Prime Placement

Fall 2025 Outstanding Graduate and Banner Bearer Marlee Henson Leads Her Class, Rises in Franchise Marketing

Long before Fall 2025 College of Business Outstanding Graduate Marlee Henson began weighing her college options, she was already imagining a future where creativity and storytelling could shape the business world. Growing up in a small Kentucky town with a graduating class of just 43, she learned early how to see possibility everywhere — and she carried that instinct straight to the University of Louisville. 

Now named the banner bearer for the university’s upcoming commencement ceremony, the marketing major, with minors in management and political marketing and an undergraduate certificate in franchise management, reflects on an undergraduate experience shaped by industry conferences, life-changing mentorship and the resilience required to navigate both medical and physical setbacks.

We recently spoke with Henson about the experiences that sparked her interest in marketing and later franchising, the perseverance that defined her college journey and her advice for future business students. 

College of Business: Could you describe your background and what life was like growing up for you? 

Marlee Henson: From kindergarten to 12^th grade, I went to a small, independent school in rural Kentucky. In fact, I graduated with only 43 people in my class. Most of them, I had known since kindergarten. Although I couldn’t wait to leave my small town and head to Louisville in search of opportunity, I cherish my hometown every day. My mom is a teacher, and my sister was just two grades above me in school, so I was always in the same building as my mom and sister. Every day, we got home and waited for Dad to get off work and come home for dinner. Life was always simple and perfect. I am blessed to come from a loving home and a loving community.

I was involved in everything I could possibly be involved in throughout high school. I wanted to do it all so that I could figure out early what I wanted to do with my life. I was very involved with Future Business Leaders of America, which is what led me to pursue my business degree.

College of Business: What made you decide to earn your bachelor’s degree at the University of Louisville? 

Marlee Henson: I chose UofL because the campus was beautiful and friendly. While on my tour, my tour guide saw five friends that she stopped to say hi to. I didn’t see a single person walking to class alone. Instead, I saw a community surrounded by a beautiful campus full of opportunities. I dreamed of getting a really cool job after graduation, and I felt like Louisville was the place to go for that. I was right! I have made so many amazing friends here and learned so much about life.

 College of Business: What led you to pursue your bachelor’s degree in marketing? 

Marlee Henson: My experience in FBLA and some of my high school courses really drew me to marketing. I also did a couple of small internships in high school, where I was able to get some marketing experience. I liked that marketing combines analytics with art and people. I felt like those were three things I could excel at if I combined them. I also liked that I could add minors and undergraduate certificates to my marketing degree to boost my skills.  

College of Business: How did you first develop an interest in marketing? 

Marlee Henson: In high school, I took a Principles of Marketing class where we did a variety of projects. The one that really stood out to me was the project on product placement, where we analyzed how many different products were displayed in Jurassic World. It reminded me of when I was a child watching the Super Bowl ads and saying that I wanted to make commercials when I grew up. Thus, I decided to explore marketing further.

College of Business: Have you experienced any challenges in this field of study, and if so, how have you overcome those challenges? 

Marlee Henson: One of my biggest challenges was figuring out what combination of minors and certificates best fit my career goals. There are so many options, and I switched them many times. It wasn’t until I discovered the undergraduate certificate in franchise management that I truly found what I was meant to do. By combining this certificate with my marketing degree, my minor in management and my minor in political marketing, I have set myself up for a career in franchise development and franchise marketing, two areas of business I thoroughly enjoy.

College of Business: What faculty members left the greatest impact on you during your time in your undergraduate program, and why?

Marlee Henson: Dr. Kathleen Gosser was by far the biggest influence on my undergraduate years. Through her, I discovered franchising and the certificate I could get to prepare myself for a career in franchising. Dr. Gosser, along with the rest of the team at the YUM! Center for Global Franchise Excellence, took me to the International Franchise Association (IFA) Annual Convention not once, but twice. [These experiences were] the level of opportunity I came to Louisville searching for. She also has served as a mentor for me and is an excellent educator and friend.

