Washington Media Scholars Foundation Announces 2025 Competition Winners

The Washington Media Scholars Foundation (WMSF) proudly announced the winners of its 16th annual Media Scholars Case Competition at a prestigious awards luncheon held on June 12th. The event, attended by media executives, university faculty, student finalists, alumni, WMSF staff, and volunteers, celebrated the exceptional talents and hard work of the participating students and marked a historic milestone as the Foundation surpassed 1,000 students supported through its programs since 2009.

The 2025 Media Plan Case Competition winners are Safi Mahmood and Davis Abog from California State University, Long Beach, taking home the top prizes of $5,000 each. The second place team, Marie Suttmann and Dylan O’Neill from Temple University received scholarships of $3,000 each. Additionally, the annual Mia Guion Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Avery Vogelzang from Brigham Young University and Ava Deakin from University of Southern California. The Excellence in Leadership award was presented to Television Bureau of Advertising President & CEO, Steve Lanzano.  Keynote remarks were made by 2022 Media Scholar finalist Mia Iannucci.

Throughout the week, finalists from Adelphi University, Brigham Young University, California State University Long Beach, Hampton University, Temple University, and University of Southern California engaged in learning sessions, networking events, and real-world experiences led by industry leaders, providing them with invaluable insights and skills for their future careers in media, communications and public policy.

“The 16th class represents the next generation of strategic thinkers in media and public policy,” said Robin D. Roberts, Founder and CEO of the Washington Media Scholars Foundation. “Reaching the 1,000-student milestone reinforces our commitment to mentorship, access, and career-building experiences for students nationwide.” 

The multi-round Media Plan Case Competition requires students to prepare a comprehensive media plan and present them to a panel of industry expert judges. Throughout Media Scholars Week, students participated in the Media Plan Case Competition, exclusive networking events with industry professionals, site visits to premier media agencies and political consulting firms, and professional development workshops focused on emerging trends in media and communications.

Since its inception, media industry sponsors have contributed millions to support over 1,000 students from 271 colleges and universities nationwide with scholarships and career opportunities through WMSF. In 2025, WMSF continued its commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders in this dynamic field. These scholarships are made possible through the generous support of sponsors including Gray Media, Katz Media Group, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, TEGNA, Nexstar Media Inc., CBS Television News and Stations, and Zeta Global.

Another notable opportunity within WMSF is the Media Fellows Scholarships, a needs-based program that supports students each year and serves as a key contributor to the 1,000-student milestone. The program provides financial support, mentorship, and career development resources to academically promising students with an interest in media, communications, public policy, and related fields. Many Media Fellows go on to earn competitive internships and full-time roles with leading media outlets, making a meaningful impact in their communities and industries.

“Watching all of the students over the last 16 years of the program and how they’ve grown from today’s students to tomorrow’s media industry leaders has meant a lot to us at Gray Media,” said Mike Jones, Vice President, Political Sales at Gray Media.

The Washington Media Scholars Foundation is dedicated to supporting the academic and professional aspirations of students interested in public policy communication and advertising. Through scholarships, immersive experiences, and industry engagement, WMSF empowers students to become influential leaders in their fields.

To learn more about the Washington Media Scholars Foundation, this year’s Media Scholars finalists, and upcoming events, visit www.mediascholars.org.