Advertising + Public Relations Scholarships

The Department of Advertising + Public Relations offers many scholarship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students.

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 AD+PR scholarship and award recipients!

Learn how AD+PR scholarships and awards make a difference in the lives of our Spartan students:

As spring semester 2023 drew to a close, we honored the extraordinary circumstances our Spartan Community has faced and embraced the opportunity to celebrate together, recognizing the students selected to receive a scholarship or an award from the Department of Advertising and Public Relations and from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences for the 2023-2024 school year:

 

Additional scholarships are offered through the College of Communication Arts and Sciences and fellowships are offered through the Graduate School.

Visit these links to learn more: 

ComArtSci Scholarships
Mary Louise Gephart Donnell Fellowship

Scholarship recipients will be notified upon selection, and will be required to check with the Office of Financial Aid to determine any financial aid impacts and provide a donor thank-you letter to confirm acceptance. Recipients will also be invited to attend the annual AD+PR Virtual Awards and Scholarships Recognition Event, to be held in April 2024. Event details will be forthcoming. 

Please email cas.adprscholarships@msu.edu with any questions or for assistance.
 

Undergraduate Student Scholarships

 

Graduate Student Scholarships

 

Undergraduate Student Scholarships
 

Should I apply?

From reducing stress to providing new opportunities – hear about the impacts AD+PR scholarships made on past student recipients:

 

 

 

Apply for Undergraduate Scholarships

To apply, undergraduate students should complete and submit the common application during the annual application period. Applicants are automatically considered for all scholarships for which they are qualified, making for a simple and streamlined application process.

The Undergraduate Scholarships Common Application is Closed 

2024-2025 Scholarship Application Deadline: November 18, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. 

Applications submitted before October 31 (Early Bird Deadline) will be entered in a weekly drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card. The sooner you apply, the more chances you have to win! 

*2024 scholarships/awards are to be used for Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 tuition and fees at the university, and will appear on the recipient's fee receipt. 


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The William J. Hopp Endowed Scholarship in Advertising:

Congratulations to 2023-2024 recipient, Abbey Lieffers!

Awarded to one highly motivated and career-oriented advertising major, this tuition/fee scholarship is made possible thanks to Mr. Tony Hopp, Michigan State University advertising alumnus and former chairman and CEO of Campbell Ewald. Mr. Hopp established this prestigious scholarship to honor his father, William J. Hopp, who encouraged him to pursue a career in advertising.

To apply during the annual application period, students complete the Undergraduate Scholarships Common Application and submit the following via email to cas.adprscholarships@msu.edu:

  • Resume
  • Insights and Analysis Essay
    • Identify the three (3) marketers who, in your opinion, have created and are currently airing/running a body of campaign work based on innovative integrated brand strategies that:
      • Enhance the user experience(s);
      • Deepen consumer engagement; and
      • Involve the full spectrum of marketing communications today, with multi-channel and integrated executions (i.e. television, print, digital, social, email, public relations, etc.).
    • Identify what you believe was the key marketing challenge(s) for each of the brands and why you believe each of the campaigns you have selected succeeded in meeting this key challenge.
  • Industry Engagement Description
    • Provide a brief description of your internships, work experience, or other examples of your personal interest in integrated communications and the role they have played in your decision to pursue a career in advertising (250 words maximum).
  • Passion Description
    • Provide 3-5 short examples that demonstrate your passion for and commitment to pursuing a career in advertising.
  • Career Plans Description
    • Describe any coursework taken outside of advertising major requirements that has been meaningful in your pursuit of a career in marketing communications. And why was this coursework meaningful to you with regard to your career aspirations?
    • What are the three (3) most important criteria that will guide you in selecting a company to work for upon your graduation from Michigan State University?
    • (250 words maximum)

APPLICATION CRITERIA:

  • Juniors or Seniors (by Fall 2024)
  • Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
  • Participate in extracurricular activities
  • Demonstrate excellence in an AD+PR-related area

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Meets application criteria
  • Quality and impact of application materials

Richard E. Augenstein Public Relations Scholarship

Congratulations to 2023 recipient, Whitney Byard!

