Overview
In October, I helped bring the National Hispanic Heritage Celebration to life—a brand-new event for BYU’s College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. Because it was the first of its kind, every detail had to be created from the ground up. Our goal was to create an inviting, culturally rich experience that encouraged connection and community among the 350 students who attended.

My Role
I supported the planning and execution of the event by coordinating refreshments, selecting display items, and organizing staffing assignments. I served as the primary point of contact for our churro vendor, while also acting as a go-to resource for student staff throughout setup. My role required clear communication, strong organization, and the flexibility to adapt as new needs emerged.

The Problem
Leading up to the event, I had arranged onsite catering with the expectation that the churro company would fry churros under a canopy directly outside the building. I confirmed this plan multiple times and prepared logistics around it. However, when the company arrived, they brought a full food truck—requiring new permissions, a different parking location, and a reworked operational plan. With only 45 minutes until doors opened and hundreds of students expected, we had to redesign our process on the spot.

Thinking Process & Action
With limited time, I recognized that handling the issue alone would slow us down. I quickly communicated the challenge to my supervisor so we could divide responsibilities and accelerate approvals. Together, we contacted the appropriate campus partners and secured last-minute authorization for the food truck to park in a nearby roundabout. While approvals were underway, I coordinated directly with the churro company, helped redirect their setup, and restructured our guest-flow plan. As students began arriving earlier than expected, I stepped in to assist the company with distribution so lines moved quickly and guests had a positive first impression.

This experience taught me how to stay calm under pressure, collaborate quickly when timing matters, and protect the guest experience even when major components of an event shift unexpectedly.

Tools Used
I leaned heavily on my strengths of Responsibility and Achiever to stay calm, organized, and solutions-oriented under pressure. I relied on clear communication tools—quick phone calls, on-site coordination, and direct conversations with both the vendor and campus partners—to align everyone around the new plan and keep the event running smoothly.

Impact
Despite the unexpected change, the event began on time, students were served efficiently, and the food truck setup remained discreet and non-disruptive to the indoor celebration. Through quick coordination and adaptive problem-solving, we preserved the event’s flow and delivered a smooth, meaningful cultural experience for attendees.

This situation strengthened my confidence in managing operational challenges and led our team to implement new vendor-arrival protocols to avoid similar issues in future events.