Shayla Rae Merritt is making an impact in Columbia.
Merritt earned her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University before completing a Master of Mass Communication at the University of South Carolina in 2010. She is now the marketing director for Cyberwoven, a Columbia-based digital agency specializing in branding, digital marketing and website design. Cyberwoven serves clients across various industries, including the arts, government, education and healthcare.
Merritt takes an integrated approach to mass communications. She understands the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of the industry and credits USC with pushing her beyond her comfort zone.
“I was so thankful when I graduated to have had the opportunity to get an understanding of the inner workings of all these other majors within the SJMC because without that, I don’t think I would be where I am right now,” she says.
Likewise, Merritt says being a generalist is key to making an impact in mass communications.
“I always tell people I am dangerous enough that I can be a specialist in one particular thing, but I’m generalist enough to see how everything comes together and how everything is connected. That’s the key,” she says.
Merritt received the 2024 Young Professional of the Year award from the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes “an individual who exemplifies leadership and community involvement” and honors a young professional who “actively leads civic and philanthropic initiatives while demonstrating a commitment to making the Midlands a thriving environment for young professionals, both professionally and personally.”
“To get an award like that was really humbling,” Merritt says. “You get to sit back and go, ‘OK, people really are paying attention. I’m actually doing something to move the needle. I’m doing something to make our community a better place.’ And that, for me, is what it’s all about.”
Frazier-Merritt Family Scholarship Fund
The Frazier-Merritt Family Scholarship Fund was established to provide two annual
scholarships of $500 each to undergraduate or graduate students in the School of Journalism
and Mass Communications from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in pursuing
communications careers within STEM-related industries.
Contribute to the Frazier-Merritt Family Scholarship Fund »