PRSSA Bateman team gold has launched the Bullies to Buddies campaign that will continue throughout the month of February on behalf of this year’s national PRSSA Bateman competition.

The goal of the Bullies to Buddies campaign is to increase awareness about the impact of youth bullying and to educate middle school students, their parents, faculty and other key audiences at Stanton Middle School in Kent, Ohio about steps they can take to prevent bullying.

Last week, team gold began implementation of the campaign by hosting a Kick Off event during the students lunch period. Team gold introduced themselves and the campaign while also distributing blue anti-bullying ribbons to students and faculty for them to wear.

Team gold also began one of its four anti-bullying activities called Kindness Week with an activity that encouraged students to create Valentine’s Day-inspired notes that included positive anti-bullying messages.

Team Gold consists of: Bethany Johnson, Bobby Batyko, Cindy Deng, Megan Corder and Shannen Laur.

For more information about the campaign, contact any of the team members: Bethany (bjohns80@kent.edu); Bobby (rbatyko@kent.edu); Cindy (cdeng@kent.edu); Megan (mcorder2@kent.edu); and Shannen (slaur@kent.edu).

I transferred to Kent after going to a branch campus for two years. After my first PR Principles class, Michele encouraged everyone to join PRSSA to gain experience and get to know the other students in the PR Kent program. I have never once regretted my decision to become a member because it has given me so many great experiences and opportunities. From being a member, to VP of Fundraising and finally, President, I gained valuable contacts and made some of the best friends I could ever ask for. My best advice: Join PRSSA and try to get involved in as much as you can. And remember, you never know when you're going to me your future employer at an event! 

Current job: I am an associate at True Digital Communications, a PR/Marketing agency focused on digital strategy.

Through the encouragement of Michele Ewing in Principles of PR, I joined PRSSA Kent as a freshman. And boy am I glad I did! Throughout my four years at Kent State, I evolved from member to National Delegate to VP of Programming and eventually President. Not only did I build incredible friendships (one of the girls was a bridesmaid in my wedding!), I was also able to network with other students and professionals through PRSSA National conference and local PRSA chapters to better determine what internships and jobs I was interested in pursuing. PRSSA Kent strengthened my already terrific experience in the PRKent program – so much that I come back as often as Michele will have me to advise current students in Campaigns! My advice? Join PRSSA as soon as you can, be as active as your schedule will allow and take advantage of every opportunity to network. You won’t regret it!

Current job: I am a Social Media Strategist at AKHIA, where I lead social media strategy using an integrated marketing approach for the agency’s B2B and consumer clients.

Being part of PRSSA can open many doors in the Cleveland area and even around the country. Many professionals are former PRSSA members and understand the value and hard work that comes out of being part of the organization. Through PRSSA, I received not only an internship, but also turned that internship into a full time job through the lessons and networking opportunities I learned. PRSSA is also not only a great place to network with current professionals, but future ones as well. I’ve met many of my close friends through PRSSA and now that we are all working in the industry, use our experiences and jobs to help each other.

Current job: Social marketing specialist at Rosetta, a national digital marketing agency. Currently, I work with CPG and financial services brands to plan and execute social marketing campaigns.

I joined PRSSA as a freshman, It was a great way to become more involved and more excited about my major. I got the chance to serve as an officer, one as president, but served on several committees which gave me the chance to meet older students and professionals.  PRSSA also helped me gain insight into the different routes I could take as a professional through speakers that came. I gained both of my internships through PRSSA, as well as my job. I've met hundreds of people from across the country as well as some of my best friends through PRSSA.

Current job: I am a Publicity/Promotions Coordinator for Allied-THA, a nationwide integrated marketing company. Our main clients are the major motion picture studios and I assist with everything from advance screenings to publicity about the movies to social media. (company website: http://www.alliedim.com/)

Attending my first PRSSA Kent meeting was one of the best decisions of my college career. I had just transferred from another university and didn’t know many people. Not only did I meet some of my closest friends, but I gained practical knowledge and valuable leadership skills. My favorite PRSSA memory was when I attended National Assembly as our chapter delegate. The enthusiasm for public relations was contagious and being there inspired me to run for chapter president.

Current job: I am a PR Account Executive for Marcus Thomas, an integrated advertising agency in Cleveland. I work with B2C clients in the home and garden category, planning and executing public relations and social media campaigns.