University of Kwazulu-Natal

College Of Fellows Prsa

Bonisiwe Shabane
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college of fellows prsa

The PRSA College of Fellows is the gold standard for public relations professionals. Induction into the College of Fellows is an emergence into new ways of serving our profession and our colleagues. Over 700 members have been inducted since its inception in 1989. Whether you have 20 plus years of professional experience or recently received your APR, continue the lifelong journey with the College of Fellows. While it is an honor to be a member of the College, it is not an honorary organization. Rather, it is an active group of experienced professionals who enrich our profession by continuing to leave a significant footprint on the public relations body of knowledge.

A rigorous application and peer review process culminates in inducting into membership these ‘best of the best.’ Selection to the College is considered the pinnacle of one’s career and the beginning of the professional’s next career phase, sharing expertise and knowledge as they continue to grow professionally and expand their careers. ChairRonele M. Dotson, APR, Fellow PRSAChair-electKelly Davis, APR, Fellow PRSAVice ChairJessica Graham, APR, Fellow PRSASecretary-TreasurerEllen Crane, APR, Fellow PRSADiversity, Equity & Inclusion OfficerOlga Mayoral Wilson, APR, Fellow PRSAImmediate Past ChairPhilip Poole, APR, Fellow PRSA Diversity, Equity & InclusionOlga Mayoral WilsonEducation InitiativesChristian PattersonMelissa Vela-WilliamsonBrandon WilsonFellows ChatsMike GrossJanet KacskosFellows EngagementAmy CowardJo Ann LeSage NelsonFundraisingJanet OppenheimerGoodFellowsAndrew CornerJamie FloerPamela ThompsonHonors and AwardsJulie FixFran StevensonPhilip TateInduction CelebrationEllen CraneJessica GrahamMentoringBrook DeWaltSusan PollardGail RymerNominatingPhilip PooleProfessional... Applying to the College of Fellows provides a unique and rewarding opportunity to assess your professional career and civic engagement: how you have contributed to our profession and your various communities for the past...

Only the finest in our profession are chosen to become members of the College and use the “Fellow PRSA” designation, first by applying, then having the application screened through a rigorous peer review. As you prepare to start this application, you may want to read “What Makes A Fellow, A Fellow?” by Jim Lukaszewski, APR, Fellow PRSA. It captures the true meaning of being a member of the College of Fellows. While selection to the College of Fellows reflects the highest pinnacle of leadership in the public relations profession, it is not a "career achievement" award. It is the next step on a career and leadership path, bringing even greater responsibility to lead with integrity and purpose. We wish you the best as you begin this exciting process.

A Fellow of the PRSA, or Fellow of the Public Relations Society of America, is an honorary designation granted to individuals by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).[1] Established in 1990, persons named... Edelman, James Lukaszewski, Richard Weiner, Betsy Plank, and Louis Capozzi.[4] According to the Public Relations Society of America, Fellows of the PRSA are annually nominated by a committee composed of current fellows and formally elected by the society's board of directors. They must have 20 years experience in the practice or teaching of public relations, hold the Accreditation in Public Relations, be endorsed by six people, be members of the society, and have demonstrated a... The PRSA Foundation will provide the PRSA College of Fellows Certificate in Principles of Public Relations Grant to qualifying students and young professionals to cover the cost of the Certificate in Principles of Public... This grant is funded by the PRSA College of Fellows.

The College of Fellows believes in the importance of students and recent graduates entering the life-long ladder of professional development through PRSA membership and participation. That progression begins with PRSSA membership, followed by the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations, earning Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) through the Universal Accreditation Board, and potentially culminating with induction into the College... The grant program will be under the oversight of PRSA Foundation, with the College of Fellows managing fundraising and the selection committee process. The PRSA College of Fellows Certificate in Principles of Public Relations Grant will provide a limited number of grants annually to qualifying undergraduate or graduate students or new professionals who meet the eligibility requirements... Grants are provided to defray the cost of the study course and examination. Awards will be given twice annually.