The Richard E. Augenstein Public Relations Scholarship is named for Mr. Richard Augenstein who received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956 from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. A Lansing resident, he was associated with the Michigan Manufacturers Association, where he served as its vice president for government affairs.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Sophomores and above
  • PR Major or Minor
  • Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
  • PRSSA member (active participation preferred)
  • Interest and intention to pursue a public relations career  
  • Financial need will be considered

E. Ross Gamble Scholarship

Congratulations to 2023 recipients: Michael Merucci, Grace Pia, and Nicholas Wilson!

The E. Ross Gamble Memorial Scholarship is awarded to MSU advertising majors who demonstrate academic achievement and promise for success in the advertising profession.  

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Sophomores and above
  • Advertising Major
  • Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA/3.5 Major GPA  
  • Financial need will be considered

George Katsarelas Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to 2023 recipients: Amanda Dowd and Carolyn McClure!

The George Katsarelas Endowed Memorial Scholarship is in memory of Mr. George Katsarelas, MSU alumnus and former executive creative director at Leo Burnett Detroit, Inc. Katsarelas was revered for his ability to lead, mentor and help his colleagues achieve greatness. This scholarship is awarded to a high-achieving advertising student pursuing a career in advertising.  

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Juniors or Seniors
  • Advertising Major  
  • Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA  
  • Participation in extracurricular activities
  • Demonstrated excellence and achievement in an AD+PR-related area
  • Financial need may be considered

Clarke and Marion Kimball Scholarship in Advertising and Public Relations

Congratulations to 2023 recipients: Isabella Chantler and Christian Duran!

The scholarship is in honor of Clarke and Marion Kimball, whose four children graduated from Michigan State University and have had careers in advertising and education. Throughout their lives, the Kimballs distinguished themselves in business and community service. Both remained active volunteers in their community well into their nineties. Because newspapers were so important to the success of Clarke’s successful retailing career, this scholarship also recognizes the unique role of newspapers to readers and advertisers in the local communities they serve as the industry evolves in print and digital formats.  

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Sophomores and above enrolled full time
  • Minimum 2.75 Cumulative GPA 
  • Preference given to those students considering careers in newspaper or related media advertising and marketing  
  • Demonstrated willingness to serve their community and profession
  • Demonstrated motivation, initiative and capacity to achieve educational and professional goals

Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance Scholarship

Congratulations to 2023 recipients: Rashi Bhalerao, Kassandra Corrujedo, and Grace Cyporyn!

The Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance Scholarship is awarded to an MSU junior or senior majoring in advertising creative. Selection is based on academic achievement and promise for success in the advertising profession. 

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Juniors or Seniors
  • Advertising Creative Major
  • Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA  
  • Participation in extracurricular activities
  • Demonstrated excellence and achievement in an AD+PR-related area
  • Financial need will be considered

Outstanding Senior Award

Congratulations to 2023 recipients: Collin Baker (Outstanding Creative Senior), Carley Smith (Outstanding Advertising Senior), and Becca “B” Wyne (Outstanding PR Senior)!

Each year, the Department of Advertising + Public Relations awards three graduating seniors an Outstanding Senior Award (for Advertising Management, Advertising Creative and Public Relations).

MSU faculty can nominate a student for the Outstanding Senior Award:

Outstanding Senior Award Nomination Form

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Based on faculty nominations

Schalon Scholars Fund

Congratulations to 2023 recipients: William Barnes, Grace Danison, Zafira Lubis, Yurica Takeda, and Amanda Vogel!

The Schalon Scholars Fund provides tuition support or support for internship experiences. This scholarship is named in honor of the Schalon family, which includes Ms. Marcella Schalon and her daughter, Suz, an MSU advertising alumna. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to nonprofit volunteerism and service after graduation.  

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Juniors and Seniors
  • Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA  
  • Demonstrated commitment to nonprofit organization volunteerism
  • Commitment to service after graduating

Susan Brink Sherratt and Richard Sherratt Scholarship

Congratulations to 2023 recipients: Megan Houtstra, Victoria Jassan, Kaitlyn Keele, Madison Kort, Veronica Lai, and Olivia Thaler!

