 By Nuhami Miller
A Transformative Kent State Journey 2026 Kent State alumna Camille Duber calls Kent State “one of the most transformative periods of my life.” She acknowledges the support she received from professors and classmates shaped her personally and professionally. Dunbar graduated with a degree in communication studies and a minor in public relations. She now works as the grants and communications coordinator at the Hudson Community Foundation, using many of the skills she learned in class. The PR Tactics course had a major impact on her career preparation. “PR Tactics taught me the skills I use every day: social media, e-newsletters, events, and so much more,” she said. Finding Her Path Through PRSSA Duber first heard about PRSSA in Professor Michele Ewing’s Principles of Public Relations class. Ewing’s description of the organization prompted her to join. “My first impression was that everyone in PRSSA was committed and dedicated,” Dunbar said. “They really cared about helping students learn more about PR.” Regular meetings exposed her to professionals and real-world insights into public relations careers. “The questions the moderators asked were exactly what we needed as students,” she said. One event, Communication Connections, stood out. Duber remembers it as the moment she learned how to network effectively and gained a clearer understanding of the many roles in public relations. Where Networking Met Opportunities Her PRSSA involvement directly led to her first internship. After a session on event planning, Duber approached one of the speakers, Nora from Engaged with Nora. That conversation turned into an application, an interview and ultimately her first internship. “It was such a wonderful experience, and I wouldn’t have known about it without PRSSA,” she said. Confidence, Connections and Career Growth PRSSA also helped Duber build confidence in networking and reinforced the importance of strong professional relationships. “Building and maintaining relationships is something I use every day,” she said. PRSA, a national organization for public relations and communications professionals, continues to connect her with others in the field even after graduation. “A lot of the people I’ve met after graduating are PRSA members,” she said. “It’s nice to have that shared background.” Lessons Learned and Advice for Students Duber’s biggest takeaway from PRSSA is simple: make connections. “Build relationships with the professionals who speak and with other students,” she said. “Your network creates opportunities.” Her advice to current students is straightforward: attend meetings and stay involved. “PRSSA offers many different types of meetings,” she said. “It’s a chance to hear new perspectives and learn from people working in the industry.”
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An Unexpected Opportunity This past summer, I was determined to gain real-world experience in public relations. Like many undergraduates, I learned quickly how competitive internship searches can be. After several interviews and rejections, and with summer ending, I accepted a part-time job at a law firm so I could at least gain professional office experience. Right before I started, a LinkedIn connection tagged me in a post from Corey Kinder, senior manager of affinity marketing for the Cleveland Browns. He was looking for two brand ambassadors for training camp. I reached out, but Corey told me the positions were already filled due to high interest. Four days into my new job, I checked LinkedIn late one night and saw a message from Corey asking if I was still interested and if we could connect as soon as possible. The next thing I knew, I was at the Browns’ Berea facility working with the Fan and Brand Development staff to support training camp and create memorable experiences for attendees. At the end of the week, I thanked Corey for the opportunity, thinking this was it. He told me to hold onto my badge and that he would keep me updated on what’s next. A Season of Experience Since then, I have supported Fan Experience and Special Events throughout the season, including Dawg Pound Drive on game days, mascot appearances with departments such as corporate partnerships and community relations and affinity programs like Junior Browns Backers and Barking Backers. I have also helped with events including Barking Backers Howl-O-Ween and Junior Browns Backers Sideline Spooktacular, and will assist with winter events as well. My responsibilities include guest check-in, crowd flow, giveaway distribution, station support and event setup and teardown. I am also working with the Browns marketing coordinator as my client for my Media Relations and Publicity course. The Power of a Profile Before having gained all of this experience, I asked Corey what made him return to my message out of so many. His answer was simple: my LinkedIn profile stood out. Professors and professionals always emphasize the value of networking. And while it can feel like a chore at times, it works. PRSSA helped me learn how to build a strong digital presence through workshops and personal branding guidance. Long before I joined the executive board, I started as a member attending events and learning how to present myself professionally. That work paid off in a way I never expected. Key Takeaway Sometimes opportunities arrive when you least expect them, but they only come if you put yourself out there. Keep connecting, keep reaching out and keep building your personal brand, because someone might be paying attention.  By Reily Morris Uhuru’s Mission
