AAF’s Most Promising Multicultural Students Named for 2024

The American Advertising Federation (AAF) tapped leading industry professionals to select the 2024 class of Most Promising Multicultural Students.  Entering its 27th year, the Most Promising programme is one of the organisation’s premier initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the advertising industry.

The 50 selected students will participate in a four-day industry immersion programme in New York on February 4-9, 2024. The programme will include professional development and personal branding workshops, the “Building Bridges for Our Future” Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, and Recruiter’s Expo. The Most Promising programme gives advertising, media, communications, and tech companies the opportunity to connect with 50 top-performing and high-achieving diverse college students from across the nation.

"The 2024 Most Promising inductees embody the spirit of the changemakers that have come before them," stated Candace D. Queen, AAF’s VP, Mosaic Center. "With an unwavering determination and a deep-rooted desire to make a difference, they are ready to revolutionise our industry. It is imperative that we cultivate environments and pathways that empower them to shape a new frontier into an ever-evolving landscape, primed for transformation."

Each year, students from historically excluded communities that are members of the AAF’s 140+ college chapters apply to the programme. This year’s judging panel included thought leaders with a range of backgrounds and experience and from companies such as Amazon Ads, Kinesso, Ogilvy, Snap, The Trade Desk, University of Memphis, Vox Media and Whirlpool.

Leading agencies and companies including IPG, FCB, Dentsu, The Trade Desk, Omnicom Group, Sony Music Group, EnergyBBDO, TikTok, RPA, Publicis Groupe and others, have been long-standing Most Promising supporters and view the programme as a valuable resource in recruiting diverse, entry-level talent.

“The Most Promising Multicultural Students Class of 2024 has met all criteria and vetting processes by an outstanding experienced and respected Council of Judges,” said Steve Pacheco, CEO of the AAF. “Now, more than ever, the need to connect young talent to the advertising industry is a top priority for everyone. AAF is proud to champion and help develop the Next Generation of Advertising leaders.” 

This year’s powerhouse class of inductees represents 39 schools, reflecting the beautiful tapestry of our country. In alphabetical order:

2024 AAF MOST PROMISING MULTICULTURAL STUDENTS

Tania Acosta - Roger Williams University

Alicia Anthony - Towson University

Janie Arseneaux - Ball State University

Gabriel Bori - Brigham Young University

Teju Calambakkam - University of South Florida

Emily Chu - University of California Berkeley

Aniya Davis - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Alejandra De La O - University of Texas At Austin

Wesley Dean - University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Maya Ellis - University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Emily Eng - Pennsylvania State University

Anacorina Garcia - University of Tampa

Freya Garcia - University of Florida

Krystal Huang - Pennsylvania State University

Zaria Jackson - Texas State University

Lauren Jenkins - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Didi Jin - Northwestern University

Kaitlin Kakoyiannis - Ohio State University

Aislan Lennon - St. Mary’s University

Jenna Lutfi - Wayne State University

Kayla Marrero - Pennsylvania State University

Audrey Meulehe - University of Kentucky

Monserrat Munoz - Southern Illinois University of Carbondale

Naomi Muuzic - University of Illinois At Urbana - Champaign

Christina Nguyen - University of Oregon

Lily Nguyen - University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Haneen Nour - Georgia Institute of Technology

Aya Obaid - University of South Carolina

Cooper Olson - University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Jose Paniagua-Hernandez - University of Oregon

Sydney Pearson - Syracuse University

Alexis Quan - St. John’s University

Janice Rodriguez - Ball State University

Rolex Saint-Preux - Florida A&M University

Sam Suarez - Chapman University

Ava Swarup - Arizona State University

Hillary Thilavong - Johnson & Wales University

Arelia Thompson - Harris-Stowe State University

Jessica To - Georgia State University

Amirah Torrence - Ithaca College

Jackie Truong - University of Florida

Valeria Valdes - University of Georgia

Julissa Vazquez - University of Houston

Olivia Wallace - University of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

Ryan Wilson - University of Missouri Columbia

Hailey Winder - University of Central Florida

Kyndal Workman - Chapman University

Eli Wright - Brigham Young University

Grace Yam - University of San Francisco

Lakyah Young - Lincoln University of Pennsylvania