We’re Passionate About Building the Future Generation of Marketing Leaders.
The AMA Foundation awards collegiate scholarships to student marketers who are making an impact on their campus and in the community. Here’s a look at the 2024-2025 winners of our Diversity Leadership Scholarships, Robert DeLay Social Impact Scholarships, EBSCO Student Scholars, Stryker Buonocristiano Scholarship, and Lee Epstein Scholarships.
Diversity Leadership Scholarship Winners
The AMA Foundation Diversity Leadership Scholarship is awarded to underrepresented student leaders who serve others, inspire greatness and achieve remarkable things through empowerment and action.
Rafael Alvarez-Reyes
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
“My upbringing and community have always been the driving force for me both as a student and marketer. My efforts throughout the school year resulted in the recruitment of the division’s first executive board, which has allowed us to expand outreach efforts on campus and institute more DEIB-focused programming into my chapter and on campus. I believe that my diversity helps me approach projects with unique cultural knowledge and empathy, which helps me be a more effective problem-solver and leader. I will continue to use my leadership role in my chapter to increase inclusion and belongingness throughout my campus.”
Yiguo (Eecho) Yuan
University of Pennsylvania
“Navigating two cultural worlds has taught me to approach challenges with adaptability and empathy, skills that are invaluable in marketing. This dual perspective instilled in me an appreciation for the nuances of identity and the importance of inclusivity, enabling me to create campaigns and content that genuinely resonate with underrepresented groups. These shared experiences within my community have fueled my creativity and made me passionate about crafting campaigns that bridge gaps and foster understanding.”
Ipinoluwa Akintola
East Tennessee State University
“Arriving in the United States at 17, I have had the unique opportunity to immerse myself in American culture while maintaining my Nigerian heritage. My ability to navigate and embrace differences strengthens my approach to equity, diversity and inclusion. Understanding the importance of varied perspectives allows me to create impactful strategies that celebrate and reflect the diversity of the communities I serve. Through servant leadership and a commitment to impactful storytelling, I aim to continue using these skills to inspire and empower those around me. By fostering inclusivity and encouraging collaboration, I hope to make a lasting impact both within and beyond my community.”
Farrell Zulkarnain
Montana State University
“Growing up in a multicultural environment and being bilingual in English and Indonesian, I’ve developed a unique perspective on communication and adaptability, which is invaluable in the field of marketing. Being in a leadership position as the Director of Sales Management for MSU’s AMA chapter, I bring a fresh perspective to our team, promoting inclusivity and creative problem-solving. I strive to represent underrepresented voices in our initiatives and ensure our events are welcoming to a diverse range of participants. I hope to inspire others from minority backgrounds to pursue leadership opportunities and show that diversity is a powerful asset in driving innovation and collaboration.”
Kailee Edwards
University of South Florida
“As a first-generation immigrant, I understand the power of hard work and perseverance. Growing up in a multicultural environment taught me the importance of inclusion and representation, shaping my passion for fostering spaces where diverse voices are not only heard but celebrated. As a leader in the AMA USF chapter, I encourage collaboration and inclusivity, ensuring that everyone feels valued and empowered. I am dedicated to building spaces where everyone belongs. To me, marketing is more than promoting products—it’s about storytelling, building relationships, and crafting experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. I aspire to lead teams, develop creative strategies, and connect with customers in meaningful ways, ensuring that every voice is represented in the stories we tell.”
EBSCO Student Scholar Award Winners
The EBSCO Student Scholar Award presents tuition scholarships to exceptional marketing students involved in developing their marketing skills on and off campus, including demonstrating leadership within their AMA collegiate chapter.
Sydney Fox
University of Iowa
“To me, marketing is about so much more than just making money – it has given me a way to forge relationships with different organizations and companies. The AMA represents a strong, driven, and like-minded community, and it has been a privilege to lead that community as president of my university’s chapter. Through this experience, I’ve been able to help provide for efforts that were bigger than just myself. Beyond the AMA, marketing enables me to blend my love for the outdoors with my creative strengths, and I’m passionate about using those skills to make a meaningful impact in the outdoor industry and its communities.”
Maddie Nerden
University of New Hampshire – Durham
“Being part of AMA has allowed me to grow as a leader and marketer. As Director of Marketing, I foster creativity and collaboration within the newly formed Marketing Committee. Leading this team gives members hands-on experience in social media, content creation, and digital strategy while increasing online engagement and awareness of our chapter. Beyond AMA, my role as Marketing and Event Program Manager at an independent bookstore strengthened my skills in social media, event planning, and web development. I expanded my experience through Voice Z Digital, a student-run digital marketing agency, where I apply my passion for photography and design to real-world marketing projects. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to grow as a leader and a marketer and look forward to continuing to make an impact.”
