AAF selects seven students for diversity, equity, and inclusion program

Seven seniors in the University of Illinois chapter of the American Advertising Federation were named to the American Advertising Federation’s Most Promising Multicultural Students Class of 2023—an honor given to only 50 students each year throughout the United States. Honorees include advertising majors Julie Garcia, Asia Griffin, Carmen Larios, Kassandra Leyva, Blake Morrow, and Marvin Sosa, and chemistry major Juan Camargo Quintero.

In 1997, the American Advertising Federation created the Most Promising Multicultural Students program to connect the advertising industry with the nation’s top multicultural college students. Since the program’s inception, the AAF Illinois chapter has had more winners than any other university or college. 

Recognizing the top 50 multicultural college seniors across the nation, the Most Promising program promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion within the advertising industry, giving advertising, media, communications, and tech companies the opportunity to tap into high-achieving talent of diverse college students from across the country

Each year, students of racial or ethnic diversity from the AAF’s 140+ college chapters apply to the program. Advertising leaders select the highest-achieving diverse seniors to participate. 

In February, the winning students will participate in a four-day industry immersion program in New York City with the highest-level industry executives and companies that includes professional development and personal branding workshops. They will also be recognized at the annual Building Bridges for Our Future awards luncheon.

The event serves as a recruiting opportunity for industry leaders to develop a diverse group, representing the best from the country to serve as the next generation of advertising leaders. It also offers students invaluable network, learning, and immersion experiences with professionals from top advertisers, media companies, and advertising agencies.