As a Kent State student, Uhuru has had a greater impact on me than any other student organization. I joined a legacy that began long before I set foot on campus and will continue long after I graduate. Established in 1989 as a media extension of Black United Students, Uhuru provides Black students with a space to speak openly about their social and political realities. Being part of an organization with nearly 40 years of history has been both grounding and empowering. During the past two semesters, I served on Uhuru’s executive board as lead stylist. In this role, I create visuals and designs while integrating culture, identity and Black student empowerment. Uhuru aims to reestablish the magazine and student organization as a cultural staple at Kent State. Rooted in its history, Uhuru has been reinvented to represent today’s students. My involvement in reinventing Uhuru has strengthened my connection to the campus community and deepened my pride in its history. Advocating for Black Voices Community connection is particularly meaningful during Black History Month. Black students and educators at Kent State played a key role in expanding Black History Week into Black History Month. That effort reinforces how student voices have long shaped the university, even when they were challenged or overlooked. As a predominantly white institution, Kent State benefits from media organizations like Uhuru. The organization provides Black students a place to feel seen, heard and understood without needing to explain their experiences. It also encourages multicultural understanding by sharing Black perspectives, creativity, and experiences with the broader campus community. I am proud to contribute to Uhuru’s legacy and its mission to fight for freedom, resilience and student-led community improvement at Kent State.  By Amber Trares
At ICON 2025, I attended the session “Culture Is Your Crisis Plan: Communicating Unity in Divided Times,” led by Elizabeth Whittington, APR, senior director of executive communications at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges and divisions within the health care sector. “Culture will help you communicate unity in divided times,” Whittington said. St. Jude leaned on its strong culture that prioritized transparency and patient safety. The CEO emailed daily updates, including those concerning safety, to their employees. “Forty-two percent of CEOs cited workforce and culture as one of the most significant opportunities for success in the long term,” Whittington said. Company leaders can create a weak company culture by treating it as a communication strategy rather than focusing on behavior. Challenges with organizational culture also include returning to the office after the COVID-19 pandemic, ideological polarization and the acceleration of AI. Whittington explained that culture is not one thing. It is the sum of daily signals and practices, including hiring and onboarding, leadership communication, internal communications, external brands and stakeholder engagement. Whittington wrapped up the session by discussing federal funding and diversity, equity and inclusion. St. Jude receives federal funding, so measures have been taken to adhere to the government’s requirements while maintaining St. Jude’s value of DEI. ICON was a valuable experience that allowed me to hear from diverse professionals, explore Washington and network. I highly recommend the conference and plan to attend next year in Orlando, Florida.  By Haley Reedy
Speaker: Robyn Patterson, former White House Spokesperson, Biden administration At PRSA ICON 2025, I had the opportunity to hear from speakers on topics ranging from nonprofits and AI implementation to agency work. One session that I found extraordinarily insightful was "From the Briefing Room to the Boardroom: Translating Political Messaging Tactics for Corporate PR," led by Robyn Patteson, the former spokesperson for the Biden White House. During my time in Washington, D.C., my passion for crisis communication and political PR was reignited, and Patterson’s session was a perfect blend of both. Adapt a Crisis Mindset Before You’re in One Patterson reminded me that not all crises have to be life-or-death; they can also be small. A crisis can be difficult to avoid but necessary to prepare for. They may not be "good," but crises help develop the mindset and practices we take into our internships and future work. I kept asking myself, "What do we need to say and when do we need to say it?" Responding too quickly without clear messaging can create confusion, but waiting too long can make the public lose trust in you or your brand. Timing, clarity, and strategic thinking are what help navigate any crisis effectively. We need to prepare for a crisis early. Patterson said we must establish urgency, use it to gain leadership buy-in and leverage that buy-in to sharpen our messaging. Stick to Your Messaging Once crisis messaging is set, it’s important we stick to it. Strong message discipline drives effective communication. Patterson said to lean into the urgency that we have already established. We need to limit communications that do not move us closer to our key goals or align with our messaging. We should be asking ourselves, “How is what I’m doing getting us closer to our goal?” During this part of the session, Patterson said something that has stuck with me through my courses, my internship interviews and now in my Bateman class. She said, “If you have ten messages, you have no messages.” This is helpful for those who tend to ramble with messaging or justification for a strategy. Remember that less can be more, and being concise and clear in a crisis situation is vital for recovery. Values Matter Oftentimes, we see politicians change their stances when it suits them best. Patterson reminded us to stick to our messaging during a crisis and avoid flip-flopping. Even when people may not agree with everything you stand for, they can still respect that you have core values. Attending PRSA ICON 2025 gave me tools I will carry into my career, including crafting and understanding messages and developing a crisis mindset. The sessions offered insights that will help me grow as a student and prepare for the industry. If you have the opportunity to attend PRSA ICON 2026, I highly recommend it. I gained professional connections, new friends and knowledge across various areas of focus, all of which have helped me become a well-rounded aspiring PR professional. |
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