Nashville State Visual Communications Students Shine at 2025 Nashville AAF ADDY Awards

Five students from Nashville State's Visual Communications Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) program recently won seven prestigious awards during the American Advertising Federation's (AAF) Nashville Chapter ADDY competition. The event held at Harken Hall in the Madison community celebrated their outstanding creativity and skill in advertising and storytelling.

Over the past eight years, Nashville State students have earned 59 AAF Nashville ADDY Awards.

Meet the Award-Winning Students:

• Jason Pham (Visual Communications A.A.S. – Photography) – Untitled
  Gold: Elements of Advertising, Photography—Black & White, Single
• Jack Cheasty (Photography technical certificate) – Bill
  Silver: Elements of Advertising, Still Photography—Color, Single
• Michael Grando (Visual Communications A.A.S. – Photography) – Strings
  Silver: Elements of Advertising, Still Photography—Campaign
• Natalie Hickman (Visual Communications A.A.S. – Graphic Design) – Cargo
  Silver: Cross-Platform, Integrated Brand Identity Campaign
• Natalie Hickman – The Aftermath
  Silver: Elements of Advertising, Still Photography—Color, Single
• Natalie Hickman – Trip
  Silver: Cross-Platform, Consumer Campaign
• Lucky Highers (Visual Communications A.A.S. – Graphic Design) – Work
  Silver: Elements of Advertising, Still Photography—Campaign

Dr. Michael Sundblad, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, praised the students' exceptional work, “Students in Nashville State’s Visual Communications program consistently produce award-winning projects.”

“Our faculty, all seasoned industry professionals, equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the design and photography fields.”

A History of Achievement
Nashville State’s Visual Communications students have consistently excelled at the AAF Nashville ADDY competition, with notable wins in recent years:

• 2025 – Five students won seven ADDYs
• 2024 – Six students won seven ADDYs
• 2023 – Nine students won 12 ADDYs
• 2022 – Four students won five ADDYs
• 2021 – Four students won seven ADDYs
• 2020 – Three students won seven ADDYs
• 2019 – Four students won four ADDYs
• 2018 – Five students won ten ADDYs

Thanks to the Nashville State Community College Foundation’s ongoing support and a generous private donor grant, student entry fees have been covered for the past eight years. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to provide scholarships and program enrichment opportunities for students.