Marketing Students Are Invited to Create Impactful Integrated Brand Campaign with National Impact

New York, February 16, 2026 – The Effie LIONS Foundation, a global not-for-profit committed to building a marketing industry for everyone by empowering future talent through education, experiences, and unparalleled access – has announced its partnership with UNA-USA (United Nations Association of the United States) for the Spring 2026 Effie Collegiate program. Modeled after the prestigious Effie Awards, the global standard for marketing effectiveness, the Effie Collegiate US program engages marketing students across the U.S. to research, develop, and present comprehensive marketing plans that address real-world brand challenges.

For the upcoming Spring 2026 semester, college students will have the unique opportunity to design a culturally relevant campaign that shows young adults how the United Nations improves lives and communities across America every day. In partnership with UNA-USA and the Effie LIONS Foundation, students will work to create campaigns that make the United Nation’s mission feel urgent, personal, and timely.

Submissions will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of industry judges representing agencies, brands, and media. The finalist teams will be invited to present their ideas to the UNA-USA marketing leadership team in May 2026.

“One of the toughest and most meaningful challenges in marketing is creating public awareness campaigns that are powerful, culturally relevant and effective,” said Allison Knapp Womack, Global CEO, Effie LIONS Foundation. “We’re proud to partner with UNA-USA to give students a real-world opportunity that will sharpen their strategic thinking and serve them in any path they pursue.”

“UNA-USA is proud to partner with the Effie LIONS Foundation’s Effie Collegiate US brand challenge to help bring the mission and relevance of the United Nations to a rising generation of marketers”, said Peter Yeo, SVP, of the United Nations Foundation. “This collaboration allows students to engage directly with one of the world’s most important institutions, and to build the creative advocacy skills that will shape their impact for years to come.”

Call for Entries for the 2026 Effie Collegiate US x UNA-USA Brand Challenge will open February 13, 2026. The competition welcomes students enrolled in full-time or part-time graduate, undergraduate, and portfolio programs at accredited institutions.

For more information about the Effie Collegiate US competition visit www.effielions.org/programs.

Ready to take the challenge?

Register Your Intent to Enter

About United Nations Association of the United States of America

The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) is a grassroots movement of more than 23,000+ supporters living in the United States who believe that our interests and values are best advanced by standing with the only global institution with human rights at its core: the United Nations.

Through our mission to Educate, Inspire, and Mobilize, UNA-USA empowers and emboldens members to advocate for a strong US-UN partnership in their communities, on campuses, and in Congress. With over 230 chapters and a membership that is 70% under age 26, UNA-USA acts as a force multiplier, equipping young leaders with the skills and knowledge to champion the UN’s global vision.

To learn more visit: www.unausa.org.

About the Effie LIONS Foundation

The Effie LIONS Foundation is a global not-for-profit committed to building a more creative and effective marketing industry for everyone by empowering future talent through education, experiences, and unparalleled access. The Foundation is headquartered in New York City and is led by Global CEO, Allison Knapp Womack.

To learn more visit: www.effielions.org.

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Media Contact

Nneka Norville
nneka@effielions.org

Angel Velazquez, Active Minds Student Advisory Council Member at Lake Tahoe Community College, sits down with Dr. Nicole Brady, Chief Medical Officer at UnitedHealthcare Student Resources, to unpack how simple conversations and campus resources can change the way students care for their well-being.

College is full of growth, new experiences, and independence. For many students, including Angel Velazquez, it can also be overwhelming. Between classes, jobs, and managing responsibilities at home, stress can take a significant toll.

That changed when Angel reached out to the Basic Needs Center at Lake Tahoe Community College, where he learned that his struggles weren’t unique—many students balance school with basic needs, and mental health plays a huge role in overall success. Now, Angel is an ambassador with Active Minds, helping to create supportive environments on campus.

To explore how students can care for their mental health, Angel spoke with Dr. Nicole Brady, Chief Medical Officer at UnitedHealthcare Student Resources:

Why is mental health such an important topic on college campuses right now?

Dr. Brady: College is a major life shift. Data from our recent College Student & Graduate Behavioral Health Report found that nearly two-thirds of students report facing a mental or behavioral health challenge. Awareness has improved, but knowing how to seek help and what resources are available can still feel intimidating.

Angel Velazquez: That resonates. On campus, I’ve seen students struggle silently because they didn’t know where to turn, which shaped my involvement with Active Minds—I wanted to create spaces where students could share and feel supported.

What’s one of the most effective ways students can support their mental health?

Dr. Brady: Connection is key. Nearly half of students we surveyed said that talking with a friend influenced their decision to seek help. Simple acts—checking in with a roommate, joining a club, or studying with classmates—help students feel less isolated and more empowered to take care of themselves.

Angel Velazquez: I’ve seen that firsthand. At the Basic Needs Center, I connected students with resources while learning about their challenges. Even small gestures, like listening or sharing your own story, can make a big difference in encouraging someone to seek support.

Are there resources that students can turn to?

Dr. Brady: Yes, and learning about these options early makes it easier to take that first step when things start to feel overwhelming. If you are not sure what resources are available, find out if your campus has a student health center. Also, talking with your primary care physician is a great start.

