Two Penn State College of Communications students were among 50 nationally selected as 2016 American Advertising Federation (AAF) Most Promising Multicultural Students. The honor includes a trip to New York City to participate in the Most Promising Multicultural Students Program.
Advertising majors Asharae Jones, a native of Queens, New York, and Isabella Loose, from Fairfax, Virginia, were Penn State’s two selections -- the most a school is allowed by the AAF each year. Penn State regularly has students chosen for this program, and earned the maximum allowable participants for the second-consecutive year, as the AAF capped the number of winners at two last year.
Jones and Loose will have the opportunity to travel to New York City from Feb. 15-18. There, they will be able to meet with top professionals in the advertising industry and participate in career-related events and workshops with leaders in the field. On the final day, attendees will be treated with a Broadway show.
“It’s kind of just a way to better integrate ourselves into the workforce and what to expect next year,” said Loose. “It’s also a way to meet these people and establish connections. It will be pretty busy, but it will be really good.”
Jones agreed.
“It means a lot to me because a lot of huge advertising agencies are involved with this award and the program that comes out of it in February gives me the opportunity to network and meet with so many recruiters, top agencies that I’ve admired for so long,” said Jones. “Just in terms of getting me in front of people that I would really want to work for is a huge benefit from it.”
Jones and Loose are involved in several extracurricular activities at Penn State. Jones spent time in The Daily Collegian sales department and is currently a member of Happy Valley Communications as an account associate.
Loose is a part of two honor societies, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Eta Sigma. She is a member of Delta Zeta sorority, where she spent time on the executive board. Loose has also been a member of the Relay For Life fundraising committee.
The American Advertising Federation, the nation’s oldest national advertising trade association, and the only association represent all facets of the advertising industry, is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and acts as the “Unifying Voice for Advertising.” Along with the Most Promising Multicultural Students Program, the AAF operates a host of programs and initiatives, including the Advertising Hall of Fame, the American Advertising Awards, the National Student Advertising Competition, the Mosaic Center on Multiculturalism and summer camps for high school students.