Member Spotlight on Deborah Martin
By Salwa Choucair

Deborah Martin
Public Information Officer at San Antonio College

Duties: Works with director as a team on media relations including PSAs, media alerts, and pitching news stories. Handles internal communications with a monthly newsletter both printed and online versions - responsible for layout, writing and editing. Coordinates advertising, as well.

Background: 20 years of public relations experience with a degree from the University of Houston.

Goals: Currently working on her master’s degree in Strategic Communications through the University of Missouri-Columbia online Master’s Program.
Deborah Martin

After spending the past three years as a Public Information Officer at San Antonio College, Deborah Martin is looking at ways to improve not only herself but her job as well, therefore, she’s enrolled in an online master’s program for Strategic Communications through the University of Missouri-Columbia.
“I thought it would help me do a better job,” she says. “Public Relations is where I began, but I see that the merging of PR and advertising is key to today’s communication. It’s important to develop plans for both, PR and advertising, so that one supports the other.”

Of course, strong writing skills are the foundation to this success.
“I’d like to be a better writer,” she continues, “and I want to know how to reach our target audience.”

In addition to improving herself, Martin would like to teach a Public Relations class one day, and a master’s degree will put her one step closer.
Personally, Martin is passionate about the environment and enjoys being outdoors bike riding with her fiancé on her time off. She also is a volunteer with the Battered Women’s Shelter lending her professional expertise as the publicity chair for the annual Nutcracker Sweets event.

Sara Rosales-Guerra
Marketing Director at Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children

Duties: Write, design and produce all publications. Buy media. Design all ads for different media outlets as well as write all press releases. Manage website. Maintain marketing and publication budgets. Take all photographs at school functions.

Background: Graphic Design degree in Advertising Design from North Texas State with a minor in English. Spent 11 years at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Sara Rosales - Guerra

Goals: To be a creative director and work with other creative minds. Ultimately, would like to live in Santa Fe with husband and paint, weld, etc. and sell their work.

A San Antonio native, Sara Rosales-Guerra loves her job as Marketing Director at Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children, where she strives daily to tell more people about the great things this school does for families and children, alike.
The enthusiasm is evident in her voice as she tells you about the school’s history, which begins with the story of one mother’s love for her child, who was born with a profound hearing loss.

“I love this place,” Rosales-Guerra says. “We’ve been here for 60 years.”
While the school has grown and changed in those 60 years to accommodate technology and medical advances, Rosales-Guerra says the need to incorporate good communications skills through public relations, advertising, development and alumni relations becomes more and more crucial to the school’s success.
As a one-woman communications army, Rosales-Guerra feels overwhelmed at times, but her 25 years of experience serve as an anchor when the waves seem like they may overtake her.

“I enjoy it because I love to get it done,” she says. “I love meeting deadlines and being ahead of the curve. I love to plan correctly.”

When she’s not knee deep in deadlines, Rosales-Guerra enjoys spending time with her husband, Roger, and attending art shows. Together, the couple creates art including steel crosses, candelabras and wall hangings. She also enjoys doting on her eight nieces, four nephews, six great nephews and one great niece.