Student agencies are nothing new for marketing and communication programs — they provide students with exceptional experiential learning opportunities and real-world experiences with clients in the industry. However, how does one build a student agency that aligns with university goals, industry trends, and student and professional expectations? How can a student agency bring brand recognition and donations to a program and university? This presentation will discuss these points while highlighting these strategies, best practices, and insights from building the University of Louisville’s new student agency, The Bird’s Nest.