This scholarship is named in honor of Mia Guion, a member of the winning team in the 2017 Washington Media Scholars Case Competition. Mia represented many of the best qualities and traits of WMSF participants.
Mia Guion graduated from Iowa State University in 2017 with a degree in advertising from the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication. One of the highlights of her college years was winning, along with team-member Emily Belloma, the 2017 Washington Media Scholars Case Competition.
Mia moved to Chicago following graduation, taking a job with a top-level media firm. She remained an active participant in the Greenlee School’s advertising program, advising students in the media class during multiple Skype sessions and helping guide the 2018 WMSF Case Competition teams. One of those teams won first runner-up in 2018.
Tragically, Mia died in a car accident in June 2018. She will be remembered not only for her determination to achieve career goals as well as her willingness to help others. She focused on building her career from her college education.” A reporter from her family’s hometown paper wrote about her service in this appreciation: “Mia was there at just the right time for those who needed her. Always. That was her perpetual, unconditional promise.”
The Washington Media Scholars Foundation is awarding a scholarship in remembrance of Mia Guion. The scholarship will be presented to a Media Scholars Case Competition Finalist at the Annual Awards Presentation & Networking reception in front of their fellow finalists, their academic advisor and media industry professionals.
Mia Guion represented the best qualities and traits of WMSF participants. Her academic advisor, Professor Jay Newell of Iowa State University’s Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, said of Mia, “Mia’s superpower was presentation.”
WMSF Founder and CEO Robin D. Roberts added, “Mia Guion had a set of unusual skills that I have dubbed our 4P’s: Preparation, Participation, Professionalism and Presentation.” As such, the 4 P’s will be the criteria upon which student finalists will be evaluated and the scholarship will be awarded.
Alexander Graham Bell famously said, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” The Mia Guion Scholarship award recipient will be a finalist who not only prepares for the competition, but also prepares for meetings with executives at the media companies by researching the companies and people with whom they will meet.
The awardee will be an active participant throughout the competition, offering input, asking questions, making connections and being fully engaged throughout the event-filled week.
The awardee will consistently display professionalism throughout the competition: poise, professional maturity, appropriateness and leadership.
All WMSF students must present their media plans to a panel of expert judges, and in any given year, finalists give outstanding presentations that exceed their professional experience. The Mia Guion scholarship awardee will be chosen based on not only his/her excellent presentation skills during judging, but also superior self-presentation throughout the competition
2021
2020
2019
The recipient will be announced from the podium at the Annual Awards Presentation & Networking reception in front of their fellow finalists, their academic advisor and media industry professionals. The award will be in the amount of $2,500.
© 2023 Washington Media Scholars Foundation
The Washington Media Scholars Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment of all backgrounds and cultures. The Foundation is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by law.© 2023 Washington Media Scholars Foundation
The Washington Media Scholars Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment of all backgrounds and cultures. The Foundation is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by law.
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