The next generation of our industry isn’t waiting in the wings. They’re already showing up. Curious. Creative. Eager to learn. AAF Nebraska is committed to meeting students where they are and helping them take the next step.
Every year, AAF Nebraska invests in students across Nebraska and Iowa in meaningful ways. This April, the federation awarded three scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year. AAF Nebraska’s scholarship program has been creating opportunities for students for more than 40 years. That kind of longevity matters. It means the organization isn’t just talking about supporting students, it’s doing it, year after year.
It goes far beyond scholarships.
AAF Nebraska’s Meet the Pros conference, held each spring in Omaha, gives college students a real look at the advertising and marketing industry beyond the classroom. Students hear honest stories from professionals, ask real questions, and begin to understand how careers take shape. From portfolio reviews and workshops to panel discussions and professional presentations, Meet the Pros is designed to provide access, clarity, and confidence.
AdVenture+, hosted annually in Lincoln each fall, brings that same energy in a different way. The event creates an afternoon packed with insight, connection, and conversation for college students from across the state. Keynotes, panels, roundtable discussions, and networking opportunities allow students to engage directly with professionals who have been in their shoes.
AAF Nebraska’s Student Ambassador Program continues to be another one of the organization’s impactful student initiatives. Student ambassadors assist at events and programs throughout the year while building meaningful relationships with professionals across the industry. It’s hands-on experience that creates real connections and opens doors.
AAF Nebraska also supports students through mentor matching, internship and job postings, classroom visits, guest lectures, and participation in career fairs throughout the region. The goal is simple: help students see what’s possible within the advertising, marketing, and creative industries.
Accessibility is also a priority. Many AAF Nebraska events are free for students, and when there is a cost associated with a program or event, the organization works to provide discounts or student event scholarships whenever possible. Access should not be the reason a student misses an opportunity.
AAF’s National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) is another incredible experience for students. Each year, college teams develop full-scale campaigns for real national clients and present their work in a competitive environment. The NSAC program gives students real-world experience in strategy, creative development, research, collaboration, and presentation skills, all while preparing them for future careers in the industry.
AAF Nebraska also connects with students earlier in their educational journey. Each fall, the federation participates in the Nebraska State DECA Conference in Omaha, engaging high school students from across Nebraska as they begin exploring careers in advertising, marketing, communications, and design.
And no conversation about student achievement would be complete without the American Advertising Awards. Through AAF Nebraska’s Creative Nebraska competition, students can enter their work, compete locally, and, if awarded a local ADDY, advance to the district and national levels of competition.
One of the most rewarding moments for AAF Nebraska leadership and members is watching students take that journey all the way to a National ADDY and celebrating alongside them at ADMERICA. Seeing a student hear their name called on the national stage is a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
This is how an industry grows—not only by celebrating great work, but by investing in the people who will shape what comes next.
There is nothing better than watching a student discover where they belong.
