Two Penn State students were among 50 seniors nationally selected to participate in the 2017 American Advertising Federation (AAF) Most Promising Multicultural Program, which includes a trip to New York City to learn from, and network with, advertising industry leaders.
Rachel Nagpal and Sabriana Pimentel represent Penn State’s two selections, the most a school is allowed by the AAF each year since 2015. Penn State, which consistently has students chosen for the program, has earned the maximum allowable participants for the third-straight year. The two were selected after an application process that included essays, letters of recommendation, resumes and academic requirements.
“I'm so grateful to be selected for this program as it reflects the hard work and dedication I've put forth during my college career and is a great foundation for my future in the advertising industry,” said Pimentel, a Nazareth, Pennsylvania, native.
Students from 34 schools and 20 states will travel to New York City Feb. 13-16. While there, they will enhance their knowledge of the advertising industry by participating in career-related events, agency visits and workshops, as well as networking with industry professionals and recruiters. The final day of the trip will include a Broadway show. The program is designed to connect the advertising industry with the nation’s top multicultural college students.
“I'm excited to meet other people that share my passion for advertising and learning about how their individual cultures play a part in their aspirations and goals,” said Nagpal, a Pittsburgh native. “I also can't wait to meet recruiters from other advertising agencies as potential role models and mentors; ambitious people who have not just started their careers like us, but are flourishing in them.”
At Penn State, Nagpal has been a THON committee member for four years. She holds a communications internship with The Partnership for Achieving Construction Excellence in the College of Engineering and is a member of Penn State’s chapter of the AAF’s National Student Advertising Competition.
Pimentel serves on the executive board for AdClub as the secretary, and interns with athletics strategic communications. She’s a former member of Happy Valley Communications.
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.