Audrey Eckert: The Inspiring Journey of Miss USA 2025 and Digital Empowerment Advocate
Who Is Audrey Eckert?
Audrey Eckert is a name that has quickly become synonymous with grace, ambition, and modern empowerment. Crowned Miss USA 2025, she represents a new generation of women who merge beauty, intellect, and influence with purpose. Hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska, Audrey’s story is a blend of academic excellence, professional dedication, and social impact.
At just 23 years old, she has already carved out a place as a marketing professional, social media strategist, and digital safety ambassador. Her inspiring journey—from a university cheerleader and pageant coach to a national titleholder—reflects both discipline and authenticity.
Early Life and Education of Audrey Eckert
Academic Journey at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Audrey Eckert was born on May 20, 2002, in Lincoln, Nebraska. From an early age, she displayed a passion for communication and creativity. She graduated from Lincoln East High School in 2020, where she was an active student and member of the National Honor Society.
Following her secondary education, Audrey pursued a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, majoring in Marketing with an emphasis in Advertising and Public Relations. Her studies were a perfect match for her natural talent for connection, communication, and brand management.
Involvement in University Activities
While at the university, Audrey became a member of the Husker Cheerleading Squad, an experience that strengthened her teamwork, leadership, and time management skills. She was also affiliated with the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, which helped her further develop community engagement and leadership values.
Her academic journey and extracurricular roles gave her a strong foundation in digital strategy, social awareness, and public engagement—skills she would later apply both in business and pageantry.
Career and Professional Experience
Early Career in Marketing and Event Management
Audrey’s professional journey began during her university years, where she worked part-time while studying. Her first major role was as a Personal Assistant at Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In this hybrid role, she managed a range of creative and logistical tasks:
-
Designing and developing client websites on Squarespace.
-
Integrating booking software to improve customer experience.
-
Coordinating international travel itineraries using Excel for clients visiting multiple countries.
-
Organising and managing corporate events for up to 50 guests.
Her work at Duncan Aviation demonstrated her attention to detail, strong communication skills, and ability to manage complex projects, all while pursuing her degree.
Social Media and Brand Representation
In 2022, Audrey took on the role of Social Media Manager for the Husker Cheer Squad, where she oversaw content for over 18,000 followers. Her creative direction and strategy significantly improved audience engagement. She mastered the art of translating personality into brand voice—a skill she now carries into her pageant and advocacy work.
Additionally, she served as a Student Ambassador for Alani Nutrition, representing the brand across her university. She organised promotional events, executed sampling campaigns, and created creative online content that reflected her energetic and authentic personality.
Pageant Coach and Mentor
Audrey’s connection with pageantry runs deep. Since 2015, she has worked as a Pageant Coach with Queens INC. Pageant Consulting, mentoring aspiring contestants in public speaking, interview skills, and confidence-building.
Her coaching approach blends emotional intelligence with media readiness, helping young women embrace authenticity while performing under pressure. She also maintained the company’s social media accounts, developing advertisements and marketing campaigns to attract new clients.
Pageant Career: From Nebraska Teen to Miss USA 2025
A Decade of Dedication in Pageantry
Audrey Eckert’s journey in pageantry began in her teens. She was crowned Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2020 and achieved a historic milestone by placing third runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2020—the first top-five placement ever for her state.
Her persistence and humility led her back to the stage five years later. In April 2025, she won the title of Miss Nebraska USA 2025, and later, in October 2025, she was crowned Miss USA 2025 in Reno, Nevada.
This achievement made her only the second Nebraskan ever to win the Miss USA title, following Sarah Rose Summers in 2018.
Platform and Advocacy: Digital Safety and Empowerment
Audrey’s platform centres on digital safety, mentorship, and youth empowerment. Through her initiative, often referred to as “Queen of Your Feed”, she raises awareness about responsible social-media usage, online identity, and mental well-being.
As a Digital Safety Ambassador, she uses her marketing background to develop educational content that encourages young people to navigate online spaces confidently and safely.
