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For the first time under the leadership of Dr. Mariella Zavala, a team of Gonzaga Â鶹¹ÙÍø students competed in the American Advertising Federation’s prestigious National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC)—and they made their mark.

This was the first time students from the School of Business Administration participated under Dr. Zavala’s guidance as part of the MKTG 490 Promotion Project course. The team placed third overall in the Northwest region and earned the Ad Star Award for Best Creative Idea, connecting the client’s messaging and making it relevant to their intended target.

“What impressed the judges and audience most,” said Zavala, “was how our students centered their campaign around meaningful human connection. It was a unique and thoughtful approach that truly resonated.”

Throughout the high-energy, three-day competition, held in Bend, Oregon, the team demonstrated the values Gonzaga holds dear—professionalism, collaboration, and integrity. Not only did they present their work with poise and polish, but they also demonstrated generosity and collegiality—actively supporting and learning from other teams throughout the competition.

The competition included workshops, networking with industry professionals, and insightful feedback sessions with judges. Gonzaga students soaked in every opportunity, discussing marketing careers, analyzing other teams' strengths and weaknesses, and refining their own ideas.

What makes their achievement even more remarkable is the timeline. Many of their competitors came from year-long programs with prior NSAC experience. Gonzaga’s team? They built their campaign from scratch in just twelve weeks—and for both the students and Dr. Zavala, it was their first time participating in NSAC.

Dr. Zavala couldn’t be prouder of her students: “They made a lasting impression and proved that with creativity, determination, and a deep commitment to learning, anything is possible. These students are well on their way to making a positive impact in the world—and they’ll continue to make Gonzaga proud wherever they go.”

Team Members: 

• Georgette MacDonald (Team Captain, Presenter)
• Dev Patel (Presenter)
• Abby Rohrer (Presenter)
• Jackeline Gonzalez Marroquin (Presenter)
• Dylan Smith 
• Gabi Dembinski 
• Will Koenig 
• Bridget Barry
• Zora Berkeley
• Olivia Bramble
• Bryn Carroll
• Olivia Castaneda
• Ellie Chavez
• Leonora Fanene
• Renee Moore
• Sydney Schaefgen