Eller Advertising Class Delivers Real Impact for Tucson Veterans

This fall, Eller College of Management students stepped out of the classroom and into the Tucson community, applying their advertising skills to support a local nonprofit serving veterans and their families.

Through a semester-long collaboration led by students in the Marketing 425 Applied Advertising course, the class developed a comprehensive, professional-level marketing campaign for BaseCamp for Veterans Inc., a local organization offering equine-assisted reintegration programs for veterans and their families. The partnership reflects Eller’s commitment to experiential learning, giving students the opportunity to apply strategic marketing skills while serving the Tucson community.

“MKTG 425 Applied Advertising course is built to function like a real advertising agency,” says Marketing Lecturer Ed Ackerley, who leads the course. “These applied experiences give students an unmatched opportunity to turn classroom learning into career-ready skills.”

BaseCamp for Veterans Inc., supports veterans through immersive, weeklong programs centered on working with mustangs at White Stallion Ranch. The experience is designed to mirror and address the emotional and psychological transitions veterans face after military service, fostering confidence, focus and personal growth. Beyond the initial program, the organization offers ongoing engagement through monthly clinics, mentorship opportunities and an annual conference.

Acting as a full-service advertising agency, the Eller class of 20 students organized into four departments—public relations, creative, operations and marketing—to execute the campaign. Students conducted research, developed branding and visual assets, managed outreach and coordinated events, including a community gathering at Union Public House.

“Our partnership with BaseCamp for Veterans this semester allowed us to put everything we’ve learned at Eller into practice while making a meaningful impact,” said team leader Audrey Pitzer ’26 BSBA (Marketing). “It was an opportunity to collaborate across teams, engage with a real client and connect with the Tucson community.”

Throughout the semester, students met with BaseCamp for Veterans staff, observed program operations and translated those insights into targeted messaging and outreach strategies aimed at expanding the organization’s visibility and support network.

“As we continued planning and executing outreach, the Tucson community was incredibly supportive and instrumental in helping us bring our ideas to life,” Pitzer said.

Students said the project exemplified Eller’s emphasis on hands-on learning and professional preparation. Teagan Schreiber ’26 BSBA, the team’s operations director, described the experience as “incredibly valuable,” noting that managing logistics and coordination provided tangible insight into agency operations.

“The partnership gave us the chance to showcase our creative and strategic abilities through websites, posters, mockups, research and more,” said Paige Stockford ’26 BSBA (Marketing).

By guiding the project from strategy through execution, Eller’s Applied Advertising course gave students a realistic agency experience—while reinforcing the college’s mission to develop skilled, socially conscious business leaders who make an impact beyond the classroom.