Angel Velazquez: I agree! Growing up I felt pressure to handle everything on my own, so the Basic Needs Center, the Food Pantry, Student Accessibility Services, and the wellness counselor were game-changers. Active Minds also plays a role in normalizing mental health through workshops, tabling, and peer-to-peer conversations. Accessible resources help students focus on academics while knowing support is available when needed.

Dr. Brady: Also, many times your health insurance plan will have resources too so you can call the number on the back of your card to learn about what benefits are available.

How can conversations about mental health among college students become more open and relatable?

Dr. Brady: Conversations become more natural when integrated into everyday student life instead of formal settings. Peer-led discussions and honest dialogue create a culture where students feel seen and understood.

Angel Velazquez: Exactly. I find that when discussions acknowledge real challenges—financial pressure, academic stress, or burnout—students are more likely to engage. Simple, authentic conversations make it easier for students to reach out for help, and encourage others to do the same.

What about after college? How can students maintain mental health once they graduate?

Dr. Brady: The transition can be challenging, but habits built in college—staying connected, seeking support, and maintaining routines—can continue to benefit graduates.

Angel Velazquez: Organizations like Active Minds provide tools and community that extend beyond campus, too. The lessons learned about mental health in college set the foundation for lifelong well-being.

Dr. Brady: Right! Mental health isn’t something you “fix” once. It’s ongoing care, like physical health—checking in, building connections, and knowing your options are small but powerful steps.

Angel Velazquez: The more we normalize these conversations, the easier it becomes to reach out for ourselves and support others. Connection truly is a cornerstone, and at the end of the day, supporting mental health isn’t just about surviving college. It is about building habits that last a lifetime.

To learn more about Active Minds, visit: https://activeminds.org/our-story/

Colleges or universities interested in learning about student behavioral health solutions, can contact UnitedHealthcare Student Resources at www.uhcsr.com.

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Media Contact

Will Holman
952-931-5926
william_s_holman@uhc.com

Dillard University joins the FICO Educational Analytics Challenge for Spring semester, along with returning institutions Drake State Community & Technical College, North Carolina Central University, and Fayetteville State University

BOZEMAN, Mont. – February 2, 2026 – FICO (NYSE: FICO)

Global analytics software leader FICO today announced the continuation of its FICO® Educational Analytics Challenge for the Spring 2026 semester. Building on a successful Fall term in the program’s third year, FICO welcomes Dillard University as a new participating Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to the program. With this addition, the program has partnered with eight HBCUs since its launch – including Bowie State University, Delaware State University, Morehouse College, Alabama A&M University, Drake State Community & Technical College, North Carolina Central University, Fayetteville State University, and Dillard University – and continues to advance FICO’s mission to foster the next generation of data scientists nationwide.

“We have witnessed the Analytics Challenge serving as a primary influence for many of our students to continue their education by applying for master programs,” said Dr. Mingxian Jin, professor in computer science at Fayetteville State University. “The program is empowering for our students who want to deepen their AI experience in preparation for their future careers. By working alongside industry experts, this partnership enables our students learn real-world AI applications, helping to build the skills and confidence needed for careers in data science.”

The semester-long program brings together students with data science, engineering, and technology backgrounds to apply data science and AI to real business problems. The current challenge focus enables student participants to deepen their understanding of how AI language models and chatbots used by financial institutions are developed and trained, including exposure to FICO’s focused language model approach. The program is led by FICO’s Chief Analytics Officer, Dr. Scott Zoldi, and the analytics team of industry data scientists. The team combines weekly lectures with hands-on mentorship throughout the semester.

“The Analytics Challenge program provides students the opportunity to learn how industry data scientists use AI—how they work with data, create models, and ultimately realize the value of AI,” said Dr. Zoldi. “We’re proud to support students at the university level and serve as mentors ahead of their careers and to provide this industry real world experience. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the workforce, understanding how to create impact responsibly and ethically will be a much desired technical skill.”

The program allows students with data science, computer science, engineering, and technology backgrounds to improve their AI skills. In addition to academic instruction, the program provides financial support to enhance analytics education at each participating university and offers career resources to help students. FICO career resources include analytics internship opportunities, as well as best general practices for resumes and interviews. FICO is a proud participant in the HBCU Partnership Challenge, an initiative of the Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus, led by Congresswoman Alma Adams and Congressman French Hill.

To learn more about the FICO Educational Analytics Challenge, including how to get involved, visit: FICO’s Educational Analytics Challenge | FICO

About FICO

FICO (NYSE: FICO) powers decisions that help people and businesses around the world prosper. Founded in 1956, the company is a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions. FICO holds more than 200 U.S. and foreign patents on technologies that increase profitability, customer satisfaction, and growth for businesses in financial services, insurance, telecommunications, health care, retail, and many other industries. Using FICO solutions, businesses in more than 80 countries protect four billion payment cards from fraud, improve financial inclusion, and increase supply chain resiliency. The FICO® Score, used by 90% of top U.S. lenders, is the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the United States and is available in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Learn more at https://www.fico.com/en.

Join the conversation at https://x.com/FICO_corp & https://www.fico.com/blogs/

For FICO news and media resources, visit https://www.fico.com/en/newsroom.

FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

Contact
press@fico.com