Jackson Redder
Montana State University – Bozeman
“As Vice President of Membership, I’ve streamlined the membership recruitment process by introducing a comprehensive member database, along with introducing a new membership app allowing for increased engagement across all departments and members. Additionally, I serve as a Jake Jabs College of Business Ambassador and meet with prospective students to discuss opportunities within the college (always giving AMA a shameless plus of course). In my free time, I love doing anything outside and work as a Trip Leader for the MSU Outdoor Recreation Program. This semester, I am abroad at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand studying consumer behaviour, sales, and market-led innovation.”
Robert Delay Social Impact Scholarship Winners
The Robert DeLay Social Impact Scholarship is awarded to student members who have made a positive impact in their local, regional or large community.
Catherine Tang
University of Pennsylvania
“Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, I lived near the Great Lakes Naval Air Station and spent weekends volunteering at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, which sparked my interest in improving the mental health and well-being of servicemembers. Through my work, I have seen the impact of marketing as not only a way to advertise a product but also a transformative force for social change. As a student studying health economics with minors in Data Science and Consumer Psychology, I am eager to leverage marketing tactics to integrate scientific expertise with business acumen and expand access to life-saving treatments for the most vulnerable communities.”
Daisy Dai
University of Pennsylvania
“As Co-Vice President of the MUSE Social Impact Committee, I have led consulting projects for mission-driven organizations, including developing marketing strategies that have reached national audiences. These experiences shaped my goal of using marketing to drive meaningful change — not only in public perception but in behavior. They taught me that marketing has the unique ability to bridge the gap between awareness and action, making it a powerful tool for social advocacy, whether addressing mental health, sustainability, or education. Effective marketing isn’t just about grabbing attention; it’s about storytelling — presenting data in a way that evokes empathy and action.”
Teja Vankireddy
University of Pennsylvania
“Through my current work as the
Vice President of the Social Impact Consulting committee within MUSE, I actively implement marketing disciplines to further corporate social responsibility initiatives. These experiences have been immensely valuable, not only for myself, but for the companies and consumers they impact. Corporate social responsibility can often appear superficial. However, when companies demonstrate a genuine capacity and interest in furthering the public good, these initiatives can generate lasting social impact.”
Stryker Buoncristiano Scholarship Winner
The Stryker Buonocristiano Scholarship aims to support talented undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds and with broad skill sets who have a common desire to pursue a career in marketing.
Daniel Prieto
The University of Texas at Dallas
“I thrive in dynamic team environments, leveraging adaptability, strong communication, and leadership skills to tackle challenges and drive success. As the Marketing Officer for the American Marketing Association (AMA) and the
Association of Latino Professionals of America (ALPFA), I focus on analyzing current trends and creating content that excites members and boosts event turnout. I love collaborating with others to combine ideas into even better campaigns. These experiences have allowed me to grow both creatively and as a team player while reinforcing my passion for innovative marketing.”
Jayden Cooper
University of South Alabama
“I aspire to leverage my understanding of marketing to drive meaningful change. Currently, I am conducting undergraduate research on controversial ad campaigns in the dating app industry and analyzing consumer responses through the lens of brand theory. Beyond academics, I serve as Graphic Design Co-Chair for Jaguar Productions, and in the coming fall, I will step into the role of Vice President of Marketing. My passion for marketing extends beyond business. I see it as a powerful tool for advocacy with a great pedagogical influence.”
Lee Epstein Scholarship
The Lee Epstein Scholarship supports talented undergraduate students with a passion for marketing connected to the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.
Cole Pryor
University of Pennsylvania
“Marketing applies my childhood dream of detective work to a modern business practice. As a student studying marketing and finance, my interest in marketing started when I founded my first company, Presideck, during my sophomore year of high school. Ever since then, I have continued my interest in marketing, culminating in joining the Marketing Undergraduate Student Establishment at Penn. I love to work on startups, watch football, and learn about politics.”
Kayla French
Indiana University Bloomington
“I have always been drawn to fields that foster creativity due to my involvement in the performing arts. This passion has inspired me to pursue a career in marketing within the entertainment sector. Through my school’s Business World of Hollywood club, I’ve had the opportunity to explore this diverse industry and continue contributing to the arts. I aspire to help others find the same solace in the arts that I have, and marketing provides the perfect avenue for this.”