Pictured left to right: APR Chair Dr. Joe Phelps, Jessica Austin, Desiree Mahr, Wai Li and nominating instructor, Susan Daria

National Honor for Three A&PR Students


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Three University of Alabama students, Desiree Mahr, Jessica Austin, and Wai Li have earned the distinction of being among the nation’s most promising minority students in advertising.

The American Advertising Federation (AAF) selected Mahr and Austin as two of only 50 Most Promising Minority Students from across the United States. Li was selected for the Most Promising Minority Students Honor Roll.

Included with the award is an all expense paid trip to New York City with extensive meetings with advertising professionals. Mahr and Austin will travel to New York City for three days in February to attend seminars, meet recruiters and become immersed in the life of an advertising professional. With this premier award program the AAF hopes to further prepare advertising’s best young prospects and to help the industry’s workforce better reflect the multiculturalism of today’s society. The program enhances their knowledge and understanding of the advertising industry by offering networking, interviewing and industry immersion opportunities with industry professionals.

“This award is motivation for me to achieve even greater things in the future,” said Mahr. “I applied for this award because it is one of the most prestigious national honors to be bestowed upon an undergraduate student in our field of study.”

“Receiving this award has shown me that hard work does pay off, and if you are steadfast and humble you will be recognized for your efforts.” Austin said.

The AAF’s Most Promising Minority Students Honor Roll named 17 students from across the country with outstanding talent. Li says she is proud of being named on the Honor Roll because, “It is proof of my academic standing.” She continued, “this award is important because it helps people in the advertising industry care more about minority students.”

Susan Daria, a professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, nominated the students and said, “It was a true pleasure for me to nominate them for this prestigious award. I am so proud to know that professionals are recognizing what I have been able to see in each of them for years: absolute excellence.”

Professor Joseph Phelps, Chairman of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, said “The faculty are proud of Desiree, Jessica, and Wai for earning this honor. We are not surprised as our advertising and public relations students and our program are among the best in the country and this is simply additional evidence supporting that claim.”

The AAF’s Most Promising Minority Students program recruits outstanding college graduates in advertising, marketing, media and communications. The program connects the advertising industry with the nation’s top minority college seniors.