OSU student named AAF Most Promising Minority

Friday, March 3, 2006

The American Advertising Federation selected Oklahoma State University student Michelle Slape as its most promising minority student during the 10 annual Most Promising Minority Students Program in New York City on Feb. 7-9.

Slape, an advertising senior from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was one of 51 finalists selected from a nationwide search to travel to New York to interview, network and be honored by some of the country's top advertising agencies, media companies and advertisers.

"I am honored to receive such an outstanding award,” Slape said. “To be recognized as one of the top minority students in advertising is such a huge accomplishment. I am indebted to my nominating professor, Roy Kelsey, who has always pushed me to succeed in my major.

“I am also very grateful for the unparalleled education that I have received from OSU. This award has brought me even closer to achieving my dreams and career aspirations, and I am looking forward to my future in the advertising world."

Since her return from New York, Slape has received several paid internship offers and has decided to accept a paid internship at Leo Burnett, a Chicago-based agency recognized as one of the largest in the world.

The Most Promising Minority Students Program began in 1997 when AAF corporate members voiced a need to access qualified minority candidates for jobs in advertising. During the past 10 years, the program has doubled in size and has connected nearly 300 minority students with recruiters in the advertising industry.

Slape serves as manager of University Advertising agency and is a journalism and broadcasting teaching assistant. She has interned for Ackerman McQueen Advertising Agency and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Tribal Affairs.