Who We Are
The Ad Club at VCU was created nearly 20 years ago to provide opportunities for professional growth for students interested in the ad industry. Now, we’re proud to offer several top-notch extracurricular events throughout the year.
From creative brief competitions and creative sprints with real life clients, to agency tours and portfolio shows — all of which are sponsored, attended, and judged by industry professionals from regional and national agencies — we help pave the way for industry success.
Alongside these resume-building experiences, we also facilitate the forging of lasting mentor and peer relationships. Find us on campus, chatting about the latest in pop-culture, collaborating on portfolio-worthy class assignments, and developing our skills as the next generation of advertising leaders.
What We Do
In a nation of consumerism, advertising is everywhere and everything. Here’s how we help our students prepare for the working world.
Educational Workshops
Bi-monthly
Hosted by industry professionals, VCU professors, and the Ad Club at VCU Executive Board, these hands-on workshops provide instruction in various disciplines. Learn the ins and outs of LinkedIn networking, how to make money freelancing, the value of graduate or portfolio school, and so much more.
Student and Professional Mentorship
Mentee led
We provide opportunities for students to mentor and connect with one another across graduating classes as well as to be mentored by industry professionals that can provide valuable insight and personal advice on everything from portfolios and interviewing to finding the right agency fit and negotiating your first job offer.
Competitive Professional Events
Once per semester
We host major team competitions each semester, providing strategic and creative experience for students and building soft skills that will prepare them for their first job. These are the best resume and portfolio builders.
Portfolio Shows
Once per semester
Portfolio shows, held at the end of every semester, give students the chance to have their digital portfolios reviewed by industry professionals. These are great opportunities for students to practice interview skills, build confidence talking about their work, and get feedback on their website.
Agency Tours
As scheduled
Every agency's work model and culture is different. We tour a variety of agencies, in-person and virtually, to learn more about how they work and which ones may be a good fit for an internship or job post-grad.
Student Award Show
Annually
At the end of the academic year, we host an award show to celebrate the hard work our students have put into their classes, to say goodbye to the graduating senior class, and announce the future Ad Club Executive Board. We dress up, laugh all night long, and some of us even go home with awards voted on by industry professionals and superlative awards voted on by our peers.
Pop Culture Watch Parties
As scheduled
Trending means spending, right? Whether it’s the VMA’s, the Super Bowl, or the Met Gala, we love meeting up to talk about the best and worst ads, outfits, and performances of the night.
Collaborative Work Time
Weekly
For those who are more productive when working in a group setting, want to practice a presentation, or want to bounce ideas off their peers, we offer the opportunity to gather in a collaborative study space on campus for advice or companionship from other students and professors.
What We Value
Inclusion
There is a place for everyone in Ad Club, regardless of major, experience, or technical skills. We value all voices and perspectives and believe that diversity makes us greater.
Professionalism
Preparing for the industry post-grad means learning how to be professional now. We mirror the “real world” in our events, communications, and workshops.
Growth
There is always room to grow and there is always something to learn from every experience. We provide several opportunities for growth throughout the year for our members.
Collaboration
The most important skill in advertising is being able to work well with others. We encourage collaboration inside and outside of the classroom to improve teamwork skills.
Fall 2024 Executive Board
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Trey O'Shea
PRESIDENT
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Jayla Banks
VICE PRESIDENT
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Samantha Hall
ACCOUNT MANAGER
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Andrew Coccaro
PRODUCER
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Sara Giardino
DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER
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Ryen Harris
ART DIRECTOR
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Moira Sirois
TREASURER
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Morgan Thomas
STRATEGIST
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Priscilla Vargas
DEI CHAIR
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Lauren Stanley
SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST
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Molly Nealon
SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST
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Amanda McVey
Designer
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Julia Martinez Godinez
DESIGNER
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Mia Sides
DESIGNER
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Bella Eccleson
PRODUCER
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Nadiah Barekzi
ACCOUNT MANAGER
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Clare Flemming
ACCOUNT MANAGER
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Ivy Bell
STRATEGIST
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Emily Fuller
STRATEGIST
Meet the Professors
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Marcel Jennings
FACULTY ADVISOR & ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Ad Person of the Year 2021. McDonald’s. AT&T. Starbucks. Mercedes Benz. Reebok. Miller Lite. State Farm. Time Magazine. Virginia Lottery.
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Jessica Collins
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Ad Person of the Year 2020. Walmart. Target. Kellogg’s. Colgate. Unilever. Johnson & Johnson. SC Johnson.
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Peyton Rowe
ROBERTSON SCHOOL DIRECTOR
CreateAthon Board Member.
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Scott Sherman
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Ad Person of the Year 2017. VCU Robertson Advertising Sequence Coordinator. 20+ years of industry experience.
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Jay Adams
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Comcast. Cool Whip. Mentos. Pizza Hut. Tylenol. UPS. Walmart. Arby’s. Mercedes Benz. American Cancer Society. VCU.
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Maggie McDearmon
CAREER DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR
Provides resources regarding career development, individual career counseling, and information on career-related opportunities.
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Bizhan Khodabandeh
INSTRUCTOR
Recognized by Society of Illustrators, American Institute of Graphic Arts, Creativity International, and International Design Awards.
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Derek O'Leary
INSTRUCTOR
Experienced in event planning and execution. Oscar Mayer Foods. Virginia Lottery.
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Scott Beard
INSTRUCTOR
Chrysler. Jeep. Boost Mobile. Rocket Mortgage. Gatorade. PepsiCo. Arby’s. Skippy. SPAM. 3M. Nationwide. ESPN. Walmart. Cool Whip.