The strategic communications major was one of 50 students nationwide selected for the advertising industry’s premier multicultural recruiting initiative.
As a first-year international student, Sabrina Mannes Diaz de Cerio ’25 arrived at Elon uncertain about her career path. Four years later, the strategic communications major has not only found her direction but also earned a coveted spot in the American Advertising Federation’s Most Promising Multicultural Students program. This February, she participated in a four-day industry immersion experience in New York City.
The highly competitive national program brought together 50 students for workshops, professional development sessions, a recruiter’s expo, and an awards luncheon. Participants networked with industry professionals and built relationships with peers from top communications programs. In addition to Elon, this included the University of Florida, the University of Southern California, and the University of Texas at Austin.
“When I came into Elon, I felt lost about what I wanted to do career-wise and how I wanted to use my college experience,” said Mannes Diaz de Cerio, who grew up in London. “Receiving this award represents the growth I’ve had at Elon and the School of Communications, and how I have found my passion, community and discovered what I want my future to look like.”
For Mannes Diaz de Cerio, the recognition has been a confidence booster as she prepares to graduate in May and enter the job market.
“I’m so incredibly honored and humbled to be one of only 50 students in the nation to receive this incredible award,” she wrote following her New York experience. “This week has taught me so much, and has truly been life-changing to not only my professional career, but also for me personally.”
Initially planning to study political science at Elon, Mannes Diaz de Cerio discovered her passions in the School of Communications. She then became deeply involved in Live Oak Communications, Elon’s student-run strategic communications agency, and The Edge magazine.
She attributes much of her professional development and confidence to the mentorship and opportunities she found in Live Oak. Senior Lecturer Hal Vincent, in particular, played a key role in encouraging her to apply for the AAF program, which required a written essay, résumé, recommendation letter, portfolio, and a 75-second introduction pitch.
Vincent said he had no doubt that she would excel in the selection process.
“I’ve had the privilege of nominating, mentoring and working with past recipients of this program, and Sabrina immediately stood out as a strong candidate with great potential,” he said.
For students looking to follow in her footsteps, Mannes Diaz de Cerio’s advice is to be “unapologetically yourself.”
“If you ask any faculty or peer, embracing my identity as an international student is something I have always proudly done and has allowed me to stand out in so many ways – and I believe it is what ultimately led to me receiving this award,” she said.
Prior to Mannes Diaz de Cerio’s selection, Amanda Willingham ’21 was Elon’s most recent participant in the Most Promising Multicultural Students program. Now a global account supervisor at Energy BBDO, Willingham participated in this year’s AAF event, announcing the honorees at the Building Bridges Luncheon and representing her company at the recruiting fair.
Most Promising Student program
The AAF’s Most Promising Multicultural Students program is an initiative led by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) that recognizes and connects outstanding college students with the advertising industry.
Since 1997, the program has selected students from across the country who have shown exceptional talent, leadership, and passion for advertising, media, and marketing. These students are invited to a four-day event in New York City, where they participate in professional development activities, networking opportunities, and one-on-one meetings with top advertising agencies, media companies and brands. Since its inception, nearly a thousand students from colleges and universities across the country have participated in the premier event.