The School of Communications has had nine LAGRANT scholars in the last five years.
Daija Rion 鈥23 and Ariana Wilson 鈥23 were recently , which support ethnically diverse college and university students interested in the fields of advertising, marketing and public relations. In the past five years, School of Communications students have secured nine such scholarships.
In celebration of its 23rd anniversary, The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF) awarded a total of $175,000 through 60 scholarships, an increase over past years, per the scholarship announcement. The decision to increase the number of scholarship awards for a second consecutive year was made to ease the financial challenges students have encountered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rion and Wilson are among 40 undergraduate students nationwide to receive the financial scholarships worth $2,500 each. Other universities with undergraduate recipients included American University, Fordham University, Howard University, Ohio State University, University of Georgia, University of Miami, University of Oregon, and University of Washington.
A strategic communications and marketing double major, Wilson called it 鈥渁n honor and privilege鈥 to be named a LAGRANT scholar. And she applauded TLF鈥檚 mission to help 鈥渂ridge the gap among ethnic minorities within the fields of advertising, marketing and public relations.”
鈥淚t’s critical for students like myself to share our unique experiences and ensure our voices are being heard as brands’ content and messaging should be reflective of today, if they are seeking to be successful within this growing multicultural world,鈥 Wilson said.
As she continues her education, Wilson said she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded students and marketing professionals within TLF’s network to grow her personal and professional development, including her interests in brand management and corporate social responsibility.
鈥淚t’s my desire to continue advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion and empowering students of color in the advertising, marketing and public relations fields,鈥 she said.
A first-generation college student studying strategic communications, Rion also called it an honor to be 鈥渞ecognized by such an extraordinary organization such as TLF.鈥
Rion said the scholarship and financial assistance will allow her to focus on her career aspirations 鈥撀爓orking as a director of public relations at a primary or secondary school in a low socioeconomic area. Her goal, she said, is to help improve community relations and provide students with access to important resources.
In lieu of an in-person celebration and networking event, this year鈥檚 scholarship recipients will participate in a multi-day virtual program that includes a kickoff with KeJuan Wilkins, vice president of enterprise communications at Nike and TLF board member, as well as virtual career development and professional workshops with Procter & Gamble and Marina Maher Communications.
In 2020, Mikayla Ford 鈥22 received a TLF scholarship and interned remotely with Procter & Gamble Company. The previous year 黑料不打烊 students Arianne Payne 鈥20 and Maggie Cornejo 鈥21 were among the 39 undergraduate students to receive LAGRANT scholarships. In 2018, 黑料不打烊 alumna Gabrielle Beamon 鈥19, Ozelle Bower 鈥19, Anissa Cooper 鈥19 and Janay Tyson 鈥19 all received undergraduate scholarships, tying 黑料不打烊 for the most undergraduate recipients nationally.
The School of Communications and The LAGRANT Foundation have a longstanding relationship. Earlier this year, the two organizations successfully collaborated on the school鈥檚 bid to establish the Scripps Howard Emerging Journalists Program at 黑料不打烊. With a three-year financial commitment totaling $300,000 from the Scripps Howard Foundation, the School of Communications will host a new educational initiative to inspire high school students to embark on journalism careers.
About The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF)
Since its inception in 1998, (TLF) has provided nearly $3 million and 703 scholarships to continue its mission to increase the number of ethnic minorities in the fields of advertising, marketing and public relations. With the generous support of its major donors and supporters, TLF provides scholarships, career and professional development workshops, mentorships and internships/entry-level positions to African American/Black, Alaska Native/Native American, Asian American/Pacific Islander and Hispanic/Latino undergraduate and graduate students.