The Kent State University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) excelled at the 2014 PRSSA National Conference and PRSA International Conference in Washington, D.C. on October 10 -14. PRSSA Kent earned multiple awards and was selected to present during a session at the national conference.
Highlights:
PRSSA Kent won Outstanding Chapter Award
PRSSA Kent was named Outstanding Chapter, as part of theDr. F.H. Teahan Chapter Awards program and received the Star Chapter Award, earning a plaque and a $500 reward.
Meghan Caprez, senior PR major and president of PRSSA Kent, said she was thrilled when she heard the PRSSA national president announce Kent State’s Chapter as the recipient of the award.
“It validated everything our chapter accomplished not only in the past year, but also in the years leading up to this,” Caprez said. “We have amazing officers, members, alumni and PRSA supporters without whom we would not have won this award.”
Caprez added that the award is a testament to the strength of Kent State University's public relations program.
PRSSA Officer Cindy Deng received the National Gold Key Award
Cindy Deng, senior PR major, received a coveted National Gold Key Award, which is the highest individual honor bestowed upon a PRSSA member.
The award recognizes students who display outstanding academic excellence in public relations and leadership qualities within their PRSSA Chapter.
Deng said she was thrilled when she received the call, confirming her status as a National Gold Key Award recipient this summer.
“When I received the plaque at the conference, I was just as happy and excited,” said Deng. “It meant a lot more receiving it then because my chapter was watching and cheering me on in the back of the room. It's an honor receiving this prestigious, individual award.”
Deng is also the recipient of the 2013 Akron PRSA scholarship.
Professor Michele Ewing was inducted into the College of Fellows
Professor Michele Ewing, APR, PRSSA Kent Faculty Advisor, was inducted into the College of Fellows at the PRSA International Conference.
The College of Fellows is a community of more than 300 senior PRSA members who are selected because of their advancement of the public relations profession, their experience and leadership in the public relations industry. (Read the full story here).
PRSSA Kent presented at the PRSSA National Conference
A group of PRSSA Kent members were selected to present a Chapter Development Session at the conference. The group’s presentation was titled "The Alumni Matchmaker: Best Practices to Alumni Relations."
Meghan Caprez, president of PRSSA Kent said that the team submitted a bid to present at the conference over the summer. It is very competitive and only a select few chapters are chosen to present.
The team developed a matchmaker game show-style presentation, surrounding the Chapter’s relationship with its alumni.
Caprez said she was excited when she learned that PRSSA Kent was selected to present nationally.
“It was really rewarding to be able to share our best practices with other students who may be having a tough time getting in touch with their alumni,” Caprez said. “We have a very strong connection to our alumni. They speak at our meetings, network with us at events, advise us both inside and outside the classroom and donate funds to support our Chapter financially.”
The Chapter presented to nearly 100 students from across the United States and Peru.