A Hook, Hope and a Voice of Her Own: Makalah Wright’s Journey at UWG Share this page
“My ritual is thinking of a story like a hook in a song. It has to be eye-catching. I’m always on the hunt for a good hook in a story, on what will stand out to the reader.” – Makalah Wright
Before she starts writing, Makalah Wright ’26 listens for the hook of a story.
Wright has built her college experience around storytelling in many forms. A recent mass communications graduate, Wright carries that instinct into her future goals in PR and storytelling, with a portfolio that reflects both creativity and strategy. Through her time at UWG, she found a way to connect her longtime love of writing with her background in music and her growing confidence as a communicator.
Wright started college wanting to pursue music and began her first semester as a business major. She quickly realized that path did not fit the future she wanted. Around that time, storytelling began to draw her in.
Wright’s love for the craft traces back to her childhood, where she spent time writing “short stories and fanfics of my favorite characters,” as well as original songs. This passion became a lifeline during a difficult first semester.
“I felt really isolated and scared to build connections with people,” Wright said. “A business major felt safe for me, but it still didn’t bring me any joy, whereas storytelling showed me a unique version of authenticity where I was able to use my voice and be proud of my identity.”
She was drawn especially to public relations storytelling. What attracted her to PR was the chance to pursue storytelling while also overcoming her fear of working with people and strengthening her creative vision. The strategy side of PR also appealed to her because it matched the work of building narratives and helping clients reach their goals. After speaking with her advisor, Christen Knight, she declared a major in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and kept her minor in music. It was a decision she states she in no way regrets.
During the fall semester of her junior year, Wright served as assistant communication director for bluestone, UWG’s student-run public relations firm, established in 2014 to give students hands-on industry experience. That semester, Wright and the team worked on the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which focused on connecting experiential learning with career readiness for undergraduate students. Their campaign encouraged students to get involved in work-based learning courses and experiential learning labs across campus. The team utilized various campus platforms, including Wolf Radio and the UWG website, to spread the message.
In November 2024, the team presented the QEP to the university’s designated team for implementing the changes and programs. Wright said it was “a special moment” because she never expected to speak on behalf of something that would impact students.
Reflecting on that presentation, Wright noted: “Although I had to work through my nerves throughout the presentation, it did give me confidence to break out of my shell a little bit and become comfortable in my own skin,” Wright reflected as she described joining and working with bluestone as “truly life changing.”
Wright’s portfolio is extensive. She has written for Her Campus Media and Essence Girls United, served as president of the UWG chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, and wrote for the experiential storytelling program in Academic Affairs at UWG. Working across writing, social media and other formats taught her to think about the same story in different voices. For her, the challenge is not just producing content but translating meaning for different audiences.
“Long-form writing is all about showing up with purpose for the people,” she explained, noting that she has become fluent in translating the same message to how people consume stories. “Now, every time I approach a story, I have to ask myself, what is the meaning behind this?”
Wright credits her professors’ mentorship with helping to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional expectations. At UWG, she said, she found professors who took her ideas seriously and encouraged her to develop them. Professor Taylor Bryant helped teach her that success in PR is about presenting yourself and trusting your instincts in the professional world. With that guidance, Wright said she was prepared to leave West Georgia with professionalism and a stronger relationship with her own voice.
Wright has also become an advocate for her field, debunking the “myth” that communication degrees are useless.
“It’s not about how much money you make or what big company is willing to hire you,” she said. “It’s about living your passion. Communication is the vital force that bridges people together.”
Wright described her experiences on the UWG campus as being “constantly immersed in a field of ambition that feels powerful,” regardless of whether she was in a classroom or at a football game. She described the “Go West” spirit as something that stands out to her. To her, UWG feels like “a family unit and vessel of empowerment,” one that has given her friends, opportunities and room to live authentically without judgment.
While she has gained technical proficiency, Wright identifies assurance as the most valuable skill she gained at West Georgia.
“College made me into the person that I am today, and it’s something that I don’t take for granted,” she reflected.
That sense of belonging helped her through a path to graduation that was not linear. Along the way, Wright faced personal loss, financial strain and moments when continuing school felt uncertain. What carried her through, she said, was resilience and the choice to keep using her voice even when it was difficult. In times when she wanted to give up, she pictured herself five years down the road, happy and successful, living her best life.
“Hope is something that we shouldn’t let go of, no matter the circumstances,” she said.
Expanding upon her ritual for writing articles and stories, Wright explained, “Once I find a good hook, I’m able to build a home around it.”
With her bachelor’s degree secured, Wright will continue to build a career in communications with her upcoming graduate studies in UWG’s digital and social media program starting in Fall 2026, while continuing to freelance in PR and journalism.