Terrific Trio

By Grace Collins ’22, February 11, 2022

American Advertising Federation honors three IC seniors as Most Promising Multicultural Students.

Headshots of Neha Patnaik, Julia Batista ‘22 and Haley Anderson ‘22

(From left) Neha Patnaik ’22, Julia Batista ’22, and Haley Anderson ’22, were the latest Ithaca College students to be honored by the American Advertising Federation (AAF).

(Photos submitted)

The American Advertising Federation (AAF) works hard to ensure that employee demographics within advertising agencies match the diversity of the audiences with whom they’re trying to connect.

One way the AAF accomplishes those goals is through its annual Most Promising Multicultural Students (MPMS) program, which recognizes 50 high-achieving multicultural advertising students around the United States, offering them professional development opportunities and connections with industry recruiters.

This year, three students from the Roy H. Park School of Communications earned the honor of being a part of the latest cohort: Neha Patnaik ’22, Julia Batista ’22 and Haley Anderson ‘22. A total of 40 Ithaca College students have earned the honor since 2004.

“I had recruiters reach out to me immediately after I added ‘MPMS 2022’ to my LinkedIn profile. I was excited to talk to recruiters and hiring managers, but also to connect with the other MPMS students, who might be my possible future co-workers.”

Neha Patnaik ’22

All three seniors credited Scott Hamula, chair of the Department of Strategic Communication and faculty advisor to IC’s AAF chapter, with personally encouraging them to apply.

“He's always sharing different resources with Integrated Marketing Communications students,” said Anderson. “I had seen the email blast about the program but wasn’t sure about applying. Then he emailed me and told me he thought I’d be a really good candidate, and he was confident I’d win.”

For Neha Patnaik ’22, who served as IC PRSSA co-president, the selection was just the latest in a string of accolades she has received during her time at Ithaca College.

From February 7-10, Anderson, Batista, and Patnaik participated in the annual programming designed to give MPMS awardees an edge as they enter the advertising industry post-graduation.

The 2022 programming took place virtually due to COVID constraints. However, it still offered students the industry insights and career connections of an in-person gathering. Highlights of the schedule included the Most Promising Multicultural Students Recruiters Expo, Building Bridges for Our Future Awards Luncheon, and Industry Immersion program. And the benefits to the students are immeasurable.

“I had recruiters reach out to me immediately after I added ‘MPMS 2022’ to my LinkedIn profile,” said Patnaik. “I was excited to talk to recruiters and hiring managers, but also to connect with the other MPMS students, who might be my possible future co-workers.”

Each awardee spoke highly of their Park School education for preparing them for such a prestigious honor.

“It's just crazy that three people from IC were selected. That felt really good and it shows that they're teaching us the right stuff here in Park.”

Haley Anderson ‘22

Anderson, who’s spending her spring semester taking part in the Park School’s Los Angeles program, is also a Park Scholar. Throughout her four years at IC, she’s participated in service projects like Megaphone Media Productions, doing communications work for nonprofits. She says she’s enjoyed being able to combine her classroom learning with experiences that give back to the community. Anderson also previously interned at NBCUniversal in 2021 as an IRTS Foundation Summer Fellow.

Haley Anderson ‘22 is a Park Scholar who has taken part in several service projects while at IC.

“It's just crazy that three people from IC were selected,” she said. “That felt really good and it shows that they're teaching us the right stuff here in Park.”

Batista, who participated in the prestigious AAF-originated Stickell Honors Internship Program in the summer of 2021, says she first learned of the program while interning at ad agency TBWA/Chiat/Day NY. Despite her impressive resume — Batista is also president of the student publication Buzzsaw Magazine — she says she was in disbelief upon first learning she’d earned a spot in the program.

“I was sitting in the dining room with my roommates, and I checked my email. I felt my heart drop because I didn't think that I would get it,” she said. “I saw that I did, and was so excited to tell them. We were all just screaming, it was a good moment.”

For Patnaik, acceptance into the MPMS program serves as the culmination of her years of student organization leadership and professional experience. From her service as Events Chair of the Senior Week Committee and as IC PRSSA co-president to her internships with ViacomCBS and MTV, her ambition and dedication have paid off.

“I didn’t realize that until I started getting the opportunities I have been that I am good enough, and I am doing enough, and that as an Indian girl in the communications industry, I do have the power to change a lot.”

Neha Patnaik ’22

Patnaik also spoke to the professional “imposter syndrome” that can disproportionately affect people of color, especially women of color.

Julia Batista, took part in the prestigious AAF-originated Stickell Honors Internship Program in the summer of 2021.

“A lot of us feel like we don’t have a lot of experience or that we're not doing enough,” she said. “I didn’t realize that until I started getting the opportunities I have been that I am good enough, and I am doing enough, and that as an Indian girl in the communications industry, I do have the power to change a lot.”

Hamula, who helped get the ball rolling, believes that this recognition serves as a reminder of the strength of an Ithaca College education, and the talent and ability of it students.

“This achievement again demonstrates how IC punches well above its weight when it comes to national programs, scholarships, and competitions,” said Hamula. “I am so happy for and proud of Haley, Julia, and Neha on being recognized with this great honor based on their academic record, experiences, accomplishments, and future potential. I challenge these three IMC majors to share their talents, share their voices, and make our industry even better.”