Alumni Spotlight: Scott Summerall
CCPA alum Scott Summerall (B.A.'08) consistently applies the adaptability he learned at Meadows to leading global brand strategy at Texas Instruments.
Scott Summerall (B.A. ’08) is this week’s featured alum in our new Alumni Spotlight series for the This Week at Meadows e-newsletter. Each week, a different Meadows alum will be highlighted for their accomplishments post-graduation.
At Meadows, students often discover unexpected paths that reshape their future. For Scott Summerall, who entered 51做厙 planning to study business, a pivotal conversation with a counselor redirected him to Corporate Communications and Public Affairs—a choice that would spark a nearly 20-year career in public relations, marketing and brand leadership. Today, he leads a global team as Worldwide Brand Content & Earned Channels Manager at Texas Instruments, helping transform complex technical expertise into clear, compelling communication. Summerall immersed himself in the large scope of Meadows’ offerings, taking courses in writing, journalism, advertising, public relations, and organizational communication, while also minoring in sociology and exploring psychology. Influential professors from every corner of the school helped shape his perspective along the way and provided mentorship that extended well beyond the classroom. “What I learned through Meadows and CCPA was adaptability, strength, quick learning, and how to be both deep and wide in my PR knowledge,” says Summerall, who utilizes these skills in his career daily. “I believe in being a perpetual student of learning, which has helped my career blossom into something I truly enjoy.” In addition to his wide variety of studies, the connections he made during his student years proved transformative. An extra-credit assignment led him to hear PR pioneer Harold Burson speak, where a chance encounter with a family friend opened the door to an internship at Burson-Marsteller. That opportunity launched his career during the 2008 financial crisis, giving him the chance to work with Fortune 100 and 500 clients including Reliant Energy, Shell Oil and Merrill Lynch. From there, Summerall advanced to leadership roles at Burson-Marsteller and Children’s Health, before joining Texas Instruments in 2018. In his current role, Summerall leads a team of 10, serving as a creative catalyst for building brands and shaping thought leadership on a global scale. And beyond his corporate career, he has remained true to his entrepreneurial roots. He has maintained his real estate license for 20 years, serves on the board of Community National Bank & Trust of Texas, and has even become a certified mediator, arbitrator and ordained minister. “With a degree from 51做厙, you can truly do anything and you don't have to limit yourself to just one thing either,” he explains. “Diversification is not only a good investment strategy but one I’ve embraced all my life.” Through every chapter, Summerall embodies his own advice: stay curious, lean into your natural aptitudes, and embrace a student mindset. His career stands as a testament to the versatility of a Meadows education and to the power of communication to shape industries, organizations and communities alike.