Applications for the spring/summer are due November 1. Applications for the fall/winter are due April 30. Applicants for the PRSA College of Fellows Grant should submit the following: Every fall, as PRSA members gather for ICON, another tradition unfolds — one that honors the profession’s past, present and future. On the eve of ICON 2025 in Washington, D.C., nine practitioners will take their place among the College of Fellows, joining a community of leaders whose influence stretches across decades. These Accredited PRSA members — each with at least 20 years of professional experience — were chosen through a rigorous process that asked them to showcase their impact, provide peer endorsements, and demonstrate how...

Their applications were carefully reviewed by a committee of Fellows, with Kelly Davis, APR, Fellow PRSA, chair-elect of the College, overseeing this year’s selections. The new inductees will be celebrated at a formal gathering on Oct. 27, from 6-9 p.m. at the Washington Hilton with the theme “Red, White, Blue & Fellows: Celebrating Monumental Achievement,” an evening that Vice Chair Jessica Graham, APR, Fellow PRSA, organized. Since its inception in 1989, the PRSA College of Fellows has established itself as the gold standard for public relations professionals, growing to over 700 members. The PRSA College of Fellows, founded in 1989, is the gold standard of the world’s largest association of PR professionals.

The significance and distinction of the ‘Fellow PRSA’ designation after one’s name are akin to the Academy Award of public relations. The words ‘career pinnacle’ are often used to explain the gravitas of the College of Fellows. A rigorous peer review process has singled out these professionals to be among the ‘best of the best.’ The College of Fellows is an honorary organization within PRSA comprised of more than 350 senior practitioners and educators, each of whom has left a significant footprint on the public relations profession. Election to the College, which was created in 1989 as part of a PRSA initiative focused on the future of public relations, is considered the pinnacle of a professional’s career. College members are seen throughout PRSA and the profession serving in Chapter, Section and national leadership positions, mentoring students and professionals, teaching, and engaging in professional practice.

Sign up for our newsletter and receive the latest news and events © 2025 PRSA Houston All rights reserved. NEW YORK, July 9, 2025 – PRSA, the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, announced today the eight new members selected to the College of Fellows. Established in 1989, the College of Fellows includes more than 750 professionals and educators who have made a significant impact on the public relations and communications profession. “The College of Fellows represents the best of the best in our profession — those who have demonstrated and been certified as having the highest standards of excellence,” said Ray Day, 2025 PRSA chair,... “The latest class of inductees underscores the high-impact work these individuals have accomplished throughout their careers, leading with integrity and unwavering ethical standards.

On behalf of PRSA, it’s an honor to recognize each of them on this prestigious distinction.” Members of the College of Fellows exemplify excellence in the practice of public relations. They are recognized for advancing the profession, demonstrating leadership and service within their communities, and service as a role model both in their careers and beyond. To be considered, candidates must have at least 20 years of experience in public relations communications and hold an Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification. The College of Fellows Class of 2025 will be inducted at a gala celebration on Monday, Oct. 27, prior to PRSA’s annual ICON conference in Washington, D.C.

About PRSA PRSA is the leading professional organization serving the communications community through a network of more than 400 professional and student chapters in the U.S., Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico. Guided by its Code of Ethics, PRSA empowers its members to succeed at every stage of their careers through a wide breadth of premium professional development programs, exclusive networking events and leadership opportunities. Signature events include the Anvil Awards, and ICON, the premier annual gathering for communications professionals and students. For more information, visit www.prsa.org. PRSA, the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, announced today the eight new members selected to the College of Fellows. Established in 1989, the College of Fellows includes more than 750 professionals and educators who have made a significant impact on the public relations and communications profession.

“The College of Fellows represents the best of the best in our profession — those who have demonstrated and been certified as having the highest standards of excellence,” said Ray Day, 2025 PRSA chair,... “The latest class of inductees underscores the high-impact work these individuals have accomplished throughout their careers, leading with integrity and unwavering ethical standards. On behalf of PRSA, it’s an honor to recognize each of them on this prestigious distinction.” Members of the College of Fellows exemplify excellence in the practice of public relations. They are recognized for advancing the profession, demonstrating leadership and service within their communities, and service as a role model both in their careers and beyond. To be considered, candidates must have at least 20 years of experience in public relations communications and hold an Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification.

The College of Fellows Class of 2025 will be inducted at a gala celebration on Monday, Oct. 27, prior to PRSA’s annual ICON conference in Washington, D.C.

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