Representing the USA on the Global Stage
As Miss USA, Audrey is preparing to represent the United States at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant, scheduled to be held in Thailand. Her bio line “Fashion for global good 🇹🇭” hints at her involvement in sustainable fashion initiatives and cross-cultural advocacy.
Her international representation will focus not only on beauty and poise but also on social responsibility and empowerment through technology and communication.
Personal Life of Audrey Eckert
Family and Relationships
Audrey was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, though she has kept her family life private. Her public social media primarily focuses on friends, professional projects, and advocacy work.
She has often been seen with Austin Schneider, who appears in multiple Instagram posts. The two have been linked since at least 2021, sharing milestones such as university events, holidays, and birthday celebrations. Posts like “here’s to three years with my best friend 🤍🥹” (April 2022) and “Happy birthday to my favourite person @austinschneid” (May 2024) show a long-standing, supportive relationship.
Personality and Strengths
Audrey describes herself as self-motivated, task-oriented, and people-focused. According to her CliftonStrengths profile, her top attributes fall under the Influencing Domain—specifically Competition, Woo, Communication, Significance, and Activator.
These strengths make her an exceptional communicator and motivator—qualities that have shaped her success as a student-athlete, marketing professional, and national pageant winner.
Public Image and Branding
From Student to Influencer
Audrey’s Instagram, @audreyeckert_, has over 17,000 followers and showcases a balance of lifestyle, advocacy, and personal moments. Her bio reads:
“Miss USA 2025 @missusa
Turning influence into impact 💫
Founder, Digital Safety Ambassador
Fashion for global good 🇹🇭”
This short, purposeful description perfectly encapsulates her brand identity: youthful yet professional, confident yet humble.
Partnerships and Appearances
Recent posts show Audrey attending events at 1587 Prime, a luxury restaurant, as part of her Miss USA engagements. She has also posted holiday content such as “Digital Christmas Card, sent with love 💌🎄”, blending personal warmth with visual storytelling.
These appearances highlight her evolving role as a public figure, where she balances elegance and relatability—key traits for brand partnerships and global representation.
Conclusion: Audrey Eckert’s Path Ahead
Audrey Eckert embodies the modern Miss USA — intelligent, compassionate, and influential in a digital age. Her journey from a Nebraska university student and cheerleader to national beauty queen and digital safety advocate reflects a rare blend of ambition and heart.
As she prepares to represent the United States on the Miss Universe 2025 stage, her focus remains clear: turning influence into impact. Whether through marketing, mentorship, or advocacy, Audrey Eckert continues to inspire a generation to lead with purpose, authenticity, and digital integrity.
FAQs
1. Who is Audrey Eckert?
Audrey Eckert is an American model, digital safety advocate, and marketing professional from Lincoln, Nebraska. She was crowned Miss USA 2025, representing Nebraska, and will compete at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand. Known for her charisma and leadership, she uses her platform to promote online safety and responsible digital engagement.
2. What is Audrey Eckert’s educational background?
Audrey studied at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and an emphasis in Advertising and Public Relations. She was also part of the Husker Cheerleading Squad and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
3. What jobs has Audrey Eckert held before becoming Miss USA?
Before winning Miss USA, Audrey worked as a Personal Assistant at Duncan Aviation, a Social Media Manager for the Husker Cheer Squad, and a Student Ambassador for Alani Nutrition. She has also served as a Pageant Coach at Queens INC. Pageant Consulting, where she trained contestants in public speaking and confidence-building.
4. Who is Austin Schneider in Audrey Eckert’s life?
Austin Schneider, known by his Instagram handle @austinschneid, has been featured in Audrey’s social media posts since 2021. The two share a long-term relationship, often appearing together at university events and in personal celebrations, such as birthdays and holidays.
5. What is Audrey Eckert’s advocacy focus as Miss USA 2025?
Audrey’s main advocacy is digital safety and online empowerment. Through her initiative, “Queen of Your Feed”, she aims to educate young people about healthy social-media use, digital responsibility, and mental wellness. She also promotes ethical fashion and sustainability, emphasised in her motto “Fashion for global good.”
