Elver DePaz-Lopez is one of 399 December 2025 graduates of the Walker College of Business. He was featured in Appalachian State University's feature story about its Commencement ceremonies, 1,500 App State graduates begin their next chapter.
DePaz-Lopez, of Hickory, graduated from the Walker College of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in general marketing. He attended classes at the App State Hickory and Boone campuses and is a graduate of Challenger Early College High School, where he earned his associate degree through a partnership with Catawba Valley Community College.
“The Hickory campus has been great,” he said. “I really enjoy the one-on-one support the professors provide. That’s definitely one of the biggest advantages.”DePaz-Lopez, a first-generation graduate, described getting through college as “breaking a barrier” — a reflection of the hardships his parents faced after moving to the United States from Mexico as teenagers.
“It means a lot,” he said. “My family comes from a poor background, and they have worked so hard. To break that cycle is an amazing feeling, and I want to help my family.”DePaz-Lopez said he chose to pursue a career in marketing because of its versatility and its ability to connect with his interests, which include music and the entertainment industry. He currently works for EastCoast Entertainment, where he developed his own talent production agency to create a comedy show that reaches Latin communities across North Carolina.
“We essentially find the talent to incorporate into our show and then create a marketing plan to build interest,” he said. “It’s more of a side hustle, but I really enjoy putting time into it.”
DePaz-Lopez had offers for two full-time jobs lined up before graduation and plans to pursue a marketing and sales representative position with MZGC in Asheville.
He shared that one of his greatest memories of his time at App State is his recent study abroad trip to Finland and Estonia over the summer.
“What I took away from that experience was how important it is to keep an open mind,” he said. “Working with new people — even in a completely different environment — teaches you so much and pushes you to grow.”
DePaz-Lopez said other fond memories come from his time as a member of the Latin Hispanic Alliance and from the love and support he received from the App State Community — especially after he totaled his car in an accident. He said he “was never alone throughout the process and that someone is always willing to help when it comes to being a Mountaineer.”For future first-generation students, he offered this advice: “All it takes is a start. Put gas into it and don’t stop. If you’re debating whether to go to college, just go. At the end of the day, you’ll be thankful you went through the process. Even if you struggle at first, you’ll come out stronger.”
Read the full graduation feature, 1,500 App State graduates begin their next chapter, or read more Walker College of Business student stories, business.appstate.edu/news/students.
App State alumnus Elver DePaz-Lopez.
Photo by Chase Reynolds