Pictured left to right: Jake Poore, Director of Communication at GIA; Vanessa Boekenoogen, Assistant Director of Communication at GIA
Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) received multiple accolades at the 2025 Inland Empire American Advertising Awards, held March 21 at the Life Arts Center in Riverside. The organization earned a total of ten ADDY Awards, including a Silver Award for IESuccess.org, several Bronze Awards across its podcast and campaign work, and the event’s only Mosaic Award for its Higher Endeavor campaign.
Hosted annually by the Inland Empire chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the event recognizes outstanding advertising and media work from professionals and students throughout the region. This year’s competition marked a significant increase in entries, with participation levels reaching their highest since 2019.
GIA’s most notable recognition came in the form of the Mosaic Award, awarded to a single entry that demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The organization earned the award in the Public Service Online/Interactive Campaign category for its Higher Endeavor campaign, which focuses on supporting postsecondary transformation across Inland Empire institutions. The campaign is part of GIA’s work under the Gates Foundation-funded Higher Endeavor initiative.
GIA also earned two Silver ADDY Awards:
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Website – IESuccess.org, a regional college access and success platform offering guidance and support for students navigating the postsecondary process.
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Podcast – Education Insight: Transforming Inmate Rehabilitation, an episode exploring the role of education in prison rehabilitation and reentry.
Eight Bronze ADDY Awards were also presented to GIA for the following:
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Education Insight: Named Teacher of the Year – Podcast
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Education Insight: How Athletics Enhance Success – Podcast
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Education Insight: California’s Push for Phone-Free Classrooms – Podcast
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Education Insight: The Community Program – Podcast
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Apply for FAFSA – Social Media Campaign
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Higher Endeavor – Multiple entries in Public Service Online/Interactive categories (Wish They Knew; Kimberly’s Story)
The American Advertising Awards is the industry’s largest competition, with more than 25,000 entries submitted nationwide each year. Entries are judged locally before advancing to district and national levels. The number of awards granted in each category is determined by the judges, based on the overall quality of work.
The Inland Empire chapter of AAF includes professionals and students across eastern Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and Western Riverside County.
GIA’s recognized content reflects its continued effort to communicate regionally relevant information in accessible formats. Its creative output supports the organization’s broader mission to increase postsecondary attainment and economic mobility in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
For more information about the Inland Empire American Advertising Awards, visit inlandempireaaf.com.
