UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. —- Three Penn State students were selected as members of the 2024 class of "Most Promising Multicultural Students," a national effort sponsored by the American Advertising Federation (AAF).

The three students — Emily Eng, Krystal Huang and Kayla Marrero — are seniors majoring in advertising/public relations in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.

They demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity on campus and academic achievement during the application process. Eligible for the nationwide competition because of their strong GPAs, they then provided recommendation letters, a resume and a summary of community involvement. They also explained how their experience and passion for diversity, equity and inclusion would allow them to become the next generation of advertising leaders.

This is the second year in a row Penn State has had multiple students selected to join the 50-member class through the highly competitive process.

“We’re pleased to have three of our students selected to the 2024 class of the AAF Most Promising Multicultural Students program,” said Dave Wozniak, the Donald P. Bellisario Career Advancement Professor in the Department of Advertising/Public Relations and the AAF adviser on campus. “Emily, Krystal and Kayla are being recognized for being difference-makers in both the classroom and in their respective communities. They each have demonstrated passion for the communications business and their resume and knowledge portfolio will be enhanced through their participation in the program.”

Eng, from South Brunswick, New Jersey, is vice president of exploration for the Penn State chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. She is also the vice president of the Bellisario Alliance for Multicultural Students. Her many areas of involvement on campus include roles as a Bellisario College Fellow, a Penn State News Literacy Ambassador and student representative to the Bellisario College’s Ad/PR Alumni Board. She is currently completing two internships — one for the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State and another FINN Partners, a marketing agency where she works with the education practice. 

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to be chosen to participate in this program. I’m really looking forward to meeting and learning from other students and professionals in this industry,” Eng said. “I can’t wait to learn as much as I can from this program, and I hope to use this knowledge to continue making positive impacts on others and in the work that I do.”

Huang, from Fremont, California, is the research and strategy director for Penn State's AAF chapter. She is also the public relations chair for Boulevard, a community service organization that participates in the Penn State Dance Marathon (THON). She has completed internships with UnitedHealth Group, the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State and the City of Newark, California.

“I am so excited to meet and network with other talented multicultural students from different schools and learn about their experiences,” she said.

Marrero, from Philadelphia, is the co-student executive of the photography department for CommAgency. She is also the treasurer of her sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha, and works as a intern for the Bellisario College’s strategic communications office. Marrero is an Evan Scholar, Horatio State Scholar and Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar. She previously was a corporate affairs intern at Hilton. In October, Marrero was honored as a member of the Penn State Homecoming court. 

“I am grateful for this opportunity to meet and learn from amazing professionals and students. I am excited to learn about the ways that I can bring my passion for diversity, equity and inclusion and incorporate it into the advertising industry,” Marrero said.

The AAF’s Most Promising Multicultural Students program, established in 1997, connects the advertising industry with the nation’s top multicultural college seniors. Only 50 students nationally were selected for the honor. This year’s class represents 39 schools. 

The students will participate in an early-February trip to New York City. The four-day industry immersion program will allow students to meet with professionals from top advertisers, media companies and advertising agencies at the exclusive Most Promising Multicultural Students Recruiters Expo.

The program gives advertising, media, communications and tech companies the opportunity to connect with 50 top-performing and high-achieving diverse college students from across the nation. Agencies and companies like Dentsu, FCB, Omnicom Group, Sony Music Group, The Trade Desk, Energy BBDO, TikTok, RPA and Publicis Groupe will be attendance at the conference.