Revving Up: YSU racer uses communications skills to engage community

Student Spotlight

Vivian Jones, a Youngstown State University student majoring in Communications with a minor in Employee Relations, is speeding her way to success both on and off the track. As an accomplished 305 sprint car driver, she is breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport while honing her communications skills to foster connections within the racing community.

Having started her racing journey in 2010, Jones is part of a fourth-generation racing family. “My great-grandpa got into racing after returning from military service. My grandpa started racing later in life, and my dad started at six or seven years old. Now I’m carrying on the tradition,” she said.

While she embraces her identity as one of the few female racers in the sport, Jones remains focused on her performance and community engagement rather than the spotlight that accompanies her gender. She would prefer to be remembered not just for being a woman, but as a talented, accomplished driver within the sport.

Jones credits her studies at YSU with significantly enhancing her racing experience. As a communications major, she has learned to leverage her skills to complement her craft. “The skills I’ve developed help me connect with fans and sponsors, making them feel included,” she explained.

Jones actively engages with her community through initiatives like giving away trophies to young aspiring racers, showcasing her commitment to building relationships with her audience and fostering new talent.

In addition, she uses social media platforms under the name of “Jones Performance Racing,” to connect with her audience in  personalized ways. “I try to do different stuff and follow my heart wherever it takes me, and I don't really do a lot of the same stuff that everyone else does,” she explained. Her effective communication skills have helped her build a strong personal brand and maintain a positive reputation in the racing community.

Moreover, she actively collaborates with local businesses and engages in charitable activities. “[My major] has taught me the importance of building relationships. I reach out to sponsors and small businesses to create longstanding mutual support,” she noted. She referenced an outreach campaign where she sold T-shirts, with a portion of the proceeds going to Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

Balancing her racing pursuits with academic responsibilities is a challenge, but Jones finds that the time management skills she has developed at YSU are invaluable. “Racing feels like a full-time job, and I work two jobs on top of that. Effective time management and communication keep me organized,” she said. Even with everything going on in her racing career, she has been placed on the Dean’s List for multiple consecutive semesters and is aiming to do the same this semester.

Looking forward, Jones aspires to blend her passion for communications with her studies from her minor in employee relations. Despite her immense passion for the world of racing, she wants to explore other industries to discover what might interest her. She made it clear that her ultimate goal is “to go out of [her] way to make people feel included and like they have a personal relationship with [her].”

When asked about her career goals, she said, “I definitely like the public speaking aspect of communications and I've always wanted to go into the HR field in some way, shape or form...I really do try to go and make an effort to see and hear people, and I think that would translate well to helping people in the workplace.”

Her advice for fellow students juggling hobbies and academic responsibilities is straightforward: “Put school first and prioritize your time. Hold yourself to a high standard and give your all to everything you do.”