The Susan Brink Sherratt and Richard Sherratt Scholarship is named in honor of Ms. Susan Brink Sherratt, a proud third-generation Spartan who struggled finding a major until a friend recommended advertising. She thrived in the major and followed with a career in advertising.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Advertising Major
  • Participation in extracurricular activities
  • Demonstrated excellence and achievement in an AD+PR-related area  
  • Financial need will be considered

Stan Stein Scholarship

Congratulations to 2023 recipient Nyla Willis!

The Stan Stein Scholarship was established by alumnus Mr. Stan Stein and his employer, Weber Shandwick Worldwide, to help support deserving students as they prepare for a career in the public relations industry. Stein says he believes his comprehensive education at MSU and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences prepared him for his successful career. He wants to encourage graduates to give back appropriately to MSU, and remain connected to our great university.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Sophomores and above
  • PR Major or Minor
  • Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA  
  • Professional goals in public relations  
  • Financial need will be considered

Graduate Student Scholarships
 

Apply for Graduate Student Scholarships

To apply, graduate students should complete and submit the common application during the annual application period. Applicants are automatically considered for all scholarships for which they are qualified, making for a simple and streamlined application process. 

The Graduate Scholarships Common Application is Closed

2024-2025 Scholarship Application Deadline: November 18, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. 

Applications submitted before October 31 (Early Bird Deadline) will be entered in a weekly drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card. The sooner you apply, the more chances you have to win! 

*2024 scholarships/awards are to be used for Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 tuition and fees at the university, and will appear on the recipient's fee receipt. 


Advertising + Public Relations MA Graduate Fellowship

Congratulations to 2023 Advertising + Public Relations MA Graduate Fellowship recipients: Baboki Gaolaowe-Major, Khalilah Lane, and Dmytro Shynkaruk!

Each year, the Department of Advertising + Public Relations awards an Advertising + Public Relations MA Graduate Fellowship.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Based on faculty nominations

Janet L. Loria Scholarship

Congratulations to 2023 recipients: Ava Francesca Battocchio and Todjanae Jones!

Ms. Janet Loria served as a graduate secretary at MSU for many years, and was a friend and mentor to countless students. To honor her legacy, her family established an endowment to provide scholarships to students who have high academic achievement, have formulated career goals, and who volunteer to help others have a better life.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Financial need will be considered

CONSIDERATION CRITERIA:

  • Minimum 3.5 Cumulative GPA
  • Potential in making a positive change in the academic or professional field, especially with the focus on improving the state of diversity, equity and inclusion in the advertising and public relations industries

For Doctoral Students:  

  • High-quality research presented at renowned academic conferences and published in high-rank academic journals
  • Outstanding teaching record

For Master’s Students:

  • Professional excellence and experience, including engagement with student professional organizations, interest and intention to pursue an advertising/public relations career

Outstanding Master's/Doctoral Student Award

Congratulations to 2023 Outstanding Master’s Student Award recipient, Namuun Tsegmid!
Congratulations to 2023 Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award recipient, Qi Zheng
!

Each year, the Department of Advertising + Public Relations awards Outstanding Master’s Student Awards and Outstanding Ph.D. Student Awards.  

MSU faculty can nominate students for the Outstanding Master's and Ph.D. Student Awards:

Outstanding Master's Student Award Nomination Form

Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award Nomination Form

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Based on faculty nominations

Bonnie B. Reece Graduate Scholarship

Congratulations to 2023 recipients: Seema Bezbaruah, Barikisu Issaka, Taewoo Kang, Heijin Lee, Kaitlin Lewin, Katharine Mitchell, Moldir Moldagaliyeva, Leigh Ann Tiffany, and Nan Zhang!

Dr. Bonnie B. Reece is a former chairperson of the Department of Advertising + Public Relations and long-time faculty member who is devoted to high-quality graduate education. She wished to make life easier for one or two students each year by establishing this scholarship.  

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • Domestic student
  • Demonstrated leadership
  • Minimum 3.5 Cumulative GPA
  • Financial need will be considered
  • Potential in making a positive change in the academic or professional field, especially with the focus on improving the state of diversity, equity and inclusion in the advertising and public relations industries

For Doctoral Students:  

  • High-quality research presented at renowned academic conferences and published in high-rank academic journals
  • Outstanding teaching record

For Master’s Students:

  • Professional excellence and experience, including engagement with student professional organizations, interest and intention to pursue an advertising/public relations career