Ritika (Ritz) Agrawal, a graduating senior in advertising from Pune, India, is a 2021 recipient of the Iowa State University Alumni Association’s Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award. Established in 1968, the award recognizes outstanding seniors who display high character, outstanding achievement in academics and university/community activities and promise for continuing these exemplary qualities as alumni.
From the ISU Alumni Association:
Ritika Agrawal brings energy to any room she enters.
Data-driven and creative, Ritz was recognized in 2019 as one of the country’s top twelve media students by the Washington Media Scholars Foundation and represented Iowa State University in the 2019 finals of the Washington Media Scholars Case Competition. The Association of National Advertisers selected her for the prestigious MADE internship with NBCUniversal in New York. Only an innovative intern like Ritz could have succeeded at the remote opportunity. Furthermore, she afterward took on another internship with NBCUniversal subsidiary E! News in Los Angeles. This Cyclone doesn’t quit.
During the pandemic, Ritz saw her peers struggle to find internship opportunities, while others were being forced to recommence with job searches after the coronavirus caused cancellations worldwide. Ritz jumped to found the Young Media Professionals Foundation, connecting young talent in media, marketing and advertising with top employers and industry leaders.
On campus, Ritz served as editor-in-chief of Cardinal Eats and is the advertising manager at the Iowa State Daily. She even squeezes in time for undergraduate research while maintaining a place on the dean’s list.
Truly a global thinker, Ritz loves to connect and network while also opening doors of connection for others. One nominator put it best … “Ritika will give things her best and does so in an inclusive and empathetic manner, putting community over self.”
Learn more about the award and this year’s honorees.
Watch the virtual recognition ceremony, including remarks from Ritika, here: https://youtu.be/9uH_1h4Cbgc