Jonah Smith has made an impact on Appalachian State University’s Walker College of Business by breathing new life into a student organization that has long valued creativity in connecting with others.
Jonah revitalized the App State chapter of the American Marketing Association, transforming it into a thriving organization and creating opportunities for marketing students to connect, compete, and grow.
Jonah Smith '25 MKT turns his tassel at Appalachian State University's December 12, 2025 Commencement Ceremony.
The audience? Fellow marketing students at App State. An example of Jonah’s creativity used to reach his audience? Mark Tank, a program he created to give business students the chance to showcase their skills in real-world marketing applications.
“Being the president of AMA taught me that I am capable of putting my vision into reality… and that it’s both fun and challenging to lead an organization,” he said.
While it wasn’t easy to increase membership, through innovative programming like Mark Tank and long hours spent seeking new members, Jonah found success, growing AMA to a stable membership base in just one year.
Jonah said he drew on his experience as a member and marketing director for the Association of Student Entrepreneurs to create a vision and then make it happen for AMA. And he credits his mom for inspiring him on his collegiate journey, too. [She said] “It wasn’t just an academic education I was going to get at Appalachian State, but an education in life lessons.”
Jonah Smith, wearing App State regalia, stands with his family outside the Holmes Convocation Center on December 12, 2025 following his App State Commencement.
Hinting at additional challenges that were overcome, Jonah’s advice to future Mountaineers is: “Being a man of your word takes you further than you realize.”
As a key member of the Walker College’s Presidents’ Roundtable (PRT), coordinated by the Walker College’s Business Career Services staff, Jonah collaborated with fellow student leaders and college staff to address shared challenges and create opportunities for hundreds of business students.
Also in coordination with PRT, Jonah was certified as a Truist Emerging Leader. Jonah earned the 2025 award for Exemplary Leadership for the American Marketing Association from the Walker College. “[He] is a passionate and driven leader,” said Faculty Advisor, Dr. Lubna Nafees.
Jonah Smith with Walker College of Business Dean Sandra Vannoy. Smith was honored as the Exemplary Leadership Awardee for the American Marketing Association.
Related: 30 grads named 'App State Best' for 2025
Looking ahead, Jonah will begin a full-time position in digital marketing with Granite Insurance in Boone, while planning to launch his own digital marketing firm focused on influencer services.
Earning his BSBA in digital marketing, Jonah is one of 399 December 2025 graduates of the Walker College of Business. Read more student stories: business.appstate.edu/news/students.
About Clubs and Student Organizations in the Walker College of Business
Clubs and organizations are an important part of the App State experience. The university's mission is to help students develop skills that will enable them to become good citizens and strong contributors to their current and future communities. Joining a business-oriented club further develops students as professionals and, alongside their major coursework, helps orient them to their fields of choice. Find a list of business student clubs and student organizations at business.appstate.edu/clubs.
Jonah Smith turns his tassel at Appalachian State University's December 12, 2025 commencement Ceremony
Photo by App State