SCAD Celebrates 2025 Fashion Scholarship Fund Record-Breaking Wins

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, March 25th, 2025

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is proud to announce that 18 students from the university’s prestigious School of Fashion received the most scholarship wins of the awarded universities in the ultra-competitive 2025 Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) program. SCAD’s top-ranked School of Fashion students from the FSF Class of 2025 made history, earning more than $200,000 in scholarships. 

“On behalf of the SCAD School of Fashion, we couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate our SCAD record-breaking 18 FSF scholars for 2025. This is truly a testament to our university’s talent, dedication, and excellence,” said SCAD professor Andrew Fionda. “Beyond these incredible scholars, we recognize and applaud every SCAD student who submitted scholarship-worthy case studies and poured their hard work into this journey. SCAD’s long-standing influence at FSF continues to shine and thrive, reinforcing our reputation as a leader in university-led fashion education and innovation. A special congratulations to the Class of 2025, and to SCAD fashion marketing and management student Flora Medina for being named one of the top four FSF scholars in the country — an achievement truly well deserved!"

For the FSF Class of 2025, only 160 scholars were selected from more than 600 students across 90 universities. Among the recipients, fewer than 50 universities were represented. 


At the FSF live event honoring the Class of 2025 taking place April 7 in New York, SCAD senior Flora Medina (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management) will be celebrated as a finalist for the FSF Chairman’s Award. At the ceremony, Medina will present her inventive case study to hundreds of industry executives, editors, stylists, designers, and program alumni. Medina was also among the four finalists selected to receive the prestigious FSF $25,000 Grand Prize Scholarship for her elaborate digital case study, “Crocs Mebitz,” using generative AI design tools to empower consumers to physically express themselves through a customized Jibbitz experience. 

“We’re extremely proud of our 18 winning scholars,” said Dirk Standen, dean of the SCAD School of Fashion. “We’ve been incorporating AI throughout our courses, and this year’s Fashion Scholarship Fund prompts gave our students the opportunity to showcase their newfound expertise in this transformative technology. These scholars represent the future in every sense.”                                                                           

“I’m so grateful to be a finalist for this year’s FSF Chairman’s Award,” said SCAD student and FSF Chairman's Award finalist Flora Medina. “It’s completely surreal to be considered for this incredibly competitive and prestigious honor. I’m immensely thankful to be a part of such an exceptional organization and group of scholars. My fashion marketing and management professor Stephen White was invaluable throughout the process of my FSF journey. He was quick to support my case study concept and helped me tremendously in structuring my case study, developing each detail, and crafting the visual and strategic story that I was telling.”

Medina and fellow SCAD School of Fashion students Alexandria Minott (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management), Amanda Kerr (B.F.A. fashion), Cierra Wajid (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management), and Kennedi White (B.F.A. fashion) were selected as recipients of the trailblazing late fashion designer Virgil Abloh’s “Post-Modern” Scholarship. These talented students receive a $10,000 scholarship and gain access to career-focused support, including professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and talent acquisition events throughout the year. FSF staff also actively support scholars by connecting them with career-building summer internships, job opportunities, and mentorship from industry leaders.

Since 2019, SCAD students have won more than 70 scholarships from FSF, totaling more than $1 million. SCAD offers one of the most elite, connected, and comprehensive fashion programs in the world with undergraduate and graduate degrees in accessory design, fashion, fashion marketing and management, fibers, jewelry, and sneaker design, as well as additional programs in business of beauty and fragrance and luxury and brand management through the university’s De Sole School of Business Innovation. Students from these programs network with expert insiders through global showcases and signature events and earn accolades from Vogue, The Met’s Costume Institute, CFDA, and more. SCAD School of Fashion alumni launch their own lines and brands; dress cultural icons like Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, Zendaya, Maren Morris, and Tracee Ellis Ross; and lead the industry into the future at international houses like Chanel, Thom Browne, and Marc Jacobs.

Founded in 1937, the FSF is the foremost fashion-oriented nonprofit in the U.S. to assist with education and workforce development. In addition to awarding more than $1 million each year in scholarships, FSF provides scholars with intensive mentorship, industry networking, internship and career opportunities, professional development, and direct access to the world’s top companies and most influential leaders in fashion and related business sectors.

2025 SCAD student FSF Scholarship winners

Chairman’s Award finalist

Flora Medina (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Seattle, Wa.)

Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholarship winners

Amanda Kerr (B.F.A. fashion; Sunrise, Fla.)

Alexandria Minott (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Kingston, Jamaica)

Cierra Wajid (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Williamstown, N.J.)

Kennedi White (B.F.A. fashion; Statham, Ga.)

WHP Global x FSF Scholarship winner

Fabiana Abreu (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Miami, Fla.)

Eric Emanuel x FSF Scholarship winners

Kinnera Challapalli (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Hyderabad, India)

Ella Hodges (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Tallahassee, Fla.)

BCI Brands x FSF Scholarship winner

Olivia Lively (B.F.A. fashion; Fayetteville, W.Va.)

Levi Strauss & Co. Scholarship winner

Amanda Kerr (B.F.A. fashion; Sunrise, Fla.)

Macy’s, Inc. Jeff Gennette Scholarship Program winner

Caitlyn Miller (B.F.A. business of beauty and fragrance; Orlando, Fla.)

Weissman x FSF Scholarship winner

Alexandria Minott (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Kingston, Jamaica)

Perry Ellis International x FSF Scholarship winner

Oliver Riedinger (B.F.A. fashion; Orlando, Fla.)

FSF Scholarship winners

Emmalee Allbritton (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Roanoke, Texas)

Victoria (Tori) Carannante (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Buford, Ga.)

Keegan Conklin (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Mullica Hill, N.J.)

Mikayla Metcalf (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Sun Prairie, Wisc.)

Sabana Reyes (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Bogotá, Colombia)

Sidney Shaffer (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Peoria, Ill.)

Lauren Smith (B.F.A. fashion marketing and management; Spring Park, Minn.)