Marissa Zorola M.S.

Marissa Zorola is a Principal Lecturer and the Internship Coordinator for the Department of Merchandising and Digital Retailing at the University of North Texas (UNT). With over 20 years of teaching experience at UNT, Ms. Zorola has made a significant impact on the department and its students. Her dedication to education and mentorship was recognized in 2024 when she was honored with the prestigious UNT Foundation Outstanding Lecturer Award, the university's highest honor for full-time lecturers.

Ms. Zorola has a passion for experiential learning and has led and co-led numerous study tours during her tenure. These include the New York Study Tour, the Hong Kong & China Study Tour, the Dallas Study Tour, and the Europe Study Tour, providing students with valuable global and industry insights. In addition to her teaching and leadership roles, Ms. Zorola played a key role in helping to endow the Merchandising Inc. Jamie Regen Scholarship, which continues to be awarded to students today and is the only UNT scholarship endowed by a student organization, Merchandising Inc. This scholarship reflects her commitment to supporting student success and fostering opportunities for future leaders within the program and the field.

Originally from San Antonio, Ms. Zorola moved to the north Texas area 28 years ago. Despite her big-city upbringing, she enjoys the convenience of life in a smaller city. She is the proud mother of two children: Gabriel, a junior at UNT, and Isaac, a junior at Guyer High School.

In her personal life, Marissa is a fitness enthusiast and amateur athlete. She enjoys long-distance and trail running, as well as maintaining an active lifestyle. Additionally, she embraces her love for all things Disney, proudly identifying as a 'Disney adult.' All students are invited to visit her office on campus and see why it’s the ‘happiest office on earth’.