ISC senior named 'Most Promising Multicultural Student' by American Advertising Federation

Audrey Meulehe, senior integrated strategic communication major in the University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information, has been named to the 2024 class of the American Advertising Federation’s "Most Promising Multicultural Students" program.

AAF’s Most Promising Multicultural Students program is an immersion program that connects the nation’s top multicultural advertising students with industry professionals. Selected students gain networking and professional development opportunities.

As the program embarks on its 27th year, it continues to focus on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within the advertising industry. Meulehe was one of 50 students chosen from a competitive pool of thousands of student applicants across the country. She is the second UK student to ever be accepted to the program.

“It was a very exciting and surreal feeling to be selected,” Meulehe said. “This is a program that I have been anticipating since my junior year when I first discovered it.”

Last summer, Meulehe was a participant in the Multicultural Advertising Internship Program, an experience that reignited her passion for the advertising industry and solidified her decision to apply for the AAF’s Most Promising Multicultural Students program.

“I credit the Multicultural Advertising Internship Program for laying the foundation for my journey,” Meulehe said. “Additionally, my major in integrated strategic communication has undeniably equipped me for this program.”

As part of the program, Meulehe participated in a four-day industry immersion program in New York Feb. 4-9. The program included professional development and personal branding workshops, the "Building Bridges for Our Future" Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, and Recruiter's Expo. Meulehe was able to learn from industry professionals, network with other students and participate in a pitch competition.

“I had the opportunity to tackle a real-life client problem, leveraging my problem-solving skills and creativity to develop innovative solutions,” Meulehe said. “I acquired a wealth of knowledge, but the most pivotal lesson was the importance of taking up space.”

Meulehe will graduate from UK in May 2024. Learn more about AAF’s Most Promising Multicultural Students Program at https://aaf.org/mpms.