HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University student Anna Deal has been awarded the prestigious American Advertising Federation of Kansas City Foundation scholarship (AAF-KC).

Twenty-one different regional schools are eligible for the scholarship, which is open to students pursuing degrees in marketing/advertising, design, creative writing, communications, public relations, web development, and other degrees that lead to jobs in these fields.

Deal, a senior from Hutchinson, is pursuing a degree in communication studies with an emphasis in public relations and advertising. She is the current president of the FHSU Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America and an active member of the FHSU Honors Society and the Delta Zeta Sorority.

Dr. Hsin-Yen Yang, associate professor of communication studies, thought Deal was an excellent candidate for the scholarship and encouraged her to apply.

“It’s exciting to see that our students are being recognized for their achievements in regional competitions,” Yang said. “Anna competed with many top students in more than 20 schools in our region, and she stands out. She makes us proud!”

The scholarship entails various benefits throughout the upcoming school year. In addition to a $1,500 scholarship ($750 per semester), Deal will work with a professional mentor in her area of study and will receive a free membership to the AAF-KC and free admission to all AAF-KC events.

Deal made it past the initial application process for an online interview, then was notified that she was one of only 17 students from several universities in Kansas and Missouri to be selected as a winner.

According to AAF-KC, the Scholarship has been awarded for almost 30 years, and former scholarship recipients include Jon Cook, VMLY&R Global CEO and current Foundation board member; Jeff King, Barkley CEO; and Krista Masilionis, Creative Product Development Director at Hallmark Cards and current Foundation board member.

“I hope Anna’s story can inspire other students to apply for more scholarships and internships,” Yang said. “Don’t be afraid of competition. The AAF-KC scholarship and mentorship program is a wonderful resource for career development and networking opportunities. You will not get it if you don’t try.”