you have a client who’s talking to you and you owe them a deliverable,” she said.  

The chapter submitted its annual report to AMA International ahead of the conference, including highlights from the past year like hosting guests to speak about professional development, providing students information on how to prepare for interviews at the Career Fair, and reaching 15 members in the New Paltz chapter. 

One of its members was even accepted into the AMA Diversity Leadership Institute. Francesca Lopez ’25 (Marketing) found out she was one of only 20 students chosen out of the hundreds that applied. That means she will attend a four-day retreat at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Gies College of Business this June to learn more about the field of marketing. 

But they all had an opportunity to celebrate their hard work at the conference, including entering multiple competitions. Montenaro says that being surrounded by ambitious, like-minded individuals from all over the country allowed for a wider view of marketing itself and how to approach the subject.  

The conference was also a valuable opportunity to network for young marketers looking for a foot in the door to rewarding careers. Lopez said she connected with industry professionals from companies including Insight Global and Deloitte, and also got to speak with AMA alumni (including some fellow New Paltz Hawks) at a conference luncheon. 

“We were able to meet New Paltz Alumni and learn about their professional and personal journeys,” said Lopez. “We even threw beads onto Bourbon Street with these alums.” 

That balance of work and fun has been a throughline for The Agency. Being a part of a team means something special for these students.  

“I’m grateful for my teammates and the ability for all of us to work together, assign each other roles, and have constant communication,” said Monika Swienc ’25 (International Business, Marketing). “We’re all in the same position being so early in our careers but still taking the initiative to be a part of something like this. Being like-minded in our goals, creating the free time to work on projects, and having fun while doing it, is a great experience.” 

At the end of the day, though, there is another thing they all have in common – wanting to help small businesses in the Hudson Valley thrive. The Agency continues to accept new clients for the coming academic year.  

"Local business leaders can get this fantastic marketing bonus,” said Krzeminski. “This team is phenomenal, and it’s taken off.”