PRSSA Kent Earns National Recognition at Atlanta Conference

The Kent State University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA Kent) sent 14 members to attend the national organization’s annual National Conference in Atlanta Nov. 6-10.

​For the fourth year in a row, PRSSA Kent was recognized as a Star Chapter, which recognizes students’ efforts with professional development and community service. PRSSA Kent was one of 43 Chapters in the country to receive this award. There are more than 300 Chapters nationwide.

Five members of PRSSA Kent delivered a Chapter Development Session at the conference entitled, “We Are Family: Becoming Part of Your University Community,” sharing the Chapter’s best practices on building community within a university, how to collaborate with other organizations on campus and work with faculty, staff and administration. Presenters included public relations juniors Jesse Gettemy, Hanna Moore, Brenna Parker, Gabrielle Woodard and Erin Zaranec.

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“Doing a Chapter Development Session at PRSSA National Conference gives our Chapter an opportunity to show our strengths and learn where we have opportunities to improve,” Woodard, the Chapter’s president said.
This was the fourth time in five years the Chapter was selected by the PRSSA National Committee to present a Chapter Development Session. Last year, Kent State students presented “The Alumni Matchmaker: Best Practices In Alumni Relations.”

“Our Chapter Development Session was received well with students at the conference,” Parker, PRSSA Kent’s vice president of public relations said. “Improving relations with student organizations and your university community is something all Chapters can work on.”

Chapter members also earned individual honors at the conference. Woodard was awarded the National PRSSA President’s Citation, a special honor for students who have left a lasting mark on the Society through their exceptional contributions to PRSSA at the Chapter and National level.

​Meghan Caprez, a communication studies graduate student and PRSSA Kent vice president of professional relations, was awarded the National PRSSA Gold Key award. This is the highest individual PRSSA honor and recognizes students who excel in academics, professional development and Chapter leadership.

“PRSSA Kent makes a huge difference in other students’ lives in terms of learning about career paths and connecting with public relations practitioners, internships and jobs,” said Michele Ewing, associate professor and PRSSA Kent faculty adviser. “National recognition validates the high caliber of work our students produce.”
For more information about the PRSSA National Conference, visit http://prssa.prsa.org/events/Conference.

About the Public Relations Student Society of America
The Public Relations Student Society of America (www.prssa.org) is the foremost organization for students interested in public relations and communications. Founded in 1968 by its parent organization, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), PRSSA includes more than 11,000 student members and advisers, and is active at more than 340 colleges and universities.
About the Kent State University Chapter

PRSSA Kent (www.prssakent.com) was established in 1968 as one of the 14 original Alpha Chapters of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Named the 2014 Outstanding Chapter, the 60-member student-run organization collaborates with its parent Chapter, the Akron Area Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, to coordinate meetings and events that offer professional development and networking opportunities to Kent State University students interested in the public relations and communications industry.