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SFA students earn top honors, You’re Killin’ It award and scholarships at national advertising competition

University Marketing Communications
•
April 30, 2025
Stephen F. Austin State University students accept the third-place overall award at the 2025 District 10 American Advertising Federation National Student Advertising Competition held during the Advent10n conference April 9-12 in Arlington.

Stephen F. Austin State University students accept the third-place overall award at the 2025 District 10 American Advertising Federation National Student Advertising Competition held during the Advent10n conference April 9-12 in Arlington. SFA’s interdisciplinary team, composed of graphic design, marketing and mass communication students, also earned the Judge’s Award titled “You’re Killin’ It” for teamwork and execution. Pictured, from left, are Christian McClure, senior graphic design major from Austin; Cristian Roldan, junior graphic design major from Lufkin; Holland Davis, senior marketing major from Kingwood; Juliana Frigo, junior graphic design major from Abilene; Daphne Ortiz, junior graphic design major from Lufkin; Bradley Cavanaugh, senior English major with a marketing minor from Corrigan; Riley Troxel, senior graphic design major from Katy; KJ Gast, junior graphic design major from Nacogdoches; Julio Espinoza, junior graphic design major from Henderson; AAF award presenter; Melvin Gonzalez Acevedo, senior graphic design major from Miles; Asher McAlister, junior graphic design major from McKinney; Jacob Crosby, sophomore graphic design major from Kyle; Isabel Jedmears, senior marketing major from Little Elm; Laney Wise, senior graphic design major from Keller; Kassie Cressman, senior graphic design major from Lake Jackson; and Katie Carcerano, junior mass communication major with a marketing minor from Bridge City. Not pictured is Judith Johnson, senior graphic design major from Houston.


NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University students from the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts, Nelson Rusche College of Business, and College of Liberal and Applied Arts showcased their creativity, collaboration and professionalism at the 2025 District 10 American Advertising Federation’s National Student Advertising Competition, earning multiple awards and scholarships for their work on a campaign for AT&T.

Held April 9-12 as part of the AAF’s annual Advent10n conference in Arlington, the event welcomed students from 13 universities across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. SFA’s interdisciplinary team — featuring graphic design, marketing and mass communication students — earned third place overall, as well as the Judge’s Award titled “You’re Killin’ It” for teamwork and execution.

“Students on the Stephen F. Austin State University team worked well with each other, always courteous in considering each other’s opinions and contributions,” said Dr. Marlene Kahla, professor of management and marketing at SFA.

Throughout the spring semester, SFA students collaborated to craft an original, integrated marketing campaign for the national telecommunications company. The work began in fall 2024, when faculty members and students developed the research strategy that helped anchor the final campaign. The result was a full-scale professional presentation judged by a panel of industry experts.

“The American Advertising Federation NSAC competition is a standout spring semester event,” said Daniel Anguiano, associate professor of graphic design at SFA. “Our graphic design and marketing students dedicate months of hard work to developing a comprehensive campaign for a national client like AT&T, competing against well-funded universities from across the region. Earning third place in this prestigious competition is a significant achievement for SFA and a testament to our students’ talent, determination and creativity.”

In addition to the team award, several students received individual recognition through scholarships awarded by the AAF. Jacob Crosby, graphic design sophomore from Kyle, and Malachiyah Armstrong, animation junior from Flint, each received a $5,000 AAF Spring 2025 Scholarship. Laney Wise, graphic design senior from Keller; Bayleigh Edwards, graphic design sophomore from Gladewater; and Isabel Jedmears, marketing senior from Little Elm, each received a $5,000 AAF Fall 2024 Scholarship.

“I’m very proud of my teammates and was excited to see the competition results,” Crosby said. “We overcame obstacles to win a coveted position. Our team advisor showed guidance and patience, helping us win.”

SFA faculty members were also recognized, with Peter Andrew, professor of art and AAF/American Institute of Graphic Arts faculty advisor, receiving the AAF Outstanding Educator Award.

“The Outstanding Educator Award was a total surprise,” Andrew said. “The nomination was anonymous, and the honor is humbling. I credit my teammates for this recognition.”

Andrew, Anguiano and Kahla mentored the students throughout the yearlong effort.

For more information on opportunities for real-world learning in SFA’s School of Art, Department of Management and Marketing, and Department of Media and Communication, visit sfasu.edu/art, sfasu.edu/mgtmkt and sfasu.edu/media-communication, respectively.

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