Many other faculty members have left profound impacts on me. Casey Bales, my MKT 441 professor, was thoughtful and caring and showed me a side of marketing I didn’t even know existed. Eddie Bobbit inspired in me a love for nonprofit work, and I aim to continue being philanthropic by giving my time, treasure and talents to local nonprofits. All of the professors within the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence, namely Dr. Denise Cumberland, Susan Zimmerman and Dr. Gosser, taught me so much about franchising. UofL is filled with so many great professors, and I am blessed to have learned from so many of them.    

College of Business: What are some of the experiences you are taking away from your time in the college and UofL as a whole? 

Marlee Henson: During my time in the College of Business and at UofL, I learned that you don’t have to be involved in everything to be successful. In fact, this stress can be detrimental. Taking a step back and evaluating what you want to pour your time and effort into is essential to happiness. While I had a very busy college experience and often worked 40+ hours a week on top of being a full-time student, I learned very quickly that I had to identify what was important to me and put the rest on the back burner until I had time to commit to [the rest].

Additionally, I will never forget my two trips to the IFA Annual Convention. I learned so much about business and what it means to be a true professional. The College of Business also afforded me the opportunity to work several internships throughout college, especially as a communication assistant at the School of Medicine and a strategic marketing intern at UofL Health. These internships shaped my skills and prepared me for graduation with a full portfolio and lots of creative ideas.   

College of Business: How did you feel when you learned you were selected as the Outstanding Graduate and Banner Bearer for the college, as well as the Outstanding Graduate for Marketing? 

Marlee Henson: I am completely honored to have been selected as the Outstanding Graduate of the College of Business and the Outstanding Graduate for Marketing. These two honors mean the world to me. I have spent the past three and a half years alongside so many intelligent and creative peers who are equally deserving of this award, so being selected was a really exciting moment that I will always cherish.

College of Business: What does receiving these recognitions mean to you? 

Marlee Henson: Receiving these recognitions has proved to me that all of my hard work for the past three and a half years was noticed and appreciated by those around me. Halfway through college, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that really impacted my ability to do my schoolwork and participate in class. College was far from easy for me, even as someone who loved school. I overcame many obstacles and worked hard to keep focused on getting my degree, so I am proud to not just be a graduate, but to be named Outstanding Graduate.

College of Business: What advice would you offer students considering pursuing a degree in marketing? 

Marlee Henson: I would encourage all students pursuing a degree in marketing to keep their options open. There are so many aspects of marketing. From design to advertising, social media, copywriting, analytics and more – there is a unique position out there for everyone. It may take a while and several internships or jobs, but you will find what best suits your interests and talents.  

College of Business: What plans do you have after graduation? 

Marlee Henson: I am so excited to officially start my full-time role on December 1 as a Franchise Development Representative for FranNet. I found this job thanks to my participation in the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence. I am so proud to be in this role because I am able to play a small part in helping hundreds of people find franchise opportunities that are not just life-changing but can lead to generational wealth. Specifically, because I work in franchise development, I am working to grow the number of consultants in our network (FranNet is a franchise itself). I also work closely with the marketing team through my duties in the planning and coordination of educational webinars and podcasts that advance our mission, as well as many other exciting projects. Plus, I manage the FranNet Franchise Ownership page on LinkedIn. I thoroughly enjoy my job and my team, and I am so excited to officially be full time. Next, I plan on pursuing my Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation and my MBA.

College of Business: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? 

Marlee Henson: I would not be here today without my faith, family and friends. Hold on tight to the things that matter most to you because college is hard. But, when you come out on the other side, I promise that you would rather have your faith, family and friends over a perfect GPA or the best grade in a course.

Also, throughout life, make time for the things you enjoy! For me, that is going to the gym, practicing yoga, reading, walking, thrifting and many other things. Work or school should not define you.

About the UofL College of Business: 

Founded in 1953, the UofL College of Business fosters intellectual and economic vitality in our city, region and the global business landscape. Our academic programs, research, community outreach initiatives and commitment to student success inspire lives and businesses to flourish through entrepreneurship, innovation, critical thinking, diversity and the power of people.

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